Metareview - Punch-Out!! (Wii)

by Alexander Sliwinski { May 19th 2009 at 5:00PM }

It may not be a TKO, but Punch-Out!! on the Wii is certainly a knock-out. We've already entered the ring of public opinion with our review, but let's find out what the others in the peanut gallery have to say about it. It appears that -- much like Little Mac -- the series has aged gracefully and found a nice fit on the Wii.

Gamespy (90/100): "Punch-Out!! is destined to become one of this generation's top classics, right up there with Super Mario Galaxy. It's one heckuva peace offering for Nintendo's jilted lifers, an elaborate brainteaser for everyone who picks it up, and absolutely the best Punch-Out!! to date. If you're still fishing for a reason to own a Wii, this is it."
Game Informer (90/100): "Despite these complaints, the single-player has always been the focus of Punch-Out, and Next Level delivers. What better way to show your buddy up than to totally annihilate the boxer that just KO'd him?"
GamePro (90/100): "There's no denying it: Punch-Out!! is some of the most fun I've had on the Wii in quite some time. A spectacular trip down memory lane, Punch-Out!! manages to capture the old-school essence that made the 1987 original such a success, all the while integrating just enough new material to help it hold its own. While Punch-Out!! is by no means perfect, it's undoubtedly one of the finest arcade-inspired titles to grace store shelves in this "next gen" era, and is without a doubt worth any hardcore fight-fan's hard-earned cash."
GameTrailers (85/100): "It's disappointing that the motion controls are more a novelty than an effective way to play, but the personality, nostalgic nods, hidden goodies, and battle-tested, edge-of-your-seat gameplay demonstrate that some things never go out of style."

Gallery: Punch-Out!! (Wii)

Tags: metareview, metareviews, next-level-games, punch-out, punch-out-wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Killjebus...PSN Killjebus @ May 19th 2009 5:06PM

I will have to check this game out. It looks like fun.

Killjebus...PSN Killjebus @ May 19th 2009 5:10PM

Its too bad and I must say ironic that another Big 1st party WSM game that appeals to both the hardcore and casual is best controlled with a standard controller and not with motion.

You would think that THIS would be the game to show how neato the wax on wax off control method is.

Moptimus Slime (PhilosoRaptor is the new Keyboard Cat) @ May 19th 2009 5:10PM

Oh look, if it isn't Killjebus here to troll yet another Nintendo article

*Reads Comment*

Wait wha-*KABOOM*

http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv152/bigjhodson/scanners.gif

Killjebus...PSN Killjebus @ May 19th 2009 5:13PM

I was actually hoping that motion control would be the way to play this game. Why could Nintendo not get it right? Hopefully I can find out for myself if it is just a novelty or if it works better than some of the reviewers say.

Punch Out is one of my all time favorite games. Endless hours of single player fun.

Mr Khan @ May 19th 2009 5:47PM

Like i said before, the reviewers said the same thing about Mario Kart Wii, and i definitely preferred the motion controls there, too.

I'll give the motion controls a shot, and if they wind up actually being bad, drop 'em

Cesaria @ May 19th 2009 6:39PM

Pressing a button is quicker than using motion. They would have to rebalance the game in order for it to use both schemes well. I have to agree, pressing a button can sometimes be better, but there are times when motion is better/fun, i.e. mario kart, madworld, metroid prime 3, NMH, and Okami. This game is all about precision and timing, which suits button pressing better. To judge the whole system based off of one game's control scheme is asinine.

Insight (Fatass Defense Force) @ May 19th 2009 6:47PM

"Like i said before, the reviewers said the same thing about Mario Kart Wii, and i definitely preferred the motion controls there, too."

I like the motion controls.

I mean, shaking to wheelie, that is. Nunchuk + Remote FTW

can't stand the wheel. but that's just me.

WREturns @ May 19th 2009 11:40PM

Okay, here's the motion control rundown, as promised. It's actually pretty good. I think that people mainly don't like it because the would get their asses kicked in a real boxing match. So it breaks down like this. The wiimote and nunchuk is fine but it does take some getting used to. The motion is spot on and I always punched exactly like I intended to which I thought was a little weird considering issues I've had in the past with the nunchuk. The thing that took me the longest time to get used to was using the analog stick when I wanted to throw jabs. Seriously, I'm completing all the challenges using this setup. When I threw in the balance board it got a little wonky, but I played with it for an hour or so and I think it's me. Honestly. Here's why. First of all, it's easy enough to make a mistake using the d-pad so using your whole body is going to take some time to get used to. Also, you have to be pretty calculating when you're stepping on the board or you'll duck and dodge all over the place. This means that it will work fine as long as you're good at it. Don't get excited or you'll probably fuck it up. All in all, I think the reviewers are less coordinated than the motion controls don't work, but try it for yourself before you knock it.

