'Super KO Boxing 2' is A Knock Out
posted October 1st, 2009 5:28 AM EDT by Big Albie in $4.99, 4 stars, Reviews, Sports, iPhone games, iPod touch games
Glu Mobile's latest release Super K.O. Boxing 2 is a terrific new game that is as intense as it is fun. With its vibrantly colored cartoon animations, Super K.O. Boxing 2 delivers the heavy hitting gameplay that many have been waiting for.
The objective is to win the title belt, but don’t let the cartoon visuals fool you. This is both an exercise in entertainment and futility as you take on 12 unique and eccentric boxers on your climb up the heavyweight ladder. As the K.O. Kid, you’ll need to conquer and win your way through each of the 3 circuits. Win every bout in a circuit to earn a belt and unlock the next circuit to take on a new cast of characters.
Super K.O. Boxing 2 has 3 modes play: Circuit is the story mode where you face the most fearsome and crazy boxers on your way to the world title. Versus mode consists of fights with previously defeated boxers. Finally, Challenge mode unlocks after winning your first circuit and presents specific objectives for winning a bout. Circuit mode is where you will spend most of your time, and you’ll need to show progress here before the other modes are unlocked. Each fight lasts 3 rounds each 3 minutes in length. Aside from the funny physical appearance of the boxers, each has unique attributes and powers that make them formidable opponents.
For example, 15 Cent is a bling-wearing, high strung boxer who can disorient you with his smile, while Chief will counterpunch you relentlessly every time you take a swing. I can’t overstate the humor in Super K.O. Boxing 2. From the strange poses and dances of opponents to the funny text dialogue exchanged between opponents in between rounds, Glu Mobile has done a solid job.
Super K.O. Boxing 2 also seems to get the controls right with two basic control options — Touch Pad and Touch Regions. Unfortunately, in-game documentation is practically non-existant so it may require some trial, error and frustration to get comfortable. Using the touch pad, throwing punches consists of tapping dual buttons to throw left/right punches. Meanwhile, touch regions allows you to tap specific parts on your opponent to throw the corresponding punch. One small hitch with touch regions is that your finger will block part of the screen which can hinder the ability to block and dodge punches in some cases.
The different types of punches that can be thrown are nicely incorporated so it becomes second nature for the player. Body shots, upper cuts and combinations are all possible in this game and require timing and practice. Most notably, hooks can be thrown through a combination of dodging and swinging at an opponent’s head.
In addition, you have other weapons at your fingertips. Part of your task will be avoiding and dodging punches. The more you’re able to dodge punches and land your own will charge up your Super Punch Energy. This is tracked in the bottom right corner, and once fully charged, you can throw a Mega Punch that will floor your opponent if landed properly. Of course, you don’t need to wait until it’s full charged to use it… it just won’t be as strong. Both you and your opponent have the ability to taunt each other, and this will also build up Super Punch Energy. Of course, you’re more vulnerable in the middle of a taunt.
The gameplay is fast paced and intense, and the AI is well balanced. Both K.O. Kid and the opponent have health gauges that recharge slightly after a knockdown. The initial fights with Big Gip and 15 Cent are relatively easy, but they ratchet up significantly as opposing boxers become adept at dodging, blocking and more importantly, going on the offensive. Challenge mode is even more difficult since you’ll be limited in what you can do within a short period of time. For example, one challenge involves knocking out an opponent in one round without using Dizzying Combos and avoids being hit even once to win. The game can also be frustrating because often after you’ve knocked down an opponent, they get up with a fully charged health gauge. This is where you will either persevere or get pummeled.
All in all, Super K.O. Boxing 2 combines great cartoon visuals with some intense gameplay. I would say that the attitude and personality the devs infused into the game shine though. This is one of those games that delivers the thrill of victory with the agony of defeat all in one well-designed package.
App Store Link: Super KO Boxing 2, $4.99
TouchArcade Rating:
awesome game
must buy 4 me DL now………………lol
Nice Review, terrific game.
Damn- can't get past 15 Cent! And it keeps telling me how to hook, even though I keep doing it!! That's annoying! Other than that- great game.
IT'S A AWSOME GAME + YOU COULD BEAT THE HELL OUT OF YOUR ANGER AND LOSE YOUR ANGER AWAY!!!
Enthusiastic review! Sounds like we have a pro quality spiritual successor to Punch Out.
Looks like a nice punch out clone. It also looks like more fun than Touch KO, which (while it has (had?) a lot of potential) was very disappointing. I'll give this game a go when I have some free time.
15 cent is a bad ass!
aw man. looks like the playability is great.. but i REALLY don't like the character designs/ concepts. these are cheap throwaway ideas, really. i mean, the art is good, but the ideas lack any real personality or charm, unlike those in the original punch out, who were filled with character and subtlety. that is what is lacking here really, subtlety.
i guess character design with soul is an art few have mastered. ….
The Punch-out characters were simply a menagerie of stereotypes.
… oh shut up, will you?
No, he has a point. This characters weren't subtle in anyway. They were 1 dimensional. I have no idea where the idea that they had soul come from— except that they might carry with them some sense of nostalgia for some people. But any decent game can do that given enough time.
That was really bad, other than that a very good game.
Does the KO stand for 'knock-off'?
Yawn…
Why are people so lame? I can't wait till interweb sniping/trolling gets out of vogue, so we can get back to semi-intelligent comments.
