Ready 2 Rumble Boxing
In short: Ready 2 Rumble Boxing is a sports game released in 1999 by Art & Magic, available on Nintendo 64, Dreamcast and PlayStation. Our score: 8.5/10 (highly recommended).
A classic arcade-style boxing game known for its simple yet addictive gameplay and memorable characters. Features a variety of boxers with unique fighting styles.
Ready 2 Rumble Boxing is a vibrant and energetic arcade-style boxing game that burst onto the scene in 1999, captivating players with its over-the-top action and memorable cast of characters. Developed by Art & Magic, the game eschewed realistic boxing simulations in favor of fast-paced, exaggerated combat, making it accessible and enjoyable for both casual players and fighting game enthusiasts. Its distinctive visual style, featuring comically proportioned fighters and vibrant arenas, contributed significantly to its charm and enduring appeal. The core of Ready 2 Rumble's gameplay revolves around its intuitive control scheme, allowing players to quickly grasp the fundamentals of punching, blocking, and dodging. However, beneath the seemingly simple exterior lies a surprising depth, with each character possessing a unique set of special moves and a distinct fighting style. Mastering these nuances, along with the game's titular "Rumble Meter" – which, once filled, unleashed a devastating series of power punches – was key to dominating opponents and achieving victory. The game successfully blended accessibility with a satisfying skill ceiling, encouraging players to delve deeper into its mechanics. Beyond the thrilling in-ring action, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing also offered a robust roster of eccentric and charismatic boxers, each with their own backstories and hilarious taunts. From the agile Afro Thunder to the powerful Boris "The Bear" Knokimov, every character brought a unique…
Game details
- Developer: Art & Magic
- Publisher: Midway Games
- Release year: 1999
- Platforms: Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PlayStation
- Category: sports
Our review
Ready 2 Rumble Boxing delivers a knockout arcade boxing experience. Its easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay, combined with a cast of unforgettable characters, makes for endless fun. While the graphics show their age, the vibrant art style and smooth animations still hold up. The lack of a deep story is easily forgiven thanks to the pure joy of the in-ring action and the hilarious personality of the fighters. A must-play for fans of arcade sports games.
Pros
- Addictive arcade gameplay
- Memorable and diverse character roster
- Intuitive controls
- Great local multiplayer
- Humorous presentation
Cons
- Graphics are dated
- Limited single-player depth beyond arcade mode
- Repetitive sound effects
FAQ
- Is Ready 2 Rumble Boxing available on modern consoles?
- Unfortunately, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing is not officially available on modern consoles. It was released for Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, and PlayStation. You might need to use original hardware or emulation to play it today.
- Does the game have a multiplayer mode?
- Yes, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing features an excellent local multiplayer mode, allowing two players to duke it out head-to-head. This is widely considered one of the game's strongest aspects.
- Are there any unlockable characters?
- Yes, there are several unlockable characters in Ready 2 Rumble Boxing. You typically unlock them by progressing through the various game modes, especially the 'Championship' mode.
More about this game
Similar games
Last updated: 04/04/2026