Knockout Kings 2001
{{Short description|EA Sports video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| collapsible =
| state =
| italic title =
| title = Knockout Kings 2001
| image = Knockoutkings 2001 cover.jpg
| caption = North American PlayStation 2 box art featuring Oscar De La Hoya (left) and Shane Mosley (right)
| developer = Black Ops Entertainment
| publisher = EA Sports
| platforms = PlayStation, PlayStation 2
| release = PlayStation{{vgrelease|NA|October 31, 2000{{Cite web|author=IGN staff|date=October 31, 2000|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/01/woo-what-a-knockout|title=Woo, What a Knockout!|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514152119/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/01/woo-what-a-knockout|archivedate=May 14, 2023|url-status=live|accessdate=March 6, 2024}}|EU|November 23, 2000}}PlayStation 2{{vgrelease|NA|February 7, 2001|EU|March 9, 2001}}
| genre = Boxing
| series = Knockout Kings
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Knockout Kings 2001 (known as Box Champions 2001 in Germany for the PS1)[https://psxdatacenter.com/games/P/B/SLES-03123.html The Playstation Datacenter - Box Champions 2001] is a boxing video game developed by EA Sports. The third installment in the Knockout Kings series, the game was released for PlayStation in 2000, and later for PlayStation 2 in 2001. Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley appear on the North American cover, while the European cover features Lennox Lewis.
Gameplay
Knockout Kings 2001 features a roster of 40 boxers, increased from the 25 featured in Knockout Kings 2000.{{Cite web|author=IGN staff|date=February 7, 2001|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/02/08/playstation-2-knockout-kings-ships-today|title=PlayStation 2 Knockout Kings Ships Today|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423003007/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/02/08/playstation-2-knockout-kings-ships-today|archivedate=April 23, 2023|url-status=live|accessdate=March 6, 2024}} Alongside retired boxers like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, the game also featured contemporary boxers like Lennox Lewis and Shane Mosley. It is the only game in the series to feature female boxers, which included Mia St. John, Christy Martin, Lucia Rijker, and Regina Halmich. Commentary during in-game matches was provided by Al Bernstein, Max Kellerman and Teddy Atlas, while Mills Lane and Richard Steele were featured as the referees. Jimmy Lennon Jr. was featured as the ring announcer. In the European version, the commentary was instead provided by Harry Carpenter, Barry McGuigan and Ian Darke.
The ability for the player to create their own character was retained from the previous game. Alongside standard moves such as jabs, uppercuts, and roundhouse punches, the player can also perform "dirty" moves against opponents including low punches, elbows and head butts.{{Cite web|url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/914395-knockout-kings-2001/cheats|title=Knockout Kings 2001 – Cheats|website=GameFAQs|publisher=Fandom|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423182451/https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/914395-knockout-kings-2001/cheats|archivedate=April 23, 2023|url-status=live|accessdate=March 6, 2024}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| align = left
| PS = true
| PS2 = true
| na = true
| MC_PS = 84/100{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/knockout-kings-2001/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation|title=Knockout Kings 2001 critic reviews (PS)|website=Metacritic|publisher=Fandom|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423054957/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation/knockout-kings-2001|archivedate=April 23, 2023|url-status=live|accessdate=March 6, 2024}}
| CNG_PS = 7/10{{Cite web|last=Rector|first=Brett|date=November 9, 2000|url=http://www.gamecenter.com/Psx/Reviews/Kk2k1/|title=Knockout Kings 2001 - PlayStation Review|website=Gamecenter|publisher=CNET|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20001202131600/http://www.gamecenter.com/Psx/Reviews/Kk2k1/|archivedate=December 2, 2000|url-status=dead|accessdate=March 7, 2024}}
| EGM_PS = 7/10{{Cite magazine|last1=Kujawa|first1=Kraig|last2=Hager|first2=Dean|last3=Funk|first3=Joe|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_138_January_2001_U/page/n201/mode/2up|title=Knockout Kings 2001 (PS)|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=138|date=January 2001|page=203|accessdate=March 6, 2024}}{{efn|Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation version each a score of 7.5/10, 6.5/10, and 7/10.}}
| EGM_PS2 = 7.33/10{{Cite magazine|last1=Hager|first1=Dean|last2=Leahy|first2=Dan|last3=Kujawa|first3=Kraig|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/0/0b/EGM_US_141.pdf|title=Knockout Kings 2001 (PS2)|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=141|date=April 2001|page=107|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716232246/https://retrocdn.net/images/0/0b/EGM_US_141.pdf|archivedate=July 16, 2023|url-status=live|accessdate=March 6, 2024}}{{efn|In Electronic Gaming Monthly{{'}}s review of the PlayStation 2 version, one critic gave it 8/10, and the rest gave it each a score of 7/10.}}
| EPD_PS = 8.5/10{{Cite web|last=Nash|first=Jeff|date=December 7, 2000|url=http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=4637&full=1|title=Knockout Kings 2001 (PS)|website=The Electric Playground|publisher=Greedy Productions Ltd.|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030228091653/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=4637&full=1|archivedate=February 28, 2003|url-status=dead|accessdate=March 7, 2024}}
| Fam_PS2 = 30/40{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=9525&redirect=no|title=ノックアウトキング2001 (PS2)|language=ja|magazine=Famitsu|publisher=Enterbrain|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306193859/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=9525&redirect=no|archivedate=March 6, 2024|url-status=dead|accessdate=March 6, 2024}}
| GI_PS = 7.5/10{{Cite magazine|last=Anderson|first=Paul|title=Knockout Kings 2001 (PS)|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=FuncoLand|issue=92|date=December 2000|page=110}}
| GI_PS2 = 9/10{{Cite magazine|title=Knockout Kings 2001 (PS2)|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=FuncoLand|issue=95|date=March 2001}}
