Thrill of the Fight Review: The $10 VR Boxing Game That Surprised Me.

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If you are getting into VR boxing, you will probably hear about Thrill of the Fight sooner or later. I recently spent some time with it on my Quest 2, and I wanted to share my first impressions from a VR fitness perspective.

This is not a flashy rhythm game. It feels more like stepping into an old boxing gym and working on your fundamentals. It is basically a place where you can let your inner demon out on some VR boxing equipment and real VR opponents.

For beginners in VR boxing, that can be a very good thing. You can experiment with punches, test your form, and learn how your body moves in VR.

In this Thrill of the Fight review, I will walk through the graphics, the training tools, the workout intensity, and a few things that could be improved.

First Impressions: Graphics and Atmosphere

The first thing I noticed when starting Thrill of the Fight was the atmosphere. The graphics are good. They are not ultra modern, but they work well for the type of experience the game is trying to create.

This is the first version of the game, and the second one (Thrill of the Fight 2) improves the graphics quite a bit, I hope so. But the original still holds up.

The gym has the feeling of a vintage boxing training center. It feels gritty and focused, which actually fits the theme perfectly.

The main menu is interesting. Every option is selected by punching it. I understand the idea since the whole game is about boxing, but I am not sure it is completely necessary. Sometimes you just want to select something quickly instead of throwing a punch at the menu.

Still, it does add personality to the experience.

Space Requirements: More Room Than You Think

Another thing to mention early in this Thrill of the Fight review is space. The game says you can play with about 4 by 4 feet, but personally I think you should have closer to 6 by 6 feet if possible.

When you start getting into the action, you move more than you expect. The Quest 2 guardian system does help. When you get close to your boundary you will see a wall appear. But if you are focused on throwing punches, you might still move forward too much and hit a real wall.

Trust me, your controller will not enjoy that.

Also, small warning when you start the game: Look to your right. The trainer is standing there looking directly at you. It is a bit of a jump scare the first time. This picture shows the guy starring at you, scared the crap out of me.

At the end of my first session, Will the Beaver looked at me and said, “Next time maybe measure the room before you start punching everything.”

Training Tools: A Real Boxing Gym in VR

One of my favorite parts of this Thrill of the Fight review is the training environment.

If you enjoy boxing training, this game gives you several classic tools you would normally find in a boxing gym.

You have:

Heavy bag – Practice power punches
Speed bag – Work on rhythm and coordination
Boxing dummy – Test damage and accuracy
Shadowboxing mode – Perfect your technique

This is where the game becomes a great tool for beginners.

I spend a lot of time in Supernatural VR, which is more structured and music-based. But I can easily see myself using Thrill of the Fight before a Supernatural session just to warm up and work on technique.

Shadowboxing is especially useful. It lets you slow down and focus on the mechanics of your punches. In VR boxing, good form matters more than people think. You can practice your jab, your cross, and your combinations without the pressure of a rhythm system or score.

If you want to improve your VR boxing technique, I wrote a guide on VR boxing tips that increased my speed to 98%.

There was one small issue I ran into. When I entered shadowboxing, I could not easily find a way to exit. I might have missed something, or maybe my controller battery was low, but I ended up quitting the game and restarting it.

It felt a bit strange, but it might simply be something I overlooked.

Will the Beaver watched the whole thing and said, “For a boxing game, you spent a lot of time fighting the menu.”

What I Use for VR Boxing

The game matters, but so does your setup. Here is what I use for every VR boxing session:

15lb Kettlebell – My warm-up essential before VR boxing (check out my5-minute VR warm-up routine)

Quest 2 / Quest 3 – Works perfectly with Thrill of the Fight

A simple fan you get on amazon for motion sickness in VR

Floor Fan – Prevents lens fog during intense sessions

Microfiber Cloth – Keep lenses clean between rounds

KIWI Controller Grips – Best grip upgrade for VR boxing (your hands will sweat)

Sparring and Realism: Real Opponents, Real Effort

When you step into a fight in Thrill of the Fight, the opponent stands right in front of you.

This part feels intense.

You are not hitting floating targets like in rhythm games. You are boxing another fighter who moves, blocks, and throws punches back at you. It feels closer to a real sparring session than many VR fitness games.

One thing I noticed during this Thrill of the Fight review is the feedback from punches. Sometimes I felt like I landed a clean hit, but it was hard to tell how much impact it had. I did not always feel strong haptic feedback through the controller.

That feedback can help immersion. When you feel the vibration clearly, it confirms that your punch connected.

