In 1980 there wasn't a lot of choices when it came to fighting games, especially not for the Atari Video Computer System (better known as the Atari 2600). In July of that year Activision delivered this very rudimentary (but, highly original in its execution) rendition of competition fisticuffs.
Activision's Boxing for the Atari VCS was about as close as you were going to get to Mortal Kombat for the home video gaming market in the summer of 1980. An overhead view of two fighters, one black, one white, engaging in a two minute round within the boxing ring.
The object of the game was to land as many punches as possible on your opponent within the two minutes of allotted fight time. If one boxer can land 100 punches on the other before the two minutes elapse, that fighter wins by a knockout. Otherwise, the warrior that delivers the most blows at the end of the two minute round is declared the winner. And, yes, a tie can happen too.
The graphics look kind of silly by today's standards. I believe the Angry Video Game Nerd described the game as looking like two crabs fighting (if you aren't familiar with the Angry Video Game Nerd at all then do yourself a favor and check him out on YouTube).
A far superior boxing game for the Atari 2600 would arrive seven years later in the form of RealSports Boxing (yes, they were still making new games for the Atari VCS as late as 1987). But, for its time, Activision's Boxing was simplistic, but exciting fun. The game is still enjoyable today and worth picking up.
-Jay
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