Summary

• Release Year: 1981
• Genres: Sport, Strategy
• Platforms: Intellivision
• Developers: Mattel Electronics
• Publishers: Digiplay, Mattel Electronics

Boxing (1981): A Classic Atari Boxing Game

Boxing is a 1981 boxing game developed and published by Atari, Inc. for the Atari 2600. It is a one-on-one boxing game with simple gameplay but challenging subtleties.

Gameplay

Boxing shows a top-down view of two boxers, one white and one black. When close enough, a boxer can hit his opponent with a punch (executed by pressing the fire button on the Atari joystick). This causes his opponent to reel back slightly. Long punches score one point, while closer punches (power punches, from the manual) score two. There are no knockdowns or rounds. A match is completed either when one player lands 100 punches (a “knockout”) or two minutes have elapsed (a “decision”). In the case of a decision, the player with the most landed punches is the winner. Ties are possible.

While the gameplay is simple, there are subtleties, such as getting an opponent on the “ropes” and “juggling” him back and forth between alternate punches.

Development

Boxing was developed by Atari programmer Alan Miller. Miller was a fan of boxing and wanted to create a game that captured the excitement of the sport. He worked on the game for several months, and it was released in 1981.

Reception

Boxing was a critical and commercial success. It was one of the best-selling Atari 2600 games of 1981, and it has been praised for its simple yet addictive gameplay.

Legacy

Boxing is considered one of the classic Atari 2600 games. It has been praised for its simple yet challenging gameplay, and it remains popular with retro gamers today.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you win at Boxing:

• Get your opponent on the ropes. This will make it easier to land punches and prevent him from escaping.
• Juggle your opponent between alternate punches. This will keep him off balance and make it difficult for him to counterattack.
• Use power punches when you are close to your opponent. Power punches score two points and can knock out your opponent more quickly.
• Be patient. Boxing is a game of patience and timing. Don’t rush your punches, and wait for the right moment to strike.

Conclusion

Boxing is a classic Atari 2600 game that is still enjoyed by retro gamers today. Its simple yet challenging gameplay makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a fun and addictive boxing game.

Additional Information

• Boxing was one of the first Atari 2600 games to use digitized sound effects.
• The game was ported to the Atari 5200 and Atari 7800 consoles.
• Boxing was featured in the 2014 documentary film “Atari: Game Over.”

Personal Anecdote

I remember playing Boxing with my friends when I was a kid. We would spend hours trying to knock each other out. I was never very good at the game, but I always had a lot of fun playing it.

I recently played Boxing again for the first time in many years. I was surprised at how well the game still holds up. The gameplay is simple but challenging, and it is still a lot of fun to play.

If you are a fan of retro games, I highly recommend checking out Boxing. It is a classic game that is still enjoyable today.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

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