Punch Out!! Wii Review

When it’s all been looked at though, Punch Out!! truly feels thrown together. While the graphics are impressive, the game itself is too short. 13 boxers is far too few for a game with previous character rosters like this. The lack of downloadable content for the time being also further deteriorates. While it’s admirable that they included so much nostalgia and reference to the original, I can’t help but say they have barely anything new to include here. Furthermore, the laughably easy game the first time through compared to the frustrating difficulty of the second play through is way too unbalanced and easily could have been much better implemented.

Unfortunately, we can’t help but recommend a rental. Once the price goes down, buying this will be a no brainer. Punch Out!! fans will no doubt already add this to their collection. Even if you know nothing about the boxing world, you’re still in for a treat. Punch Out!! offers a wonderful experience and is great fun to play. Unfortunately, much like when Sugar Ray came out of retirement-the game is just too short lived to recommend spending $50 on.

REPORT CARD : Microsoft Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit

category	rating	comments
Creativity	2	You may think that this score is too low, but consider this: one friggen character is new in here. Well besides a couple special ones. But ONE character. Everything else from the gameplay to the boxers is derived from previous installments. I can’t give a high score to a rehash no matter how cool it is
Graphics	4	Punch Out has some great graphics on the wii and the boxers animate fluidly. The attention to detail is astounding. I can’t help but feel a bit cheated though with the backgrounds and crowds surrounding the ring. Maybe it’s just an afterthought.
Sound	3	The sound effects aren’t so bad, but how many renditions of the classic Punch-Out theme do I need to hear? Well that’s pretty much the soundtrack right there.
Longevity	2	Veterans will no doubt breeze through the first playthrough in one sitting. Everyone else will be following quickly behind. The second playthrough is a lot more difficult, and will take a few days to finish…well unless you really suck.
Fun Factor	4	Punch-Out!! is just as fun as it’s predecessors and it’s definitely a great party game to have around. While it can’t stack up to the awesomeness the original had, it is a worthy successor and well done game.