LogFAQs > #949618112

#97 Boxing (Atari 2600, 1980)


I love all sorts of approaches to multiplayer. The modern multiplayer is all about deep customization to offer freedom of choice to fit the player's personal skillset and general interests. There's something about the old school multiplayer experience though that I am fascinated by, and I feel like Boxing is the best example of that.

Here you have two boxers facing off against each other. Other than a color scheme difference (one is white, the other is black), they have the exact same moves (long and short range punch). There is a fixed perspective that encompasses a single screen, so both players see the exact the same thing as the other. This then becomes a tense psychological battle as you are absolutely fixated on the screen trying to interpret as much about your opponent's overall and moment-to-moment approach to the match through their simple movements, and they are doing the same with you.

It's so basic but impressively thrilling. My parents owned like 15 games for the Atari 2600, but Boxing was always my go-to game. I don't remember how I generally fared in the game, but I do know that I always had a blast!

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KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
If you smell what the rock is cooking he's cooking crap - ertyu