A Wii Knock Out

RATING: 8/ 10
PLATFORM: Wii
GENRE: Arcade style Boxing
PURCHASE RECOMMENDATION: Buy / Rent

Punch-Out is one of the better classic remakes for the Nintendo Wii. Punch-Out keeps true to the original but adjusts to the modern powers of the Wii. I was truly impressed that finally there is a Nintendo Wii game that I could stay up to the wii hours in the morning playing with my friends (yeah for puns). However hardcore gamer should be warned this is much more of an Arcade game than a Boxing game. The game play of Punch-out focuses on dodging your opponents moves and then countering. There is very little time when you get to go on the offense. As the game progress to the harder AI opponents it really becomes a game of reflexes and endurance then over all skill. If you want to experience a real life boxing game I would avoid this game. Of course Punch-Out never really trys to disguise itself as a boxing game, straight from the get go you learn that strategy is not needed. I'm sure many younger kids will enjoy this game but parents beware they might get frustrated by the later difficulty of the game. Punch-Out also optionally uses the Wii fit board but unfortunately it is only a disadvantage to using it so why bother. The stylized art and characters are a perfect match for the Wii and the games type as you battle stereotypical character from around the globe. In short however Punch-Out like many Wii games is just way to short. It is literally like a 4-5 hours story mode with a couple other option like training, online and multiplayer. The multiplayer did make a much better game play experience as it felt a lot more like a boxing game than a reflex challenge. Punch-Out had so much potentially to have a wide variety of minigames, playable character and customization that all just got left out for no reason. I was generous to give this game and 8 out of 10 cause of Punch-Out only reaches the bar and does not pass it. My hopes is that the game developers will make a sequel that will add the much needed depth to the game play and overall experience.