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Exciting Boxing

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Exciting Boxing is part of the Exciting sports range of Konami titles, most of which were made for the Arcade and then ported to the Famicom. Exciting Boxing was developed solely for the Famicom and included a special inflatable controller. The idea was that hitting the inflatable boxer triggered...

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Developer
Human Entertainment

Released on
1987

Size
1 Player

Version
NES

Requirements
Nintendo Entertainment System

Downloads
Fighting

Publisher
Konami

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Exciting Boxing is part of the Exciting sports range of Konami titles, most of which were made for the Arcade and then ported to the Famicom. Exciting Boxing was developed solely for the Famicom and included a special inflatable controller. The idea was that hitting the inflatable boxer triggered sensors inside the controller that would tell the game where the player hit and with how much power.

The goal of the game is to make it past seven boxers, each the champion of their respective weight category from Flyweight to Heavyweight and, like Punch-Out!!, the seven come from all over the world.

Exciting Boxing

Overview & History

Released exclusively in Japan in 1987 by Imagineer for the Famicom, Exciting Boxing is a forgotten sports gem that experimented with a first-person perspective long before it became a staple of the genre. Unlike Nintendo's widely popular Punch-Out!!, which starred a diminutive protagonist facing flamboyant caricatures, this title drops players directly behind the shoulders of a nameless, blocky pugilist. The game strips away theatrical storylines and instead focuses entirely on the grueling, up-close pacing of a simulated athletic contest. While it never received an official Western localization during its 8-bit heyday, its distinctive camera angle and heavy reliance on stamina management have earned it a cult following among retro gaming historians and sports enthusiasts seeking a more grounded Famicom challenge.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Exciting Boxing distinguishes itself through a unique over-the-shoulder viewpoint that creates a claustrophobic, intense ring atmosphere. Players must monitor a strict stamina meter; throwing wild, uncalculated punches drains energy rapidly, leaving the fighter vulnerable to devastating counter-attacks from opposing boxers who possess varied offensive styles and guard patterns. Offensively, players can unleash rapid-fire jabs, heavy hooks, and powerful uppercuts. Defensively, mastery of ducking, leaning left or right, and holding a tight high-guard is mandatory for survival against AI opponents who punish reckless aggression. Positioning is entirely managed through subtle footwork, as closing the distance or retreating dictates the flow of each three-minute round. Knocking down an opponent requires breaking their defense with quick combinations before landing a signature haymaker.