"Rocky" - The Video Game

[Santa Claus]

I searched and I couldn't see this topic anywhere, so I thought I would start it.

Is anyone else looking forward to the new "Rocky" game coming out soon?

I gotta tell ya, next to "WWE: Smackdown 4, Shut Your Mouth", I have never anticipated a release for a video game this much. I have a Playstation 2, so I have to wait a while before I can get it.

Anyway, I am like the biggest "Rocky" buff on earth. I am a total "Rocky" junkie. I love the "Rocky" movies more than life itself. So this is like a dream come true for me. [If only a "Rocky VI" could be made next.....]

And you know, for years on other boxing games, that have the "create a boxer" option, I have always created "Rocky" and other characters from the "Rocky" movies. Now, I won't have to do that.

The screenshots for the game look so cool too. They look so real. I think only us "Rocky" buffs are really going to be able to enjoy the game however.

I cannot wait to get my hands on this bad boy though. I just went to the game's offical site just a moment ago. All I can say is, "someone change my shorts!". This game looks to cool for words.

I can't wait to lead Hulk Hogan to the WWE title when I play "Smackdown 4" and my other hero, Rocky Balboa to the heavyweight boxing title in the "Rocky" game.

Those two games are the top items on my Christmas list this year. I hope Santa Claus brings me them. :D

Here are some screen shots from the offical website.

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2002/news/09/12/rocky_screen002.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2002/news/09/12/rocky_screen003.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2002/news/09/12/rocky_screen004.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2002/news/09/12/rocky_screen005.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2002/news/09/12/rocky_screen005.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2002/news/09/12/rocky_screen006.jpg


These graphics are looking VERY good, and if the game plays as well as the graphics look, it should be a great game. I'll post some more screenshots in a second.

[Santa Claus]

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2002/news/09/12/rocky_screen007.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/stew/RockyPS2_01.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/stew/RockyPS2_02.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/stew/RockyPS2_03.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/stew/RockyPS2_04.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/stew/RockyPS2_05.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/stew/RockyPS2_06.jpg

[Santa Claus]

http://www.boomspeed.com/stew/RockyPS2_07.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/stew/RockyPS2_08.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/stew/RockyPS2_09.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/stew/RockyPS2_10.jpg

http://www.sphosting.com/ste/RockyPS2_11.jpg

http://www.sphosting.com/ste/RockyPS2_12.jpg

[El Bracamonti]

it looks pretty lame to me, but that's just my opinion

[Santa Claus]

Well, that's okay. To each their own. There are all types of different movies, music, and video games out there made for all sorts of different people to enjoy. We all like to do our own thing.

As I said, I think only us hard-core "Rocky" buffs are going to truly enjoy the game. And/or fans of boxing video games.

And I'm a big "Rocky" buff. I view "Rocky" the same way Star War geeks view "Star Wars". :D I've been watching "Rocky" movies my whole life. I'm 19, about to be 20 and I grew up watching the "Rocky" movies. I don't even remember the age I was when I first saw the first four. So for as long as I can remember, I have been a fan of "Rocky." And I've always wanted for there to be a "Rocky" video game. So again, this is a dream come true for me. I've had to wait for 20 years, but that's okay. Better late than never. :-D

[RogueSpear]

I'm not a real big fan of boxing games but I love the Rocky series. The screenshots look pretty cool. Probably a rental. The only game I plan on buying for awhile is Grand Theft Auto: Vice City...

[Santa Claus]

Oh, I'll defiantly buy it if I do not get it as a Christmas gift. And I plan on playing it for years on end since it will be timeless much like the "Rocky" series. :D

I am hoping to get the whole "Rocky" series on DVD for my birthday coming up in a few days too. I currently do not have the DVD set, even though I am a hard-core "Rocky" buff. I have the whole series on the VHS package that came out six years ago though. But DVD is so much better and it has all the extra features, so I gotta get the DVD's.

[NDS]

Geez I don't think Rocky's had a game since the days of Caleco-Vision(or however it is spelled).

[Scully1888]

Originally posted by NDS
Geez I don't think Rocky's had a game since the days of Caleco-Vision (or however it is spelled).

