With how much development Virtual Reality technology has witnessed over the years, there is no denying its impact on the gaming industry.
VR technology allows for a level of immersion that is simply not possible in traditional gaming. That is the reason why you can see a surge in the number of VR gaming titles in recent years. And the boxing and fighting genre is one of the most popular genres in this regard.
One of the reasons for this popularity is that VR boxing games can be used not only as a source of entertainment but also for fitness purposes. The boxing moves that you need to execute in these games can prove to be a great workout for your whole body.
Now the obvious question arises – what are some good VR boxing and fighting games? Well, that is what this article is all about, so dive in!
6 Best VR Boxing Games
1. Beat Boxer
As you can guess from the name, Beat Boxer is a game where you fight to the beats of music. You can choose songs from Youtube or select Airplay to stream songs from Spotify, Pandora, Itunes, or any other music streaming app of your choice. Once the song has been selected, the game will put you in an arena where you have to hit targets based on the beats of the music.
You start out as a featherweight fighter, which means that you need to complete levels to become the world champion. But the journey won’t be easy, for each level gets progressively difficult. On that note, the game keeps track of your progress on the local scoreboard. You could even share these stats with your friends if you wish.
2. Virtual Boxing League
Virtual Boxing League offers a unique take on the VR boxing genre thanks to its emphasis on realistic physics and skill-based gameplay. With this game, you will get an intense workout session that can be used to improve your real-life boxing skills.
There is a progression system where you have to defeat boxers to climb up the five ladders. Do not be fooled, though, for each of these boxers adopt a unique fighting strategy that is based on motion capture of real-life boxers.
Apart from that, you can engage in the five different skill mini-games that will help develop your own fighting style. There’s the Ball Blaster mini-game, which is essentially a rhythm-based fighting mini-game. Likewise, the Punch-a-Tron mini-game allows you to punch a steam-powered carnival machine to build up your shot power.
The Body Bag mini-game helps to improve the speed and precision of your punches, while the Ping Pong Punch allows you to develop delicate control of your meat mitts. And lastly, there’s the Bum Rush, which is essentially a bathroom brawl mini-game.
3. Mech League Boxing
Mech League Boxing is another uniquely designed boxing game where you play as a robotic boxer fighting other robotic boxers. The story is pretty basic, but it does a great job of giving you a sense of progression as you rise through the robot ranks by defeating your opponents.
You will need to punch and dodge your opponent while playing a boxing match. When your robotic avatar enters the ring, your primary goal is to knock out the opponent to progress to the next match. There are no rules in these mechanized boxing matches, which means that you can use any skills and weapons at your disposal to knock your rival out.
4. The Fastest Fist
The Fastest Fist is another boxing game that focuses on the aspect of realism, much like the game Virtual Boxing League that we have discussed above. This game pits you against the opponent in the ring, and your objective is to dodge and block punches while trying to land some hits of your own.
It goes without saying that you need to have quick reflexes to make your move. That is the reason why it is used as a training simulator by amateur boxers. Also, with the amount of workout it provides, it can easily pass as a fitness game.
5. BoxVR
This is another excellent boxing game that you can try out in VR. In terms of gameplay, BoxVR feels more like a fitness app than a game. There is no story to speak of, and instead of fighting AI opponents, you have to strike objects on the screen as they come up.
In this regard, it is somewhat similar to Beat Saber or even Beat Boxer, which we have already discussed before. You need to hit the targets according to the beats of the background music. The more notes you hit, the better your score will be. Also, each target needs to be hit with a certain move, which ultimately helps to improve your jabs, uppercuts, and other fighting techniques.
6. Fighting Clans
If you are in the mood for some street-fighting games, then Fighting Clans is the game you should get to scratch that itch. It is a relatively short game where you play as a fighter who has fallen into debt with the mafia. So, to clear these debts, your in-game character has to take part in underground fighting matches in dark alleys.
You have to use both your fists and kicks to take out your opponents. Likewise, you have to dodge and counter incoming hits to stay in the game. That said, some of the AI elements feel a bit clunky at times, which is one major complaint that gamers have about this game.
5 Best Boxing Games For The Oculus Quest 2
In case you own the Oculus Quest 2 headset, you might want to play games that are designed and optimized for this device. That is what this list is all about, so read on!
1. The Thrill Of The Fight
If you are looking for a realistic boxing simulator, then you should definitely try The Thrill Of The Fight. This game follows real boxing rules, which means that you need to develop your fighting skills to progress through the levels. There is even an in-game referee who will call out any fouls you commit.