WREturns @ May 19th 2009 5:09PM

I am playing this game right now and it's an awesome rebooting of the franchise!

Killjebus...PSN Killjebus @ May 19th 2009 5:14PM

How does multiplayer work? Or does it not have off-line multiplayer with splitscreens. What do you prefer, the motion control or classic control?

WREturns @ May 19th 2009 5:27PM

Haven't tried the motion controls yet, but that's because I'm half-playing, half-watching my baby. I'll let you know when I try them. Also haven't given the multiplayer a spin, yet.

Killjebus...PSN Killjebus @ May 19th 2009 5:31PM

How old is the little squirt? Is he/she at the rubber chicken stage or bobblehead stage? Or is he/she past both?

WREturns @ May 19th 2009 5:55PM

Almost 7 months. Bear Hugger and Great Tiger both just kicked my ass on the Punch-Out!! side of things. Seriously, this looks and plays awesome.

Markez @ May 19th 2009 6:24PM

You gotta cute kid, buddy, well done :)

WREturns @ May 19th 2009 6:33PM

Thanks, man. ; )

Fernando Rocker @ May 19th 2009 5:09PM

"See, a comeback is like a yo yo. You gonna go down, but you commin right back up. And then you may end up walkin the dog."

Insight (Fatass Defense Force) @ May 19th 2009 6:48PM

lol, the Punch Out marketing campaign is pure gold

Eric @ May 19th 2009 5:15PM

Bought it today going to play when i get home after my trip to the grocery store.

Snowblind @ May 19th 2009 5:16PM

Haven't played the game yet, but this only makes me wonder even more why Little Mac wasn't in Smash Brothers..

Fernando Rocker @ May 19th 2009 5:18PM

It was... altought it was an assist trophy...

cuteSAVAGE @ May 19th 2009 5:55PM

I guess after this games new found popularity we'll see him in the next game, six years from now.

OMGOMG @ May 19th 2009 5:16PM

Once again, the whole point of the Wii is ruined. Almost everyone who reviewed the game have knocked the motion controls as "gimmicky" for the game. Most people just played it with the classic controller.

You might as well have released the game on the Gamecube. Not knocking the game, but doesn't this just show that the best reviewed Wii game of the year so far isn't even worth using the motion controls that WERE THE WHOLE REASON FOR THE CONSOLE?

Killjebus...PSN Killjebus @ May 19th 2009 5:23PM

IT is ironic is it not? If Nintendo cannot get motion control to work as planned with a game that in my opinion should be perfectly suited for motion control....what does that tell you about the WSM and its so called revolutionary control?

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Zelda
Mario
Mario Kart
Metroid
Punchout

only Metroid has the wax on wax off Mr. Miagi method as the better way to play.

Did I not say that it was a gimmick...BEFORE the WSM launch?

Moptimus Slime (PhilosoRaptor is the new Keyboard Cat) @ May 19th 2009 5:23PM

Yes, now no game will ever use motion controls again. EVAR.

I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY REVIEWERS

http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/images/9/9e/Arguecat.PNG

OMGOMG @ May 19th 2009 5:29PM

Way to take the argument out of proportion.

The only games that I've played on the Wii where it was more fun using the motion controls is probably Galaxy and Metroid. Zelda, from the couple hours I played it, were frustrating as hell. Same with Smash Bros.

Tiger Woods 10 seems like the first game to truly be more fun with the controls, mainly for the Motion Plus attachment.

Slaziman @ May 19th 2009 5:48PM

You'd think that the "AAA" titles would be the ones that use motion control, with reviewers praising it as revolutionary and what not.

Sadly, the opposite is true, and motion controls are more often than not referred to as gimmicky, unresponsive, or tacked on by reviewers.

I sincerely hope that the Wii MotionPlus reinvigorates the Wii, and actually gives us the titles we expected when we first heard about the Wii.

Mr Khan @ May 19th 2009 5:50PM

Opinions are fun like that, aren't they?

I say all of those games were better with the motion controls, except Smash Bros (though the one instance of waggle, to spam Smash attacks, was fairly useful, too)

Jason Statham (Aka Vegeta) @ May 19th 2009 5:58PM

What about games like Mad World or Boom Blox?. Games that are not only good, but make full use of the Wiimote. It really is ridiculous to simply say that because a game may be better played with standard controls, means the point of the Wii is ruined.

intro94 @ May 19th 2009 6:04PM

actually, 2 shooters have been awarded as amazing controls for a fps according to the metareviews(good as much better than analogs good). Also, this year Pro evolution metacritics gave it a higher score than ps3 and 360 versions due to the innovative controls.Is just a matter of execution pal, when its done right, its better than any typical controller.

