Before any new players get confused, Punch-Out!! isn't really a boxing game; it's more of a puzzle/rhythm game, where each opposing boxer presents a unique challenge that players must decipher and overcome. The trend upward through the circuit tracks yields tougher and tough bouts. Series staple Glass Joe and newcomer Disco Kid barely pose a threat, while the powerful Mr. Sandman and the vain Super Macho Man are punishingly tough. Each boxer has different tells, which are shown when they flash red. The trick of the game is to learn the secrets and timing of each rival and then defeat them by knock-out or decision. It's pretty simple, but in that simplicity there is a lot of depth.
This rock-solid gameplay is made even better by the personality and charm that is exuded by every character. Each opponent has brief opening animation stills and various bits of comical in-between round banter. Even Little Mac's trainer Doc Louis has a treasure trove of funny sayings, most of which refer to his love of chocolate or make fun of his old sayings from Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
Punch-Out!!'s structure begins the same as previous games; you start off in the Minor Circuit, and then work your way up through the Major and World Circuits. However, once you get to the top, the game no longer ends. The Career mode continues on with Little Mac defending his title against every boxer in Title Defense. This time around Mac's opponents have trained harder and are looking for revenge against the new champ. There is also a little bit more to the Career mode, but youll have to find that out on your own.
In the earlier games in the series, the only way to learn how to defeat these increasingly difficult foes was by playing the main game. The new iteration adds in a great new feature: Practice mode. Whenever players are stumped on a foe, they can boot up Practice mode and fight a hologram version of the character which cannot harm Little Mac. This is especially helpful because the hologram version allows players to clearly see when the opponent flashes red before their attacks, which is crucial in learning how to defeat each boxer.
The immense challenge of some of the opponents is one of the few drawbacks of the game, but Next Level Games added in unlockable headgear (available after 100 losses in Career mode) that makes Little Mac take less damage. While players still have to play a lot to get the added help, it goes a long way to make it less frustrating when players hit a brick wall in their progression through the game.
After players defeat a fighter, that fighter will be unlocked in the new Exhibition mode. Here, players can either replay the battle or try to tackle a set of challenges. These range from knocking out the opponent in less than a minute to defeating an opponent without missing a punch. There are three challenges for each opponent, as well as three separate ones for their Title Defense versions. Completing these challenges unlock various unlockables, such as each character's music and sound clips.
The game's control options are varied, with one utilizing motion controls and the other hearkening back to the original NES game's controls. The motion controls work well, but veterans of the series will likely frown upon them and immediately revert to the NES-style control. That is not to say the motion controls aren't good, though. The only motion-based controls that you use in the heat of the battle are for punches. Outside of that, everything is controlled by the buttons on the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. These controls lack the finely-tuned precision of standard ones, but they're easy for newcomers to the game and still work in the harder bouts.
Sadly, Punch-Out!! doesn't make use of the Classic controller, but it isn't that much of a loss considering how tried-and-true the NES-style controls are. The Balance Board can also be used for dodging (put your weight down to duck, and shift left and right to dodge) and it works quite well if you're into moving around a lot.
There is also a two player mode that does an admirable job at bringing multiplayer to Punch-Out!! Players takes control of their own Little Mac and box each other in split-screen gameplay until one of them builds up their special meter. After that, the player transforms into the monstrous Giga Mac and the screen shifts to the series' standard view. After that, it basically becomes a normal Punch-Out!! fight with one player controlling the opponent. There's not a lot of longevity to it, but it is fun for a little while.
Punch-Out!! is a fantastic game on almost every level. It's entertaining for those who have thoroughly enjoyed the previous two games, and still accessible to people who are brand new to the series. The game is a one-of-a-kind boxing experience that transcends the boundary of sports games. The controls are great, the humor is there in spades, and the gameplay is almost unparalleled.
Fans of this series should have already purchased this game and newcomers should dive right in and experience one of the best games available on Wii.
Pros:
Lastability: 9.0
With over 25 different fights against progressively harder opponents, there doesn't seem to be that much to the game. However, the amount of time spent on these boxers will likely take you to the 10 hour mark or further. Couple this with unlockables, various boxer-specific challenges, and the additional parts of the Career mode and you have quite a lengthy experience.
