Boxing games aren't exactly plentiful on the GameCube, at present there's only last year's Rocky in this incredibly under-represented genre. I can only assume that this is because wrestling and martial arts are featured on television and cinema screens on a far more regular basis and so warrant more game tie-ins. In addition many boxing events tend to happen late at night and for a pay-for-view audience only which rather limits their mass appeal. Fighting games of all descriptions however have enjoyed worldwide success since the days of Double Dragon in the arcades and have become essential purchases with the release on Street Fighter II on the SNES. So, has Black & Bruised got the brute force to go head to head with these classics then? There's only one way to find out...

Graphics:

There's no denying the fact that cell shaded graphics look impressive and, even though you could argue that they're becoming the default choice of developers now, there's still a great deal to celebrate about this visual style. Black & Bruised is no exception. The decision to use this process results in a lush and vibrant world with boxers that appear to have substantially more life in them than any created with polygons alone. This is also true of the environments which are not only well designed but seem to have much more depth than you'd normally expect. Overall it's a stunning looking game and, whilst there are some minor niggles with the front-end presentation, the more important 'in-game' visuals are excellent.

Sound:

Although some reviewers have criticized portions of the audio for not being authentic you have to remember that this is a rather tongue in cheek affair and, as such, everything is firmly based in the fantasy realm. This includes the rather strange boxers and over the top sound effects. The boxers dialogue is without a doubt a gaming highlight though and to say these people are unique characters would be a huge understatement. Each of them reels off some wonderful banter revealing a lot about their personality and even more about their IQ.

Gameplay:

Before you even enter the ring your first task is to decide just how you wish to tackle the boxing action and the amount of options on offer is reasonably impressive. It's probably advisable to first drop by the 1P Fight which allows you to sample a single bout without getting dragged into a long-winded competition of any description. You'll also have to select which computer controlled boxer to battle against although if you have a friend and an extra controller you can play a 'real' boxer which, of course, is entirely dependent on just how good your friend is. After your friend's departed and you're feeling a little more confident you may want to have a stab at the Tournament section which is split into different and progressively more difficult cups. This gets tough very quickly although losing a bout doesn't mean you are automatically banished from the Tournament as there are a handful of replays available.

More interesting for a Boxing title is the Boxer's Life section which can best be described as Story Mode. This is divided into seven chapters (six of which are playable) and allows you to see just how your chosen boxer ended up in the sport. The real challenge here is that every section will slightly alter your boxer's ability so injuries sustained on the way may only allow you to punch with one fist while others reverse your whole control system. Finally here is the self-explanatory Survival. Simply put 'how many opponents can you consecutively KO'? This section manages to be fun and frustrating at the same time as well as putting your thumbs under immense strain. Just remember not to let your guard down when you consider you've got an easy fight like we did.

Playability:

The overall playability is helped by the inclusion of the Training section without which the whole thing would probably be a lot less enjoyable. This takes you through both basic and advanced boxing moves with a kind of crash test dummy as your opponent. Perfecting these moves is the only way to success in the main sections of the game. Even so things start off fairly simple and the learning curve is pitched just right so whilst you initially feel like you're quickly rising up the ranks you can also very quickly be brought back down to earth. Usually by a left hook.

Controls:

A: Right Punch.
B: Left Punch.
X: Right Hook.
Y: Left Hook.
L: Block/Slip.
R: Guard Low.
Z: Power Up.
C: Movement.
D-Pad: Menu Selection.
Control Stick: N/A.

Lifespan:

Whilst there's lots to unlock in this title it's questionable whether the depth of gameplay will engage you enough to actually play it for the length of time required. As mentioned previously Black & Bruised is firmly on the arcade side of the fence and whilst it's great for a quick punchfest there's little here to keep you occupied long term. The two player option does extend play time though and it goes without saying that it's much more fun to beat your friend, as opposed to a computer controlled character, to a pulp.

Final Say:

If you enjoy arcade style boxing games where simplicity is a major priority then Black & Bruised is definitely for you. It's certainly enjoyable and the characters that populate the game look wonderful and ooze personality. There's also loads of gaming for your money with a range of options to satisfy most gamers needs. That aside the gameplay itself is less than inspiring and GameCube owners looking for something on a par with Rocky will be woefully disappointed. It's not that Black & Bruised is bad, it's just reaching out more to a arcade centered audience rather than one looking for a fully featured boxing sim.