First off I'd like to say; I tried, I really, really tried to like Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing. If only for the reason that I think I'm the only reviewer with the opinion that the game looks very nice graphically. But in the world of video games, we all know visuals aren't everything. Mike Tyson is an example of a boxing title that could have been something so much more. In the end though, the game is a mess from the opening bell to the K.O. punch. As for differences between the two versions, nothing was touched up for the Xbox version, and both games are virtually identical. Read on if you dare.

Graphically Mike Tyson Boxing looks pretty nice, if not gorgeous at some times. Some reviewers don't like the "Legends of Wrestling" look to the game, but I knew this wasn't going to be KO Kings. The boxer models are very detailed and very clean. One thing that Atomic Planet did right was utilizing smooth textures. The ring area has been done nicely as well, with pleasant lighting effects and good crowd effects. The presentation has a Midway Sports/NFL Blitz style to it as well. Let's put it this way... if you were to read my review and see this game up to the opening bell, you'd wonder how it scored so horribly. I myself thought the same thing until the opening bell, and that's where the game goes down for the count in the first round. You are treated to a nice opening introduction with entrances, ring announcer, ringside crew, and round card girl. You touch gloves and the mess begins. The fluid animations found in the introduction are replaced with fast, frame skipping, with "what the heck is going on" visuals that want to make you pause the game and wonder if you're watching a replay in fast forward. The game does have nice blood and bruise effects that have essentially gone to waste. How could this game hit retail stores in this state? Didn't anyone who tested the code realize that the game is too fast, to the point of being unplayable? Guess not.

The game's audio doesn't fair as nicely as most of the aforementioned visuals. Not that they are bad, just sounds average. Besides the ring announcer, and a few comments (and I do mean few) by the overpaid crew of Ian Darke and Bobby Czyz on commentary, the game is strictly a sound effects affair. One piece of audio that is at least pretty decent is the crowd response. The crowd is pretty realistic sounding, and crystal clear. Too bad they were wasted on the wrong action. Overall the game just sounds are pretty plain and straightforward.

Gameplay, while responsive to the touch, is hindered by the absence of a playable framerate. If the game ran at a decent speed and rate, it may have played well. But to try and keep up with the herky jerky motions found on screen is impossible to say the least. The unplayable gameplay is exactly why Mike Tyson Boxing was rated so low. It's a button mashers dream and a gamer's nightmare.

Options are pretty sparse as well. There are only 16 pros in the game, and besides Tyson, no one really worth mentioning as they are basically "has-been" boxers. The game does offer a create a boxer mode, with some interesting modifications. Your biggest limitation is you have to pick one of 5 body styles, but the rest is customizable. From the face and body proportions, to hairstyle, all the way down to taunts and music, the game lets you do a lot to your virtual boxer. It seems like more time was spent on this feature, rather than on the game itself. The game modes consist of a Belt mode, Exhibition, and a Speed Boxing mode. (I thought the game was all speed boxing?) It's pretty cut and dry, with no real career mode to speak of. The Belt mode is close, but lacks any real stat tracking options, and just some ways to upgrade your boxer. Add 20 cities to fight in, and you have a package that is about as half-assed as the play mechanics.

Overall I was really hoping for more out of Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing than what I received. It had a lot of potential, but the gameplay and hectic animations K.O.'d this one before the end of the first round. Hopefully if a sequel is in the works they will begin with the gameplay first, and then worry about the visuals.