"Incredibly challenging!"

I am a huge HUGE fan of the manga and anime but I won't let it get in the way of rating the game. Let's get right down to it.

Graphics: 7
Clean and crisp yet a bit outdated. Fluid motions and bright colors keep things interesting though.

Controls: 9
Controls are easy to manage and use. No real complaints except for the fact of the option to stay in a duck position or a swaying position. But it works out fine in the end.

Story: 6
Loosely follows the manga and anime and just gives you the general outline but doesn't involve the real meat and potatos of the anime. The cut scenes are long, drawn out and kind of boring. It doesn't do the anime or manga justice! (Anime Rating: 20/10)

Sound: 7
Sounds are alright, nothing spectacular but when you get a KO hit, you can really feel it and it is quite satisfying! Also the sound when you're in slow mo is great with the clock ticking in the background.

Gameplay: 8
The fighting takes a while to get used to. You have to really know how to use all offensive and defensive manuevers together. Not like in Fight Night Round 2 or whatever where you can basically haymaker or sway back and whack the cpu to death. The AI in VB2 varies depending on which fighter you face off against. Also, you have to align your punches with the opponents face or body correctly in order to score that "direct" shot. There is no energy bar or whatever. Clean shots are what gets the KO's! Warning: This game can get extremely frustrating on hard mode. Even on normal, you will get annoyed at how good the computer is! However, just listen to the clues in the cutscenes because everything you learn in the beginning can be used later on for many fights on end. Of course, you'll eventually have to figure out how to fight on your own...good luck with that!

Extras: 9
There are plenty of characters to unlock and plenty of new moves for the main character to master. New moves are obtained by winning matches in story mode as well as obtaining more characters!

Music: 7
It's average. I can't really decide if I like it or just don't care for it. I mean, I sometimes move my head to the beat and at times I'm thinking, "What the heck is this?" Anyways, good BGM to fill the air as you fight.

Overall: 8
I really enjoy this game. For $10...it's an awesome deal and if you have it and don't like it, just play it a few more hours (yes, hours). Once you learn the mechanics of the game, you'll be on your way to becoming a Victorious Boxer!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/07/06