Game looks AWESOME! And for less than the cost of your average lunch!
Says the lame person who uses a tired and irrelevant comment comparing the price of a game to something that isn't a game
Lol. How is my statement trolling? It is a fun way of making the obviously valid point that this looks like it is trying to clone Punch Out in almost every sense.
If you need to cry about it, call your mom and complain that someone's expressing their opinion on the Internet.
And I say, WHO CARES GrayDawn! Do you think everyone is too stupid to see it's a clone and you must point it out? I take it you're the type of person who is loyal to name brands. Now THAT'S lame!
Ok, why do those like you and Stormchild feel so much hostility? I am lighthearted, you guys are RAWR.
you want subtlety in games??? well ok..well im sure theres plenty of subtle "push the blocks around" games on the app store made just for you. I think the vast majority of people would say subtlety is lame..that game looks great! and im going to buy it right now because its NOT SUBTLE
I don't think you understand the word subtle.
Stormchild, you're the one crying. I was just making a joke. Some of you guys need to take some major chill-pills.
"chief" is a real pain! how can i defeat him???? the game is just gr8!!!
Spoilers for beating the chief:
…
…
Round 1:
You need to wait for him to attack then dodge right then dodge left. That will put Chief into a stun animation. Punch him in the face.
The more damage you do to chief you have to dodge more and more times. Just keep dodging right and left to the rhythm of his punches and lay him out once you see his shock animation.
After knocking him down once, you'll need to taunt him (touch the KO Kid) to make him start his punch animation. Then it's back to the dodge right and left until you see the shock animation. Fortunately you gain Super Punch power for taunting and you can blast him with some good punches to make the 2nd and 3rd knockdown go quicker.
Now if only I know how to be the zombie guy…
That actually sounds really boring. Can you counter punch in this game like you can in Super Punch Out!! That game had knockouts in under 13secs for EVERY fighter if you were a master with the strategy. But if you can't counter punch in this game I'm not going to bother.
There are strats for getting dizzies which can allow you to really own up on the opponents. Maybe not 13 seconds but pretty fast. Trust me, once you get about halfway in, you are going to be losing a lot until you get enough skill to time things right. And that's coming from a guy who was able to beat Rick Bruiser in about 50 seconds on Super Punch Out.
I'm enjoying it thoroughly!
instantly one of my favorite games on the app store!
I just passed 15 cent – so far the game is great, but too easy. Hope it will get harder soon.
have you beat voo dude yet? i get close but dang he's hard
the characters look like they would be used to advertise some kind of "EXTREEEEM CANDY!!!!" range. or icypoles or something. SUGGGGGAAARRRR!!! visualise them on cardboard cutouts in a 7eleven and you'll see what i mean. seriously, this is cheap design i tells ya. nice finish, but lame as concepts.
i think it's a shame because the game play looks very good. i just can't look at those dumb characters, so i can't buy the game even if i am in need of a good toon boxing game.
: (
Good game in general but difficulty curve needs refining. Up to chief is pointlessly easy then chief is a considerable amount harder.
Does anyone know how to beat el diablo the second time? i can't figure out how to put him down. does anyone know of a site for the strats for each fighter? Thanks in advance.
to beat el diablo you have to dodge untill your super punch will be maximuma and then just press it and wait untill he will be shaking then screen will flash and then reliase
Private,
El diablo blocks all my super punches…even the fully charged ones…When do you super punch him?
I hold down the * button yet he blocks all my fully fully charged cuper punches…
Can somebody help me, im struggling to knock king tub out, he just keeps refilling his life bar neer the end with a bit of health!
you have to wait untill he gets dizzy to knock him down
how to beat the cage man in super knock out 2?
I'm struggling to knock the cave man he is so strong can't cacth him with my punches,
Can anyone tell me how to fight Shogun I,m struggling. Thanks.
To defeat Shogun all u simply do david is when he does his little combo when his gloves glow and he starts punching you, you simply dodge them, then when he stops punching you while his gloves are still glowing and u can see his face from the glowing light on his gloves thats when you punch him
I love this game! Awesome graphics, great game play, all around bad ass. My only problem is beating 15 Cent. What are you supose to do when he does that super move? I get close to getting a TKO in the first round but I'm always a couple seconds too late. Please help, I'm sick of getting bitch slapped by 15 Cent.
does anyone know how to defeat grogul
To de feat grogul u have to block his punch first then wait 4 his straight hook just dodge lt and rt if he start with right hook it will be single hook, if he start with lt hook it will be double hook. Dodve the hook wait for him to raise his hand and punch him. If u defeat him for second time he will grow big, u cant defeat him, all u have todo is block 2 time for x punch and then dodge lt and rt. He will die by himself for a while u have to wait and survive at that time
DANG!!! I can't beat cheif!!!
Loving this game…hard. Trying to beat Voo Dude. Please help!
This game is great, finished it. Doing the challenges and also replaying the opponents in versus mode. First 2 belts have completed with lightning KOs and done all 2 belts of challenges too.
how do u defeat el diablo? i tried everything, i can dodge all his attack, but cant know him down, his life is increasing when he is about to knock down, help please.
to defeat king tub, just make him dizzy, then punch him 2 stomach, 2 head, 1 stomach, 1 head, 1 stomach again, 1 head again. then he's down.