Software:Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2

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Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2
Dreamcast cover
North American Dreamcast cover art
Developer(s)Midway Studios San Diego (DC, PS2)
Point of View (PS, N64)
Crawfish Interactive (GBA)
Publisher(s)Midway Home Entertainment
Composer(s)Rockett Music (GBA)
Platform(s)Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance
ReleasePlayStation 2, Dreamcast
  • NA: October 24, 2000[1][2]
  • EU: November 24, 2000
  • JP: January 31, 2002 (PS2)
Nintendo 64
  • NA: November 13, 2000
PlayStation
  • NA: November 14, 2000[1]
  • EU: December 1, 2000
Game Boy Advance
  • NA: June 11, 2001
  • EU: June 22, 2001
Genre(s)Sports, Fighting
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 is a boxing game for the Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, PlayStation, PlayStation 2 (a North American launch title for the system), and Game Boy Advance. It is the sequel to Ready 2 Rumble Boxing.

Gameplay

Gameplay in the game is similar to that of the previous game. The more big hits the player land consecutively, letters that spell out "RUMBLE" appear below the player's side of the screen. Letters also appear when the fighter taunts his opponent. Once the word is formed, powerful combo attacks can be activated that will almost definitely knock the opponent down. This time, however, there are three levels of "RUMBLE", which build up one after the other. If the player successfully lands a combo with his RUMBLE Meter full on the third level (where the letters start smoking), the final blow can launch the opponent clear out of the ring, giving the player an instant victory.

Development

Michael Jackson (picture in 1998) allowed for his likeness to be used for the game.

News from Midway's sequel to Ready 2 Rumble Boxing were first made public back in early summer of 1999[3] and in May 2000 showed off the game at that year's E3 for demonstration.[4] It was here that Midway announced that the game would receive a PlayStation 2 release.[5] In September 2000 the game was previewed for public demonstrating at that year's ECTS.[6] That same month images and screenshots of two of the game's unlockable characters were unveiled: Shaquille O'Neal and Michael Jackson.[7] It was stated that Jackson was motion captured and digitally photographed for his character, and also lent his own voice to his character, albeit at a lower register than his usual speaking voice.[1][8] Midway released the PlayStation 2 version on October 24 to coincide with the release of the PlayStation 2 three days later.[1] As with the previous game, ring announcer Michael Buffer appears in the game as himself. The game's roster also features then U.S. President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton, credited respectively only as "Mr. President" and "The First Lady".

Due to hardware restrictions, several characters had to be cut from the Nintendo 64 version, namely Freak E. Deke, Wild "Stubby" Corley, Freedom Brock, G.C. Thunder, Robox Rese-4 and Rumbleman.

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
DreamcastGBAN64PSPS2
EGM6/10[17]6/10[18]N/A5/10[19]7.33/10[20][lower-alpha 1]
EurogamerN/A3/10[23]N/AN/AN/A
FamitsuN/AN/AN/AN/A31/40[24]
Game Informer7.5/10[25]4.25/10[26]N/AN/A7.25/10[27]
GameFanN/AN/AN/AN/A70%[28]
GameRevolutionB−[29]N/AN/AN/AB−[30]
GameSpot7.7/10[31]7.6/10[32]6.7/10[33]7/10[34]8/10[35]
GameSpyN/A51%[36]N/AN/AN/A
IGN7.7/10[37]3.5/10[38]7/10[39]6/10[40]6.2/10[41]
Next GenerationN/A2/5[42]N/AN/A3/5[43]
Nintendo PowerN/A2.5/5[44]7.6/10[45]N/AN/A
OPM (US)N/AN/AN/A3/5[46]4/5[47]
USA TodayN/AN/AN/AN/A3/4[48]
Aggregate score
Metacritic70/100[9]57/100[10]64/100[11]68/100[12]75/100[13]

