Best Selling Boxing Video Game Franchise in the World Now Includes Women

Knockout Kings™ 2001 for the PlayStation® shipped today, bringing fans of the "sweet science" a boxing experience that includes not only the male legends of the sport, but also eight tough women boxers. The Knockout Kings franchise of video games by Electronic Arts continues to be the only boxing game that showcases such an incredible roll call of the greatest fighters from present and past eras. Knockout Kings 2001 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system ships early next year.

The Knockout Kings franchise is known for featuring the most famous boxers in the world. Exclusive to Knockout Kings 2001 are such titans of the sport as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, Lennox Lewis and Shane Mosley. New this year in Knockout Kings 2001, the women move in and take center stage. Mia St. John, Christy Martin, Lucia Rijker, Sumya Anani, Chevelle Hallback, Regina Halmich, Belinda Laracuente and Denise Morietes will all be in Knockout Kings 2001 for the PlayStation and bring a fresh new look to the game.

The complete roster of boxers in Knockout Kings 2001 is mind-boggling. In addition to those boxers already mentioned, the game is a virtual "who's who" of the boxing world. The heavyweight division of Knockout Kings 2001 includes Frank Bruno, Jack Dempsey, Eric "Butterbean" Esch, Michael Grant, Larry Holmes, Evander Holyfield, Ingemar Johanson, Sonny Liston, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Archie Moore, Ken Norton, Floyd Patterson, Earnie Shavers and David Tua.

In the middleweight and lightweight divisions, the game features Julio Cesar Chavez, Hector Camacho, Oba Carr, Ruben Carter, Roberto Duran, Vernon Forrest, Marvin "Marvelous" Hagler, Bronco McKart, Ike "Bazooka" Quartey, Alexis Arguello, Kevin Kelley, Jake Lamotta, Danny "Little Red" Lopez, Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, Angel Manfredy, Floyd Mayweather, Barry McGuigan, Erik Morales, Sean O'Grady, Aaron Pryor, Sugar Ray Robinson, Danny Romero, Fernando Vargas and Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker.

As a special perk, hidden boxers are also included in the game from other sports, such as basketball guard Steve Francis, hockey star Owen Nolan, baseball slugger Jason Giambi, and football legends Junior Seau and Barry Sanders.

New boxer specific fighting styles enable fans to play as or create a boxer with a fighting technique that mimics some of the best known boxers of all time. For example, the "Crab" style can be utilized to fight like Ken Norton, or the "Freestyle" way of fighting made famous by Muhammad Ali can be used. The "Slugger" style that Rocky Marciano made famous can be a fighting technique for those more concerned about offense than defense.

New to the game this year is a feature called Dynamic Punch Control™. It allows a fighter to control every punch in a combination, and it helps the boxer create and throw limitless new punch combinations. This level of control, in addition to the breathtaking graphics, is what gives the game a new level of realism and depth. ``Signature moves'' give individual boxers there own knockout punch, or defensive move that leaves the opponent swinging at air. Better footwork, faster button-response, and quicker punch and blocking moves make the user feel he truly is controlling everything the boxer is doing in the ring. It is also possible to select from a number of world famous arenas.

Each fighter has a biography in the game that educates the gamer as to what made the boxer famous and talks about their approach to boxing. With the ability to throw hooks, jabs, crosses, uppercuts, body punches, and special counter punches, it is possible to fight any kind of style in the ring.

Each boxer's strength, weight, height, speed, reach and stamina are factored into the artificial intelligence to ensure a realistic boxing experience. Also included are the intangibles that make a boxer great, such as the will to win. Knockout Kings 2001 factors in a boxers "heart" to gauge that will, as well as how easily a cut can open on his face.

Setting the tone and attitude for Knockout Kings 2001 is an incredible game soundtrack. Original music was created for the game by Black Eyed Peas "It's on", Tash "Destruction," and many other top hip-hop artists. These songs come on randomly throughout gameplay, but they also can be selected in the "Slugfest" mode if a gamer likes a particular song and wants to have it on when they fight.

In addition to the music soundtrack, the production team brought other audio elements to new heights in order to bring a feeling of realism to the game. Exciting commentary and analysis from Al Bernstein, Max Kellerman and Teddy Atlas keep the gamer informed on what is happening from a strategic standpoint. Referees in the game include Mills Lane and Richard Steel, and they help keep things fair by calling out low blows, rabbit punches, and other illegal moves that can lose a fighter points from the judges card. Jimmy Lennon Jr. makes ring announcements to give the fight a big time feel.

Knockout Kings 2001 for the PlayStation is rated "T"(Teen) by the ESRB. Consumers may purchase the game directly by going online at (http://www.eastore.ea.com) or by calling toll free at 877-EA GAMES (877-324-2637). The game has a suggested retail price of $39.95.

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