Fight Night Round 4

Fight Night Round 3 was one of the first games to show the true potential of the next-gen systems, with its realistically modeled boxers, complete with convincing sweat and facial deformation when glove connected with chin. Round 4 looks and feels even more state-of-the-art but, crucially, it adds responsiveness and playability and an impressive structure to its good looks.

A revamped control system means that different right-stick movements launch different punches with each hand – and this time, with no lag. Tempting as it is to go in all guns blazing, you need to preserve your boxer's stamina, and the best way to land a really damaging punch is to sway way from or block an opponent's effort, then hit him on the counter. Structurally, Fight Night Round 4 also impresses: in Legacy mode, in which your boxer works his way up the ladder of a pro career, you schedule fights and training sessions which slowly upgrade his attributes.

Incredibly, even the training mini-games are fun.When you get knocked down, there's a mini-game to help you beat the count. A great hip-hop soundtrack and the presence of Mike Tyson – you can jump straight into a fantasy Ali v Tyson match-up – complete an absolutely unimpeachable package. This is, by some distance, the best ever boxing game. The artificial intelligence forces you to adjust your approach when, for example, you are faced with great hulks whose reach is much longer than yours (you need to step inside and nail uppercuts and haymakers) or Tyson-style body-punching whirlwinds. There's a modifier button that lets you wind up and launch more powerful punches, but you generally lay yourself open to counters, so this is best used when your opponent is struggling and resorts to grappling.

The sheer satisfaction that your first knockout brings (given that some guys have concrete chins, and you might have to knock them down four times in a bout) is pretty much worth the purchase price alone. There is one drawback: because of the constant stabbing on the analogue sticks, Fight Night Round 4 is a recipe for blistered thumbs. Although that seems oddly appropriate, given that it's one of those games that lets you vicariously experience a sport without the risk of injury. An essential purchase for boxing fanatics and devotees of sports games alike.