Chavez II is one of those old-school boxing games that feels like it's straight out of an arcade—except it's on the Genesis. You play as Julio Cesar Chavez, and yeah, the sprites are blocky, but there's something satisfying about the way punches land with a meaty thud. The controls are simple—jab, hook, dodge—but timing matters more than button mashing.

First match in, you realize the AI doesn’t mess around. Opponents actually dodge and counter, so you can’t just swing wildly. The crowd cheers in that grainy, digitized way only '90s games could pull off, and between rounds, your trainer gives advice in Spanish. Little details like that make it feel less generic than other boxing games from the era.

It’s not perfect—some fights drag if you play too defensively—but when you land that perfect uppercut and the ref starts counting, it’s hard not to grin. If you’ve got a soft spot for retro sports games, this one’s a solid round in the ring.