Graphics: Are you expecting high-end graphics like in Fight Night: Round 3? Then you need to stop taking those little pink pills and buy a PS3/360. The Punch-Out series was always designed to be jaunty so it doesn't take itself too seriously; Little Mac's recent bout on the Wii is no different. Cel-shaded graphics don the world of this version of P-O. Every fighter and character is even more wonderfully animated than the Wind Waker. Having a cel-shaded style means that each character's attitude is easily recognizable. King Hippo's enormous belly jiggles with utter contempt and Aran Ryan' Irish "charm" is fully illustrated thanks to the talented programmers and designers at Next Level Games.
Audio: You'll instantly hear the infamous theme song of Little Mac from the first P-O during your matches. Just hearing that old theme will pump you up-depending how old you are. What's more amazing is that once you rematch the opponents you've fought before in Exhibition Mode, you will hear specific instruments play Little Mac's theme song from the country where that boxer resides. When in the ring with Great Tiger, you'll notice sitar melodies imitating that said theme. It's very clever. Receiving heavy blows to the face is not the only thing your adversaries will administer. Each one will taunt you in their native language, so naturally I will comprehend what Don Flamenco is saying. It's nice to hear Doc Louis final dispense audible advice to you......though it's mostly about chocolate. Though wacky, all the voices fit their individual personas approprietly.
Control: Don't worry kids. Punch-Out!! does not control like Wii Sports boxing. Instinctively you'll swing left if you want to throw a left hook and swing right for a right hook. Surely you'll work up a sweat but it's worth it. To throw a high jab(due to Little Mac's smaller stature) you would need to first hold the control stick up then swing. Dodging is as simple as moving left or right with the control stick; you could also block punches by holding it upwards. Optionally you may use the Balance Board but it fails to enhance the experience. It may not hinder your performance drastically yet it does a sub par job on detecting your reflexes. Those of you who want to play this game like you did when you were a young padawan, just hold the Wii Remote sideways NES-style. Even with the fluid controls of both the Wii Remote and Nunchuck, I seldom have trouble throwing right punches. It feels delayed but it could just be where I am positioned when I play. Since I am not directly in front of my Wii and play diagonally from it-it may be the reason for that.
Gameplay: Admittedly, I was concerned how Nintendo will pull off a new Punch-Out!! game. Would it be like Ready 2 Rumble or something entirely different? Thank God Nintendo and Next Level Games decided to just retain the 2-D perspective of the past games. Nostalgia will overcome you during your playtime while simultaneously it will feel fresh. As in the original games, if you see an opportunity to land a punch while the other fighter mocks you, you'll gain a star. The most stars you can obtain is 3. The more stars you gather, the more powerful the Star Punch attack will become. One star will due great damage, two stars will cut your enemy's health in half and three stars will completely knock him out. Granted, this may be a boxing game, now more than before you need to use your head to discover how to defeat the challenger. Solving their patterns can be tricky but it's possible. Acknowledge the fact your ass will get knocked down trying to decipher them though. Other than quick reflexes and a determined heart, the biggest muscle you will use in this game will be your brain.
Judgment: Anyone who's anticipating a deep game here should go elsewhere. This game can be beaten in a matter of hours.......if the opposing boxers don't beat you first. What matters here is that the game is pure fun! Similar to countless NES games, Punch-Out's overtly fun gameplay is based on it's simplicity. The question now is, is it worth the 50 dollars? For fans and gamers who solely play games based on the merit of how much joy it can be to just play them, then yes, it's worth it. All else should either rent it or at the very least play it at a friend's house. A 2-player battle mode is available if you do. Some might think this game has no replay value, yet others would think otherwise. It may be considerably shallow but aside the exhibition and title defense modes, you cannot resist the charisma and excitement of P-O once you've [virtually] step in that ring. Welcome back Mac, it's been a long time coming but we've missed you. Something tells me he'll be back again......in Smash Bros. 4-as a playable character. Next Level Games achieved an astounding accomplishment of re-creating Punch-Out!! for the modern masses. Punch-Out!! get an A.
Audio: You'll instantly hear the infamous theme song of Little Mac from the first P-O during your matches. Just hearing that old theme will pump you up-depending how old you are. What's more amazing is that once you rematch the opponents you've fought before in Exhibition Mode, you will hear specific instruments play Little Mac's theme song from the country where that boxer resides. When in the ring with Great Tiger, you'll notice sitar melodies imitating that said theme. It's very clever. Receiving heavy blows to the face is not the only thing your adversaries will administer. Each one will taunt you in their native language, so naturally I will comprehend what Don Flamenco is saying. It's nice to hear Doc Louis final dispense audible advice to you......though it's mostly about chocolate. Though wacky, all the voices fit their individual personas approprietly.
Control: Don't worry kids. Punch-Out!! does not control like Wii Sports boxing. Instinctively you'll swing left if you want to throw a left hook and swing right for a right hook. Surely you'll work up a sweat but it's worth it. To throw a high jab(due to Little Mac's smaller stature) you would need to first hold the control stick up then swing. Dodging is as simple as moving left or right with the control stick; you could also block punches by holding it upwards. Optionally you may use the Balance Board but it fails to enhance the experience. It may not hinder your performance drastically yet it does a sub par job on detecting your reflexes. Those of you who want to play this game like you did when you were a young padawan, just hold the Wii Remote sideways NES-style. Even with the fluid controls of both the Wii Remote and Nunchuck, I seldom have trouble throwing right punches. It feels delayed but it could just be where I am positioned when I play. Since I am not directly in front of my Wii and play diagonally from it-it may be the reason for that.
Gameplay: Admittedly, I was concerned how Nintendo will pull off a new Punch-Out!! game. Would it be like Ready 2 Rumble or something entirely different? Thank God Nintendo and Next Level Games decided to just retain the 2-D perspective of the past games. Nostalgia will overcome you during your playtime while simultaneously it will feel fresh. As in the original games, if you see an opportunity to land a punch while the other fighter mocks you, you'll gain a star. The most stars you can obtain is 3. The more stars you gather, the more powerful the Star Punch attack will become. One star will due great damage, two stars will cut your enemy's health in half and three stars will completely knock him out. Granted, this may be a boxing game, now more than before you need to use your head to discover how to defeat the challenger. Solving their patterns can be tricky but it's possible. Acknowledge the fact your ass will get knocked down trying to decipher them though. Other than quick reflexes and a determined heart, the biggest muscle you will use in this game will be your brain.
Judgment: Anyone who's anticipating a deep game here should go elsewhere. This game can be beaten in a matter of hours.......if the opposing boxers don't beat you first. What matters here is that the game is pure fun! Similar to countless NES games, Punch-Out's overtly fun gameplay is based on it's simplicity. The question now is, is it worth the 50 dollars? For fans and gamers who solely play games based on the merit of how much joy it can be to just play them, then yes, it's worth it. All else should either rent it or at the very least play it at a friend's house. A 2-player battle mode is available if you do. Some might think this game has no replay value, yet others would think otherwise. It may be considerably shallow but aside the exhibition and title defense modes, you cannot resist the charisma and excitement of P-O once you've [virtually] step in that ring. Welcome back Mac, it's been a long time coming but we've missed you. Something tells me he'll be back again......in Smash Bros. 4-as a playable character. Next Level Games achieved an astounding accomplishment of re-creating Punch-Out!! for the modern masses. Punch-Out!! get an A.
1 comment:
i really need to get this game ;-;
Post a Comment