Common Sense Media Review
By Marc Saltzman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Realistic pro boxing game with bloody violence, profanity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Fight Night Champion
What's It About?
It's clear EA Sports set out to create the most realistic boxing simulation to date when designing and developing FIGHT NIGHT CHAMPIONS. This fighting game looks and sounds as if you are in the ring with some of the world's greatest boxers from yesterday and today. A tweaked physics-based animation system, high-definition visuals, and a new control scheme called Full Spectrum Punch Control makes controlling your fighter and his in-ring moves easier than in past Fight Night games (including 2009's Fight Night Round 4). The game features many modes for solo and head-to-head play (online and off).
Is It Any Good?
It's a great experience -- assuming you enjoy fighting games and the sport of boxing. Along with quick modes to jump in and play as or against more than 50 of the world's greatest fighters (including the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Evander Holyfield, Muhammad Ali, and Sugar Ray Leonard), you can tackle the single-player story-based "Champion" mode, which follows a fictional boxer as he rises to the top of his game. However, it's at its best when played against a friend beside you or online. With its realistic graphics and animations (EA Sports says every punch was captured fresh for this game, with more than 1000 animations in total), dramatic camera angles, and tight control, Fight Night Champion is the current king of the ring.
Online interaction: This game can be played online against other people. Open communication is supported via headset microphones, which means players could be exposed to inappropriate language and subjects of conversation.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether game violence is more acceptable if it's part of the simulation of a professional sport. Does it matter that the characters depicted are similar to real-world fighters in their consent and adherence to the rules of a legal and recognized athletic association?
Families can also discuss the way this game depicts women. Are the developers justified in objectifying the game's female characters?
Game Details
- Platforms : PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360
- Pricing structure :
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : EA Sports
- Release date : March 1, 2011
- Genre : Fighting
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : June 19, 2022
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