Punch-Out!!

It has been a while since Little Mac has seen store shelves. Can this be the comeback fight of the century?

Punch-Out!! (yes, the double exclamations are necessary) first made its appearance on the Nintendo Entertainment System earning only a single sequel (SNES) before being tucked away in the Nintendo vault alongside Pit for all these years. Now Little Mac is back, and ready to reclaim his rightful place atop the World Virtual Boxing Association.

Punch-Out!! is developed by Next Level Games, the company behind the Mario Strikers series, giving them a good reputation for Nintendo-made sports titles. For those of you who craved a more complete boxing experience while playing Wii Sports Boxing, this game is for you. Punch-Out!! is less spastic arm flailing and more timed precision as you need to find the strengths and weaknesses of each opponent. Whether it's knowing when and how to block a fury of attacks, or at which precise moment to land a solid right hook, the game is as much strategy as it is action. Don't fear losing a few matches before really learning how to capitalize on every opportunity.

Ummm.... duck?

The game does include multiple control schemes so you'll be able find one that suits your playing style. It also includes the use of the Wii Balance Board, providing a much more realistic method of dodging attacks. Keep in mind that you aren't nearly as fast using the balance board over using the control stick (for obvious reasons), so that does add a lot more difficulty to the game. Personally, I really enjoy using the balance board despite its competitive weakness, as it really does make you feel more in tune with Little Mac.

Not much needs to be said about the Champion mode. Each difficulty has set of opponents, in which you work your way through to become number one in each difficulty level. Then we come to the brand new Title Defense mode. Once you've become a Title Holder, the fighters that you've pummeled to reach that title seek revenge. But they aren't the exact fighters you've bested on your trek to take the title, they've changed. Their strengths are greater, and their weaknesses are harder to spot making each fighter seem like an entirely new challenge. This certainly is a very welcome addition to the Punch-Out!! franchise.

I continue to enjoy Punch-Out!! well after the initial play-through. Throw in solid local multiplayer to replace that aforementioned arm flailing experience called Wii Sports Boxing and its a well rounded package. One piece of advice for multiplayer, give your friend the balance board as an act of "kindness" then pummel him in the 6th round when he's deathly tired and about to fall over. What? The game is all about finding your opponent's weaknesses!

Balance Board support. Yet another game that will get use out of that Wii Balance Board you purchased.
Great replay value.  Due to individual bout statistics and the new title defense mode, you'll be playing this game for some time.

High Reward. There's a solid sense of accomplishment after defeating opponents.

Humorous characters. Over-the-top stereotypes and ridiculous taunting.

Work out! This game will get you off the couch.

Work out! This game will get you off the couch....

No online component. Online leader boards would have been great; no bragging in boxing? Come on!

Slight rehash. Most characters are just 3D counter parts of the fighters seen in the past. I would have liked to see more original opponents.

At its core, Punch-Out!! is far less twitchy than its predecessors, focusing more on timing than speed. This was a necessity due to the speed of which motion controls differ from button presses. With that being said however, the ability to actually throw punches, and dodge using the Wii Balance Board makes the whole experience feel more realistic and natural. Fans of the series will definitely find value in this game, if only for all the fan-service that was put in it. In the sequel that is bound to come, I would like to see more original fighters, however.