Punch-Out!! leaves HDTVs down for the count
by Eric Caoili 
{ Apr 26th 2007 at 12:25PM }
Many who've downloaded the Virtual Console's Punch-Out!! release are reporting that the boxing game isn't playing well with their HDTVs. Timing is paramount if you want to dodge punches and have your own jabs connect, but the HDTV response lag that sometimes occurs has a habit of knocking Little Mac's bloodied face onto the canvas, leaving him too dazed to even focus his eyes on the mouthguard dropped inches away.
Gamers with SDTV's haven't been experiencing any lag between their controllers and the onscreen fight, and explanations for the decreased response time lean towards blaming the televisions, so Nintendo doesn't seem to be at fault this time. Have you noticed any HDTV lag with Punch-Out!! or your other Virtual Console purchases?
(We know that Mike Tyson isn't in the VC release of Punch-Out!, but we saw the above comic at The Librarianist, and couldn't stop ourselves from using it!)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dan Blanchard @ Apr 26th 2007 12:40PM
I've actually thought there was some lag with my SDTV on Punch-out. I seem to get my ass handed to me a lot more than I usually do, and Little Mac doesn't seem to want to listen to me sometimes. I thought it was just my imagination, but it's interesting to see that others are experiencing similar issues.
typo @ Apr 26th 2007 12:55PM
I've noticed a little lag (w/ my LCD HDTV), but I really just assumed it was me being out of practice. It certainly seemed like I could compensate pretty well for it, though.
UpIrons @ Apr 26th 2007 12:49PM
This might be a combination of lag from HDTV response time and lag from the virtual console itself. I would almost guarantee that a future update is in the works - regardless of how Nintendo is responding to complaints so far.
Steve @ Apr 26th 2007 1:06PM
I'm playing on a Vizio plasma HDTV and the only lag I've noticed is between my now old brain and my old thumbs. They're not nearly as quick as they used to be.
luke @ Apr 26th 2007 1:14PM
Ive got a sony SXRD 50" HDTV and have had no problems with slowdown with punchout or any other games.
the real mii @ Apr 26th 2007 1:23PM
i don't have an HTDV and have not experienced any "lag" on my many virtual console purchases or otherwise. trying to understand why the tv would cause problems with one game and not others... or not on regular wii games?
strongbad79 @ Apr 26th 2007 1:27PM
This story has been on multiple sites. I've been reading them as well as all of the comments. I don't have this problem now because I have a sdtv. I'm interested in this because i'm going to be buying an hdtv this weekend. I've read multiple comments where the person said their hdtv had a "game mode" which prevents the 480p signal from the wii from being upscaled to 720p which can cause a lag. According to those people this stops this problem. I don't know if that's true though. I'd be interested in knowing what brands and tvs people who are and aren't having the problem have. It seems to be split down the middle. It makes me think it is a tv problem. Hopefully the problem is fixed. I'd hate to have to stop playing punch-out when I get my tv.
TVGenius @ Apr 26th 2007 1:26PM
What I've read elsewhere is that using the component cables (especially with DLP TV's) gets rid of the lag. Wal-Mart sells them for under $20.
trainwrecka @ Apr 26th 2007 5:10PM
my 50" Samsung and my brothers 42" Samsung has a mode called "Game Mode". They developed this with Microsoft -- so the lag goes away with that turned on. if i forget to switch the GM on - the lag is horrible in games like PO!!, DDR Mario Mix, and Donkey Konga --- basically any game that requires PERFECT timing.
Justin @ Apr 26th 2007 2:29PM
I have a Samsung 61 inch 1080p dlp and my wii is hooked up with the component cables and I get no such lag.
Cassidy @ Apr 26th 2007 2:49PM
Haven't seen any lag on my 32" Westinghouse LCD gaming TV.
I am wishing Nintendo would update the VC so that all games designed to be played in 4:3 aspect ratio would automatically be displayed properly to 16:9 screens, rather than having to use the TV's re-zoom function...
polyh3dron @ Apr 26th 2007 4:32PM
My HDTV is a CRT so no I have experienced none of this so-called lag. When I buy an LCD it will be a 1080p Bravia with the game mode on it with no lag and 1:1 pixel mapping (the raw signal) when it gets a 1080p signal from the 360 or PS3.
Trainwrecka @ Apr 26th 2007 5:15PM
@8
pick up a DLP - no burn-in AT ALL and Samsung's offer Game Mode. Game Mode = 0 lag
Nick R @ Apr 26th 2007 5:12PM
..n-=
John @ Apr 26th 2007 5:35PM
On a decent HDTV, you should have no issues.
Sony Bravia and Samsungs offer around an 8ms response time for a screen refresh, and I'd speculate that should be adequate.
LooP @ Apr 26th 2007 5:33PM
i didn't realize i had lag until i got punch-out for VC. and i didn't even notice it that much until i got to Soda Popinsky, mac seems to hesitate for a split second after i hit buttons. would weak batteries cause lag as well? cuz the controller i use has been in the red with 1 bar left for a while now, but i'm just trying to get everything i can out of it before i replace it.
btw, i'm on a 65" Toshiba HDTV (rear projection)
Steve @ Apr 26th 2007 9:48PM
Interesting! There were a few times I was positive that Lil' Mac was being a little sluggish, but I've never noticed a lag problem with games on my HDTV before.
I'm gonna chalk up my problems as "User error" :)