The game received "mixed or average reviews" on all platforms except the PlayStation 2 version, which received "generally favorable reviews", according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [9][10][11][12][13] Greg Orlando of NextGen said in its February 2001 issue that the same PS2 version "fills its spit bucket with last year's saliva."[43] Five issues later, however, the magazine said that the Game Boy Advance version was "still in the ring, but it's out on its feet."[42] In Japan, Famitsu gave the former console version a score of 31 out of 40.[24]

Alan Maddrell of N64 Magazine gave the Nintendo 64 version a score of 76% and said that "we still have the same problems with the game as we had about a year ago. Sluggish response, annoying collision detection and the overriding averageness of it all. Shame."[49] Edge gave the Dreamcast version a score of seven out of ten and called it "an offbeat, unpretentious treat."[50] Jon Thompson of AllGame gave the same Dreamcast version three stars out of five and said it was "definitely a fighter for people who don't need deep gameplay to have a great time. It looks polished and is extremely easy to pick up and play, and something should be said for such a game. However, if you want a fighter with a bit more teeth to it, this title probably isn't for you."[51] However, J.C. Barnes gave the PlayStation version three-and-a-half stars out of five, saying, "Those who bought the previous Ready 2 Rumble and are expecting a completely new experience will be sorely disappointed -- it's simply a basic roster update for the original. Yet gamers who haven't had a chance to play the first game will want to at least rent the sequel for some mindless but fun arcade-style action."[52] Shawn Nicholls later gave the Game Boy Color version three-and-a-half stars and called it "an easy game to enjoy. While it isn't as challenging as more traditional sports titles, it is entertaining and the length of the Championship mode alone makes it a solid investment for any Game Boy Advance owner."[53]

Da bomb mom of GameZone gave the PlayStation 2 version a perfect ten score and said that it was "one of those rare cases where it crosses so many lines of game genres. Whether you are a sports fan or challenge and skill, this is one game that will deliver on all fronts."[54] Later, however, Michael Lafferty gave the Game Boy Color version 7.5 out of 10 and said that it was "more reflexive than cerebral, but still a lot of fun."[55]

Dan Elekro of GamePro said that the Dreamcast version "isn't a major leap forward from last year's ring rocker, but the championship mode has evolved enough to make it worth considering for a purchase."[56][lower-alpha 2] Four-Eyed Dragon said of the PlayStation 2 version in one review, "If you're craving a nonheavy, nonstrategic PS2 brawler, Ready 2 Rumble should be your first contender: It contains all the right elements for just having a lot of fun."[57][lower-alpha 3] In another GamePro review, Human Tornado called the same PS2 version "a great sequel to what was one of the best Dreamcast games to date. On the PlayStation 2, this arcade boxing game really shines. The wild characters are hilarious, the gameplay is incredibly fun, and the graphics are excellent. Midway scores a KO in Round 2."[58][lower-alpha 4] However, Uncle Dust later said of the Game Boy Advance version, "This mediocre conversion is better than the last Game Boy effort, providing gamers with fairly short-lived button-mashing fun."[59][lower-alpha 5]

The PlayStation 2 version was a nominee for the "Console Fighting" award at the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' 4th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, which ultimately was given to Dead or Alive 2.[60]

Notes

  1. In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the PlayStation 2 version, one critic gave it a score of 6/10, and the rest gave it each a score of 8/10.
  2. GamePro gave the Dreamcast version three 4.5/5 scores for graphics, control, and fun factor, and 4/5 for sound.
  3. GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 version two 5/5 scores for graphics and sound, and two 4.5/5 scores for control and fun factor in one review.
  4. GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 version three 5/5 scores for graphics, sound, and fun factor, and 4.5/5 for control in another review.
  5. GamePro gave the Game Boy Advance version two 3.5/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, and two 4/5 scores for sound and control.

References

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  4. Marc Nix (May 11, 2000). "E3 2000: PS2's First American Games". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231129032515/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/05/12/e3-2000-ps2s-first-american-games. Retrieved January 9, 2024. 
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  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

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Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari