Game: "FaceBreaker"

Console: Xbox 360; also available for PlayStation 3

Publisher/developer: Electronic Arts/Electronic Arts Canada

Genre: Boxing

Rated: T for teens

Premise: You are a boxer, punching and parrying your way to glory. It's that simple, honestly.

Game play: Since the creation of "NFL Blitz," developers have tried to capture the same wacky universe where physics and anatomy don't factor into athletic competition.

"FaceBreaker" is EA's latest foray into the extreme sports world focusing on boxing. Imagine if "Mike Tyson's Super Punch-Out" bred with "Tekken" and you'll have the basic foundation of this game.

Unfortunately, "FaceBreaker" is like the kid who wears a tuxedo shirt to prom: It tries way too hard. The game not only rewards but seems to require brainless button mashing while holding down the block button. And whenever you get a decent amount of damage or start figuring out your boxer's combinations, the computer will pull off some cheap move and leave you on the ropes.

It doesn't help that the characters look like they're straight out of Marvel's cutting-room floor, complete with awful one-liners. There's a Hawaiian guy named Kekoa with cringe-worthy faux pidgin, a big anime-obsessed asthmatic named Steve and a blue-haired black guy named Ice. Seriously, what were the developers thinking at some of their meetings?

As for the visual aspect, there's a lot of eye candy to be devoured. Boxers always sport comically brutalized faces after every fight, which will definitely entertain the more humorous gamer. The stages look great and don't push any processor limits, which cuts out any lag. And as always, EA provides an awesome soundtrack to get you pumped up for the virtual fights.

It's hard to imagine "FaceBreaker" finding an audience. Boxing fans and true gamers will prefer more realistic titles like "Fight Night." Younger players will prefer the physical aspect of the boxing in "Wii Sports." And there are numerous other sports games with a leaps-and-bounds better multiplayer.

EA has produced some of the best sports titles on the planet and also some of the biggest stinkers. Do yourself a favor and skip "FaceBreaker." A real punch in the face would probably be less painful.