Nah, there was a sweet-ass Rocky game on the Sega Master System.

http://www.vgmuseum.com/end/mastersystem/a/rocky-1.gif

[Santa Claus]

Wow. There were more "Rocky" games in the past? I didn't know that. And I called myself a "Rocky buff". *lowers head*

Oh well. Those games were probably around before my time. And this will be the first time I played a "Rocky" game, and I am pretty sure this version will be the best of the best. And I want my first "Rocky" video game experience to be the best. :D

[A.J. Hakari]

Dolph Lundgren probably pulls off some better acting as a video game character than an actor.

[inglourious basterd]

I think that the game looks pretty damn cool. I think that they could make it pretty awesome if they wanted to.

The only thing is that I consider gameplay the most important thing in a video game. If it lacks that, the game has nothing..

So I will wait with anticipation for the game reviews... I am hoping for the best... It seems like a really great concept.

The thing is that the market for the Rocky films died long long ago.. I do not really see why it got green lighted, but its all good.. Again, gameplay is the only thing that really matters.

[inglourious basterd]

Hands-On with Rocky
The original People's Champion makes one more comeback on next gen consoles.
$49.99 Boxing Board
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29 Movies 28 Screenshots

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June 19, 2002 - We said way back in 2001, that authentic voices and sounds from the film series would be imperative for Rage's Rocky. And it wasn't even that we had to have Sylvester Stallone accurately representing his Academy Award winning character. When one thinks about the Rocky film franchise, it's the classic dialogue and memorable music as much as the crushing haymakers that immediately come to mind. At first glance, the boxing is solid, surprisingly solid at that, but Rage has taken the steps to include the details that'll make serious Rocky fans smile. Besides we all know it basically comes down to two words: Clubber Lang.

Rage has taken the time to get top-notch voice-acting and Mr. T himself to bring Apollo Creed, Tommy Gunn, Ivan Drago and Clubber Lang to life in Rocky. For Rocky himself, we're getting real samples from the films. "You gotta be a moron. You've got to be a friggin' moron to wannabe a fighter" is lifted directly from the original movie and used as his in-ring taunt. The famous "Theme from Rocky" is his ring entrance music and is used liberally throughout the game, albeit with different instrumentation, the same way James Bond's theme is sprinkled throughout 007 games. We didn't get a chance to check out the sounds and voices of all the big name characters like Creed, Drago and Lang but if Rocky Balboa and Dipper Brown are any indication, we'll be in good hands.

Oh yeah, we said Dipper Brown. Pretty much every fighter who's ever stepped into the ring for a Rocky movie will be among the 20 total playable characters. Dipper Brown, Spider Rico and all of the other barely-named fighters will be in there along with some very interesting hidden fighters we're not going to tell you about just yet.

The Movie Mode serves as Rocky's career mode. You play as Balboa since he's the only fighter that's unlocked when you start the game. As you defeat boxers, they become playable in exhibition mode. Movie Mode follows the story of the films in order. You start off in the first Rocky movie beating down Dipper and Spider to earn the title shot against Apollo Creed. Unlike the film, you have to beat Creed to advance. The best part is you get a computer generated cut scene right before your fight with Apollo and it's taken directly from the movie. It shows Rocky sitting in the bar watching Apollo Creed on TV talking about his upcoming fight with Lee Mac Green and then cuts to the scene where Creed chooses Rocky as his opponent. Very nice stuff to get you hyped up for the fight even though we had some issues with the sound quality of Balboa's voice samples.

The matches take place in the proper locales as well so that you're fighting Rico in the church/gym but you make it to Liberty Hall to face Apollo Creed. The fight against Drago will be in Russia and so on. And just so you know, you won't control Apollo Creed in his fatal match against Drago, only the Balboa-Drago fight. However you can exact revenge once you unlock all of them and have Creed kick Dolph Lundgren's ass in exhibition mode. Hey, a win is a win.

Whenever you win a fight in Movie Mode you "earn" the right to train Rocky to improve his stats. You start off with 15 points a piece (on a scale of 0-100) in Speed, Strength, Stamina, Determination and Movement. You have the option to either Quicktrain or Train your fighter. Quicktraining gives you an automatic five attribute points in whatever discipline you select. Conventional training in each discipline is it's own minigame that can earn you up to 10 attribute points if you do well, but if you fumble your fingers, you can end up with nothing. The choice is yours. Even though there are only five of them the minigames are extremely challenging and get tougher as you build your character.

