The last time we saw Mike Tyson on a successful video game, he was just a simple cardboard cutout in Punchout. If he still has any gaming fans left, they'll still be waiting for another successful game of his to come along, because Heavyweight Boxing doesn't cut it. The only good that comes out of this game is the graphics. The model sizes are realistic, and the animations are fit. I'm actually amazed with the audience of all things, because they jump around and look fairly realistic in all of the different boxing venues. I do think more can be done with the facial features when it comes to beating up the face, but overall, I like the graphics. Sadly, that is the only good that comes with this game.

Commentary is brought to you by Ian Darke and Bobby Czyz, although you're better off without it. I couldn't stand listening to them call my matches for very long, due to the boring commentary and repetitiveness of it all. Meantime, the crowd kinda followed the game. Sure they cheered and booed throughout the match, but they almost seemed even more disinterested in the game than I was. The soundtrack is fine, but not worth buying the game because of it.

This may sound stupid, but here goes: Heavyweight Boxing is not as much a "boxing" game as it is a "fighting" game. I know, I know. You're saying, 'Isn't boxing fighting anyways?' My response: It is, but it isn't. What I mean by all of this is that fans of the Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat series would enjoy this game more than a fan of Knockout Kings. It just has more of fighting game feel than it does with boxing. Prime example: the "fists of fire," where the boxer's gloves begin to flame, and the punches hurt the opponent more. Don't get me wrong, I think getting punched by fiery fists would hurt a lot worse than a normal punch. It's just that nobody lights up their gloves to box. Then again, nobody would expect a boxer to bite an ear off their opponent or something, but that's been done before. Now who was that again?

Once you get past the fact that Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing isn't a boxing game, you'll find it isn't much of a game at all. At least with other fighting games you can jump around and drop-kick your opponent and stuff. With this game, all you can do is trade punches, and that will get old after about ten seconds. But by that time, one of you is down on the canvas. Believe me, don't get back up, the game is not worth it. The other crappy thing is that the punches are so slow, you won't even be able to hit your opponent unless you want to jab him the entire match.

There are three modes that come with Heavyweight Boxing: Exhibition, Speed Boxing, and Belt Mode. With Speed Boxing, you try to beat your fastest time in knocking down your opponent. In the Belt Mode, you begin fighting for a bronze medal, then work your way up the system for the silver, and then the gold. The funny thing is that all of the boxers on the game are guys Tyson can beat, like Tua, Holmes, and Rahman (actually I think Rahman could beat him). Don't look for guys like Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, or even Buster Douglas.

Speaking of boxers you won't find... Little Mac! I'm sorry, but I don't care if you make a game featuring Tyson 80 years from now, you better put Little Mac in the game, or it's not even worth putting in the console. Thankfully you can Create Your Own boxer, but it's just not the same.

Like any fighting game, matches get tougher the higher you go up the list. Unlike most games, I couldn't find a way to change the level of difficulty. Generally speaking, if you do end up playing this game, use a boxer that's higher ranked until you learn how to fight. Otherwise, you'll be in for a long night.

Most gamers know that when it comes down to boxing (and fighting) games, it's all about performing combination punches. Well, they're available, but like I said before about the slow punches, you won't get a chance to use them. Also, I couldn't find the button to bite ears. It's probably one of those Special Moves. As for the rest of the game, the loading time isn't too bad, but it isn't too good either. Thankfully your memory card is spared.

Over time, Iron Mike has gone through a whole mess of changes. Let's see, he bit a couple ears off, beat up some women, went to jail too many times to count... and yet they still make Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing. What a great message for the kids. I'm guessing because Tyson is so broke after losing to Lennox Lewis, he probably beat some poor game developer at Codemasters into making the game, just so he could try and make a little dough. Don't give him that satisfaction, this game is not worth it.