Knockout Kings 2000
{{short description|1999 fighting video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = Knockout Kings 2000 cover.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = North American cover art featuring Muhammad Ali
| developer = Black Ops Entertainment
Digital Eclipse (GBC)
| publisher = EA Sports
| director =
| producer =
| artist =
| writer =
| composer =
| series = Knockout Kings
| platforms = Nintendo 64, PlayStation, Game Boy Color
| released = Nintendo 64
{{vgrelease|EU|October 10, 1999|NA|October 12, 1999{{cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Sam |date=October 12, 1999 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/knockout-kings-2000-ships/1100-2448575/ |title=Knockout Kings 2000 Ships [date mislabeled as "April 27, 2000"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000421184327/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/99_10/12_vg_ko/index.html |archive-date=April 21, 2000 |url-status=live |access-date=September 18, 2022}}}}PlayStation
{{vgrelease|NA|November 2, 1999{{cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Sam |date=November 2, 1999 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ps-knockout-kings-2000-ships/1100-2446698/ |title=PS Knockout Kings 2000 Ships [date mislabeled as "April 27, 2000"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000529162304/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/99_11/02_vg_knock/index.html |archive-date=May 29, 2000 |url-status=live |access-date=September 18, 2022}}|EU|1999}}Game Boy Color
{{vgrelease|NA|December 21, 1999{{Cite web |date=December 20, 1999 |title=Release Dates Updated |url=http://www.gbstation.com/archives/dec99.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020402144120/http://www.gbstation.com/archives/dec99.html |archive-date=April 2, 2002 |access-date=December 21, 2023 |website=GameBoy Station}}|EU|1999}}
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Knockout Kings 2000 (known as Box Champions 2000 in Germany) is a video game developed by Black Ops Entertainment and published by EA Sports for Nintendo 64, PlayStation, and Game Boy Color (the latter as simply Knockout Kings) in 1999.
Gameplay
Knockout Kings 2000 features 25 boxers, including Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, and includes the ability to design custom fighters.
A pound for pound boxing arcade style where players can play any of these three modes: Championship, Slugfest, and Training. The "Super Punch" is used where players can instantly knock down his opponent to the floor.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| align = left
| GBC = true
| N64 = true
| PS = true
| na = true
| GR_GBC = 40%{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/576199-knockout-kings/index.html |title=Knockout Kings for Game Boy Color |website=GameRankings |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408220931/https://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/576199-knockout-kings/index.html |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 18, 2022}}
| Allgame_GBC = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web |last=Huey |first=Christian |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20533&tab=review |title=Knockout Kings (GBC) - Review |website=AllGame |publisher=All Media Network |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115201436/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20533&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 18, 2022}}
| CNG_N64 = 5/10{{cite web |last=Mahood |first=Andy |date=December 10, 1999 |url=http://gamecenter.com/Consoles/Nintendo/Knockout/ |title=Knockout Kings 2000 (N64) |website=Gamecenter |publisher=CNET |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000823205105/http://gamecenter.com/Consoles/Nintendo/Knockout/ |archive-date=August 23, 2000 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 18, 2022}}
| EGM_N64 = 6.5/10{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/6/6d/EGM_US_125.pdf |title=Knockout Kings 2000 (N64) |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=125 |date=December 1999 |page=270 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}
| EGM_PS = 6.75/10{{cite magazine |last1=Hager |first1=Dean |last2=Davison |first2=John |last3=Smith |first3=Shawn |last4=Chou |first4=Che |title=Knockout Kings 2000 (PS) |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=125 |date=December 1999 |page=273}}{{efn|In Electronic Gaming Monthly{{'}}s review of the PlayStation version, three critics gave it each a score of 7/10, and the other gave it 6/10.}}
| GI_N64 = 8.25/10{{cite magazine |title=Knockout Kings 2000 (N64) |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=FuncoLand |issue=80 |date=December 1999}}
| GameFan_N64 = 42%{{cite web |last=Mears |first=Rick |date=October 12, 1999 |url=http://www.gamefan.com/repre.asp?g=1053&t=r |title=REVIEW for Knockout Kings 2000 (N64) |website=GameFan |publisher=Shinno Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000601021603/http://www.gamefan.com/repre.asp?g=1053&t=r |archive-date=June 1, 2000 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 18, 2022}}
| GameRev_PS = B−{{cite web |author=Dr. Moo |date=December 1999 |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/34189-knockout-kings-2000-review |title=Knockout Kings 2000 Review (PS) |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001173913/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/knockout-kings-2000 |archive-date=October 1, 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=September 18, 2022}}
| Hyper_N64 = 57%{{cite magazine |last=Norton-Smith |first=Hugh |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/1/16/Hyper_AU_075.pdf |title=Knockout Kings 2000 (N64) |magazine=Hyper |publisher=Next Media Pty Ltd |issue=75 |date=January 2000 |page=71 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}
| IGN_GBC = 5/10{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=January 7, 2000 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/01/08/knockout-kings |title=Knockout Kings |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=September 18, 2022 |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173953/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/01/08/knockout-kings |url-status=live }}
| N64_N64 = 82%{{cite magazine |last=Weaver |first=Tim |url=https://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-516-63.jpg |title=Knockout Kings 2000 |magazine=N64 Magazine |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=35 |date=December 1999 |page=63 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}
| NGen_PS = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Pavlacka |first=Adam |url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen61Jan2000/page/n99/mode/2up |title=Knockout Kings 2000 (PS) |magazine=NextGen |publisher=Imagine Media |issue=61 |date=January 2000 |page=98 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}
| NP_N64 = 8/10{{cite magazine |url=https://www.nintendo64ever.com/scans/mags/Scan-Magazine-367-122.jpg |title=Knockout Kings 2000 |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=Nintendo of America |volume=125 |date=October 1999 |page=122 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}
| OPM_PS = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Kujawa |first=Kraig |url=https://archive.org/details/Official_US_PlayStation_Magazine_Volume_3_Issue_3_1999-12_Ziff_Davis_US/page/n145/mode/2up |title=Knockout Kings 2000 |magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine |publisher=Ziff Davis |volume=3 |issue=3 |date=December 1999 |page=151 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}
}}
The PlayStation version received favorable reviews, and the Nintendo 64 version received mixed reviews, while the Game Boy Color version received unfavorable reviews, according to the review aggregation website GameRankings. Adam Pavlacka of NextGen said that the former console version's "biggest strength lies in its realism. The lack of arcade play is going to turn off a lot of potential fans."