The Speed training game has you taking to the speed bag and hitting two punch buttons in rhythm and alternating the sequence whenever Mickey tells you. The Movement training exercise puts you in the meat locker pounding punch combos into sides of beef. However the combos only count when you're standing in the right position, indicated by the glowing areas on the floor around the punching bag/beef. Determination has you doing sit-ups with Mick yelling at you and some knucklehead pounding you in the gut at regular intervals. You have to button tap as fast possible to withstand the hurt. Stamina is a jump rope exercise.

The boxing in Rocky is probably better than the boxing in the movies. Rage is presenting this as an arcade style fighter and it definitely has the pick-up-and-playability you'd expect from an arcade title. However, for serious boxing fans you'll be happy to know that you'll have to have good ring skills and be able to adjust to your opponent's style (human or CPU controlled) if you want to get deep into the game. Fast fighters won't have an automatic advantage like in EA's Knockout Kings franchise. A powerful but slow CPU fighter will do considerably more damage and have more technique to protect himself and set up for his power punches. If you're controlling this big slow guy, you have to fight the same way instead of trying to throw rapid fire shots and trying to beat him to the punch.

Also the pace of boxing is well designed. You can "open" up your opponent with one or two well timed and well placed punches so that he'll basically be vulnerable for even more damage. The whole match then becomes a strategy session as you try to create as many opportunities for flurries as possible while keeping your guard up or moving so you can protect yourself from your opponent's attacks. That's boxing folks. Ask Lennox Lewis. Or better yet ask Mike Tyson now that Lewis has taught him such a painful lesson.

The controls are very intuitive. You get your high and low punches for your left hand and your high and low punches for your right hand. You get four uppercuts on each face button once you squeeze the right trigger on the Xbox or hit the shoulder buttons on the PS2 and GameCube controllers. The left trigger/shoulder button is block/dodge when used in conjunction with the left analog stick. Different fighters have special punches on various button combos. Where Knockout Kings 2002 was a "controlled button masher" where you had to have some strategy while you mashed as fast you could, Rocky's boxing is a step slower, requires more skill and is a lot more believable if that makes sense.

Ubi Soft is publishing this game in North America while Rage is handling Rocky in Europe and it should be one of the premiere titles for both companies this holiday season. The question is just how powerful is the Rocky license in 2002? It could be all powerful like a comic book superhero or well worn and consistently disappointing like any science fiction license from the 1960s or 1970s with the word "Star" in it. Like the 1976 Academy Award winning film it's based on, this Rocky could very well come out of nowhere to shock everybody.

[inglourious basterd]

Rocky: Progress Report
A closer look and the official trailer to boot!
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September 17, 2002 - What a difference a few months inside an enclosed studio can make. Somewhat mechanical the last time we saw it, Rocky is really beginning to come into its own. And while many of you out there may be a little standoffish because of the infamous history between movie licenses and videogames, worry not. This particular movie to game remake is looking absolutely stellar.

Similar to Knockout Kings 2003 in terms of control scheme and intuitiveness, Rocky uses just about every button on the controller. The left shoulder key blocks, while both shoulders execute defensive/quick moves to get you out of harms way. Meanwhile, the top face-buttons are strikes to the head and the bottom two are body blows and rib shots. Of course, you can mix them up into hellacious multi-punch combos and when used in conjunction with the right shoulder-modifier or directional pad, you can hook and jab with the best of them after only a few rounds.

Surprisingly, the game follows boxing fundamentals a lot more closely than I expected and despite its Hollywood inspiration is probably the most accurate boxing simulation on the PlayStation 2 thus far. What this means is, that if your opponent is left handed you will need to move to the left as well, nullifying their power and eliminating their chances of a quick knockdown and continued success. Additionally, cutting off the ring and trapping your opponent in the corner can mean dire circumstances for whoever is back-to-post, and unless they can cover up and get out there will take a much harder pounding than if they were in an open area.

