Toughman Contest (video game)
{{Short description|1995 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Toughman Contest
|image = Toughman Contest Coverart.png
|developer = High Score Productions
Visual Concepts
|publisher = EA Sports
|producer =
|composer = Brian Schimdt
|engine =
|released = May 1995{{cite magazine |date=June 1995 |title=Toughman Contest |url=https://archive.org/stream/Gamefan_Vol_3_Issue_06#page/n108 |magazine=GameFan |publisher=DieHard Gamer's Club |volume=3 |issue=6 |page=111}}
|genre = Sports
|modes =
|platforms = 32X, Sega Genesis
}}
Toughman Contest is a boxing video game for the Sega Genesis and 32X. It is based on the Toughman Contest, and features Eric "Butterbean" Esch on the cover and as the game's final boss. The game was released in 1995. It received mixed reviews, generally criticizing the sluggishness of the gameplay while praising the selection of special moves.
Gameplay
The game is based on the Toughman Contest, an amateur boxing competition on American television.{{Cite magazine|last=Patterson|first=Mark|date=April 1995 |url=https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File%3ACVG_UK_161.pdf&page=88|title=Toughman Contest |magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=161|pages=88–89|accessdate=January 6, 2022}} It features Eric "Butterbean" Esch as the cover character as well as the game's final boss. Players have to win boxing matches against their opponents. Each match is composed of three one-minute rounds, and there are 24 different characters in the game from which to choose.{{Cite magazine|date=May 1995|title=Toughman Contest|magazine=VideoGames|issue=76 |pages=92–93}} Each player can throw various punches, such as jabs, uppercuts, and hooks. The player's character also has three "special punches": the Super Uppercut, Windmill Wind-up, and Popeye Punch. If the player is losing, they also have the option to throw in the towel.{{Cite magazine|date=April 1995|title=Mega Drive 32X Review: Toughman Contest|magazine=Mean Machines Sega|issue=30|pages=78–79}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
|CP=90% (GEN){{cite magazine|author1=Marc|author2=Panda|date=April 1995|url=https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File:ConsolesPlus_FR_042.pdf&page=90|title=Megadrive Review: Toughman Contest|language=fr|magazine=Consoles +|issue=42|pages=90–91|accessdate=January 7, 2022}}
|Hyper=80/100 (32X){{cite magazine|magazine=Hyper|issue=23|page=68|date=October 1995|title=Toughman Boxing}}
|VGCE=7/10 (32X){{cite magazine|url=https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File:VideoGames_US_78.pdf&page=98|title=Toughman Contest|date=July 1995|magazine=VideoGames & Computer Entertainment|issue=78|page=98|accessdate=January 6, 2022}}
9/10 (GEN){{cite magazine|last=Tschiltsch|first=Jeffrey|date=May 1995|url=https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File:VideoGames_US_76.pdf&page=92|title=Toughman Contest|magazine=VideoGames & Computer Entertainment|issue=76|pages=92–93|accessdate=January 6, 2022}}
|rev1=Games World
|rev1Score=82% (32X){{cite magazine|magazine=GamesWorld|language=de|page=79|title=Reviews|date=July 1995}}
}}
GamePro gave the Genesis version a rave review, commenting that the game has clean and well-animated graphics, bizarre and humorous background animations, a surprising selection of special moves, and an enjoyable two-player mode.{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Toughman Contest|magazine=GamePro|issue=80 |publisher=IDG|date=May 1995|pages=42–43}} The two sports reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly both gave it an 8 out of 10. They praised the special moves, combos, tough enemy AI, and high level of strategy required to win the game.{{cite magazine|title=Team EGM: Toughman Boxing (Genesis) by Electronic Arts|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=70|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=May 1995|page=118}} They also ran a side-by-side comparison with the similar Super Punch-Out!!. They declared Toughman Contest the better of the two games, citing its better replay value, stronger AI, and the fact that opponents do not signal their moves ahead of time.{{cite magazine|title=Greatest Heavyweights: Toughman Vs. Super Punch-Out|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=70|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=May 1995|page=114}} Next Generation stated that "the minimal length of the fights and the one dimensional, fuzzy graphics leave this title a few pounds short of the heavyweight title."{{cite magazine|title=Finals |magazine=Next Generation|issue=5|publisher=Imagine Media|date=May 1995|page=99}}
Electronic Gaming Monthly reviewed the 32X version with similar praise, though one of the reviewers complained that the only changes made from the Genesis version are improved graphics and sounds, and lowered his score half a point to a 7.5 out of 10.{{cite magazine |title=Toughman Boxing (32X) by Electronic Arts|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=71 |publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=June 1995|page=120}} GamePro similarly commented that "Toughman is the same great game on the 32X that it is on the Genesis. Only a few noticeable enhancements separate them." They further criticized it for removing the humorous background animations of the Genesis version, but nonetheless concluded that 32X owners who don't already have the Genesis version should get the 32X version instead.{{cite magazine|title=ProReview: Toughman Contest|magazine=GamePro|issue=81|publisher=IDG|date=June 1995|page=64}} Two reviewers for Mean Machines Sega scored the game 64 out of 100 points, with the reviewers criticizing the lack of responsiveness to the controls and sluggish gameplay. Computer and Video Games said the sluggishness of the game makes the game more frustrating and difficult.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}