Back in October of 2008 Nintendo debuted the trailer for the Wii adaptation of Punch-Out!!, bringing some much needed core gaming to the system. With the game now finally released, I took some time to pick up and play the retro-infused slugfest and was surprised. How surprised? And about what? Read my review to find out!
(You didn’t think I would ACTUALLY tell you the “punchline” before you read the full review, did you?)
Preparation Notes:
Serving Size: 1-2 Players, offline
Game System: Nintendo Wii
Game Type: Rhythm Boxing
Length of Time to Complete: 3 Hours (Career & Title Defense modes)
Released: May 2009
Ingredients:
1 – teenage boxer
13+ fighters
Heavy ladle of retro gaming
Pinch of motion control
Punch-Out. The name alone brings back tons of memories for me. My friends and I would get together daily and pass the controller around as we played Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out for what seemed like years. The game was never boring and was always a joy to complete. So, when Nintendo announced the remake/follow-up I was both elated at a new Punch-Out and terrified at the idea of a ruined franchise. How would Nintendo recreate the game for the Wii? Would it become casual or would it stay true to what I wanted it to be? And, did I really even KNOW what I wanted it to be?
Likes
- Length – The length of the game is just right. It can be played in one sitting in a little over an hour, and with the added Title Defense and Challenge modes can be great for repeat performances. This “short-taste” method of gaming is perfect for someone like me who is pressed for time.
- Visuals – The developer, Next Level Games, did a terrific job in working with the Wii. The cell-shaded look is perfect for Punch-Out, and is a good evolution from Super Punch-Out on the SNES. The opponents are well-designed with plenty of quirky aspects, such as Glass Joe’s flying croissants and King Hippo’s manhole cover. These little touches do great to make me remember the first Punch-Out as well as to be memorable in their own right. “Great for a Wii game” is what a typical review might say, but in reality this is great for any game. Yummy visuals, with a bit of gloss have added that much more to the experience.
- Replay value – The old school “pass the controller” gaming is still here. This is a game that I can pick up every so often to play and not feel bored. The characters have enough varied flavors to not feel redundant or repetitive. The modes are great additions to the overall package. Just as the original Punch-Out was played over several years, this has captured the same feeling.
- Game mechanic – Punch-Out is not a boxing game. Punch-Out is a “rhythm fighting” game. It is not meant to compete with the likes of Fight Night or other games in the genre. With the different methods of control available in the game, the best is still probably the old NES-style control method: hold the controller sideways and hit 1 and 2 for left- and right-handed punches. Each match with an opponent feels like a memorable boss battle, as each has its own style of fighting and method of being defeated. Their motion and subtle movements help change enough of the strategy from the original Punch-Out.
- Difficulty – The game is hard. EXTREMELY HARD. And, I loved it. With a great ramp-up of difficulty (the Minor Circuit is easy, but by the time you face off against the likes of Great Tiger the difficulty has significantly increased) the game can satisfy gamers of all levels. Plus, the save system allows players to quit when an opponent seems insurmountable, and play again at a later date without backtracking. The Title Defense mode may be one of the most difficult game modes I’ve played in years. Ah, succulent hardship: I never knew I wanted you so bad!
Dislikes
- Epicness – The “epic” feel of the original game seems to have disappeared a bit. I remember the crowds around the ring with extremely loud cheers. Next Level Games have toned the crowd down to focus more on the player & opponent. And, with only one real new opponent the game doesn’t seem like it has progressed enough from the previous two console iterations.
- Visuals – While I loved the visual style of the game, the presentation (menus, backgrounds, etc) is lacking quite a bit. Japanese lifestyle has a heavy emphasis on visual presentation of a product: think of the presentation of Sushi on your plate. Western developers tend to focus on flash and character design: think of the photos of a cheeseburger compared to the actual BigMac you get. Perhaps this is where a little help from the Big N would have been fruitful.
- Multiplayer – The multiplayer, although fun, seems thrown-in instead of designed-in. An online mode with tournaments similar to Mario Kart Wii would have been great. It just lacks… something.
Now for the Punch-Out surprise that I mentioned above. I loved this game! It captured my memories of Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out on the NES while at the same time bringing its own style and flair. I can see the new generation of gamers loving this as much as I did growing up. While this wont be a game that is played every day, it will be brought out every so often and shared with friends for a quick play-through. It is everything that I wanted Punch-Out!! to be without dissappointing, although I do wish it had a few more inclusions to keep me playing more often. Glass Joe. King Hippo. Bald Bull. These names will never die for me. Punch-Out!! Wii faithfully manages to capture the original’s fun, while at the same time remaining a gaming collector’s must.
Best Served With: Coca-Cola in a glass bottle
Written By:
Dalibor Dimovski
Managing Editor
All images courtesy Nintendo
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