Though that's not to say that Showtime Championship Boxing doesn't have a few fun moments where you won't be pulling out your hair in frustration. The actual interactivity with the game is kind of fun and there are a lot of unlockable characters that can be unearthed if you conquer the challenges the game throws at you. It's just that without any real difference between boxers other than appearance, there is no real incentive to actually go out and get them. And I'm pretty sure you can sleep well knowing that "Mad Martinez" or "Deadly Diaz" won't have to get in on the action. Oh, the agony.

Visually, Showtime Championship Boxing is as bland and generic as the game-play. It isn't abysmal, but it is pretty close, and I'm sure that the title could've been on the Dreamcast if it wanted to. The boxers look very silly and move around as if they were clay figurines. Pretty sure I'm not playing Clay Fighter 63 1/3, though even that game would probably be easier on the eyes. There are a couple of different ring locations, but there is virtually no difference between them. Hey, if they wanted to be imaginative, why not throw us on top of a mountain or underwater? If you are going to give us fictional boxers and fictional locations, the least you can do is use your imagination a little, though after playing through this game, it is obvious that little thought went into it at all. On another note, the audio is practically non-existent other than the traditional grunts, blow connections, and bell sounds. There is no worthwhile commentating or voice acting to speak of, and the music is a jumbled mess; un-mute the television at your own discretion.

After all that's been said, one would really be stumped on how to sum up this game other than the following word: terrible. There is a split-screen multiplayer option, but I can't imagine anyone who'd want to participate, and why would they? Sluggish controls, poor attention to detail, lack of customization, and unbalanced difficulty all makes Showtime Championship Boxing a dud. If you really want some good ol' shoulder to shoulder boxing action, then reach no further than that Wii Sports copy you have somewhere in your closet. Fight Night from EA is also a solid option, though it is better on the 360 or Playstation 3. In fact, if I were you I'd go out and get a hold of Super Punch Out on the Super Nintendo. Nothing beats the classics.

By Branden Barrett
CCC Freelance Writer