For the love of...Punch-Out!!

With a Wii remake coming out soon, we reckoned it was high time to revisit this superb 1987 boxing classic. Originally released on the NES, Punch-Out!! may look like a simple title, but it has heaps of character, a fun fighting system and larger than life characters. Playing as rookie boxer Little Mac, you must rise up through the ranks of the World Video Boxing Association with the help of your faithful trainer Doc Louis. It's a real rags to riches underdog story as Mac battles his way against the odds to the win the world title.

Each match sees the short Mac going to-to-toe against boxers twice his size, each with their own special attacks. Players must look out for their opponents 'tells', that one crucial window of opportunity where you can land a sweet punch. They aren't easy to spot either, the first opponent, the hilariously dandy Glass Joe is a doddle. His slow build ups are easy to spot, simply dodge to the side then come back in fists swinging, repeat until the match is won.

As you climb up the title ladder however, the fighters become increasingly weird and ruthless, particularly the lumbering behemoth King Hippo who can take you out in a matter of seconds if you're careless. He blocks low, so uppercuts are the key. Smack him in the chops once and the tubby bugger's shorts fall down, causing him to conceal his privates in shame, giving you room to slug him in the gut a few times. Hasn't he heard of elastic?

Beware however, this is no game for the player who likes to block in the corner and wuss out. Every time you block an attack or swing an unsuccessful punch, Mac loses stamina points. Once these are all gone, you are defenceless and unable to punch, all you can do is dodge in the hope that you don't get knocked out long enough to recover. That strategy is the key in such a deceptively simple-looking title speaks volumes about its appeal.

Once you realise the correct way to beat your opponent, you feel strangely accomplished, much like figuring out the solution in a puzzle game. For it's time, Punch-Out!! was something of a marvel, with easy to pick up controls that were hard to master, cut scenes of Little Mac and Doc Louis training and a killer soundtrack. You may also note a Nintendo cameo in the form of Mario playing referee during each match.

Perhaps it's the overly positive and upbeat style so synonymous with Nintendo during the 80's that keeps this game feeling fresh some 20 years later. It has also been parodied countless time by online communities and the soundtrack has even been superbly covered by Nintendo cover band NESkimos.

Realising this cult following, the new Wii version allegedly boasts one of the largest collections of unlockable extras in a Nintendo game yet, so expect a few familiar faces from throughout the series to pop up as you play. It also supports balance board play, perfect for ducking and weaving in and out of your opponents attacks. It sounds like Nintendo are going to do one of their most loved series a great justice when Punch-Out!! comes out on Wii in May.

As for the NES original, it is well worth seeking out on Virtual Console for the low, low price of 500 points.