The game takes place in an enclosed virtual gym, where you have to challenge and defeat a series of fighters in the ring. Each fight gets progressively more difficult, which makes for a challenging boxing experience. The maximum play area is 2 x1.5 meters, just like actual boxing matches. So, you should make sure to set up your gameplay boundaries to avoid going out of bounds during the fights.
2. Creed: Rise To Glory
Creed: Rise To Glory is a VR game that is inspired by the Rocky film series. In this game, you play as Adonis Creed, and you have to compete against the best boxers in the Rocky film universe to build up your legacy. This means that you can go toe-to-toe against characters like Viktor Drago, Ivan, and the legendary Rocky Balboa himself!
The game uses Phantom Melee Technology, which mimics real-life boxing techniques, thereby allowing you to fight like a boxer. Aside from the story-driven career mode, there are other game modes that you can try, such as the customizable Freeplay, minigame-based training, and even online PvP multiplayer.
3. Drunkn Bar Fight
As you can guess from the name, Drunkn Bar Fight is a game where you play as a drunk man at a bar. Your goal is to fight every other person at the bar until you are the last man left standing. Therefore, this game is nothing but a silly, over-the-top bar-brawling experience.
It is perfect for those who want to have a fun time by smashing things around and punching people (in the virtual space, of course)! What’s more, the game supports a four-player co-op, which means that you can invite your friends to engage in your bar-brawling shenanigans.
You can utilize a wide range of items to knock your opponent out cold, such as glasses, bottles, bats, chairs, darts, and many more. So, if you want to create some mayhem with your friends, simply fire up this game and let the hilarity ensue!
4. Knockout League
Knockout League is a pretty fun VR boxing game where you fight against a long and colorful cast of characters. It is an arcade-style fighting game that most gamers will find highly entertaining.
Some of the characters you will be fighting against include a mad scientist, a pirate, and a clever octopus, to name a few. Each character has a distinctive fighting style, which means that you will need to change your strategy accordingly to defeat them. And thanks to the quick training options, you can develop your fighting skills before taking on an opponent.
5. Virtual Fighting Championship
If you have played (and loved) any game from the popular Street Fighter franchise, then you will be right at home in this game. Like the Street Fighter games, it is a fast-paced and aggressive fighting game that is free from any real-life constraints.
Thus, this game will satisfy your craving for adrenaline-filled fighting in virtual reality. However, the game is available in early access, which means that it is currently in development. So, you might encounter some bugs from time to time.
Online PvP is the primary focus of this game, which means you can select your avatar and get sparring with real-life players. But if that is not your cup of tea, then you can play through the game’s small and light-hearted campaign.
In this mode, you will fight against AI characters that have diverse fighting styles to keep the gameplay fresh and interesting. Apart from the 1v1 fighting, you can engage in a variety of fitness training modes to develop your strength, endurance, striking power, and so on.
Best Free VR Boxing Games
Want to play some fighting and boxing games on your VR headset but do not have the funds to buy one? Don’t worry, for here we have listed some of the best free fighting games available in VR today.
1. ChallengeBox
If you want to develop your own style of fighting, then you should give ChallengeBox a try. This early access game allows you to practice different boxing moves and techniques, such as punches, jabs, crosses, and hooks. It also features warm-up exercises such as squats and jumps, which can help improve your fitness.
This game supports multiplayer, which means that you can invite your friends for 1v1 fights. However, the game has AI-powered fighters for those who want to go solo.
2. FitXR
The gameplay design of FitXR is designed to give you a good workout. It contains several choreographed games for boxing, dancing, and HIIT. Because of this aspect, it can be considered to be more of a fitness game than a boxing game.
This game even features multiplayer sessions, which means that you can work out with your friends in virtual reality. Besides, if you want additional benefits, you can opt for a paid subscription that can be canceled anytime.
Final Words
Due to the level of immersion provided by VR, most boxing and fighting games can be used as a means to level up your real-life boxing skills. In fact, if you have gone through our list, you can see this for yourself.
The games we have mentioned in our first list can be played on most VR headsets, such as the Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, as well as Playstation VR. Some of them are even available on Windows Mixed Reality, which is a combination of Augmented Reality (AR) and VR technologies.
On that note, we understand if the list of free VR boxing games feels a bit limited. But with an increasing number of developers and publishers investing in VR gaming, that list is bound to grow in size in the coming years.