The ability for the player to create their own character was retained from the previous game. Alongside standard moves such as jabs, uppercuts, and roundhouse punches, the player can also perform "dirty" moves against opponents including low punches, elbows and head butts.[3]
The game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4][5] John Gaudiosi of NextGen's January 2001 issue said that while the PlayStation version was "a good boxing game, it's still not as good as it could be. Also, if you played KK2000, you won't find much of a difference."[19] Three issues later, Rob Smolka said of the PS2 version, "Honoring the strategy of boxing as much as the ferocity, this should enthrall fans of the sport."[20] In Japan, where the latter console version was ported and published by Electronic Arts Victor on May 24, 2001, Famitsu gave it a score of 30 out of 40.[11]
Air Hendrix of GamePro's December 2000 issue said of the PlayStation version, "The Knockout Kings series has lived up to its name as the PlayStation's boxing champ for a couple of years now, and this 2001 edition only continues that reign. With sharp new features, graphics, and controls, Knockout Kings 2001 owns the PlayStation boxing ring."[25][c] Four issues later, he said, "If you're a boxing fan with a PS2, Knockout Kings won't move mountains for you, but it's still the PS2's best boxing game and [it] will provide plenty of thrills. If you've already conquered the PlayStation version, however, steer clear – this game is too similar to be worth its ticket price."[26][d]
Lawsuit
In March 2004, Alexis Argüello filed a lawsuit against Electronic Arts, Nintendo, and Sony regarding his appearance in both Knockout Kings 2000 and Knockout Kings 2001. He alleged that his likeness and identity were put into the games without his permission.[27]
Notes
^Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation version each a score of 7.5/10, 6.5/10, and 7/10.
^In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the PlayStation 2 version, one critic gave it 8/10, and the rest gave it each a score of 7/10.
^GamePro gave the PlayStation version 4.5/5 for graphics, 3.5/5 for sound, and two 5/5 scores for control and fun factor.
^GamePro gave the PlayStation 2 version 3.5/5 for graphics, 3/5 for sound, 4.5/5 for control, and 4/5 for fun factor.
^Hager, Dean; Leahy, Dan; Kujawa, Kraig (April 2001). "Knockout Kings 2001 (PS2)"(PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 141. Ziff Davis. p. 107. Archived(PDF) from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
^Mowatt, Todd (March 1, 2001). "Knockout Kings 2001 (PS2)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on June 22, 2002. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
^Blache III, Fabien (October 31, 2000). "Knockout Kings 2001 (PS)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
^Perry, Douglass C. (February 8, 2001). "Knockout Kings 2001 (PS2)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 29, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
^Air Hendrix (April 2001). "Knockout Clings to Title on PS2"(PDF). GamePro. No. 151. IDG. p. 96. Archived from the original on February 7, 2005. Retrieved March 7, 2024.