Final: 10.0
This is quite simply the pinnacle of Punch-Out!! games. It has the engrossing gameplay and humor from the prior games and updates it for a new era with lots of bells and whistles. There's truly no other game like it, and it is doubtful that any game will ever be able to do it as well as Next Level Games' has done it.
Neal's game of the year?
I don't understand how you can give the games 9's then still give it a 10?
I don't understand how you can give the games 9's then still give it a 10?
What does Nintendo have against online leader boards?There is local multiplayer
It seems like such a simple thing to include to increase competition between friends since there is no competitive play.
I honestly don't know if Pro is making fun of people complaining about Punch-Out not being new or modern enough or is trolling Neal's review. I really don't...I think he is making fun of the modernist.
I think he is making fun of the modernist.
I think he is making fun of the modernist.NOW I WILL POST ABOUT PUNCH-OUT.
Even this review hasn't convinced me to buy this game. I understand why reviewers like Neal and Kohler like it, but they were already massive fans of the series. I enjoy parts of NES Punch-Out but would never call it one of my favorite games. I don't see what this new game has, other than waggle which doesn't appeal to me, for people unfamiliar with Punch-Out or who weren't the biggest fans of previous games. It doesn't sound like they have made the gameplay any more forgiving, which was always the barrier to my interest. Title Defense mode sounds really cool, but I fear that I would never get that far.
the new game looks interesting but it doesn't look like it goes out of its way to convert people who weren't massive Punch Out nuts in the past. A
you know i havent played this game yet but with that being said i can think of a few reasons why this isnt a 10. the only one im going to list is there is only 1 new boxer, other than that its the same game we played for ever. if they weren't going to give us a new experience why didnt they do that 5 6 7 years ago?
Quotethe new game looks interesting but it doesn't look like it goes out of its way to convert people who weren't massive Punch Out nuts in the past. A
The prime Mario series has never went out of its way to convert people, it is what it is. There is NOTHING wrong with that and besides I think Punch-Out!! has ALWAYS had both a core appeal and mainstream appeal that "going out of its way" would ruin it.
I think he is making fun of the modernist.NOW I WILL POST ABOUT PUNCH-OUT.
Even this review hasn't convinced me to buy this game. I understand why reviewers like Neal and Kohler like it, but they were already massive fans of the series. I enjoy parts of NES Punch-Out but would never call it one of my favorite games. I don't see what this new game has, other than waggle which doesn't appeal to me, for people unfamiliar with Punch-Out or who weren't the biggest fans of previous games. It doesn't sound like they have made the gameplay any more forgiving, which was always the barrier to my interest. Title Defense mode sounds really cool, but I fear that I would never get that far.
I'm in a similar boat: I've only played the original Punch Out, and that was many years ago and even then it was only something I toyed with every now and then. I'd get a few matches in, have a good time, and then I'd get my ass kicked by one of the later fights and rage quit. Fast-forwarding to the present, the new game looks interesting but it doesn't look like it goes out of its way to convert people who weren't massive Punch Out nuts in the past. A co-worker brought a copy in to work yesterday, and it really looks fun...but fun for how long? It just doesn't seem like there's a lot to do in that game besides repeatedly fight the same 13 characters over and over again, and I just don't see that being worth $40-$50. When this game drops to something like $30 I'll probably pick it up, but I just don't see anything in the game worth gushing 10s about (other than the terrific graphical style and animations).
I think he is making fun of the modernist.NOW I WILL POST ABOUT PUNCH-OUT.
Even this review hasn't convinced me to buy this game. I understand why reviewers like Neal and Kohler like it, but they were already massive fans of the series. I enjoy parts of NES Punch-Out but would never call it one of my favorite games. I don't see what this new game has, other than waggle which doesn't appeal to me, for people unfamiliar with Punch-Out or who weren't the biggest fans of previous games. It doesn't sound like they have made the gameplay any more forgiving, which was always the barrier to my interest. Title Defense mode sounds really cool, but I fear that I would never get that far.
