Welcome to the boxing ring, where the gloves are on, the shoes are laced, and the game is... well, it’s ‘Contender’. This 1999 title, originally known as ‘Dynamite Boxing’ in Japan, has entered the ring with a reputation that bounces more than a rubber ball on a trampoline. Buckle up as we dive into the intricate world of pixelated pugilism, character story arcs that pack less punch than a gentle tap on the shoulder, and gameplay that might just leave you questioning your life choices.
Gameplay in 'Contender' can best be described as having all the finesse of a drunk elephant trying to tap dance. You play as a customizable boxer, facing off against various opponents who seem to have stepped straight out of a Saturday morning cartoon. The controls are simpler than your cousin’s math homework, but not in a good way. Athletes can bob, weave, and throw punches that seem to have all the power of a day-old soda. The AI opponents exhibit more personality than some of your ex-relationships but also have a tendency to make you wish you had taken up knitting instead. The story mode attempts to flesh out your career in boxing, but it’s about as riveting as watching paint dry. You’ll navigate through a series of matches, all of which make you wonder if the real contenders are the developers who thought this was a great idea.
Now let’s address the elephant in the room: the graphics. You know how a great boxer's face tells a story? Well, in ‘Contender’, the pixelated graphic design leaves a lot to be desired. Characters look like they're wearing high-fashion paper-mâché masks that were baked in a microwave. The crowd noise might make you feel like you're standing in an echo-filled hallway rather than an arena filled with excited fans. Honestly, calling it 'mid-90s graphics' doesn't even do it justice; it’s more like ‘we forgot to finish the product’ visuals. The announcer likely needs a hearing aid too because he's still trying to make the action sound exciting while you sit there wondering how to clean your game console from all the disappointment.
In the end, 'Contender' strikes out harder than a kid on the first day of tee-ball. While it promised a thrilling boxing experience, what it delivered feels more like a slapstick comedy of errors. Not every title can be a knockout, and sometimes they end up being more of a slow crawl towards mediocrity. If you're looking to fill your gaming library with titles that make you question your life choices, sure, give 'Contender' a try. But if you're after a boxer to rival the likes of Mike Tyson - well, you'd be better off just watching ‘Rocky’ on repeat and pretending that you're the champ. Remember, in the world of gaming—sometimes, you just have to roll with the punches.
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