View source for 4D Sports Boxing

{{Short description|1991 video game}}
{{unreferenced category|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = 4D Sports Boxing
|image = 4D Sports Boxing cover.png
|caption = North American cover art
|developer = [[Distinctive Software]]
|publisher = [[Mindscape (company)|Mindscape]]<br>Electronic Arts
|designer = Jay MacDonald<br>[[Chris Taylor (game designer)|Chris Taylor]]<br>Rick Friesen
|artist = Gerard DeSouza<br>David Adams
|composer = Michael J. Sokyrka<br>Krisjan Hatlelid<br>Brian Plank
|released = June 15, 1991
|genre = [[Sports video game|Sports]]
|modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
|platforms = [[Amiga]], [[MS-DOS]], [[Macintosh]], [[FM Towns Marty]]
}}

'''''4D Sports Boxing''''' is a 3D [[boxing]] [[video game]], with [[motion capture]] animation, developed by [[Distinctive Software]] and released in 1991 for [[MS-DOS]], [[Amiga]], and [[Macintosh]]. It is part of the ''4D Sports'' series along with ''[[Stunts (video game)|4D Sports Driving]]'' and ''[[4D Sports Tennis]]''. An updated version was published by [[Electronic Arts]] in 1992, including an [[FM Towns Marty]] port.

==Gameplay==
{{Unreferenced|section|date=June 2022}}
[[Image:4D Sports Boxing.png|thumb|left|A match in progress]]
The game features stylized boxers in polygon-based graphics, composed of triangles, some with names suggestive of non-fictional people. All opponent boxers have different fighting styles: some prefer to attack, some to counter-attack. Some (like Smokin' Joe Blow) have great punching power, some have amazing speed; The Champ has nearly perfect attributes. The game is regarded as one of earliest, and possibly first, 3D head-to-head [[fighting game]]s. The player can choose which attributes of the playable boxer's attributes to improve: speed, power or stamina. While fighting, different tactics and strategies can be used, like all-out attacks, counter-attacks, dodging, etc. Sometimes fights end in a unanimous decision, even 15 round fights. Draws and disqualifications are also possibilities.

==Development==
The game was published by [[Mindscape (software publisher)|Mindscape]] in June 1991 for [[IBM PC compatible]]s, [[Macintosh]], [[Amiga]], and [[FM Towns Marty]]. The Macintosh version has slightly better graphics with a smaller screen size.

An improved version was published in February 1992 by [[Electronic Arts]]. It has different music, introductions, and adds pupils to the boxers' eyes. The FM Towns Marty version is based on this version, but with higher quality sound.

==Reception==
''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' wrote that the polygon graphics were strange-looking but very accurately modeled boxers' bodies and punches. The magazine concluded that "''4D Boxing'' is an excellent and thoroughly enjoyable game with an effective representation of boxing skills ... a welcome and often-played addition to any sports game library".{{r|poulter199201}} That year the magazine named it one of the year's best sports games.<ref name="cgwgoty199211">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1992&pub=2&id=100 | title=CGW Salutes The Games of the Year | magazine=Computer Gaming World | date=November 1992 | access-date=4 July 2014 | pages=110}}</ref>

In 1994, ''[[PC Gamer US]]'' named ''4D Boxing'' the 47th best computer game ever.<ref name=pcgamerustop40>{{cite journal | author=Staff | journal=[[PC Gamer US]] | title=''PC Gamer'' Top 40: The Best Games of All Time; The Ten Best Games that Almost Made the Top 40 |date=August 1994 | issue=3 | pages=42}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="poulter199201">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1992&pub=2&id=90 | title=Champions on a Computer Canvas | magazine=Computer Gaming World | date=January 1992 | access-date=21 November 2013 | last=Poulter |first=Wallace | pages=28, 30 |issue=90}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{portal|Martial arts|Video games}}
* {{moby game|id=/162/4-d-boxing|name=''4-D Boxing''}}

[[Category:1991 video games]]
[[Category:Amiga games]]
[[Category:Boxing video games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:FM Towns games]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Canada]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Jeff van Dyck]]
[[Category:Distinctive Software games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]