Drunken Boxing: Ultimate

About Drunken Boxing: Ultimate

This is the Drunken series moved into three dimensions. The wobble that made Drunken Boxing funny is still the engine of the whole thing, but the arenas now have depth and lighting, the punch physics are noticeably tighter, and each fighter carries a special-hit meter that fills as the round goes on.

The meter is what changes the rhythm. In the flat original you simply flailed until someone fell over; here you are also banking toward one big swing, and choosing when to spend it is most of the skill. Fire it at range and you waste the round's best card.

How to play

Player 1 moves with the up and down arrows and punches with the left and right arrows, with L for the special hit. Player 2 moves with W and S, punches with A and D, and uses G for the special. Stay balanced as you close the distance, then throw once you are actually in range.

Controls

• Player 1 — Up/Down to move, Left/Right to punch, L for special
• Player 2 — W/S to move, A/D to punch, G for special
• Two players on one keyboard

Tips to win

• Approach at half speed. Running in drunk means arriving off balance and eating the first punch.
• Save the special until your opponent has committed to a swing and missed.
• Backing off is a real move here — the physics need a moment to settle you upright.

Drunken Boxing: Ultimate strategy guide

Balance first, punches second. Drunken Boxing: Ultimate keeps the series' wobbly fighters and moves them into 3D arenas with improved physics. Your boxer sways as they move, so rushing across the ring usually means arriving off balance. Close the distance steadily, stay upright and only start throwing once you are actually near enough to connect.

Know your keys. Player 1 moves with the Up and Down arrows, punches with Left and Right, and uses L for the special hit. Player 2 moves with W and S, punches with A and D, and uses G for the special. Because movement and punching sit on separate keys, you can step in and swing without letting go of either.

Watch the Energy Bar. Every fighter has an Energy Bar, and running it empty is a serious mistake: it takes a while to recover, and during that time you are an easy target. Keep one eye on it during long exchanges. Fight in short bursts, back off to let your boxer settle and go again when your opponent is the one who looks worn out.

Time the Special Hit. When your Special Hit bar is full, you can throw vomit at your opponent, the series' trademark gross-out move. It works best when you wait for the right time and distance instead of firing it the instant it is ready. Save it for when your rival is in range and distracted, and it becomes the best card you hold all round.

Best with a friend beside you. This is a two-player game on one keyboard, and most of the fun is the chaos of two wobbling boxers trying to land something clean. If you enjoyed the flat original Drunken Boxing, this version adds depth, sharper physics and more decisions per round. Play a best-of-five and swap key sets halfway through so nobody blames the controls.

Drunken Boxing: Ultimate FAQ