Punch Out!!! (1990)

Punch Out is very comparable to World Cup, in the way that it’s not an attempt to accurately interprate a sport. With the limitations of the Nintendo Entertainment System that is probably a good choice. The angle is well chosen: you see yourself from behind, been able to block, avoid right or left and punch, rather than a view from the side, which is pretty common in 8-bit fighting games. It makes it impossible to play rather quickly with the footwork left and right, avoiding your opponents fist.

Graphics

Punch Out tries to entertain the player with a large variation of over stereotypical opponents that are way too big, while you are way to small. A German that’s looks like a World War One Fighter pilot and a Japanese guy that looks like a young Mr. Miyagi. Only with fists the twice the size of your head.

Sound

The in game music is constantly the same, so that will effectively start to annoy you after a while.

Playability

There is not much you can do: punch, evade, block or move left or right. You can punch in the stomach on the head (right with A, left with B). So it’s pretty easy to play. You have to adjust tactics when new opponents appear though. Your coach will give you clues how to defeat certain opponents. The further you go, the more movies your opponents will have.

Punch Out reacts very well to your commands, even when the pace is up.

Instant Fun Factor

It can be played as a arcade game, because it’s not hard to control. Playing it better and faster will take some more time though.

Long Term Fun Factor

Punch Out forgives your losses, something most of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) sports games don’t. Meaning: it works in rankings, starting at Minor Level, you have to win three times to promote. But you can also relegate (accept when you are fighting your first fight), so you can play a weaker opponent again and learn to control the game better.

Punch Out is not a game that you can play for hours, but getting the most out of this game will take some time. While playing you’ll find out that defeating the latter opponents will take more than then pressing A and B.

Graphics: 15/20

Sound: 12/20

Playability: 18/20

Instant Fun Factor: 14/20

Long Term Fun Factor: 16/20

Total score: 75/100