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Rocky Balboa

Published By: Sam Leitch On: 31/01/2007 10:00

AT A GLANCE

"Movie licence? Could be an underdog story though!"

The Good: Could fill a nice hole in the handheld market.

The Bad: Often such great concepts are rushed to release with the movie.

The Ugly: Teeth, sweat and blood ending up in the front row.

By Sam Leitch

Who would have thought there would have been a new Rocky movie released so long after the originals? Who would have thought I was actually kind of interested in seeing it? Lastly, who would have thought there was any potential in a film-licensed game which is also a sports title?

For those of you that don’t know the story yet, or can’t even hazard a guess (yeah right), Rocky Balboa is an underdog story; no, make that the ultimate underdog story! Just like all the other Rocky movies, Rocky must fight his way to the top. A computer simulation of the retired ‘Italian Stallion’ against the current world champion stirs up public interest, and our man Rocky once again steps up to the plate. Only problem is that old Rocks is now much older and much more out of shape than ever before. Que an epic training routine of punching meat and running up stairs to ‘Eye of the tiger’.

Judging by video footage of Rocky for the PSP, the gameplay is fast and very, very brutal. It might just be good therapy to keep this in your bag at all times. Stressed at work? Angry at your landlord? Pull out your PSP and watch your worries drain away as you pummel some virtual opponents from the movie. You will also have the chance to take on some of your favourite villains from movies past too. Even better would be reliving some of the classic Rocky fights with a mate multiplayer.

This game certainly has a lot of potential, hopefully the gameplay is fast and responsive enough to back up the concept. Expect to see this game early February on NZ shelves.

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