Punch-Out!! Review: Call It A Comeback
Nintendo revitalises Punch-Out!! after a 15-year-long break with the Wii re-imagining of the NES original. Little Mac and Doc Louis return, as does the original Punch-Out!! cast, for a decidedly old-school, but carefully updated homage.
Punch-Out!! for the Wii pits Bronx-born pugilistic protagonist Little Mac and his trainer Doc Louis against a bizarre cast of characters that often out-power and outweigh our hero. That includes the return of quirky characters like the voluminous King Hippo, the mystical Great Tiger, and frail French fighter and perennial punching bag Glass Joe. The Wii version packs thirteen contenders, most of whom are plucked from the original game, with one brand new original character in the flamboyant Disco Kid.
The Next Level Games-developed Punch-Out!! also includes obligatory motion control, with options for Wii Remote and Nunchuk-style boxing, Wii Balance Board support, and simplified old-school controls for players who actually want to beat the game.
Should Wii owners throw down some cash for Punch-Out!!, or should they simply throw in the towel?
Loved
Beautiful, Old-School Gameplay Refined: The Wii version isn’t simply a remake of the NES or arcade games that also bear the Punch-Out!! name, it’s an exploration of the gameplay mechanics that worked so well in the originals. Little Mac’s opponents give audio and visual cues to indicate their trademark attacks are incoming, with the player having to learn when to dodge, block and duck—or preempt attacks to secure stars for powerful punches—all with split second timing, just like they used to. But each enemy’s arsenal of punches, headbutts and elbows has expanded, as has Little Mac’s typically shallow well of strategy.
Brilliant Puzzle Solving: The Punch-Out!! formula, more puzzle-based than sporting, is simple, but the amount of depth that developer Next Level Games has added to a returning cast impresses. Players, like myself, conditioned to dodge left for almost every attack, will be forced to adjust. And they’ll be forced to root out new opportunities to land punches against once-familiar foes. Each contender is unique, some outlandishly so, as characters like the bobbing and weaving Aran Ryan and Great Tiger add variety to the lot of stand-and-swing challengers.
Title Defense: The Minor, Major and World Circuit won’t pose much of a challenge to the old-school Punch-Out!! fan who TKOed Mike Tyson back in the day. It’s quite possible to blow through those thirteen fighters in just a few hours. But when Little Mac is forced to defend his World Circuit championship belt, things get interesting. And they get brutally hard. When Glass Joe seeks revenge, you’ll likely be amazed at how challenging he is the second time around. Punch-Out!! resets your expectations in the second half, sometimes to the point of controller-tossing frustration, but shows how brilliant this re-imagining really is. Good luck with Bald Bull II. He’s a nightmare.
Control Options: The timing is spot on, as are the old-school controls, making it hard to accuse anything but your own reflexes for causing you to fail. If you really want to, you can play with a Wii Remote and Nunchuk, swinging your way to victory. For extra novelty, you can stand on a Wii Balance Board to dodge. Just don’t expect to use the motion control scheme during Title defence or Exhibition modes. But the type of player who would actually tolerate these control options probably has little interest in ever beating Mr. Sandman the first time around anyway.
Achievements: When all is said and done, with the World Circuit’s has-beens defeated twice over, there’s still plenty to do in Punch-Out!!, thanks to the game’s Exhibition mode. It’s the game’s equivalent of Achievements, with more than 80 medals to acquire by unlocking Punch-Out!!’s most heavily guarded gameplay secrets under a set of conditions. Some, like landing every punch against Von Kaiser are easy. Others, like defeating Super Macho Man in the first round with no Star Punches feel impossible. But they’re do-able.
Character And Caricature: The original Punch-Out!! featured a cast of contenders bordered on stereotype, a few steps away from culturally insensitive. And that was great. Even greater is that little of this has been changed. In fact, it has been improved upon. Sushi floats around Piston Hondo’s head when dazed, with croissants orbiting Glass Joe’s noggin while being pummeled. Bear Hugger is extremely Canadian and Disco Kid is… let’s just call him flamboyant. Punch-Out!! sense of humor is only marginally softened in certain areas, but remains full of charm. Character specific music nods add nicely to the stereotypes.
