And on the subject of boxing, what is the deal with two guys or girls, or guy and girl as the case may be, fighting it out for no reason.

They fight, one wins, and both get hurt. Weird. But one thing's for sure, the game makes a very worthy Dreamcast launch title.

The game modes present in RtR include a multiplayer slug fest, championship mode and of course a versus CPU option. Championship is where the fun begins, as you work your way up through the ranks of boxing hierarchy, collecting cash as you go. You can even train your boxer and raise his or her stats a la those funky RPGs. It's a lot of fun completing the various exercises too, and they can be closely compared to mini games with a lot of button mashing and timing needed.

The gameplay which is fairly simple mixed with some of the most impressive skin texturing creates one hell of an impressive game. The smoothness and fluidity also adds more oomph to the package.

The four main buttons on the controller issue high and low punches with both hands. Combos can be strung together with relative ease and are very cool too. Also, after a particularly punishing string of hits your rumble metre will fill up. Once full you hold down both shoulder buttons which will put you in Rumble mode for a short while. This basically causes you to hit faster and with more damage. Great fun.

Watch the spit fly as you're left hook connects with your opponents' jaw. Whack! Some truly humorous facial expressions and comments aid all this violence and also add some much-needed charm. Wait until you hear Afro Thunder groove - just magic.

Incidentally he was once a washed up cabbie who sold his customers' confessions to dodgy cable TV shows for food and shampoo sachets - inspiring just doesn't express the admiration I feel for this fictitious character. I'm serious.

Playing through the Championship also unlocks a myriad of new and more potent characters complete with their unique idiosyncrasies. The multiplayer mode is great to beat up on a few good friends. Heheh, there'll be more than digital blood spilt here...

Ready to Rumble Boxing is a superlative effort and yet another hit DC game. This is one to show off to your mates, as the visuals really are quite amazing. The motion capture has to be seen to be believed. Just try to ignore the really daggy intro complete with lamo title track. Oh gawd.