Even without that strong feedback, the experience still works well. Seeing the opponent react and having someone directly in front of you adds a lot of realism.

And if you start throwing combinations for a few rounds, you will definitely feel the effort.

The Science Behind VR Boxing Workouts

VR boxing is one of the most effective full-body workouts you can do.

Sports science research shows that boxing training combines cardio endurance, coordination, and muscular endurance. When you throw punches repeatedly, you activate your shoulders, arms, core, and legs.

Your heart rate climbs quickly because the movements are explosive and continuous.

In VR, the effect is very similar. You are still rotating your torso, moving your arms, and reacting quickly.

After about 20 minutes in Thrill of the Fight, I was breathing heavy and my shoulders were starting to burn.

Well, not completely exhausted. I am a pro. A pro-ish. Yeah, let us go with that.

That is usually a good sign you are doing something right.

Will the Beaver took one look at me and said, “You wanted a workout. Looks like you got one.”

Other picture from the game

Thrill of the Fight Review: Pros and Cons

Pros

Great tool to practice boxing technique
Real opponent instead of hitting floating targets
Very affordable price ($10 USD, one-time purchase) its about 13.55 $ canadien.
Strong training value for beginners
Good environment to improve punching form
Works well as warm-up before other VR fitness apps

Cons

Punch feedback could be stronger (haptics feel weak)
Sometimes difficult to exit certain training modes
Less replayability than rhythm-based games
Needs more space than advertised (6×6 feet recommended)

For me personally, I will still return to it often for training. Now that I own it, it is a useful place to practice punches and technique whenever I want.

If you are comparing VR fitness apps, I also reviewed FitXR, Funfitland, and Supernatural. Each offers something different.

Thrill of the Fight vs Supernatural VR

Both games are excellent for VR fitness, but they offer different experiences.

Supernatural VR

Pros:

Very strong cardio workout (structured sessions)
Licensed music and rhythm keep you motivated
Clear feedback and scoring system

Cons:

You are punching orbs instead of a real opponent
Costs about US $99.99 per year (roughly C $135–C $140 per year).

Thrill of the Fight

Pros:

Closest thing to sparring in VR
You are fighting a real avatar opponent
One-time purchase ($10 USD) 13.50 canadien about.

Cons:

Less structured workout compared to Supernatural
No music or rhythm system

In simple terms, Supernatural is a fantastic cardio boxing workout, while Thrill of the Fight feels more like boxing practice.

And the best part? You can use both together.

I often warm up with Thrill of the Fight shadowboxing, then jump into a Supernatural session for cardio. The combination works perfectly.

Read my full Supernatural review to see why it is still my top VR fitness app after 2 years.

Thrill of the Fight Review: Final Thoughts

To wrap up this Thrill of the Fight review, I would say this game is a great addition for anyone interested in VR boxing.

The graphics are solid and the environment feels like a real boxing gym. The training tools such as the heavy bag, speed bag, and boxing dummy give you plenty of ways to practice.

For beginners, it can be an excellent place to work on technique before jumping into more structured VR fitness apps.

The game is also a one-time purchase, which is nice. I paid about $13.55 CAD, which is roughly $10 USD. That makes it a very affordable training tool you can return to anytime.

You do need enough space to play safely (6 by 6 feet recommended), and the punch feedback could be stronger. But overall the experience delivers exactly what it promises.

If you enjoy VR boxing or want a new way to train your punches, Thrill of the Fight is definitely worth trying.

At the end of my session, Will the Beaver shook his head and said, “Good workout. Next time maybe bring a towel.”

FAQ: Thrill of the Fight Review

Is Thrill of the Fight a good VR workout?
Yes. Many players experience a strong cardio workout. Even 20 minutes can raise your heart rate and fatigue your shoulders. The intense sparring makes you want to punch fast and knock your opponent out.

How much space do you need for Thrill of the Fight?
The game suggests about 4 by 4 feet, but having 6 by 6 feet gives you more safety when throwing punches. Set your Guardian boundary up before you play.

Is Thrill of the Fight good for beginners?
Yes. The training tools like the heavy bag, speed bag, and shadowboxing make it a great place to learn basic boxing movement. It is a safe place to let loose and practice.

How much does Thrill of the Fight cost?
The game is a one-time purchase. It costs around $10 USD or about $13.55 CAD. No monthly subscription required.Can you use Thrill of the Fight with other VR fitness apps?
Absolutely. Many people (myself included) use Thrill of the Fight as a warm-up before rhythm-based games like Supernatural or FitXR. The combination works well.

Thrill of the Fight Review: Best Realistic VR Boxing Workout?