I'm in a similar boat: I've only played the original Punch Out, and that was many years ago and even then it was only something I toyed with every now and then. I'd get a few matches in, have a good time, and then I'd get my ass kicked by one of the later fights and rage quit. Fast-forwarding to the present, the new game looks interesting but it doesn't look like it goes out of its way to convert people who weren't massive Punch Out nuts in the past. A co-worker brought a copy in to work yesterday, and it really looks fun...but fun for how long? It just doesn't seem like there's a lot to do in that game besides repeatedly fight the same 13 characters over and over again, and I just don't see that being worth $40-$50. When this game drops to something like $30 I'll probably pick it up, but I just don't see anything in the game worth gushing 10s about (other than the terrific graphical style and animations).
There are people called "arcade gamers" who value the joy of execution as the entertainment itself; ie. players who don't mind direct objectives as it creates a focus for general practice and honing SKILL. They enjoy the core actions and look at you funny when you call it "repetitive." Each repetition is simply another round of FUN. It's repeated cuz they want MOAR.
Just admit you're not one these people before these Punch-Out reaction posts become... Repetitive... assuming we're supposed to take these seriously. Gaming is inherently repetitive, and the reactions vary from person to person.
Fun fact: I have no fondness for menu-based-turn-based gameplay. I seek challenges involving realtime decision-actions.
Man, I can't wait for Metroid without Ridley, Mother Brain, or Metroids.
I still don't understand why people find a problem with having the same characters in the game.
I have a great idea, let's make the next F-Zero have none of the original characters. Captain Falcon? Screw that. Who needs Samurai Goroh?
Man, I can't wait for Metroid without Ridley, Mother Brain, or Metroids.
Better yet, let's make a Star Fox game without Star Wolf. Oh wait, they did that... (Star Fox Adventures).
I still don't understand why people find a problem with having the same characters in the game.
I have a great idea, let's make the next F-Zero have none of the original characters. Captain Falcon? Screw that. Who needs Samurai Goroh?
Man, I can't wait for Metroid without Ridley, Mother Brain, or Metroids.
Better yet, let's make a Star Fox game without Star Wolf. Oh wait, they did that... (Star Fox Adventures).
Per Wikipedia:
"The original Super Smash Bros. had 12 characters, and the number rose to 25 characters in Melee and 35 in Brawl."
Thats what we're trying to get at. Fighting games should always increase in characters and levels. Keeps things fresh as you can't just change the core gameplay every time.
I still don't understand why people find a problem with having the same characters in the game.
I have a great idea, let's make the next F-Zero have none of the original characters. Captain Falcon? Screw that. Who needs Samurai Goroh?
Man, I can't wait for Metroid without Ridley, Mother Brain, or Metroids.
Better yet, let's make a Star Fox game without Star Wolf. Oh wait, they did that... (Star Fox Adventures).
Per Wikipedia:
"The original Super Smash Bros. had 12 characters, and the number rose to 25 characters in Melee and 35 in Brawl."
Thats what we're trying to get at. Fighting games should always increase in characters and levels. Keeps things fresh as you can't just change the core gameplay every time.
Just to add to that, even Brawl added several weapons, the Final Smash, and (mediocre, but present) Online Play. There's also that level editor.
I still don't understand why people find a problem with having the same characters in the game.
I have a great idea, let's make the next F-Zero have none of the original characters. Captain Falcon? Screw that. Who needs Samurai Goroh?
Man, I can't wait for Metroid without Ridley, Mother Brain, or Metroids.
Better yet, let's make a Star Fox game without Star Wolf. Oh wait, they did that... (Star Fox Adventures).
Per Wikipedia:
"The original Super Smash Bros. had 12 characters, and the number rose to 25 characters in Melee and 35 in Brawl."
Thats what we're trying to get at. Fighting games should always increase in characters and levels. Keeps things fresh as you can't just change the core gameplay every time.
Just to add to that, even Brawl added several weapons, the Final Smash, and (mediocre, but present) Online Play. There's also that level editor.
But that still wasn't enough. Brawlz was 9.5'd (http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/reviewArt.cfm?artid=15519)
I still don't understand why people find a problem with having the same characters in the game.
I have a great idea, let's make the next F-Zero have none of the original characters. Captain Falcon? Screw that. Who needs Samurai Goroh?
Man, I can't wait for Metroid without Ridley, Mother Brain, or Metroids.
