Play Showtime Championship Boxing (E)(SQUiRE) Online

Game Overview

Showtime Championship Boxing on the DS is one of those games that actually makes you feel like you're in the ring—well, as much as a tiny screen can manage. The controls are surprisingly responsive for a boxing game on a handheld; you'll be bobbing, weaving, and throwing combos with the stylus in no time. The graphics aren't mind-blowing, but the animations sell the punches, especially when you land a solid hook and see your opponent stumble.

What I like is that it doesn’t just feel like button-mashing (or in this case, stylus-slashing). You’ve got to time your blocks, watch your stamina, and pick your shots—go all-out early, and you’ll gas out before the final round. The career mode keeps things interesting, though some of the AI fighters can feel a little samey after a while.

If you’ve ever wanted to throw virtual punches on the go, this is a solid pick for the DS library.