Hated
No Classic Controller Support: The game supports simple Wii Remote controls, but not the option to use the more comfortable Classic Controller, with its larger directional pad and buttons. That’s disappointing, as is the reliance on the Wii Remote to point for all menu choices, but that helps to explain why Classic Controller support wasn’t added.
Some Boxer Cues Feel Cheap: There are certain points in the Title defence mode where the fun comes to a halt and the rote execution of memorized patterns kicks in. Let me tell you show you my Soda Popinski notes, sometime. The argument can obviously be made that I was simply not skilled enough to breeze through the expert level matches, but some of the fraction of a second timing and attack guesswork—I’m looking at you Don Flamenco II—might just incredibly piss you off too.
Punch-Out!! for the Wii is an amazing success. The gameplay is solid, with a suite of modes and options that reflect modern day expectations. A holographic practice mode and the option to restart matches ensure that the game’s difficulty is kept in check somewhat, letting players fail on their own merits, not due to technical limitations that require things like 10-digit codes to save player progress.
The other concession, a two-player mode that pits Little Mac against Little Mac, is probably the least welcome option, as it adds little to the tight Punch-Out!! experience, especially for anyone hardcore enough to play through every single-player aspect of the game. Minor quibbles aside, Punch-Out!! comes highly recommended—if you think you’re up to the challenge.
Punch-Out!! was developed by Next Level Games and published by Nintendo for the Wii. Completed all circuits and Title defence mode. Tested Head-to-Head and Exhibition modes.
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Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
@Spongehead56: My response really wasn't intended for you. It was a response to the way ninjablaze is trying to explain what you were saying and how he does it. I understand what you mean and I too feel like motion controls are rarely used effectively.
Just that, one game shouldn't be the determining factor towards a purchase of a console. Is that really something someone thinks about each time they play a game? "Is this game worth the purchase of this console?"
Atomsk88
@subnet6: That's awesome and if your child even sees you play she's going to cherish those moments in the future. I know I do when I remember my brothers playing the NES one.
Soliduma
@Gambit09:
Little King's Story is totally awesome. When that is released wherever you are, you will have two.
@Falsoman: Good summary right here.
I got it today too. :D
This game is awesome. It's very hard, but it doesn't feel cheap. By the time you actually get someone down (in the later rounds) you want to raise your arms in the air along with Little Mac. Seriously. It's really fun.
Can't wait to play this! Saw a friend of a friend play it, looks to me that it will be quite the challenge.
sweetie55
@Atomsk88:
What my point is is that I bought the Wii because of the motion controls; it's a great concept. Now, I feel like very few games (Mario Galaxy, Wii Sports, No More Heroes) have provided interesting motion controls. It most often seems like an add-on, which appears to be the case for this game.
I love the idea of the Wii, now give me more games that take advantage of the motion controls!!
Spongehead56
@Fernando Paramo: That was amazing.
@ToKeN2k6: Seriously. it seems like they just had to think of something to put in hated. i mean, is not having classic control really a hated when wiimote sideways is really the prefered way?
and everyone has frustrations in every game, so the way i see it, they just had to fill in the hated list in order to not leave the page without red font. but yeah, i wanna buy this game. but so much games for wii this year.
Solid review Michael. I was worried that the game wasn't updated enough, but your review has won me over. Definitely checking this one out.
@Gambit09: Allow me to retort:
+ Watch video
KaneRobot
I'm getting mine from Amazon.....but the waiting will be excruciating.
pinoy78
@shadow763: Y'know, I'd agree with that assessment if you weren't 100% wrong.
This game is priced about 20 bucks too much for basically a tidied up version of Punch Out.
@CaptLtrl: Nah, that is nostalgia
develin
@nerdrage32: Actually that is quite relative. Even all those years ago I found Super Punch Out a game that wasn't worth 60$, simply because I lost my interest after winning against everybody once.
develin
TKO!!
Crash__Man
@Rocci1212: Super Mario Strikers kinda sucked.
Or maybe I'm just too sensitive to the voice-acting.
@Kristopher.W:
Well, the thing is that Mike Tyson's Punch out is not the original. There are teh arcade vers of SPO and PO which came out years prior to MTPO
I personally think that there should have been more original characters since I don't like the new trend of makin a new game with only one through four new characters
doomsaber
@Shredator:
You could always try a new series instead. BlazBlue comes out pretty soon. :g
Danved
@nerdrage32:
exactly. i've probably fought great tiger a little over 200 times, and i've never gotten bored of the original punch-out.
