First boxing game based on the cult Hajime no Ippo manga. The boxing simulation is convincing with Makunouchi Ippo's signature techniques. Generous fan service for manga readers and Japanese boxing fans. A charming niche title that is technically solid.
Your verdict
Category
Sports4 players12+
Description
A Japanese boxing game by ESP and Bandai Namco released in 2002, the first PS2 Hajime no Ippo. The story follows the career of Makunouchi Ippo, the iconic boxer of Jōji Morikawa's manga, in a system that emphasizes timing and reading the opponent. A direct manga adaptation with no Western counterpart.
Hajime no Ippo - Victorious Boxers review
3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"Pleasant"
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Easy"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Climbing the boxing ranks alongside Ippo unfolds a demanding fighting game where timing and reading your opponent matter more than brute force. The career mode, training and a roster to unlock extend the experience well beyond the first bouts. That depth, faithful to the manga, earns the title a stubborn reputation as a technical boxing game.
Technical info
💾1,2 GB📅14/12/2000
Published by ESP
Hajime no Ippo - Victorious Boxers (PS2) price, value & rarity
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Is Hajime no Ippo - Victorious Boxers still worth playing in 2026?
A boxing game from ESP based on the Hajime no Ippo manga, Victorious Boxers follows a young boxer's rise through demanding bouts that rely on reading the opponent, dodging and shot placement, faithful to the work's technicality. The fidelity to the manga, the tension of the matches and the realism of the exchanges win over fans and lovers of the sweet science. The slightly rigid production and a measured pace weigh on it. A title for video game boxing devotees and Hajime no Ippo fans.
