Another case of gameplay retaining its hook many years after it was first released.
Unlike with Maximo this isn’t a reworking of a old formula and is just a direct remake with new stuff. Out of Nintendo's library of franchises this one wasn’t one I thought we would see again after the first two games. Sure it sold a reasonable amount of copies but this series never seemed like a game that would get a new release in 2009. But I’m still glad they got Next Level to develop this since it maintains the core of what everyone likes about Punch Out.
Little Mac is back with Doc Louis to once again to challenge everyone in the WVBA. With his eventual goal of being the best of the best by beating the unbelievable tough Mr Sandman. Which is all you really need to know about a boxing game. If this game was just a simple boxing game I doubt it would hold much sway with anyone. Plus it did get a updated visual look as well.
With the main mode being just a bunch of bunch of fights in a boxing ring it doesn’t have that much variation. Each of the different circuits have some flourishes like changing the ring up slightly and having a bigger crowd in the background. Yet the real focus is on the cast of wacky characters that must be defeated. Each one feels like they are huge compared to the very small Little Mac. Yet he has some moves to deal with whatever they send his way.
Most of his offence are just high and low punches that can come from the right or the left. While the ever vital star punch requires the player to know when to time punches to get them. Every enemy has a moment that is sometimes obvious when you should punch to get a extra pip on the star meter. Yet a lot of the extra stars or unique ways to defeat a enemy take some trial and error to figure out. Since each match can’t last more than 9 minutes it encourages the player to keep at it till they overcome whatever has them stuck at the moment. Each fighter has a unique moves that can cause you to rethink how you beat a enemy. Especially when it requires you to do something new like with the Aran Ryan fight. Up to that point I was just dodging and countering after the enemy misses. Yet to beat Aran it requires the player to counter his punches right before he swings to make any headway since dodging is not effective.
Ever fight may pose a unique challenge yet that doesn’t mean the game is very long. Unless you get stuck for a while it is possible to beat the main mode in about 3-4 hours. Stuff does get unlocked as you go along but it is just more ways to fight the same set of guys. Additionally it has a 2 player vs mode but that doesn’t have much value other than being a silly thing to mess around with for a little while.
In the end it is still a solid remake of a game that is still fun to play. Trying to turn the puzzle based fights into something more modern could have been interesting but sticking with what worked turned out to be a good choice. For fans that enjoyed the original this game is easily recommendable. Even for new players this is a good place to start since it does have more modern level of difficulty during the first playthrough. With the additional value of the 2nd playthrough being different and harder if you are interesting in honing your puzzle boxing skills.