@CHoZO: Fine, ad Madworld.
@shouryuuken: To correct you - Super Punch-Out's roster was arguable the same situation as the new one we have received. A number of the "new" characters coming from the Arcade versions of Punch-Out.
SF III was a brillant game; but I rather have my favorite old school characters in a new game doing some new things along with their old moves than a bunch of new guys that come across as B-Team characters.
d1nonlyclo
@ninjablaze: Playing other games that take full advantage of the motion controls? I didn't realize Punch-Out!! was the make-or-break game for the Wii. Damn, someone didn't buy a Wii because of this one game. CRAZY! I wonder if there will ever be a game, right?
C'mon, they added some motion controls because it's a Wii game, but there's also the standard NES control layout. Are people really going to complain about a control option that isn't forced upon them?
Atomsk88
The reason for lack of classic controller support is probably two fold.
1. Nintendo is still having lawsuit problems with their "standard" controllers in the US, and since this is expected to be a VERY popular title, I'm guessing that it would be a bad idea to throw out a title that pretty much required a controller they can no longer import.
2. The classic controller SUCKS!!!! Have you guys actually used this thing? They took the snes controller, which is the PERFECT controller and totally ruined it by making the shell way too big, way to fat, and throwing two analog sticks on it!! Holding the wiimote sideways is far more comfortable.
HowardC
@ninjablaze: The point is that you get to play the game. There are good games on the wii, with or whithout motion control. It has a 50 million install base, so it's safe to assume that people will continue to make games for it. The wii is a game console with a motion sensing controller, its not a waggle-machine in itself.
It's as silly as arguing that it's useless to buy a 360 unless you play online, or that there's no reason to buy a PS3/360 without a HDTV. And by that logic I can't even think of a reason why anyone bought a PS2 after the Gamecube and Xbox was released, given how underpowered it was.
You buy a game console to play games, not because of it's features.
beril
@Okari: Wait.... NES style... comfortable? Are we talking about the same NES controller, here?
Now the redesigned NES dogbone controller. THAT was a joy to hold. But it was only comfortable because it took the cues (rounded edges, angled buttons) from the SNES controller. The same SNES controller that the classic controller is modeled after.
So I'm gonna go ahead and agree with McWhertor's assessment that the "classic" controller would be much more comfortable to deal with than the sideways Wii-mote. I'd really rather use the bigger d-pad, too. I just can't help it if my stupid giant thumb doesn't do as well on the DS-sized D-pad.
@Falsoman: Make sure that you do, it's a truly fantastic game, but I'm getting tired of trying to hype it. Hardly anyone has even heard of it or gives it any attention while a lot of not so great games get hypes as the last hope for "hardcore" wii gamers
beril
@Polaski: Very well then!
Off on my noble steed I go!
@Revenge_of_Nekojin: Where is Galaxy?
Sonicandtails
@Spongehead56: He might have said it in a trollish way, but he's actually right (I"ll give you diehard nintendrones a moment to catch your breath).
The Wii is incapable of making a graphical masterpiece like the PC/360/PS3, so what does it have to fall back on? It's unique gampeplay method. And if the game is best played with a control we used 20 years ago, what IS the point on spending 250 for the wii to play a game that controls like an NES game and looks like an Xbox game.
ninjablaze
@Parasite: Little King's Story, 'nuff said. It doesn't have anything to do with nintendo though but it's worth buying a wii for
beril
@beril: Patience, little grasshumper, we shall buy little king's story when it is available on this continent.
@CHoZO: Yeah, he didn't mention MH3 at all.
@Shredator: dude, totally agreed. i only had 3 gripes, and 2 of them were small (no classic controller support/not being able to play as the bosses in multiplayer).. but my biggest gripe is that its all the same guys.
@Kristopher.W: ever heard of super punch out? a game that had just as much charm.. and was actually superior to its prequel in every way.. but guess what.. none of the cast was the same. it makes plenty SENSE because a game isnt the characters so much as the play style. thats how you can tell the difference between hardcore and casual fans of something.. hardcore fans of street fighter liked III because it was still a great game.. yet only 4 characters returned.
i love sf IV, but i havent played it nearly as much as i played III, because i kinda get tired of it quickly since the "newness" wore off and im doing something ive been doing since the early 90s with the same cast.
