Overview and Gameplay
Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! presents boxing from the fighter’s viewpoint, with the opponent facing the screen. Story Mode follows Ippo Makunouchi through a fixed series of featherweight bouts against Miyata, Mashiba, Sendo, Vorg, Date, and other rivals. Victories unlock boxers and new Spirit Moves, while Tournament, Sparring, Customize, and link-cable Versus modes provide additional matches.
Controls And Mechanics
The directional pad changes distance and selects punch or dodge directions. B throws jabs and directional punches, while timed B sequences perform character-specific combinations. A ducks or dodges, and R modifies attacks or evasions into offensive and defensive Spirit Moves. Start opens the match menu and move list.
Landing punches fills the Spirit gauge. Automatic guarding weakens under sustained pressure until it breaks, while yellow damage recovers during a round and red damage remains until the interval. Knockdowns occur when damage crosses the Down Limit, and matches can end by count, knockdown rule, or judges’ decision. Two linked systems support simultaneous competitive bouts, including matches with customized boxers.
Version Notes
This edition is an unofficial English fan translation of the Japanese release. Written dialogue, menus, descriptions, and move information appear in English, while spoken voices and the title-screen graphic remain in Japanese.
Release And Credits
- Release year: 2002
- Developer: Treasure
- Publisher: ESP Software
- Original platform: Game Boy Advance
