The demo (Xbox 360 delight #008)
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Feb 6th 2006 at 4:45PM }
We knew that the ability to download playable demos via the Xbox Live Marketplace was a key feature of the Xbox 360, but we never imaged that one not-so-tiny-download could pack this kinda punch. Enter: Fight Night Round 3 demo, two controllers, and a room full of old pals with never ending scores to settle.Sure this demo has been available for over a month now, but this past weekend was my first chance to introduce it to a room full of old friends, some of whom had sworn off gaming years ago. The result was electrifying. It was like being transported back to the late 90s, when weekend afternoons dissolved into ceaseless Tekken 2 tournaments. And we're talking about a demo here, folks. A demo.
The fact that we were limited to four round fights and a choice between Bernard Hopkins or Roy Jones Jr. wasn't an issue. Perhaps this speaks more to the exceptional gameplay mechanics and design that EA has implemented into Fight Night for the 360, but keep in mind that few of us would be privy to this without the Xbox Live Marketplace feature. The availability of online downloadable demos isn't a groundbreaking concept, but it's new to the console gaming scene, and when done right, a demo can be more than enough to satisfy old friends with an afternoon to kill.
Other Xbox 360 delights: 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007
Xbox 360 annoyances: 001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006, 007, 008, 009, 010, 011, 012, 013
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
xbox360dsPSP @ Feb 6th 2006 4:50PM
The demo on the XBOX 360 will convert what would have otherwise been a "sleeper" title into a best seller. I hope it makes them gobs of money so we see alot more of this.
Andy @ Feb 6th 2006 4:56PM
Right on! My suitemates and I have been playing this demo to DEATH.
The one @ Feb 6th 2006 4:58PM
its nice to see that my earlier remarks worked. its good to see an article that actualy praises the 360 in this site. All i ask is for a little more objective reporting. i hope that this will not be the only time this happens.
Michael @ Feb 6th 2006 5:05PM
I knew this game was going to be good, but now I think this game will definitely be a "must have" for most Xbox 360 owners out there. Boxing may not be a "mainstream sport" like football (where Madden football rules most videogame consoles), but I think that Fight Night Round 3 (at least, based on all I've seen) has the "potential" to be one of the great sports games this year. It may even help the sport of boxing out (somewhat) and give some current great fighters (who aren't neccesarily household names) some exposure and recognition.
BTW, as most fight fans will tell you, the best boxing matches (as far as non-stop excitement goes) is any of the Gatti vs. Ward fights. However, my personal favorite was the Hagler vs. Hearns fight from back in '85. Arguably, the most exciting 2 and 1/2 rounds "punching violence" you'll ever see!!!!
JodyAnthony @ Feb 6th 2006 5:10PM
"i hope that this will not be the only time this happens."
Well you're in luck! it's happened at least 7 times before.
Just because there are some negatives about the xbox 360 or whatever doesn't mean the site is biased towards one system or another.
no matter what system they are negative towards, there is someone in the comments that will say that joystiq is biased.
Frankie23 @ Feb 6th 2006 5:32PM
It's amazing how a good demo can hold people's attention. I remember playing the demo for the first Tony Hawk's Pro Skater on the Dreamcast with some friends; we sat there for hours, just seeing who could do the best in the warehouse.
The Other. @ Feb 6th 2006 5:37PM
Holy sh1t, "the one", get over yourself dude!
"Its nice to see that >>myrolleyes<
Jason W @ Feb 6th 2006 5:41PM
I played the game on the hdtv for the first time this weekend. THe game looked great on my regular tv, but on the hd it is GREAT. Its really one of the most impressive games/ Demos ive ever seen.
Kit @ Feb 6th 2006 5:45PM
When I have friends over to see my 360 for the first time this is always the first thing i show them. Oddly enough I'll never show them Perfect Dark Zero because that would probably leave a negative impression ;)
SuicideNinja @ Feb 6th 2006 5:49PM
Just because there are "more" annoyances listed than delights doesn't mean anything. If you looked at all the annoyances, some of them were just meant to be humorous. Others are merely annoyances we can get over. Only a few of them are things that Microsoft needs to do something about.
nojok3 @ Feb 6th 2006 6:14PM
Was this post made because of someone's comment on the xbox 360 problems?
JRock3x8 @ Feb 6th 2006 7:35PM
imho the demos and XBLA make the console worth the money which is more than I can say for the launch titles.
pmpin @ Feb 7th 2006 6:42AM
the ps3 talked about it a year ago, but the xbox 360 are doing it today. I think this is a good indication of the development issues and differences between the two consoles.
I am sure the ps3 will do this game just as well, but its a matter of getting it to work on the console.But this game looks mean...
NZ and Australia are the last on the planet to get the xbox360...its probabely a good thing, because all that can go wrong, has gone wrong with the console...and hopefully we wont have to go through the launch lineup stinkers...
Tiberius Jones @ Feb 7th 2006 4:29PM
Xbox Live Marketplace is the round in Microsoft's gun that will do some serious damage to Sony's dominance this time around.
We haven't seen the first offerings of ongoing content either such as new levels for games, characters, cars, episodes, etc. Unlike many people, I was quite happy with the launch titles, especially COD@ (except the multiplayer of course) and PGR3. And while I currently find it hard to tear myself away from DOA4 online, i simply LOVE XBLM gem, Geometry Wars. That game is SOOO freaking addictive. I suck at it with my pathetic 161,000 high score, but I love it.
Outpost Kaloki X is very fun too, same for the Marble game and Wik was surprisingly fun and addictive. Not to mentin Joust, one of my favorite games from my youth, circa 1982.
Microsoft...more of these please!
Dan Choi @ Feb 9th 2006 9:31PM
Tiberius, I'm with you on the other titles as well: Outpost Kaloki X was perhaps the last demo I tried (and I've virtually tried 'em all), and I found it to be surprisingly good. As a fan of all free games, Marketplace demos are quite the cheapskate's godsend. ;)