@Shredator: Trust me, as a huge fan of both PO and SPO, there's enough newness and depth to even the old fighters that this game is worth your money.
@Kristopher.W: SF3 series was good and it only had about 3-4 returning characters.
i picked it up as soon as i got the text from my mgr saying it was in this morning. awesome game, and its really cool that american devs are doing wonders for classic nintendo franchises (next level did this, and retro with the metroid series).
@excel_excel: Here here sir. I love a good challenge.
@Saith17: Buy Little King's Story damnit
beril
I loved this game back in the day. Really glad to hear this remake is a good one.
I think I'm actually going to have to fire up the Wii, which I haven't used since I finished Mario Galaxy...
rip
"Sushi floats around Piston Hondo's head when dazed, with croissants orbiting Glass Joe's noggin while being pummeled. Bear Hugger is extremely Canadian and Disco Kid is... let's just call him flamboyant. Punch-Out!! sense of humor is only marginally softened in certain areas, but remains full of charm. Character specific music nods add nicely to the stereotypes."
I hope it doesn't make me racist if I find this to be awesome. :)
nerdrage32
@DarthMetalHope: I know, mine hasn't even been plugged in for months.
Saith17
I'm surprised you can't use any of the different boxers for the multiplayer. That would have been interesting, but just Little Mac seems boring. If they let you customize his move set to incorporate other moves from the other boxers, I'd say it's fine.
Ryodestined
@Gambit09: Really? Sounds like trolling...
@Szin: EXPLOSIVE!
@Spongehead56: How the hell do you know how the motion controls are on this game?
@became of Ice Cube.
@UltimatePancakeSensation: Yeah, my wife picked up a copy for me today. I can't wait to get to it this evening after the daughter is in bed. My wife will probably even give it a try since she remembers playing the original back in the day.
@excel_excel: I'm right there with you. This reminds me of Contra 4. I bought that because everyone kept saying how unbelievably hard it was. Punch Out!! sounds like it is gonna be so wicked.
nekocomet
@Spongehead56: You've played the game?
@Shredator:
now that doesnt make much sence to me, especially with what you said about SF IV.
take away the characters from the original and it might as well be named something else.
@MoeB:
It's not just attack memorization, it's execution too. You could know all of your opponent's attacks, but if you can't dodge and react properly it doesn't mean anything. I think the fact that I still play and enjoy Mike Tyson's Punch-Out now says something about it's replayability.
CaptLtrl
@Spongehead56: Thanks for comming, sir!
We also have decaf.
@monkeybeach:
What's the point of the Wii if its motion controls suck on most games (this one included)?
If wii motionplus doesn't make the controls much, much better, I'm selling my wii.
Spongehead56
Games like this make me want to purchase a Wii. Almost there Nintendo. What else you got up your sleeve?
Bravo Nintendo! Bravo indeed!
I think this will be a great game. I may even have to pick it up as a birthday present for a friend of mine.
King Hippo...I will eat you alive!
@Trygle12 is FREE!... and waiting for Disgaea 2: I think it means it's the second fight with him. The II just notes the second encounter, which usually also means he's harder that time.
Polaski
@monkeybeach: I agree. I WANTZ MY GC/CLASSIC CONTROLLER SUPPORT!
stretch
This game is amazing, graphics are gorgeus and animations and music are top notch.
Though it's incredibly difficult at times.
@Interim: :) Thanks to you guys, I wanted to post that video but not only am I unsure how to make it work, I'd already posted haha.
Interim
Next Level Games is such an underappreciated game developer. Every game they make is super high-quality.
@Trygle12 is FREE!... and waiting for Disgaea 2: Same guy, second fight against him.
Sooku
@monkeybeach: Will prolly resort to those for multiplayer purposes, cause who doesn't want to see people punching into the air at a party. Always wanted a more precise and strategic (read: enjoyable) Boxing game for the Wii since Wii Boxing always ends up to be a wagglefest.
Only game I'm jealous of that's on the Wii.
