Foes of Ali (3DO review)

Developer: Gray Matter
Publisher: EA Sports
Released: 1995

Foes of Ali is a boxing game that's exclusive to the 3DO console.

+ Features an impressive amount of customisation options to tailor the rules to your preferred style.

+ Allows you to choose between 20 camera angles, with the first-person option blurring your vision as you take damage.

- However, some of the angles are unusable, particularly the bizarre option to move the camera to a ceiling view!

- Most fights end up in non-stop button mashing, as it's often hard to tell who (if anyone) is actually connecting with punches.

- Severe clipping issues, as hooks to the body often do no damage despite your fist travelling through your opponent's body!

- SFX when you land a punch are unsatisfying, and the atmosphere is lacking due to the absence of a commentary team.

- Little rhyme-or-reason as to when a foe gets knocked down, despite them getting punched repeatedly with no energy.

John Madden Football (Sega Mega Drive / Genesis review)

Developer: Park Place Productions
Publisher: EA Sports
Released: 1990

John Madden Football is a sports game and the first title in the series released for home consoles.

+ Scouting reports prior to each match are useful, as they provide detailed analysis on how you can attack your opponent.

+ Comprehensive number of plays are available, and the audible option is a game-changer for switching things up at the line.

+ Both the pass and run games feel effective when you mix things in, and the special teams adjustable meter is simple, but fun.

+ Being able to view a three receiver passing window is incredible and allows you to intelligently throw to open players.

+ On defense, the diagrams of each play cater to all knowledge levels, as they clearly state the role of your chosen defender.

+ Despite the multitude of on-screen sprites, there's never any flicker and the engine maintains a rock-solid frame-rate.

- Crowd SFX have no dynamics, and the instant replay feature found in later Madden games is sorely missed here.