Boxing stances and styles too dictate what kind of approach you will need to take, so while one guy may come at you with his hands high (work the body so his head will open up), another sloppy bastard may crouch in with his elbows opened outward (that's right folks, uppercuts!). This diversity not only makes the game more strategic in terms of fight-by-fight game plans, but also encourages adaptation and allows for a greater variety of personal styles for the two-player mode.

Naturally, Rocky isn't without its problems, as there are a few balancing issues that need to be addressed. The most obvious of which is the reward on having a high level of strength. Although players can train the Italian Stallion in a multitude of categories (including speed, movement, stamina, and determination), the power attribute pulls the most weight. The problem with that approach is, that despite a high number of stats in your opponents arsenal, an over-powered Rocko will be able to dispose of them rather easily after a couple of well-placed uppercuts and body shots. It's not over exaggerated to an annoying level, but its important over the other categories is notable.

At first, I wasn't sure if this statistical imbalance was the reason that it was so easy to maul through my opponents with little challenge, or if the developers had not yet tweaked the A.I. Luckily I discovered that it was the latter, which made sense as to why I could slug through nearly all of the Rocky films in less than three hours. For my sake and the sake of other big-time boxing fans out there, I hope that the finished CPU ramps up its ability in the final product.

Another anomaly is the scorning system. Apparently only capable of giving each fighter a 10-9, 10-8, or 10-10 round, the judges aren't reflective of the way that it's done in real life. Two knockdowns in a round should be a 10-7, or if both fighters get knocked down once in a round, it's a 9-8, or 8-8. Instead, the game defaults to one of the first three scores I mentioned and leaves it at that. It would be a big bonus for the development team and fans alike, if this could be remedied before press time.

My last big complaint falls in one of the strangest oversights of all -- Rocky's boxing stance. A huge part of the storyline in all the films, it's a well-known fact that Rocky is a southpaw fighter (ie: left-handed) and a sloppy one to boot. And while it's true that the big-hearted lug switched stances to confuse Apollo Creed in their rematch for Rocky II, he's apparently stuck that way for the entire game, as not once does Philadelphia's favorite sun box left-handed. How could this be? He should most jab with right hands, not his left.

Despite all my criticisms, I remain hopeful that by the time all is said and done, Rocky will live up to its potential. A die-hard boxing fan, admirer of the movies, and overall stickler for accuracy in athletic videogames, I nitpick because I care. An infinitely entertaining single and two-player experience, this already fine videogame is just a few tweaks away from true greatness. Check back with us in November to see if it can be like Rocky the fighter, and do just that.
-- Jeremy Dunham

[inglourious basterd]

Based on the reviews and previews posted above, I have the feeling that this will be one solid game. Unfortunately, I will no longer have a PS2 effective January, so I will not be buying this game.

But, regardless of that, this looks great..

The thing is that I prefer an arcade style gameplay over a true simulation. (More "Punch Out" than "Knockout Kings"). This seems to be going the second direction.

Santa Claus...how do you feel about the alleged film inaccuracies that are presented in the game? I personally think that it does make some difference (in the story, i mean). Otherwise, I think the side quests (although the sound difficult), and the main game do sound interesting..

[RogueSpear]

I just have one question. Do you get to play as Thunderlips?? :D

[Bullet Tooth Tony]

I thought this post was about the classic Master System game. Drago was nearly impossible in that game...still got the dents in my thumbs to prove it! Ha ha

[Congerking]

Originally posted by Bullet Tooth Tony
I thought this post was about the classic Master System game. Drago was nearly impossible in that game...still got the dents in my thumbs to prove it! Ha ha

SERIOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!! i freaking know what you mean. i love that game, i still play it for sega master. i found only 1 way to beat drago. for some reason when you play him you can wear the (red,white,blue trunks) or the (yellow,red trunks). if you wear the yellow and red trunks you will lose, NO MATTER WHAT. but if you wear the red,white,blue trunks, you can win.

[NuclearMisfit]

IT would be pretty cool if you could train for the matches and work on certain stats sorta like an RPG

[NuclearMisfit]

Hey that was just 420 posts I just made hooray for me ;)

[Santa Claus]

I bought the game tonight. Have not played it yet though. I'm saving it for tomorrow when I am fresh and my fingers are ready for boxing. I'll let you guys know how it is.

