Greatest Heavyweights Overview
Greatest Heavyweights is a boxing simulation for the Sega Genesis that builds upon its predecessor, Evander Holyfield's "Real Deal" Boxing. It features eight historical heavyweight champions, including Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis, each represented with a simulated likeness and fighting style. The presentation uses a pseudo-3D side view with a scrolling ring and a separate 2.5D camera view at the top of the screen.
Fight management involves monitoring two specific damage meters for the head and torso, which fill with grey to indicate injury. If either meter is completely filled, a subsequent punch to that area can result in a TKO, as can being knocked down three times in one round. Between rounds, fighters recover some energy. To please the virtual crowd, which will hiss at inactivity, boxers must engage regularly and can use personalized taunts.
Players have access to three primary punch types—jabs, hooks, and uppers—that can be directed high or low. The game includes multiple modes: an exhibition match, an eight-man tournament with the licensed champions, and a career mode. In career mode, a custom boxer is created with adjustable physical traits and stat distributions for power, speed, and stamina, then must climb from rank #30 to #1, culminating in fights against all eight champions. Training exercises between fights allow for stat improvement.
Overall, the gameplay is noted as being faster than the previous title, with more detailed character animation. Additional features include a replay function and ring announcements voiced by Michael Buffer.
