Punch-Out!! (Wii)

The reboot of the original NES title for the Wii stays true to it roots. Perhaps a little too true. For those unfamiliar with the original Wii title, Punch Out!! pitches you against multiple AI fighters each with who has a given pattern that has a weakness. Winning each match will mostly involve learning your opponents patterns and exploiting them. This new version adds a local multiplayer mode as well, that is for the most part not noteworthy. The biggest problem is that this game doesn’t vary much at all from the original title other than updated graphics. Other than title defense mode, there really isn’t much new at all. Sure the original is a classic and this update graphics that come with this version are greatly appreciated, but for a full priced Wii title I would have expected this game to be the “classic” mode and another updated mode with some updated gameplay. As it stands, it is hard to recommend as anything but a rent due to its high price.

Scores:

Graphics
Sound
Gameplay
Controls
Originality
Overal Single Player
Reviewer's Opinion

Graphics:

The graphics are updated, but don’t expect photo-realism like Fight Night. That’s not what this game is about.

Sound:

Relatively high production values for a Wii title, but nothing extraordinary.

Controls:

Balance board controls aren’t precise enough to be of any real use, but the standard Wiimote works just find.

Gameplay:

It has the same basic (but good) arcade gameplay that the original had. For anyone that doesn’t have picture perfect reflexes the game will likely get frustrating quickly.

Originality:

A remake of an old classic that adds almost nothing new.

Reviewer’s Opinion:

Has high nostalgia value, but otherwise the unchanged formula of this game doesn’t stand up well to the test of time. As a full priced title, it isn’t worth more than a rent.