Sometimes you just have a bad day. It happens to the best of us; even video game bloggers are not infallible. And after a rage-inducing, hair-pulling bad day, you can go home, curl up in a ball and listen to The Wallflowers in surrender, or vent some of that anger. By punching people.But hold up there, tiger. You can't punch real people. That's, like, illegal. Enter the Wii: the best simulation for punching people outside of the real thing. Unfortunately, Wii Sports Boxing does not offer the realistic experience of mashing in someone's face Stallone style. Worse, no other boxing game since the Wii's release has really delivered a solid boxing experience. That could change in the near future with Facebreaker K.O. Party, forcing me to eat my words like a knuckle sandwich from Rocky Marciano. But if its Xbox/PS3 counterpart is any indication, there's not much chance of that. The same goes for Don King Prizefighter. This shaky reliability just won't do. We need Punch-Out!!
Every week, Born for Wii digs into gaming's sordid past to unearth a new treasure fit for revival on the Nintendo Wii. Be sure to check out last week's entry in the series, Jet Set Radio, and for more great titles that deserve your attention, take a look at Virtually Overlooked.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-16-2008 @ 12:33PM
Nigeria said...
I never play Punch Out when I was a boy but I get the feeling it's a little like Ready 2 Rumble, which would be ok, I guess. But that lends itself to combos, which will inevitably lead onto flailing. I'd prefer a simulation. I mean, I'd even fork out monies for motion plus, and maybe a balance board, if it was done right.
What I desire isn't going to come from Nintendo, I don't think so anyway: I've accepted that. After playing Wii Sports I fully expected EA to step up to the plate and release a made for Wii Fight Night. Waited and waited...It's not coming. If they stole the control method from Victorious Boxers: control your boxer with the C-stick, swing with the Wiimote/nunchuck, it could be a real winner. No over complications, just minor tweaks. In so many ways that game perfected what a great Wii boxing game could be, but it was also so frustrating, especially the later bouts where it quickly becomes apparent that manic waving was the key to victory. Fight Night, after PES and NHL Hitz, was my favourite sports series last gen. The made for Wii PES was amazing, the best version yet, yet the Fight Night team seem settled on the other two consoles. That's disappointing.
And I wouldn't hedge my bets on that Don King game. The 360 version was disappointing.
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9-16-2008 @ 4:49PM
TwEE said...
Punch Out is nothing like Ready 2 Rumble, its more of a rythm game.
9-16-2008 @ 12:45PM
Joseph said...
007-373-5963
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9-16-2008 @ 12:53PM
BlackDogAssault said...
What would be an awesome feature would be a create-a-boxer mode. It should be fully customizable (Victorious Boxers level of customization, if not superior). We should also be able to input some neat things like voice (because I think this will be full of roars and screams, so it could be like: "Sound for when you get punched", "getting KO'd", "strong punch", "victory cry", etc.) through either WiiSpeak or getting it from the SD card.
Oh. And online multiplayer. It'd be a GREAT letdown not having hot blooded fights online.
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9-16-2008 @ 1:12PM
Estrada said...
I think the game you've described here would be an absolute smash; it would be another one of those cross-over games that Nintendo keeps talking about (e.g. Mario Kart Wii). This seems like such a no-brainer that I'm really surprised this hasn't been done yet. I just hope someone higher up is reading this and taking notes (which isn't happening, but a guy can dream can't he?)
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9-16-2008 @ 1:13PM
hellhammer said...
Punch-Out!! is up there as one of my top 5 favorite series.
If it's makes a come back on the Wii, I'll be amazed. Although, I don't really see it happening.
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9-16-2008 @ 1:31PM
TX2 said...
Did this suggest the idea of using the Balance board for a boxing game? It's about time more people start considering that.
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9-16-2008 @ 1:32PM
GatorBeerGeek said...
Perfect world for this game for me: Little Mac, support for two WiiMotes, support for balance board, online (with a random play option and not just friend codes), and WiiSpeak support (which I know will be locked onto friend codes unfortunately).
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9-16-2008 @ 1:47PM
bug frawg said...
you do know that wii motion + would only be for the wiimote when you were writing this article right? chucky no play nice.
and I can't imagine anyone developing a game requiring $200 worth of equipment. oh wait.....
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9-16-2008 @ 1:49PM
bug frawg said...
you do know that wii motion + would only be for the wiimote when you were writing this article right? chucky no play nice.
and I can't imagine anyone developing a game requiring $200 worth of equipment. oh wait.....
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9-16-2008 @ 2:33PM
Wesley Fenlon said...
Yes, that is an unfortunate downside of using both to fight. Still, using the Wiimote with you dominant hand would ensure it's given as much accuracy and control as possible, and hopefully the nunchuk would be passable.
9-18-2008 @ 9:21AM
harry_hood said...
Too bad you can't tether Wiimote to Wiimote.
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9-25-2008 @ 1:44AM
shouryuuken said...
dude.. super punch out!!! is one of the best games ever.. the first one was good.. and the second was twice as good. ive been dreaming of a "Punch Out W!!" since i got the system.. i read a rumor on kotaku or something that nintendo could possibly announce it before e3.. but yeah.. no dice.. i think it would be cool if they made one that used the classic controller even.. i dont care.. just punch out in this gen... and instead of cel shading.. how about sprites like wario land shake it.. thatd be awesome.
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9-29-2008 @ 10:47PM
Valtski said...
Wesley...Great Article. You should send it to Genyo Takeda (if he's still alive) and get this baby going from it's roots.
I would quit my job for the opportunity to punch out Van Kaiser all day long. Nintendo could make mad money on this. Keep the game play simple, Add all the characters from Punch out, Add all the characters from Super Punch out, and create about 50 more characters. Hey...don't forget the Doc!
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