The sweet science on a Series 60 device. What can you say but bring it on. I've seen a few boxing efforts out there and none were bad but from my first glance the Synergenix-published Anarchy 3D had me captivated. Graphically you almost wouldn't be able to tell it from the mid-90's console ilk and surprisingly, for what is in essence a cell phone game, it really feels like a console game. There are two modes of play, multiple boxers and cool options like the ability to turn down the graphics detail for a little performance boost. All in all the game has a polish to it that really puts it a cut above the rest.

When first sitting down to duke it out I dutifully read the "How To Play" screens and was surprised with the game depth and at the same time confused by the instructions. Players have an attack button (Fire) and a defence button (Fire 2). The use of these in tandem with the direction pad can deliver a good range of moves both in defence and in offense. You can duck or lean back and throw your own combinations of jabs, hooks and uppercuts. All in all a very nice range of options for a boxing game. You don't get high or low control on your attacks or independent left and right hand control, but the game even includes the boxer specific special attacks that have been popularised by Punch Out or the EA Sports boxing titles and surprisingly, the use of ring control plays into success. It totals out that with the options available you are able to mount both an effective offense and the more rare defence (button mashing won't save you) within Anarchy Boxing 3D.

So with a grip on my control options I started playing in Championship mode on Easy. After selecting from the available characters (there are 7 in total after you unlock them all) I jumped into the match and was summarily pummelled. I could not figure out which buttons were Fire and Fire 2 and my opponent was not in a forgiving mood. This highlighted the only really strong problem with Anarchy Boxing 3D which is that the controls take some getting used to and even then are a little slow. To combat this I cut graphic detail down as low as it would go and found the game played much smoother. Still, every time I play I have to try and figure out again where the Fire and Fire 2 buttons are and that is an annoyance. While this is happening I am, of course, just dancing around the screen trying to avoid my opponent with lots of dashing and circling. This does take away from the first few moments of play but once overcome will be forgotten.

The reason one will forget the initial shortcomings is that this is a solid boxing game and it looks gorgeous. Fighters are all unique in both their player model and skins as well as details like facial hair and tattoos and they seemed to me to be unique in AI as well. Certain boxers tended to duck where others tended to lean back in defense. Being a tactician when boxing I of course adapted to them and when my stamina bar permitted would lay into them with appropriate hooks and uppercuts to bring them down. It was a blast.

Even with the fun of its Survival mode where you box against an opponent who will not fall down for as long as possible, I wouldn't put it against EA's Fight Night games for best in show. But this game is certainly the best boxing effort I've seen to date on a Series 60 device and one that any boxing game fan should definitely consider for their mobile device.