WREturns @ May 19th 2009 6:07PM

Nintendo really should be praised for the motion controls in the Wii. Look at it like what it is, an experiment into a new level of video game control. Yeah, sometimes they're wonky, but this is the first time that this idea had been implemented as a mainstream means of control. You guys can keep hating, but the motion controls will continue to be fine-tuned and next generation will see all 3(?) consoles launch with a similar set-up. You better get ready to start hating console gaming as a whole in about 2-3 years...

Anticrawl @ May 19th 2009 6:39PM

I really enjoyed the motion control in Super Mario Galaxy, Super Paper Mario, Warior Shake It and Mario Kart. But that's about it. The gamecube controller was superior for Smash Bros. Brawl and most other games. The lightgun setup was awesome for Ghost Squad though.

CloudStrife @ May 19th 2009 6:42PM

@Killjebus

Metroid Prime 3 has amazing control, something which is pretty much universally agreed among critics and fans of the game. The other games mentioned can be argued whether they benefitted from motion controls or not but I enjoyed both Galaxy and Twilight Princess over Sunshine and Wind Waker respectively. Whether that's due to the control or not is another matter.

Killjebus...PSN Killjebus @ May 19th 2009 6:46PM

Golf-clap Nintendo for really making gaming mainstream with the lemmings of the world.
Big Bear-hugs and kisses Nintendo for showing the (mostly still unrealized) promise of motion control.
Spin me around and slap me with a tire-iron Nintendo for getting Sony and Microsoft to come up with other control methods like gesture control (although the Eye Toy had that years ago) which still has a long way to go.

When gesture control or motion control can be as lifelike and accurate as it is in the movie Minority Report....then I will be on board. Till that time comes, I much prefer the DS3.

I fart in the general direction of Nintendo for RE-releasing 10 year old hardware and calling it NEW.
I taunt Nintendo a seconde time for releasing so much mini-game crap just for a cash-in.

Bring on E3.

Kenofthedead @ May 20th 2009 12:56AM

Well, not all DS games use the touch screen and some that do not that well, that doesn't mean it's a terrible gimmick. We still get some games that use said gimick well and we get more enjoyment out of it.
Wii is much the same, even though it is strongly based on personal prefrence.

Of course you know what the biggest gimmick is that doesn't always work well? The Mouse. Adding a mouse to a keyboard and then using it to play games? Huge gimmick that some how caught on despite some games that used it oh so poorly or not at all.

Gimmicks aren't a bad thing, poor use is.

Of course I forget this is Wii, and some do enjoy just hating it to hate it or loving it to love it. Me, I just enjoy games, like Punch Out.

The Baron @ May 19th 2009 5:19PM

I can't possibly make a real judgement since I've never played this game or the original, but what makes fighting games or this one worth the money, besides fun competition with a friend in multiplayer?

Levi (God Hand Defense Force) @ May 19th 2009 11:34PM

I'd say that the secret is that the Punch-Out!! series aren't actual fighting games.

TwEE @ May 20th 2009 10:39AM

Play this game with a few buddies and some beer and you'll see... My friends who never played the first few punchout games fell in love with it and we never even touched the multiplayer..

supakoopa @ May 19th 2009 5:28PM

Is this game worth buying if I never played the original?

Killjebus...PSN Killjebus @ May 19th 2009 5:35PM

Absofrakinglootly it is. Punchout on the NES SNES gave me endless hours of fun. Its easy to pick up and play...but very hard to master.

umm....hello??? @ May 19th 2009 5:41PM

hell yeah.

Mr Khan @ May 19th 2009 5:51PM

Probably more so, because it'll all be new (given that many of the character patterns are straight-up copy-pasted)

Insight (Fatass Defense Force) @ May 19th 2009 6:53PM

Definitely. This game is pretty awesome. I've only played about an hour of it but it's damned fun.

Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ May 19th 2009 5:38PM

I'm so buying this.

bps2be92991 @ May 19th 2009 5:40PM

Getting this today. Can't freakin wait!! I've been playing the original off the virtual console and I am so pumped.

Jeremy White @ May 19th 2009 5:41PM

I didn't actually see this game getting good reviews... no idea why. I never played the original but I figured the reboot attempt wasn't going to work out in Nintendo's favor.

Mr Khan @ May 19th 2009 5:52PM

I was surprised too, considering that the critics gave Mario Kart Wii a collective "eh" (basically one up from meh), and i figured this one would follow right in its footsteps

Next Level Games is really on to something here.

Mr Khan @ May 19th 2009 5:53PM

I have it, and i'll be opening tonight. Should be an ideal game for a collection nut like myself.

Jared @ May 19th 2009 6:10PM

What does WSM stand for? I just don't get it.

WREturns @ May 19th 2009 6:17PM

Wii Sports Machine. There was a time in Joystiq history when warring factions of vitriol-spewing fanboys fiercely defended their own console's comparatively dismal sales figures by inventing creative and derisive nicknames for the Wii and/or Nintendo. WSM is a holdover from such a time. Nintendonalds was another. Can anyone think of any others?