Underplayed Gems

Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! (1997)

Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! cover
Developer
KODANSHA
Platforms
PlayStation
Genres
Fighting, Sport

How it feels

A faithful manga-to-game boxing experience where each match feels personal and weighty, driven by character stories as much as fists.

competitivecharacter-drivenintensemethodicalgroundedsports-focusednarrative-heavyjapanese-exclusive

About

This game is based on the boxing Manga and Anime series "Hajime no Ippo" created by Jyoji "George" Morikawa. It was released only in Japan. The story focuses heavily on character development, even during the matches something is learned about the fighters. Ippo and his friendly rivalry with Miyata is the main draw in the early part of the series. That later changes to Ippo's path towards the Japanese Featherweight Championship and eventually the world championship. Along the way we are given glimpses into the other side character's pasts, motivations, relationships to others and current boxing trials. This is a simulation game in which the player choose what training wants the boxer to do each month and then watch him fighting.

Trailer

Screenshots

Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! screenshot 1Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! screenshot 2Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! screenshot 3Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! screenshot 4Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! screenshot 5Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! screenshot 6

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