Fifteen years after its last bout, Punch-Out!! scores a knock-out return on the Nintendo Wii.

Game Summary

Popzara Rating

This game was made by Punch-Out!! fans and it shows. They captured the essence of the series while adding on features that seriously extend its replayability. Even little touches like making that familiar in-ring fight music match the theme of the boxer you fight show the love that went into this project. And NO ONE could be prepared for the introduction of the flamboyant Disco Kid and his carefree ways. With sharp controls and a humorous fun-filled presentation merging the past with the present, you are guaranteed some quality entertainment. Release Date: May 18, 2009 ESRB Rating: E Publisher: Nintendo

Written by John Lucas

It started out as one of Nintendo’s early 80’s arcades and became one of the most beloved videogame series in history. Ethnic stereotypes adding more fructose to that sweet science made for compelling even addictive play. And who could forget the immortal entry into the series from the Nintendo Entertainment System? With the endorsement and starring role of fearsome boxing champion/phenomenon, “Kid Dynamite” Mike Tyson, we were introduced to Rocky-like underdog Little Mac and his tip-telling trainer Doc Louis. The technical limitations of the NES (which were the reason for Little Mac’s design) actually made the game more lovable. After the release of the more arcade consistent edition for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1994, we wouldn’t hear of another Punch-Out!! for almost 15 years. But now Punch-Out!! is back. So step aside Ready 2 Rumble Boxing. The original cartoony boxer returns on Wii.

Wii’s Punch-Out!! combines elements of all previous games in the series. You see the original referee from the arcade Punch-Outs!! (sorry, no Mario but maybe this is his cousin?), the 3 minute/3 round rule from the NES version, plus the self-activated stamina recharge on downed opponent from the SNES version.

In this edition, Little Mac, guided by trainer/former champ Doc Louis, works his way through the WVBA (World Video Boxing Association) through a bizarre succession of boxers all with their own truly unique fighting styles. For three 3-minute rounds, you must read and predict your opponents’ quirky attacks and evasions being ready to duck, dodge, block, jab, and hook in turn. Attack at the proper opportunity and a special star gives you the ability to deliver a momentum shifting uppercut. But pace yourself because even you can lose the heart to fight when you miss, get blocked, or get hit. You’ll get tired (and unable to punch) when your heart meter reaches zero and it only returns when you evade a few blows or get back up from a knockdown (don’t get 3 in one round!). Do your very best to deliver a KO or a TKO to each adversary climbing from obscurity to superstar with each championship belt won and each circuit conquered. Your win-loss-KO record is stored with every victory and defeat.

There are 3 main modes to play in: Career Mode, Exhibition Mode, and Head-To-Head Mode. The above paragraph explains the gist of the initial Contender portion of the central Career Mode but eventually you will uncover the harder Title Defense area where Little Mac as WVBA Champion defends against his defeated but newly improved challengers. Get good enough and you will unleash the Mac’s Last Stand portion where Champ Mac fights and fights until being forced to retire after he gains 3 defeats.

In Exhibition Mode, you get to fight opponents you have beaten before with the added optional incentive to complete 3 challenges in how to fight the boxers (goodies to be found by completing them). If you have trouble figuring out a boxer, both Career and Exhibition modes give you the option to enter a Practice session against a holographic facsimile of your rival.

Head-to-Head Mode for the 1st time adds multiplayer to the franchise allowing you and a friend/family member to settle the argument of “Who is the better Little Mac?” But Mac won’t stay little for long if you box well enough. Frustrate your friend with blocks and evasions until they become blue in the face then punch. Hitting your blue buddy enough times turns you into this incredible hulk of a pugilist called Giga Mac. With the power of the blue juice which adds to your strength, you have attacks on the level of those wackos from the WVBA circuits like charged punches and unusual taunts. Mac will only be on the juice for a short time so make use of that superpowered edge while you can. What goes Giga must come Little.

Control the action in 3 ways: Wiimote with Nunchuk, Wiimote alone, or either of those assisted by the Wii Balance Board. The Wiimote/Nunchuk control can operate as both motion-made punches or as independent-handed button presses. Nunchuk’s control stick does the blocking, ducking, and dodging while Wiimote/Nunchuk motions do the punching (unless you prefer pressing Nunchuk’s buttons to do this). Ol’ school Punch-Out!! professionals may prefer the NES-reminiscent 'solo Wiimote turned sideways' position where it controls just like an NES controller on the buttons. Those looking for a Work-Out while they Punch-Out can use leans and squats on the Balance Board to dodge and duck while either of the previous controls handle the scrapping (better to use Wiimote/Nunchuk to get most of this). When you think you’ve mastered the game, trying out the other control methods may make the game feel brand new (especially the Balance Board). At any time during play, you can switch control styles to suit your needs. Might just get you past Great Tiger’s insanity.

This game was made by Punch-Out!! fans and it shows. They captured the essence of the series while adding on features that seriously extend its replayability. Even little touches like making that familiar in-ring fight music match the theme of the boxer you fight show the love that went into this project. And NO ONE could be prepared for the introduction of the flamboyant Disco Kid and his carefree ways. With sharp controls and a humorous fun-filled presentation merging the past with the present, you are guaranteed some quality entertainment.

Nitpicks could be lack of an online multiplayer mode and not being able to play the other boxers in Head-to-Head mode but this game was always a one-player game. The gameplay would be unbalanced due to the powers/weaknesses of the other characters. Giga Mac was especially created to represent the larger-than-life foes you face in the circuits. The only missed opportunity I see is not having Reginald VelJohnson (who played Carl Winslow on Family Matters) do the voice work for Doc Louis. Other than that there’s hardly a bad thing to say about the game. Topline.