Better yet, let's make a Star Fox game without Star Wolf. Oh wait, they did that... (Star Fox Adventures).
Per Wikipedia:
"The original Super Smash Bros. had 12 characters, and the number rose to 25 characters in Melee and 35 in Brawl."
Thats what we're trying to get at. Fighting games should always increase in characters and levels. Keeps things fresh as you can't just change the core gameplay every time.
I still don't understand why people find a problem with having the same characters in the game.
I have a great idea, let's make the next F-Zero have none of the original characters. Captain Falcon? Screw that. Who needs Samurai Goroh?
Man, I can't wait for Metroid without Ridley, Mother Brain, or Metroids.
Better yet, let's make a Star Fox game without Star Wolf. Oh wait, they did that... (Star Fox Adventures).
Per Wikipedia:
"The original Super Smash Bros. had 12 characters, and the number rose to 25 characters in Melee and 35 in Brawl."
Thats what we're trying to get at. Fighting games should always increase in characters and levels. Keeps things fresh as you can't just change the core gameplay every time.
...but this isn't a fighting game. At least by the typical manner.
I'm curious. Who has actually played the game before making judgements about its length and worth?
QuoteI'm curious. Who has actually played the game before making judgements about its length and worth?
Its not on PS3 so it sucks automatically.
QuoteI'm curious. Who has actually played the game before making judgements about its length and worth?
Its not on PS3 so it sucks automatically.
Quotethe new game looks interesting but it doesn't look like it goes out of its way to convert people who weren't massive Punch Out nuts in the past. A
The prime Mario series has never went out of its way to convert people, it is what it is. There is NOTHING wrong with that and besides I think Punch-Out!! has ALWAYS had both a core appeal and mainstream appeal that "going out of its way" would ruin it.
That's not really a valid argument: the Mario series is designed around abstraction and varied gameplay. At any one point you could be doing a multitude of different tasks, all of which require a different way at looking at how you play the game. This Punch Out is identical to the old punch out aside from the new multiplayer mode, right down to (from what I hear) the exact same boxer "tells" that clue the player in on when to strike. Hell, judging by the way my co-workers struggled with King Hippo yesterday, even the difficulty is the same. The core Punch Out gameplay is very fun, but it's not like Nintendo couldn't have added elements to the game to add some variety to the experience.
you know i havent played this game yet but with that being said i can think of a few reasons why this isnt a 10. the only one im going to list is there is only 1 new boxer, other than that its the same game we played for ever. if they weren't going to give us a new experience why didnt they do that 5 6 7 years ago?
How is there being one new boxer a bad thing? We don't bitch about how Mario games reuse enemies.
In all honesty, I can hear some arguments from other people about this not being a 10. I think Jonny's comment is one of them. The difficulty can be rough, but NLG threw in the headgear and practice mode to help that out.
Regardless of all that and whatever else is said in this thread, Punch-Out!! is a 10 for me. I didn't think it would be going into it, but this is truly one of the best games I've played in a long time.
To GP's last comment: Exactly!
QuoteI'm curious. Who has actually played the game before making judgements about its length and worth?
Its not on PS3 so it sucks automatically.
I'm going to assume that was directed at me. Go ahead, find a post where I say this game sucks. Go ahead, try.
I'm curious. Who has actually played the game before making judgements about its length and worth?
I'm not trying to prejudge Punch-Out, say it isn't worthy of Neal's score, or complain about the number of characters or features. I just don't see what about it could make me like it more than I liked the previous Punch-Out games, which I have on Virtual Console and almost never play.
Super Punch Out still remains not only the best game in the series, but the best game in the history of games.
I'm going to assume that was directed at me. Go ahead, find a post where I say this game sucks. Go ahead, try.
Punch Out Wii is mostly a mish-mash of both Punch Out games, leaning more toward the NES game elements in terms of characters and gameplay.
QuotePunch Out Wii is mostly a mish-mash of both Punch Out games, leaning more toward the NES game elements in terms of characters and gameplay.
Hmmm, what elements did you find that were taken from Super Punch-Out!!? I can only think of a couple, that being more movement from your opponent, and a bit more of a cinematic presentation.