@Okari: Sure it would. The Wii Remote is simply not as comfortable to hold for extended sessions as the Classic Controller. And, as stated in the review, the larger d-pad and buttons would be nice to use.
The UK advertising campaign for this game is utter rubbish.
How would a classic controller be better than the NES-style Wiimote? You'd still have to have the Wiimote right there, and the button layout wouldn't be near as comfortable as the NES-style.
Okari
@MoeB: One of the beauties of old school Punch-Out was that it was so fun that you didn't mind fighting the same guys over and over again. I'm thinking/hoping this version will be the same.
nerdrage32
nice... might have to pick this up. never played the punch out series before so hopefully that means an even better experience.
@Interim: It's been here for years! Rockin' it's peers, puttin' gamers in fear.
They'll all get sliced and diced. Competition's payin' the price!
Szin
Pre-ordered this bad boy on Amazon, it was $10 off (and probably still is) so I should be getting this in a week or so, can't wait! Never played the originals, but I think downloading the NES and SNES versions is in order.
@MoeB: There are essentially 26 unique fights to cruise through. After that, the option to revisit those 26 fights with specific fighting conditions should ensure that repetitive won't enter the equation for a long time.
@MoeB: You could make a blanket generalization like that for every form of entertainment ever created.
Matt0505
@TheWP: I thought that said "Damn Flamingo II" >_>
Does that means it is the same Don, or is this a 2.0 Don?
goodness, that's a glowing review. :)
i hope it sells well.
curly haired boy
@MoeB: And they get brutally hard. When Glass Joe seeks revenge, you'll likely be amazed at how challenging he is the second time around.
Seems like some of them come back harder and different?
@Trygle12 is FREE!... and waiting for Disgaea 2:
Quoted from the article: "but some of the fraction-of-a-second timing and attack guesswork-I'm looking at you Don Flamenco II-might just incredibly piss you off too"
TheWP
@+ Watch video
Awesome...pure awesome
It's a decent game, even without the nostalgia. The motion controls aren't very good though.
I need to pick this up as soon as I'm free from work... in 5 minutes!
TheWP
And there we go, definete buy! Will those people claiming its just a remake shut up now?
Oh and I'm very pleased to hear how hard it gets. very pleased!
Wouldn't this game get repetitive? All the boss fights are puzzles. Once you solve them (timing of their attacks) it's the same thing over and over again.
MoeB
"See, a comeback is like a yo-yo. You gonna go down, but you commin' right back up. And then, you may end up walkin the dog."
Fernando Paramo
Wow! this is the first review I've seen with more Loved than Hated, its so blue!! I want to get the game, I don't want the game, decisions! with Infamous next week its very hard. I'm on the fence about the replay value, and considering I never knew as a kid the fundamental element was timing and button presses, I might not pick up on that now and still suck...but the graphics look amazing and really amusing!
ToKeN2k6
I just got a Homebrew compatible Wii!
So I was playing the old Punch-out and couldn't help but notice...
Don Flamenco was the campiest fighter of all time!
As a child Don Flamenco was my favorite to fight as well.
The noise he makes was just too funny!
"bweck bweck bweck" *punch*
I swear, I could never beat him as a kid because I couldn't stop laughing!
Someone tell me that he is in this game and I will buy it in a "bweck bweck bweck!"
The problem I have with this game is the same one I have with SFIV, I've been fighting these same fighters since I was in junior high (I'm 34 now). Yes both have a few new characters but man I'd love both to get a whole new roster.
This only reassures me that my impending purchase later today will be a splendid one. :)
Man I might almost have to buy this then! Ive been keeping a close eye on it and was quite unsure. Gotta start playing my Wii again :(
DarthMetalHope
Sweet game, and an LL Cool J reference :) Makes me want to buy a Wii.
Interim
@NeVeRMoRe666: You're way off base, man.
My arms are super-hairy. :(
@yeah write: Let me know what you think. Hopefully I haven't steered you in the wrong direction. :D
@nekocomet: I'm still trying to beat Hard in Arcade Mode, and some of the later challenges! They are insanely hard!
