is a series of boxing video games released by Sega. The original arcade game was released in 1976. The game featured black-and-white graphics and critics have since identified it as the first video game to feature hand-to-hand fighting.Spencer, Spanner
The Tao of Beat-'em-ups
''EuroGamer,'' Feb 6 2008, Accessed Feb 23, 2009Ashcraft, Brian, (2008) ''Arcade Mania! The Turbo-Charged World of Japan's Game Centers'', (Kodansha International), p. 94 It was a commercial success in Japan, where it was the third highest-grossing arcade video game of 1976. However, it is now considered a lost video game. Sega released a remake to arcades in 1987, changing the side perspective of the original game to a third-person viewpoint from behind the boxer. Both games feature unique controls that

simulate A simulation is the imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system over time. Simulations require the use of Conceptual model, models; the model represents the key characteristics or behaviors of the selected system or proc ...

throwing actual punches. The 1987 remake was also successful, becoming Japan's fifth highest-grossing dedicated arcade game of 1988 and receiving positive reviews from critics.

Gameplay

The 1976 original featured gameplay viewed from a side-view perspective. It employed two boxing glove controllers, one for each player, which moved up and down for high and low punches, with an inward movement for striking. It used large

monochrome A monochrome or monochromatic image, object or palette is composed of one color (or values of one color). Images using only shades of grey are called grayscale (typically digital) or black-and-white (typically analog). In physics, monochrom ...

sprite visuals for the graphics. The 1987 game changed the perspective to behind the player's boxer. In addition, the player is given two punch controllers, one for each hand. Only a single-player mode was made available, in which the player faces a series of opponents in one-round, three-minute bouts. Players can swivel the cabinet to move their boxer from side to side.

Reception

The original 1976 game was a commercial success in Japan. On the first annual '' Game Machine'' arcade chart, ''Heavyweight Champ'' was the third highest-grossing arcade video game of 1976 in Japan, just below

Taito is a Japanese company that specializes in video games, toys, arcade cabinets and game centers, based in Shinjuku, Tokyo. The company was founded by Michael Kogan in 1953 as the importing vodka, vending machines and jukeboxes into Japan. I ...

's ''Ball Park'' (''Tornado Baseball'') and '' Speed Race DX''. The 1987 remake was also a commercial success. In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed the 1987 version on their November 15, 1987 issue as being the fourth most-successful upright arcade unit of the month. It went on to become Japan's fifth highest-grossing dedicated arcade game of 1988. The 1987 remake was also critically well-received. ''

Advanced Computer Entertainment ''ACE'' (Advanced Computer Entertainment) was a multi-format computer and video game magazine first published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing and later acquired by EMAP. History ACE launched in October 1987, roughly the same time as ...

'' and ''

Commodore User ''Commodore User'', known to the readers as the abbreviated ''CU'', was one of the oldest British Commodore magazines. With a publishing history spanning over 15 years, it mixed content with technical and video game features. Incorporating ''Vic ...

'' praised the game's unique controls but raised concerns that they might decrease the lifespan of the cabinets.Heavyweight Champ
. ''Advanced Computer Entertainment''. March 1988. p. 26.
''Commodore User''. December 1987. p. 144 ''Commodore User'' also had positive impressions of the game's graphics and gave the game a 9 out of 10 overall. Kelly, Nick.

Commodore User. January 1988.

Related games

Sega reused the ''Heavyweight Champ'' name when they released the Sega Master System version of ''James "Buster" Douglas Knockout Boxing'' outside of North America. The game features a side perspective and is otherwise unrelated to the arcade games. It was not received well.Heavyweight Championship Boxing
Mean Machines. Issue 7. pp 58-59.Heavyweight Champ.
Raze. Issue 9. p. 54.Heavyweight Championship Boxing
CVG's Complete Guide to Sega. pp. 95-96. The 1991 Sega arcade game ''Title Fight'' also featured controls for left and right punches and a similar behind-the-boxer perspective as the 1987 game, along with two-player gameplay through use of a dual-monitor cabinet.Title Fight
Killer List of Video Games. Retrieved January 3, 2013.

Notes

References

External links

*
Heavyweight Champ (1976) at arcade-history
*{{cite AV media , people=

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