| GSpot_PS = 8.9/10{{Cite web|last=MacDonald|first=Ryan|date=November 15, 2000|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/knockout-kings-2001-review/1900-2654537/|title=Knockout Kings 2001 Review (PS)|website=GameSpot|publisher=Fandom|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010621181748/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2654537,00.html|archivedate=June 21, 2001|url-status=live|accessdate=March 6, 2024}}
| GSpy_PS2 = 85%{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Chris|date=February 15, 2001|url=http://www.sportplanet.com/features/reviews/kokings2001/|title=Knockout Kings 2001 (PS2)|website=SportPlanet|publisher=GameSpy Industries|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030404005450/http://www.sportplanet.com/features/reviews/kokings2001/|archivedate=April 4, 2003|url-status=dead|accessdate=March 7, 2024}}
| NGen_PS = {{Rating|3|5}}{{Cite magazine|last=Gaudiosi|first=John|url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen73Jan2001/page/n107/mode/2up|title=Knockout Kings 2001 (PS)|magazine=NextGen|publisher=Imagine Media|issue=73|date=January 2001|page=106|accessdate=April 1, 2020}}
| NGen_PS2 = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite magazine|last=Smolka|first=Rob|url=https://archive.org/details/NextGen76Apr2001/page/n79/mode/2up|title=Knockout Kings 2001 (PS2)|magazine=NextGen|publisher=Imagine Media|issue=76|date=April 2001|page=78|accessdate=March 6, 2024}}
| OPM_PS = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite magazine|last=Zuniga|first=Todd|url=https://archive.org/details/official-u.-s.-playstation-magazine-issue-39-december-2000/page/172/mode/2up|title=Knockout Kings [2001] (PS)|magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=39|date=December 2000|page=173|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010127194700/http://www.zdnet.com/opm/stories/main/0,11891,2646701,00.html|archivedate=January 27, 2001|url-status=live|accessdate=March 6, 2024}}
| OPM_PS2 = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite magazine|title=Knockout Kings 2001 (PS2)|magazine=Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=42|date=March 2001}}
| XPlay_PS2 = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite web|last=Shkloven|first=Emmett|date=March 2, 2001|url=http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0%2C23008%2C3314356%2C00.html|title=Knockout Kings 2001 (PS2)|website=Extended Play|publisher=TechTV|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20010605083432/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,23008,3314356,00.html|archivedate=June 5, 2001|url-status=dead|accessdate=March 7, 2024}}
| rev1 = BBC Sport
| rev1_PS = 73%{{Cite news|last=Gibbon|first=David|date=February 27, 2001|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/funny_old_game/1186934.stm|title=Let's Play: Knockout Kings 2001 (PS)|newspaper=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021203220755/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/funny_old_game/1186934.stm|archivedate=December 3, 2002|url-status=live|accessdate=March 6, 2024}}
}}
The game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. John Gaudiosi of NextGen{{'}}s January 2001 issue said that while the PlayStation version was "a good boxing game, it's still not as good as it could be. Also, if you played KK2000, you won't find much of a difference." Three issues later, Rob Smolka said of the PS2 version, "Honoring the strategy of boxing as much as the ferocity, this should enthrall fans of the sport." In Japan, where the latter console version was ported and published by Electronic Arts Victor on May 24, 2001, Famitsu gave it a score of 30 out of 40.
Air Hendrix of GamePro{{'}}s December 2000 issue said of the PlayStation version, "The Knockout Kings series has lived up to its name as the PlayStation's boxing champ for a couple of years now, and this 2001 edition only continues that reign. With sharp new features, graphics, and controls, Knockout Kings 2001 owns the PlayStation boxing ring."{{Cite magazine|author=Air Hendrix|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/6/61/GamePro_US_147.pdf|title=Another Classic Bout With Knockout Kings 2001 (PS)|magazine=GamePro|publisher=IDG|issue=147|date=December 2000|page=162|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041209063237/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/psx/games/reviews/7537.shtml|archivedate=December 9, 2004|url-status=live|accessdate=March 7, 2024}}{{efn|GamePro gave the PlayStation version 4.5/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, and two 5/5 scores for control and fun factor.}} Four issues later, he said, "If you're a boxing fan with a PS2, Knockout Kings won't move mountains for you, but it's still the PS2's best boxing game and [it] will provide plenty of thrills. If you've already conquered the PlayStation version, however, steer clear – this game is too similar to be worth its ticket price."{{Cite magazine|author=Air Hendrix|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/2/2f/GamePro_US_151.pdf|title=Knockout Clings to Title on PS2|magazine=GamePro|publisher=IDG|issue=151|date=April 2001|page=96|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207082311/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/11306.shtml|archivedate=February 7, 2005|url-status=live|accessdate=March 7, 2024}}{{efn|GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 version 3.5/5 for graphics, 3/5 for sound, 4.5/5 for control, and 4/5 for fun factor.}}
{{clear}}
Lawsuit
In March 2004, Alexis Argüello filed a lawsuit against Electronic Arts, Nintendo, and Sony regarding his appearance in both Knockout Kings 2000 and Knockout Kings 2001. He alleged that his likeness and identity were put into the games without his permission.{{Cite news|last=Colker|first=David|date=March 29, 2004|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-mar-29-fi-boxer29-story.html|title=Ex-Boxer Is Making a Comeback -- in Court|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423054957/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-mar-29-fi-boxer29-story.html|archivedate=April 23, 2023|url-status=live|accessdate=March 6, 2024}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{moby game|id=/3934/knockout-kings-2001/}}
{{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 2001
{{Boxing-videogame-stub}}