Punch-Out!!

Punch-Out!! (On Wii)

Rating: E10+

Score:8.5/10

Over two decades ago, a humble game called “Punch-Out!!” arrived for the NES (A.K.A. Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo’s first console). This game didn’t use complex gameplay mechanics; it was just a game about fast reflexes and amazing timing. Players loved it. Even after a sequel (named Super Punch-Out!!), and two re-releases, players still loved Punch-Out!!  About thirteen years after we’ve last seen the series, it returned. Does it still hold the title, or is it time for retirement? This game is only available on the Nintendo Wii.

                The story is simple but effective: You play as Little Mac. He’s a seventeen-year-old fighter from the Bronx, New York. He stands only 5’7’’, and weights 107lbs. After being rejected by two hundred boxing trainers, he meets Jerome “Doc” Louis, a former heavyweight champion, and begins his journey to the top of the boxing circuit.

How does Little Mac plan to beat all of these fighters when he is so small and light? By avoiding punches and delivering strong shots. To quote his trainer: "It's not about brawling---it's about finesse!" You’ll spend most of the time dodging and counter-attacking, otherwise the opponents counter-attack you, shooting jabs all over the place. Some enemies require more strategy. Some, like King Hippo, require careful planning and fast reflexes.

Oh wait! King Hippo? Yes, if you’ve played Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!, you know exactly who that is. In fact, he’s not the only classic character returning; you’ll also see Glass Joe, Super Macho Man, Von Kaiser, and many others.  I bet fans of the old Punch-Out!! believe they’ll breeze through the game because they already know the style of game, and all of the older characters’ secrets. Hahaha-Wrong! They have new strategies now, although returning players will have an easier time getting through the challenges, being experienced at dodging/counter-attacking at the perfect times.

This is because they didn’t change the controls. You can play with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, which works, but is a bit awkward to control. You can play the normal way, with the Wii Remote on its side (like a NES controller), which is really the way to go in this kind of game.  Pressing up on the D-Pad (A.K.A. Direction Pad, it looks like a cross) while pressing 1 or 2 (both representing an arm) will let you do punches to the face, while not pressing up gives you body shots. Knowing where to hit and when, makes all the difference. You also dodge by pressing left or right on the D-Pad, or duck by pressing down. Don’t worry about moving around the ring, because you never move. It’s just a straightforward boxing game.

Old time fans will enjoy the nostalgic feel, while people new to the series will be greeted with an easy-to-learn style. One on one boxing with a friend is fun and outrageous at the same time, while career is exactly what is expected. Some of the new characters are lame, and are geared towards kids (believe me, you’ll know when you see them), but the game makes up for it by having classic characters back. It’s a simple boxing experience all should at least try.