Released in the US on May 18th, 2009, Punch-Out!! for the Wii is the fifth installment in the series, the last of which was Super Punch-Out!! for the SNES released in the US roughly 15 years prior. Despite this lengthy lapse in time, this latest entry was able to retain the fundamental gameplay elements that inspired the originals so long ago. Players still control the underdog tiny boxer known as Little Mac as he fights to move up the ranks in various circuits, facing off against a colorful and eccentric cast of characters. With each match, players must pick up on patterns to dodge attacks and exploit opportunities for counters. This involves distinguishing when to use left or right dodges, ducking, and when to use left or right upper and lower-cuts. As you move up the ranks, the difficulty in which detecting these cues and landing the timing increases exponentially. But the sense of accomplishment from overcoming these increasingly challenging foes is all the more satisfying.
A few aspects that make this Wii adaptation stand out are the fantastic art direction and superb use of motion controls. Using a simplified cel-shaded aesthetic, every character's appearance and personality stands out loud and bold in this game, which is further enhanced by their fluid and exaggerated movements in animation. On top of that, as the hits pile up on every character, this damage is reflected through both bodily bruises and their exasperated animation. The attention to detail in this regards is truly amazing and goes beyond even what many fighting games do today. And while motion controls are completely optional, they add such a level of immersion and thrill to these bouts. Thankfully not all for show, the controls are kept smooth and precise as all dodges and direction-selections are controlled through the thumb-stick.
Five years after the release of this game, Little Mac now sits comfortably among the greats of the Super Smash Bros. roster, more than likely in large thanks to this great reboot. While it may be a short and simple arcade-like affair, don't let its small stature fool you. Just like Little Mac, this small game has a lot to prove. With a great deal of polish and tight gameplay, it has much to teach that of fighting games today. Here's hoping we don't have to wait another 15 years for another entry in the series.
Fun Fact: After clearing all the circuits and defending your title in Title Defense, you'll unlock the Last Stand mode. In this mode, you'll to face off against a series of previously faced fighters again, but you may face up against one new secret fighter in the game; that is the King of Kongs that is Donkey Kong!
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