Hajime no Ippo - The Fighting on GBA is basically the closest you'll get to feeling like you're in the ring without getting punched in the face. It's a surprisingly deep boxing sim wrapped in that classic Ippo art style—you know, the one where everyone looks like they could crush boulders with their bare hands.

First thing you'll notice? The controls are way more responsive than you'd expect from a GBA fighter. Jabs feel snappy, hooks have weight, and when you land a solid uppercut, the screen shakes like you just rattled their brain. The career mode throws you straight into the gym—skipping rope, hitting the mitts, all that good stuff—before tossing you into your first match against some poor schmuck who clearly didn't train as hard as you did.

What's cool is how it captures the manga's vibe. Your trainer yells advice mid-fight, opponents have distinct styles (some turtle up behind their guard, others swing wild haymakers), and if you time it right, you can unleash Ippo's signature Dempsey Roll to absolutely wreck shop. Just don't get cocky—one clean counter and you'll be seeing stars.

It's one of those rare licensed games that actually does the source material justice.