Like auto racing, boxing is one of those sports where its complexity is masked by what looks like a simple concept. In the instance of boxing, it’s hit the other guy while trying to not get hit. The concept is so simple it has been a staple of videogames for years. However, even the more complex boxing games trend more towards simplicity, ignoring some of the sport's more complex qualities.

As you might guess from the name, Real Boxing plays more towards the sport's complexities. Things are done to make it more "gamey," but without treading into that weird simulation-type arcade territory. It’s hard and probably not for the casual player, but still fun and rewarding.

Real Boxing looks great, even without the "…for a handheld game" tag attached. Fighters are big and take up most of the screen, allowing some of the details to shine through. Fighters take damage as the fight wears on, which is an unexpected touch. You can also purchase customization elements, so you have some measure of control over how your fighter looks. The downside to the high level of detail is some oddities, such as joints bending in weird places, stand out a little more, but these are easy to ignore.

Sound isn’t a major component with Real Boxing. It’s all workhorse stuff that helps set the tone for the game, but isn’t something bigger (or lesser) than it is.

Real Boxing takes a barebones approach to the sport, at least compared to other entries in the genre. There isn’t a massive story aside from your fighter (pre-made or user-made) working his way through the ranks and becoming a better fighter through hard work and discipline.

The game is split into a couple of modes, such as quick fights or tournaments. Quick fights are good for training your character or working on your skills, while tournaments (there are three) offer some sort of structure to work through. None of the tournaments is easy, but getting through each feels like a major accomplishment. This is easily one of True Boxing’s greatest strengths. The game is hard and requires patience, so finally winning a match after multiple losses feels amazing.

Winning matches brings rewards beyond personal accomplishment. More wins equals more money, which you can then use to purchase upgrades.

Real Boxing is a pure sim, so expect a steep incline on your path to winning a belt. If you’re the type of player who likes to throw wild punches or only go for big haymakers, Real Boxing will quickly break you of either habit. Those tactics might get you through a fight or two, but those situations are an anomaly at best.

Expect to spend a lot of time playing through training modes, especially in the early hours of gameplay. The number of options is fantastic and will help you develop every aspect of your game. You’ll learn better timing, the importance of defense, and when to throw a power punch (and, more importantly, when not to). Training also builds up your character’s stats, providing you with a more viable fighter in matches.

Getting your first couple of wins under your belt is tough, though if you stick with the game through losses, it does get a bit easier. You’ll get better as a player, but you can also purchase perks and stamina upgrades to improve your fighter.

Real Boxing offers a number of ways to play, including using the touchpad, face buttons/ D-pad, or analog sticks. All three come with their own advantages and shortcomings, so none really stands out as a clear-cut choice. For instance, using the face buttons and D-pad for punches is one of the more accurate in terms of reading inputs, but movement is limited since you can’t easily punch with the D-pad and move at the same time. Touch controls are decent, but are cut off from using the other buttons. Analog is good, but very picky about reading inputs.

Given how challenging Real Boxing is and how much it demands of the player, I was surprised the controls weren’t a little more open. Numerous options are welcome, but I have to wonder if a better scheme is out there. I eventually went with the analog option and learned to cope with its quirks. I few fights were a little closer than the should have been, but I can safely say I didn’t lose any fights because of controls.

Most of the game’s mechanics come down to stamina and health management. As you throw punches, your fighter’s stamina bar is drained. Lower stamina equals weaker punches, so you can’t flail around with a wild flurry of punches. Instead, you need to watch for an opportune time and use the appropriate punch or hang back and let your stamina replenish. It takes patience, but I actually enjoyed the puzzle-like nature of it all.

Stamina ties into the health system. If you’re low on health, you probably want to sit back and play defensively, waiting for your health boost at the end of the round, or try to go for big punches only. Both strategies are viable, though I did notice a bit of odd variance on the amount of damage punches caused. Some sure-fire power punches didn’t seem to do much damage at all. Thing is, the issue is inconsistent, so I couldn’t tell if this was by design or just a weird flaw.

Real Boxing is a great buy for hardcore boxing fans and that’s about it. This is a true sim, so the steep learning curve will frustrate players who aren’t willing to put in the time to learn the ins-and-outs and build up their fighter.