It’s all in the fist
With the Under 19s Rugby, the Masters Football Dubai Cup and the UAE Sailing Championship all on this month, James Fryer digs out his sweaty sports kit and lounges on the sofa.
Fight Night Round 3
PSP | PS2 | XBOX | XBOX360
“The Fight Night series is back to defend its title as the undisputed champion of boxing video games,” says the press release, and we couldn’t agree more. You’re given the option of creating your own boxer or reliving the career of a legend including Oscar De La Hoya, Joe Frazier, Bernard Hopkins and, of course, Muhammad Ali. The career mode is well thought out and you won’t need to waste time on your player if you’re itching to get in the ring. But you can go through the motions, kitting him out in nice silk shorts or training him up. Once in the ring, you can expect excellent graphics, realistic movement, intelligent commentary and ingenious controls. The left analogue stick controls your butterfly footwork while the right one gives you total control over your bee-stinging punches. Before long you’ll forget about pressing any buttons and will be feeling your way into sneaky jabs, counter hooks and devastating haymakers. A KO for sure.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006
GameCube | PC | PS2 | PSP | XBOX
If you fancy reliving Tiger’s Dubai Desert Classic win for yourself, you have two options; buggy your way down to Emirates Golf Course and start practicing for next year’s tournament, or, pop into your local games shop and grab a copy of the game bearing the champion golfer’s not so ugly mug shot. Choosing the latter option will increase your chances of actually meeting fellow golfing daddies Jack Niclaus, Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan, in the virtual world at least. The game involves using the left analogue stick to control your swing and the right one to shape the trajectory and spin of the ball. If all this sounds a bit technical, that’s probably because it is – but, you can always just swing like a maniac and hope for the best. It’s good fun seeing how mad Tiger will get as the ball heads for the nearest sand pit shot after shot. I can think of worse ways to spend an hour than playing a mate at 18 holes (including 15 modelled on the world’s most famous courses), but it’s only worth investing in if you’re already a golfing fan.
EA Sports Rugby 06
PC | PS2 | XBOX
If you’re not keen on rolling in the mud (or sand) with an 18-stone prop, stick to playing the non-beautiful game the safe way where your only risk of injury is thumb cramp or tired eyes. Saying that, you could do your flat damage if you let this game’s infuriatingly complex control system get to you. Starting with the tutorial seems logical, but your mind will soon be awash with pressing L1 to dive tackle, X to do a long pass and R2 to pass to a forward, or was that the other way around? And that’s not even mentioning the 25 tactical set plays, harnessing the power of impact players or learning the laws of rugby. It’s a shame since it looks and sounds good (there’s even commentary from All Blacks star Grant Fox). Whereas football and gridiron have been conquered with the FIFA and Madden NFL series, rugby fans will have to wait for a decent, easier-to-master virtual translation of their fave sport. Must try harder.
FIFA Street 2
NDS | NGC | XBOX | XBOX360 | PSP | PS2
If you’re still bitter about being stuck with the ‘important’ goalkeeper job every school lunchtime kickabout, now’s your chance to prove your worth as one of the cool kids. Building on the original arcade-style title, EA have recruited Man-U hotshot winger Christiano Ronaldo as the new face of the game, and you’ll see him from time to time as you strut your stuff. The action is centred around a small pitch where the object is to look good rather than score. Even your custom-built 200cm bellied player will look the part when you unleash a signature move in Matrix-style slow motion. And while it all looks pretty, it sounds nice too. Three in-game radio stations pump rock and hip hop from DJ Zane Lowe, drum and bass from DJ Grooverider and Latin rhythms from DJ Marky. Underground freestyle football (think the Nike secret tournament ads set in a huge cage) is set to be a chart topper for the second time running.
WWE Smackdown! Vs Raw 2006
PS2 | PSP
Dispute wrestling as a sport if you like, but there’s no doubting Smackdown’s ongoing chart-topping position. Take on WWE superstars in battles that are probably more realistic than the addictive TV version. If there’s one thing that beats clothes-lining and face-busting the computer, it’s pitching your wrestler online against human-controlled opponents. There’s 100 match types including ‘buried alive’ and ‘backstage bar brawl’. The personalities are the best bit – the superstar roster features John Cena and Batista, and the legends hit list boasts The Rock, Bret Hart and old skool favourite Hulk Hogan. There’s even a diva line-up so you can wrestle women’s champs Trish Stratus or Stacy Keibler. Unlike some sports games, you don’t need to be a fan to get to grips with this one.
Virtual Skipper 4
PC
If landlocked sports don’t float your boat, hit the open seas with this improved and advanced regatta simulator. Just as the weather plays a big part in the real thing, the game features 3D animated clouds, weather management, day and night cycles and outstanding ocean rendering and motion. Set sail for an awe-inspiring voyage on the world’s most famous seascapes, from San Francisco to Auckland (homes to the globe’s greatest sailing comps), from the helm of your own ACC, Melges 24, Offshore Racer or Open 60 boat. And you can create your own scenery and regatta and take to the seas in solo or multi-player mode. That’s if you can find another sailing buddy – it’s hardly universal arcade action, and is dubbed a simulator for a reason.