In one review, Air Hendrix of GamePro called the Nintendo 64 version "a true title contender that every N64 gamer should check out."{{cite magazine |author=Air Hendrix |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/1/10/GamePro_US_134.pdf |title=Knockout Kings 2000 KOs the Crowd (N64) |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=134 |date=November 1999 |page=143 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}{{efn|GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 5/5 scores for control and fun factor in one review.}} In another, however, he changed his tune and said of the same console version, "There's a lot of flash and name recognition going on here, but this fighter doesn't have the iron will necessary to be a true champion."{{cite magazine |author=Air Hendrix |date=November 24, 1999 |url=http://gamepro.com/nintendo/n64/games/reviews/3318.shtml |title=Knockout Kings 2000 Review for N64 on GamePro.com |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041216013553/http://gamepro.com/nintendo/n64/games/reviews/3318.shtml |archive-date=December 16, 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 18, 2022}}{{efn|GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version two 4/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 3.5/5 for sound, and 2.5/5 for control in another review.}} He later said of the PlayStation version in one review, "If you're looking for a PlayStation boxing match, there's no better bout in town – with its improved in-depth features and controls, it even beats out its N64 counterpart and the Dreamcast's glamorous Ready 2 Rumble. It's no contest; KO Kings rules the console boxing ring."{{cite magazine |author=Air Hendrix |url=https://archive.org/details/GamePro_Issue_135_December_1999_U/page/n203/mode/2up |title=The New Heavyweight Champion! |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=135 |date=December 1999 |page=210 |access-date=September 18, 2022}}{{efn|GamePro gave the PlayStation version two 5/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 4/5 for sound, and 4.5/5 for control in one review.}} The Burn Out said in another review that the PlayStation version "achieves its goal of creating a realistic boxing experience that's better than the original. Die-hard boxing fans are sure to dig the massive list of moves and combos. If you liked the first Knockout Kings, you'll definitely enjoy this one as well. But if you're looking for a game like Ready 2 Rumble, then you're stepping into the wrong ring."{{cite magazine |author=The Burn Out |date=January 28, 2000 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/3947.shtml |title=Knockout Kings 2000 Review for PlayStation on GamePro.com |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041130221807/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/3947.shtml |archive-date=November 30, 2004 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 18, 2022}}{{efn|GamePro gave the PlayStation version two 4/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 4.5/5 scores for control and fun factor in another review.}}
The PlayStation version was a runner-up for "9th Annual GamePro Readers' Choice Awards" for "Best Boxing Game", which went to Ready 2 Rumble Boxing for Dreamcast.{{cite magazine |author=Dan Elektro |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/1/16/GamePro_US_142.pdf |title=Your Final Answer (Best Boxing Game) |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=142 |date=July 2000 |page=49 |access-date=September 18, 2022}} Said console version did, however, win the award for "Console Sports Game of the Year" at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' 3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.{{cite web |url=http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_console.html |title=Third Interactive Achievement Awards: Console |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001011155228/http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_console.html |archive-date=October 11, 2000 |url-status=dead |access-date=September 18, 2022}}
{{clear}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{moby game|id=/knockout-kings-2000}}
- {{moby game|id=/gameboy-color/knockout-kings_|name=Knockout Kings (Game Boy Color)}}
{{Knockout Kings}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Black Ops Entertainment games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:PlayStation (console) games
Category:Video games developed in the United States
Category:Video games scored by Burke Trieschmann
Category:Video games set in California
Category:Video games set in Detroit
Category:Video games set in Germany
Category:Video games set in Italy
Category:Video games set in Japan
Category:Video games set in London
Category:Video games set in Nevada
Category:Video games set in New Jersey
Category:Video games set in Rome
Category:Video games set in the Las Vegas Valley