As the first to hit the shelves of a trio of Xbox boxing games (Rocky and Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing are currently in training), Knockout Kings 2002 comes out fighting from the first bell. And though it packs a good enough punch to split your lip, you're unlikely to be knocked out by it.

A well-rendered seedy manager-type takes you under his wing in the career mode - a fifteen-fight route to the top table and World Champ status that pits you against the best boxers in history, each one returning here at the peak of their physical fitness. The heavyweight belt is held by Will Smith - sorry, Muhammad Ali - and judging by his behaviour, he's quite keen to keep it. Other familiar faces include three-time champ Evander Holyfield and Ireland's favourite scrapping fella, Barry McGuigan.

Real-life boxers may not be too pretty, but this game certainly is. All 45 boxers are superbly rendered, complete with bruises, cuts and pained expressions. It all runs fast and smooth, too, and even by EA Sports' sky-high standards, the presentation is impressively slick.

After a pep talk from the referee the fighting begins, and it's here that the game stumbles as, like a mismatched title fight, the gameplay isn't in the same league as the visuals. Basically, it all feels a bit random: the computer-controlled opponents maintains such a steady barrage of attacks that sneaking in a counter punch relies on you just button bashing.

The more considered approach - blocking, then going for a well-placed jab to the chin - never seems to pay off. Which is a shame, because the unthinking onslaught approach needed to progress makes the game far less satisfying and skilful than it should be.

Even so, fights in Knockout Kings can be good fun. Landing a big punch still feels meaty, especially when it's a knockout punch. Watching your opponent crash to the floor like a punch-drunk lump of haggis is laugh-out-loud funny, particularly when they try and hit you as they go down. The fools!

But nice touches aren't enough to save it from a points defeat. Ultimately, Knockout Kings suffers the same problem from which boxing itself often suffers. It's flashy, simple-minded, and provides a disappointingly short-lived burst of entertainment.

1. Great knockout sequences
2. Detailed thugs
3. A very deep create-a-boxer mode

1. Fighting is too skill-free and random
2. Not much variety

Power
Impressive, highly detailed and recognisable boxers who move smoothly and quickly. Good stuff!

Style
A better-than-usual slick (yet slightly soulless) lick of EA Sports paint, generously applied.

Immersion
Anyone into their big-name beat-'em-ups will crave a bit more depth than this offers.

Lifespan
All the tournament, career and quick scrap options you'd expect, but little variety in the bouts.

Summary
All brawn and no brain in what is ultimately an excellently presented, but actually fairly limited scrapper.