The reason this review is getting torn apart I suspect is because there are two camps of people for this game:
- People who are so excited for this game that they can't accept any negative responses
- People who are so apathetic towards this game that they refuse to see this as a good game overall
- People who are so excited for this game that they can't accept any negative responses
The reason this review is getting torn apart I suspect is because there are two camps of people for this game:
- People who are so excited for this game that they can't accept any negative responses
- People who are so apathetic towards this game that they refuse to see this as a good game overall
Don't forgot about the people that own the game, are already addicted, yet still able to view its shortcomings and want more.
“All generalizations are false, including this one.”
-Mark Twain
The reason this review is getting torn apart I suspect is because there are two camps of people for this game:
- People who are so excited for this game that they can't accept any negative responses
- People who are so apathetic towards this game that they refuse to see this as a good game overall
The reason this review is getting torn apart I suspect is because there are two camps of people for this game:
- People who are so excited for this game that they can't accept any negative responses
- People who are so apathetic towards this game that they refuse to see this as a good game overall
Don't forgot about the people that own the game, are already addicted, yet still able to view its shortcomings and want more.
“All generalizations are false, including this one.”
-Mark Twain
No offense, but I was talking about the people who don't even own the game yet talk as if they know everything there is to know.
Haven't you noticed that those that talk the most are those that know nothing about something? This happens a lot in videogames, and fans that are too excited don't want to accept any shortcomings and those that are doubtful fail to see any good qualities.
Punch Out!! is 2009's Super Mario Galaxy.
Punch Out!! is 2009's Super Mario Galaxy.
I sure hope not. ;-)
Obviously, 2009's Super Mario Galaxy will be Uncharted 2. No contest.
Obviously, 2009's Super Mario Galaxy will be Uncharted 2. No contest.
Have you thought that 2009's Super Mario Galaxy may be SUPER MARIO GALAXY? Yeah think about that one!
Super Mario 64 is 2009's Super Mario Galaxy.Which is odd because Super Mario Galaxy was 2002's Super Mario 64 2
Sure, it gets difficult in the world circuit, but the difficulty ramps up beautifully so that people of every skill level will be able to find both accomplishment and challenge with the title.
And amount of annoying ads on the main menu screen.
And amount of annoying ads on the main menu screen.
And price to play online.
My copy of Punch-Out!! is out for delivery! YES! Gotta go home a bit early from work today.
I can't wait until The Conduit is released and people split into groups who think its awesome (reviewer?) and those who pass it off as generic (forumers?).
Yeah, but at least the people who think its awesome will have actually played it and can back up their claims.
My copy of Punch-Out!! is out for delivery! YES! Gotta go home a bit early from work today.
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c262/BlackNMild2k1/Funny%20GIFs/165fs901099.gif)My copy of Punch-Out!! is out for delivery! YES! Gotta go home a bit early from work today.
OMG get this - Amazon screwed me AGAIN.
I HATE YOU AMAZON. I HATE YOU WITH EVERY FIBRE OF MY BEING.
PURE NERDRAGE.
I think it is karma, Mr. Lindy LUthor. ;)
He's so used to dodging questions about underserving Nintendo's hardcore fanbase that he'd be virtually impossible to hit, thanks to his years of training.
My copy is supposed to arrive today and because of all the HYPE & praise this game has gotten here, I have no choice but to be horribly disappointed by my now ridiculously high expectations. Thanks NWR for ruining this game before I even get to play it.
You know what Pap, it was probably your fault that I have to delay my disappointment till tomorrow. I don't know how or why you did it, but I'm sure that you did it. Why would you be party to raising my expectations of this game to the point that I decided to buy it now instead of later and then when I eagerly await for it to arrive in the mail (to experience my disappointment as planned<on time>), you make sure it doesn't show up...
VENDETTA PAP.... vendetta
Now I wish this game had an online mode, so that when I do receive my copy, I would be able to see you in the ring.
Well thats because they only focused on the people that matter in this world
Played more last night, despite the lack of a cool valley breeze.
Loving motion controls. Prompts me to be quick in mind and body, instead of just a lazy button jumper. When I'm ready to take a break THEN I'll relax with some Rune Factory Frontier.
I want to hear more from people using motion controls, and what they like getting out of it. 3 hours of Kart with Bill and Mario over the weekend has given me a sprained thumb.
