Born for Wii: Punch-Out!!
by Wesley Fenlon 
{ Sep 16th 2008 at 11:45AM }
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!!
Gallery: Born for Wii: 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)
Nigeria @ Sep 16th 2008 12:33PM
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.
TwEE @ Sep 16th 2008 4:49PM
Punch Out is nothing like Ready 2 Rumble, its more of a rythm game.
Joseph @ Sep 16th 2008 12:45PM
007-373-5963
BlackDogAssault @ Sep 16th 2008 12:53PM
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.
Estrada @ Sep 16th 2008 1:12PM
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?)
hellhammer @ Sep 16th 2008 1:13PM
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.
GatorBeerGeek @ Sep 16th 2008 1:32PM
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).
TX2 @ Sep 16th 2008 1:31PM
Did this suggest the idea of using the Balance board for a boxing game? It's about time more people start considering that.
bug frawg @ Sep 16th 2008 1:47PM
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.....
bug frawg @ Sep 16th 2008 1:49PM
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.....
Wesley Fenlon @ Sep 16th 2008 2:33PM
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.
harry_hood @ Sep 18th 2008 9:21AM
Too bad you can't tether Wiimote to Wiimote.
shouryuuken @ Sep 25th 2008 1:44AM
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.
Valtski @ Sep 29th 2008 10:47PM
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!