Black & Bruised PlayStation 2

Black Bruised is an arcade-style boxing game featuring cel-shaded graphics and a cast of 18 larger-than-life characters, ranging from a bald-headed prison inmate to a midriff-baring blonde. The bouts take place primarily from a third-person perspective inside the ring, although solo players are free to select a first-person view for close-up fighting. Each character offers a variety of jabs, uppercuts, and super punches as well as an individual story line and the ability to taunt opponents.

The main mode of play is Boxer's Life, where players take a character through the events leading up to his or her professional career, viewing cut-scenes along the way. This mode also features specific objectives to accomplish during the fight depending on the character selected. A boxer may have to protect his ribs during a bout, for example, after a cut-scene shows him getting into a car accident. Other modes of play include Training, Survival, Tournament, and both 1P or 2P Fight.

Training has players learning each boxer's combination attacks by following a string of punching sequences within the allotted time. Survival involves defeating a series of opponents without suffering a knockout, while the Tournament has players advancing through assigned pairings until they win the championship belt. Both 1P and 2P Fight are essentially exhibition matches against either the computer or a friend, with the player's choice of boxers and venue.

Apart from the cel-shaded graphics and outlandish characters, Black Bruised further distinguishes itself by featuring a power-up system. Each successful punch earns players one star, which is depicted as a graphic on the bottom left corner of the screen. When the boxer reaches ten stars, one of six random power-ups will become available, ranging from heavy punches and poison to automatic combos and super punches, which are activated by pressing a button. Players can also enhance each power-up two additional levels by accumulating more stars. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide