 A welcome trip down memory lane! |
| Review Date: May 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: A. Jefferson, Long Beach, CA USA |
As a fan of the original Punch-Out!! titles on NES and SNES, I knew that this game was a must have for me. Having finally played the title yesterday, I am glad to report that it certainly does not disappoint! This is hardcore Punch-Out gameplay at it's best!
The thing that I love about Punch-Out!! is that, like the original games, it really isn't a brawler. You can't button-mash your way through the game. Rather, it really is more of a puzzler, in that each opponent has a "tell", and a specific fighting style. Once you have him figured out, it is just a matter of countering him. Don't be mistaken, however: this game's difficulty get's hardcore really quickly (much like the original games!). For instance, last night, I was able to breeze right through the Minor Circuit (using the motion controls), but in the second circuit (Major Circuit I believe), the fighter "Great Tiger" (a welcome import from the original NES game!) gave me a really hard time! I found myself REALLY challenged, much to my delight! Also, much like the original games, once you defeat several of the players in the game, you get to fight them again later in the game.... however, their fighting style (the puzzle element of the game) has completely changed, and the difficulty is ramped up drastically. I am confident that this game will provide hours and hours of gameplay. Anyway, here are some of my observations about the game:
LOVED-
*Art style - everything is hand drawn, colorful, and animated. This game looks great, and doesn't take itself too seriously. Also, several humerous head-nods to the original games were included (lik Doc urging you to join Club Nintendo ringside!). Also, some of the knockout animations (like the original games) are REALLY satisfying and funny. When I knocked out Disco Kid, he spun around like a top and hit all four corners of the ring while making pinball machine noises. Now THAT'S classic Punch-Out!! if I've ever seen it!
*Difficulty - one thing that games are missing these days is hardcore difficulty. The original Punch-Out!!, as well as titles like the Contra series or the Mega Man series tended to be so difficult at times that you were tempted to throw your controller at the wall! There is nothing worse to me than just breezing through a game. I was pleasantly surprised that, even though I knew how to beat most of the fighters that I have faced so far (since they were in the original games), they still were no push-overs this time around. The characters are FASTER than they were in the old games, and the motion controls ad a new dimension of difficulty.
*Achievements - this game has a simple achievement system where you are challenged, for instance, to beat a character in one round, or with only right jabs, etc. Achievements are something special for any Wii game, since so very select few developers are including them in Wii titles. This ads loads of replay value in my opinion (I am STILL trying to get all the trophies unlocked in Smash Bros Brawl! What can I say... I'm a perfectionist!)
*Multiplayer - the game includes a simple multiplayer mode where you play head to head with a friend as Little Mac. It is really simple, but it is fun. I only wish that you could have played as other boxers and that some kind of online play was included... but this was still a welcome feature!
*Controls - Wii Sports Boxing was fun, but really left me wanting a great boxing title where the motion controls really work well. Punch-Out!!, while not really a "Boxing" game (it's no Knockout Kings for sure!), has implemented some really smooth motion controls. Rather than relying solely on motion controls, you simply swing right and left. You hold a button while swinging to do an upwards swing, and press a button while swinging to do a star punch. The motion controls are simple, and they work. Later in the game, as the difficulty ramps up even higher, I have a feeling that I will switch to the classic NES controls rather than the motion controls (Wii remote on it's side), as this will allow for more speed and responsiveness (since a button press is always faster than a swing of the wiimote), so I'm glad this was included.
Disliked:
*Could have included a few more original/new boxers
*No online play
All in all, this game is really wonderful. Certainly a must-have for any hardcore gamer who owns (or is thinking about buying) a Wii.
Scores:
Presentation: A
Gameplay: A+
Replay Value: A
Multiplayer: B
Overall: A |
Tons of fun
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| Review Date: May 19, 2009 |
| Reviewer: JH, NY |
I was skeptical at first that Nintendo would be able to recreate the fun of the original game without radically altering the basic elements of what made the game so great. The original Punch-Out!! had somewhat repetitive game play but there was a ton of enjoyment to be had in figuring out how to KO the fighters that the overall experience was very memorable. I was concerned that a direct translation of the original game play elements to the Wii with no modifications would result in a repetitive and shallow experience. I'm glad to see I was wrong. There is more depth and strategy to this remake than meets the eye, and the 2-player, exhibition matches and challenges add multiple levels of replay value. The basic high-level strategy remains the same as the original - you are Little Mac, a scrappy boxer fighting his way across the minor, major and world circuit. Eventually you can take the title and fight to defend it. As you beat various characters, you get to see the cut-scene for the next opponent. Cut-scenes and other unlockable content then become viewable in the gallery. The Wii expands on the original Punch-Out!! by including various "challenges" that you can undertake during the exhibition matches. Example challenges include K.O'ing an opponent with 6 punches in a single match, finding an opponents "weak-spot" and knocking him out with one hit, winning a match without dodging/ducking/blocking, etc. I won't spoil anything by saying what happens when you complete a challenge but these add plenty of replay value after you've jabbed and uppercutted your way through the world circuit. The exhibition matches are also great for practicing against an opponent without affecting your ranking, as career mode will track your win/loss record.
The characters from the original are more charming than you remember and the "celluloid" style (not sure if that's the exact term) of animation is interesting and takes advantage of the somewhat limited graphical capabilities of the Wii ("limited" when compared to the 360/PS3). You won't even notice that the Wii isn't rendering zillions of polygons and textures a minute because the cut scenes and character mannerisms are just fun to watch. Parents should note that even though this is a boxing game, the "violence" is quite comical and there is no blood or maliciousness. Overall, this is a must-have for fans of the original and Wii fans looking for a solid gaming experience.
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The best old school fun on the Wii
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| Review Date: May 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Daniel V. Velazquez, San Diego, CA USA |
Games on the Wii have a hard time standing out. With so many systems out there, developers try and cater to as many tastes as there are gamers. With Punch Out, Nintendo had a difficult choice. Make a game for everyone or try and develope something for those hungry hardcore gamers. Who says you can't have it both ways?
Punch Out is a puzzle game that demands some memorization and quick reflexes. As you fight against the 13 regular fighters, they will telegraph their attacks and give little tell signs of how the will go about hitting you. Learn those attacks (easier than ever by going to the exhibition mode and practicing) and jab your way to the top for a title bout.
After the initial bout of fights, you become the champ and all former boxers return with new and improved techniques. This is when the game turns reaaally hard. But the good news is that nothing beats winning a close fight where you almost lost, having your buddies cheer you on and passing the controller around, of which there are various options. Old NES controls are great, even if I liked the motion controls better.
As someone who has been playing for over 22 years, I remember having a blast with the original Punch Out. The best part about this one is how it reminds me of all the fun I had with that game and at the same time feels like a whole new experience. |
"As close as you can get to the ring without going through the ropes".
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| Review Date: June 21, 2009 |
| Reviewer: The Matrix Fan, |
+ Pros:
+ Easy controls and compatible with the Wii Fit board.
+ Practice Mode for veteran and novice players.
+ 13 Punch Out!! opponents, both old and new.
+ Unlockable challenges for each opponent.
+ First game in the series to offer 2-player mode.
- Cons:
- Wii Fit board not available in two-player mode.
- Sore arms from playing too much!
Back in 1984, Nintendo claimed their Punch Out!! arcade game was so realistic; it was "As close as you can get to the ring without going through the ropes".
25 years later, this game has a new life on the Nintendo Wii and is one step closer to making good on that claim.
You play the role of Little Mac - a young up-and-coming boxer from the Bronx who's ready to take on anyone he steps in the ring with. The goal is pretty simple: KO or TKO your opponent and move up the ladder until you face Mr. Sandman. Each boxer you face has different strengths and weaknesses, and once you learn to counteract their attacks and use your Star Punches to bring them to the canvas, the sky's the limit.
The controls are fairly simple. One style of playing requires holding the Wiimote sideways and the directional pad is used for ducking and blocking while the buttons are used for punching.
But that's not nearly as fun as the other way to play, in my humble opinion.
If you have a Wii Balance Board from the Wii Fit, that can be used for your ducking and dodging. The Wiimote and Nunchuck serve as your right and left hand motions, so when you jab, dodge or uppercut in the game, you're doing it for real!
The exhibition mode of the game provides a sigh of relief for new players and veterans alike. You can practice against holographic versions of your opponent without fear of your record being tarnished, and once you learn how to defeat them, simply go back to career mode and take them on for real. This is a GREAT way to introduce new players into the Punch Out!! universe.
One of the main reasons Punch Out!! stands out is because of the hilarious characters. Nintendo has done a great job keeping the characters we love (Glass Joe, will you ever win more than once?) and eliminating the ones we didn't care for (what were they thinking with Hoy Quarlow???). I still miss Kid Quick - but that's just me.
Now you might think there's nothing left to do after beating each boxer and completing the World Circuit, right?
WRONG.
There are 3 challenges for each of your opponents - for example, Glass Joe's challenges are:
Knock Glass Joe down 3 times and let him win by decision.
Find the one-punch-knockdown weak spot.
Win the fight without dodging, ducking, or blocking a punch.
There's also other fight modes with tougher versions of your opponents!
Now in the past, watching Punch Out!! was the only way our friends could participate, but not anymore...our family & friends can pick up their Wiimote and play right along with us!
Overall, I absolutely LOVE to play this game, and I can't help but chuckle when I watch other people play it. I was a little sad that the Wii Fit board couldn't be used in dual-player mode, but that's a small negative that gets outweighed by a LOT of positives.
If you've got the Wii Fit board, there's no time to waste...get your pink jogging suit on and start training with Doc Louis!!!
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If you have a slight masochistic streak and enjoy old-school pattern recognition, Punch-Out!! is your game
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| Review Date: April 22, 2010 |
| Reviewer: TheRumblePack.com, Cleveland, OH |
From Bald Bull's signature charge to Little Mac's pink sweatsuit, everything from Nintendo's original Punch-Out!! is iconic. For many nostalgic gamers, the series - comprised of the NES game (originally endorsed by Mike Tyson) and its under-appreciated Super sequel - is just as revered as Nintendo's more prolific franchises. It remains a mystery, then, why everyone's favorite diminutive pugilist has been kept out of the ring for the past 14 years. But Little Mac and crew are finally back. And while the controls remain unchanged, this update still manages to eclipse its classic predecessors.
Nintendo has had success in the past farming out dormant characters to outside developers, most notably with Retro Studios' Metroid Prime trilogy. However, I was skeptical when it was announced that Next Level Games would be reviving Punch-Out!! for the Wii. The original game was great fun, so how would a modern sequel beef up the feature set without muddling the series' simple charm?
Well, my fears were unfounded, as Mac's timed dodges and counter punches proved surprisingly versatile. Rather than add a bunch of new attacks to the player's repertoire, the developers instead chose to build upon the returning opponents. For example, Soda Popinski was always a bruiser, but now he'll actually take out a soda bottle mid-fight to regain health. Don Flamenco still taunts you, but once you knock off his toupee, he becomes much more aggressive.
At the same time, the three circuits will still seem very familiar to series veterans. Among the game's 13 main boxers, only one of them, the flamboyant Kid Disco, is a new contender. However, once you claim the championship belt, the "Title Defense" mode opens up. It's at this halfway point that the game cements itself as one of the absolute best on the Wii. After Little Mac knocks out all of his rivals, they all head back to the gym and pick up even wilder fighting tactics.
For instance, King Hippo wises up a bit in his second bout. Rather than leave his bandaged navel open to attacks, he tapes a manhole cover to his stomach. This forces you to figure out how to remove the layers of tape before you can do any real damage to him. Almost all of the fighters receive similar gimmicks, such as a squirrel sidekick for Bear Hugger and headgear for Glass Joe. Title Defense mode captures the more outlandish spirit of Super-Punchout!!, making the Wii sequel the perfect synthesis of both games. It's truly remarkable how much mileage Next Level Games is able to squeeze out of such a basic engine.It certainly helps that the game looks as gorgeous as it does. The boxers are all cell shaded and frequently take up most of the screen. For fans of the original games it's a real treat to see that many of the fighters have retained their signature animations. Super Macho Man still has dancing pectorals, Bald Bull still does his chicken dance when he knocks Mac out, and Soda Popinski still cackles menacingly whenever he gets a chance.
Speaking of which, the voiceover cast also deserves praise for bringing each character to life. All of the international fighters speak in their native tongues - without subtitles. Though all of the rival boxers are blatant stereotypes, the introductory and between-round dialogue is so silly and over the top that they never manage to offend. (However, some critics, including Scott Sharkey of Retronauts fame, have justifiably expressed concern that Kid Disco's spandex costume and lisp feel out of place).
With this cartoony veneer and a throwaway two-player mode, more casual Wii owners may be under the impression that this is a Wii Sports boxing revamp. This could not be further from the truth, as Punch-Out!! is also unrelentingly difficult. The motion controls are ill-suited here, as absolute precision is required to stay competitive.
For many fans, this is exactly for what they have been hoping to see. If you simply want to pummel characters into submission, you should probably look toward a Smash Bros. title instead. However, if you have a slight masochistic streak and enjoy old-school pattern recognition, Punch-Out!! is your game.
--Reviewed by Justin Hemenway |
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