[Santa Claus]

Hey everyone. Sorry I have not posted about the game yet. [Like any of you REALLY care, right? Well tough. I am writing my thoughts on it anyway. :D ]

It's pretty cool! No, it's very cool! I am on easy mode right and the name "Easy mode" fits it well. I am doing really good so far.

The toughest opponent I have had so far was Apollo in the second fight. The first time, I beat him with no problems. Second time, Creed was mad and made me work. :P I am onto Clubber Lang now.

The best part about the game so far is the little animated scenes from the original "Rocky" movies right before Rocky has to fight one of the big named fighters [i.e. Apollo, Clubber, etc]

It's almost like watching "Rocky" the cartoon. And they used Sly's voice to do the voice of Rocky which is cool. Although it's just sound clips from the "Rocky" movies. The other characters sadly do not have the original sound clips, and the voices for the others is doned by actors. Although I heard that they did use Mr. T's sound clips from the movie to do the voice as Clubber in the game. Not sure though. Will found out I guess.

The boxing on the game is great. Although I have not played a bunch of boxing video games so I am not really an expert on boxing games. In fact, this is the first boxing game I have really gotten into since I was 6-years old when I played Mike Tyson's "Punch Out" on the original "Nintendo." And I did play the recreated version of it on Super Nintendo. Forgot about that one. But the boxing on "Rocky" is wonderful.

My only complaint about the game is that it's so easy! I really haven't had to sweat much. But again, I am on "Easy mode" now. I am sure after I conquer the mode I will move up and maybe it will get harder.

And you only have to beat three other fighters before you face one of the bosses of the level. And as I said, facing those three boxers was easy and was more like a sparing session. I was thinking you would have to beat a few guys before getting to the main boxer of the level. But that's no big deal to me really.

I'm also looking forward to unlocking some of the secret fighters that I have heard about. I was hoping Thunderlips was one of them. :D But did not happen. But maybe you have to be boxing on a harder mode before you can unlock the secret fighters. Guess we will find out soon enough.

And maybe I am speaking to soon here about the game being easy....since I am fighting big bad Clubber Lang next.
:(

I highly recommend it! Would make a great Christmas gift too. But I think only hard-core "Rocky" fans like myself will truly enjoy it. And/or fans of boxing video games. So if you know someone who loves the "Rocky" movies, getting this game for them will should make them truly happy.

[Septicfish]

I Own This Game and it Fuckin' Rocks!!!


I am a huge fan of the Rocky Films and I think that anyone who likes them as much as I do will surely love it!!!

It plays Great!!!! It's fast paced, the graphics are smooth and the characters actually look like those from the Movie's

Just in case anyone was wondering, I have it on my BEAST of an XBOX!!!! But I'm told that it is the same as on the PS2. :D

By the way, I too am on easy and I have beaten Ivan Drago....

I'm just two boxers away from Tommy Gun and it is fucking near impossible!!!!!!!!!

But the game still rocks!!!:D

[Santa Claus]

The game was smooth sailing for a while. Until I ran into big bad Ivan Drago. I am having a heck of a time trying to beat the big man. One thing that sucks is this....my strength is great. My strength points are up to 100 actually. My stamina and determination is so so. It's my speed and movement that is sadly kind of low. And whenever I start to really pound away on Drago, he runs away from me and I'm to slow to catch up to him...and once I do catch up to him, he starts pounding away on me.

I saved the game and will keep trying. But also, as a back up plan, I started a new game and I am just going to auto train on this one and auto train carefully and hopefully I will do better once I get to Drago on that game. But I will keep trying on my original one.

I'm also thinking about getting me a code breaker or a gameshark too, which I am sure will come in handy.

[El Bracamonti]

i posted before that this game looks lame, but now i actually want to buy it. it really does look amazing, and i've heard nothing but good things about it.

[Santa Claus]

Yeah, dude. You should check it out. It's a lot of fun. It's every Rocky fan's dream too.

BTW, I bought a code breaker today. :D Yes, I know...I know....I sold out. But this was a last resort, darn it.

[teenkiller]

Old topic but since I just found this I thought I would share.

Rocky had an older much better game that you can see HERE (http://youtube.com/watch?v=FvWuy7p5mZE).

Oh nerd. Why must you suffer for us?...

Well thats all for now GOoD JOURNEY my fellow schmoes.