Contender
↗ 20%
(Playstation - US, Sports)
Other Editions:
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Developed_By:
Pegasus Japan Corp.
Published_By:
BAM! Entertainment Inc.
Released On:
01 Jan 1998
Contender is an arcade-style boxing game that doesn't claim to be a realistic simulation. It's designed to be easy to pick up and learn, with a starting cast of around 10 characters and another 10 secret characters that can be unlocked by playing through the single-player Main Event mode. Each character has a standard set of punches, special punches unique to each fighter, and a special 5-punch combo attack.
The game features two main play modes: Main Event and Exhibition. In Main Event, you play through a single-player career mode, starting with one special punch and training to learn the others as you win matches. Exhibition mode lets you pit any two unlocked fighters against each other in a one-on-one or two-player match.
eBay Product ID:
2558 (United States)
eBay Product ID:
2988 (United States)
UPC-A:
682384510025 (United States)
UPC-A:
711719429425 (United States)
ASIN:
B00000I1BL (United States)
ASIN:
B00004WJV9 (United States)
Part #:
SCUS-94294 (USA)
Sony PN:
SLUS-01305 (United States)
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Number of Players Supported:
1-2 Players
Input Device Features Supported:
Vibration
Controller Types Supported:
Analog Controller
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
Controls
Directional Buttons
Move your fighter in the direction pushed, regardless of your position on the screen.
L2
Clockwise sway (Moves the upper body to dodge the opponent's punch.)
L2 Button
Counter clockwise sway (Moves the upper body to dodge the opponent's punch.)
R1
Special Punch
R2
Special Punch
How to Play
WELCOME TO CONTENDER
Contender features over 40 world-class boxers, pitting you against the best in the boxing world. Take your character from back-street venues and sweaty gyms to the heights of World title fights.
This game is not just about fancy special moves. It's packed with strategy, requiring you to identify your fighter's weaknesses and train them to overcome them. Your trainer, Jackal, will offer hints and tips as you progress. Spar with him to learn invaluable moves.
Contender is a difficult game, and only determined and skilled players will succeed. If you get frustrated, take a break and plan your strategy. Watch your opponent for weaknesses; time and effort will pay dividends.
Achieving World Champion status will reward you with special new characters.
MAIN MENU
The Main Menu is your starting point. Menu screens are divided into different competitions and the Option menu.
•
↑ or ↓: Highlight a menu item
•
Ⓧ: Advance to the next screen
•
Ⓞ: Go back to the previous screen
•
← or →: Cycle/Toggle highlighted menu item
•
△: Go to Memory card screens (certain screens only)
All other buttons have no use on the menu screens.
MAIN EVENT
Road to the World Title
This championship consists of three leagues: Local, National, and World. Your goal is to become and retain the World Champion title. You can save your progress after each fight. Winning a fight will show the development of your boxer's physique.
Choosing Your Boxer
You must choose one of eight boxers, each with a different style and stance. Once chosen, you'll enter your first fight as a newcomer, rated last in the local league table.
You will have a limited choice of opponents with similar skills. Opponents you can choose are shown in grey, your boxer in blue, and other boxers in yellow.
NEW BOXER
•
New boxer: Debut a new boxer.
•
Continue: Download saved boxer from a memory card.
•
Check your current parameters: Pressing this allows fight records to be saved.
Occasionally, a challenge will be chosen for you by a boxer who specifically asked to fight you. When you win a fight, you will swap places in the league with the defeated boxer.
EXHIBITION FIGHT
This mode allows for a quick fight without setup, fighting a friend in two-player mode, or practicing your moves. Exhibition fight is a free match mode.
How to Set Up an Exhibition Fight
•
Choose the game mode: 'Single play' for fighting the computer, 'VS play' for a 2-player match.
•
Choose the blue corner and red corner fighters in that order.
•
To download boxers from a memory card, select the card icon at the bottom left.
•
To return to fighters in the CD memory, select the CD icon at the bottom left.
Special Characters
In Exhibition mode, new characters will become available for selection based on your progress in the Road to the World Title.
TOURNAMENT
If you find the Road to the World Title restrictive in opponent choice, this mode is for you. After choosing your character, Contender randomly matches boxers for a knockout championship. This can lead to one-sided fights but also allows you to see Contender stars earlier than in the Road to the World Title.
32 fighters compete in the tournament through 5 rounds. The length of a match increases as a player wins rounds. In the event of a draw, the fighter from the red corner progresses.
OPTIONS
Match details can be selected on the Options screens.
Controller Set Up
Change how fighters are controlled during a match. Select from 3 choices. Highlight "Controller Set Up" and press the button.
Controller Vibration
Turn the vibration function of the Dual Shock™ Analog Controller On or Off.
Sound Balance
Set the levels of the background music and sound effects.
Super Punch
Turn Super Punch On or Off.
CPU Opponent
Set the strength of the CPU boxer. 3 levels are available: Rookie, Amateur, and Professional.
Game Speed
Decide on the speed of play. Super Contender is the fastest speed available.
TKO
Decide whether or not to employ the TKO rule. The TKO rule in Contender can add more fun and excitement, though boxing rules don't mandate a win if a boxer is knocked down 3 times in a round.
Time Display
Decide whether or not the time is displayed during a match.
Default Camera
Decide on the default camera angle during a match.
Save Option Setting
Save your current option settings.
Load Option Setting
Load a previously saved option setting.
Reset to Default Settings
Return to default settings.
DEFENSE
Body Defense
•
Quick tap: Quick body come up
•
Press & hold: Body block
Head Defense
•
Quick tap: Quick head come up
•
Press & hold: Head block
Duck & Weave
•
Quick tap L1 L2 buttons: Quick duck
•
Press & hold L1 L2 buttons: Duck & weave
TIPS FOR DEFENSE
•
The best defense is getting away from your opponent.
•
A block is the most effective defense. Judge if your opponent will throw a head or body punch. Be careful of side attacks, as blocks offer little protection there.
•
Ducking and weaving is less defensive. It makes you harder to hit but leaves you open to a well-timed punch. It
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