Activision’s Boxing was the first boxing game for the Atari 2600 and it is interesting to see how Bob Whitehead approached the sport when creating this version. You look at the ring and boxers from above. The boxing ring is rendered in yellow as a fairly simple square with corner posts on a solid green background. Each player is rendered either in black or white and what you see are essentially the boxers’ heads, shoulders, and arms with boxing gloves.

When the game starts you get to select between fighting against the computer or against a friend and then the round starts. Each round lasts two minutes and the goal is to get the most points possible within that time period. You get one point for each long jab, 2 points for each close up power punch, and 100 points if you manage a K.O. Boxing has simple and straightforward gameplay but is certainly fun whether played against the computer or a friend. The AI is not a bad boxer!

The game does have simple graphics but the animation of the boxers is nicely done. The punches fly fast and you can see their heads move back as they are hit. You even see their noses getting pushed into their heads! Things really get exciting in the last few seconds as you and your opponent are trying to get all the points possible to stay ahead and win! Despite the 2600 getting boxing games with better graphics later on, this game still remains one worth playing. Maybe someone ought to do a graphical hack of Boxing to enhance how it looks while leaving the gameplay untouched.

  • 7/10
    Gameplay - 7/10
  • 7/10
    Graphics - 7/10
  • 7/10
    Sound - 7/10



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