Punch-Out!!
(Wii; $49.99; Rated E10+ for cartoon violence/comic mischeif; punchout.nintendo.com)
Originally appearing on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, “Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!” was one of those games that eveyone who played an NES either owned, or knew someone who did. The original arcade version of “Punch-Out!!” gave us larger-than-life characters who, though not as iconic as Mario or Donkey Kong, are every bit steeped in Nintendo history and fondly remembered by fans.
Both the arcade and console versions of the game amounted to more pattern-recognition, than a deep boxing title- due, in part, to the hardware constraints at the time. Each boxer, from Glass Joe to Bald Bull to King Hippo had their own pattern of punches and “tells” that would clue the player into knowing when to dodge and when to strike. Opportunists could disrupt a pattern in order to get more powerful “Star Punches” and help them unleash stronger punches.
It was a simple game, with simple gameplay mechanics and a whole lot of personality.
Fast forward more than twenty years and “Punch-Out!!” for the Wii continues to be the same simple game with a whole lot of personality- only updated for the use of motion-controls which families have become accustomed to over the past few years.
It’s fair to say that enough time has occurred between the release of “Super Punch-Out!!” for the Super NES in 1994 and the Wii version of “Punch-Out!!” to not feel that the current title feels like just a rehash. Though the Wii version shares the bulk of the original fighters from the past games and that the fighters still fight and “tell” the same way, the Wii version’s artstyle and embrace of the old games’ charm makes this version of “Punch-Out!!” feel truly like an homage or a “reboot” to the series, and not just some cashed-in remake.
Basically: the mechanics worked then, still work now; and where visuals and sound needed to be updated to suit current technology, “Punch-Out!!” delivers.
Of course for the new version, motion-controls can be used to control protagonist, Little Mac on his rise through the circuits. Punching left and right using the Wii remote and nunchuck feels natural enough; and for those new to the game- the Wii motions will suffice. A bonus needs to be given to the development team for including the use of the Wii Balance Board to dodge left and right by leaning if players choose to do so. The combination of all three certainly encourages players to get up and move with the game.
But even more kudos need to be given for the inclusion of “Punch-Out!!” being able to be played using the original controls from 1987. For those looking to purchase the game for nostolgic purposes, the original control scheme will fire up the long-dormant muscle memories players have on how to defeat those old characters.
To the new kids having their first exposure to “Punch-Out!!” with the Wii-mote and nunchuck: that’s fine and dandy, but the original controls are where it’s at- it’s faster, its more responsive, and it’s the way “Punch-Out!!” is meant to be played.
Additional modes like multiplayer and the “Title Defense Mode” give “Punch-Out!!” some legs, especially because there’s very little incentive to play through a game like this once all of the opponent’s patterns are learned. These added modes were another wise move by the develoment team, who obviously had a love for the original game and wanted others to share in that love.
It was great in ‘87, and still classic in ‘09.