Andrew Wimpy
@d1nonlyclo: lol to correct you, super punch out on snes had 6 characters out of 17 from the first and second arcade games combined.. and theres no nostalgia for half of them because the nes game was the most popular iteration. only 4 of those characters returned.. so really.. your point is moot. yeah.. they completely switched up the roster.. most people havent played the punch out arcades.. and theyre totally diff from the popular console iterations.
and yeah, id rather have new interesting characters to go with the main characters in a street fighter sequel.. theres nothing wrong with guile, blanka, sagat, ken, ryu, chunli, bison, and 10 new characters. instead we got EVERYBODY from sfII (prior to super) and 4 new so-so characters. besides, the masses only play as ken and ryu anyways.. and elena, dudley, yun, yang, makoto, and alex arent b team characters. they stand out and arent lame stereotypes.
@Michael McWhertor: 8....9....10! DING! DING! And Shadow763 is out for the count! *Lifts McWhertor's sweaty hairless arm up in triumph*
@Michael McWhertor: somebody give this man a sta.. nvm.. good one though.
@superbabyproject: Cause when I pull out my jammy, get ready cuz it might go
BLAAOWWWW!!!
HOW YA LIKE ME NOW?
Szin
@paulrenzo: Honestly, JRPGs haven't been that bad so far in this department.
@Shredator: I don't know about you, but I like the franchises I like to be successful, and if that's what it takes, so be it.
Tiger dude kicked my ass repeatedly even after I figured out his patterns...
His uppercut is eight bitches in a bitch boat.
Overall, it's an awesome game so far, the motion controls are wonky, but my wife's butt looks great jiggling as she dodges and punches. That alone is worth stubbing my toe on the balance board at 3AM :)
(Also I gotta say...
Back when I was a kid, my buddy Dave and I bought a guitar at a yard sale. The first "songs" we learned were "Kraid's Theme" from Metroid (NES), the theme from "Solstice" (NES), and the tune that plays when Little Mac is jogging behind his trainer, going to New York for the title bout! Hearing the snippet of the re-done song today, prior to fighting King Hippo, really took me back! I thought "THIS is Punch-Out!" --- TOTALLY worth buying!)
@beril:
"or that there's no reason to buy a PS3/360 without a HDTV."
I agree with this logic though. For instance, text will be blurred if HD games were played on a "standard" analog (ie. 480) TV. Then again, my favorite genre for consoles is JRPGs.
paulrenzo
@MysidianMan: I don't know how different it is, but I found the Wii sequel (Mario Strikers Charged) to be INCREDIBLY fun to play.
@Rocci1212: I could not agree with you more.
nworobes
@Fernando Paramo: "King Hippo's gonna be the king of...losing."
nworobes
@Interim: You can buy my wii if you want. No-one will buy it because they have no money.
@Polaski:
Actually, I think the II means Don 2.0
In this new game, once you passed it, you can play it with in a harder difficulty where all the boxer have new patterns and a new look.
Glass Joe now wears headgear and it is harder to punch him in the head. King Hippo has a manhole cover on his belly, whereas one has to figure how to remove it.
doomsaber
@ninjablaze:All the shiny shit in the world means dick if the game isn't fun. I've had more fun with my Wii then my PS3/360.
Clearly no french person worked on this game!
JoRo1986
I assume that the lack of Classic Controller support indicates a lack of Gamecube support as well? :(
Too bad, I _just_ got that RetroPort SNES thing, thought I might get the chance to bust out my Fightpad for this game as well. I should be able to pick it up on the way home later, I'm excited!
@Michael McWhertor: meatbun should make a punch out shirt!!!
@ninjablaze: It's a good thing then that graphics aren't what makes a game fun. Since...you know...if I want super realism I can just watch a damn movie.
@Trygle12 is FREE!... and waiting for Disgaea 2:
I imagined you in a 84 chevette and I laughed a bit
@develin:
Yeah, there's no way that it's just a good game. In rock band, all you have to do is learn the note charts, so by your logic, no one would want to play the same song twice. We all know that's not true.
CaptLtrl
@Lessthan_tom: But it prints money...
Interim
@란:
Does it matter, though? The number of points on either the Loved or Hated sides means nothing - it's the content behind each point that matters.
You could have 3 Loved and 7 Hated and still have the review turn out ultimately positive (though it's unlikely). Besides, I do remember one review so far that had nothing in the Hated section, so they're certainly not required to put something there.
Blah8