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Parents' Guide to

Punch-Out!!

By Marc Saltzman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Cartoony, retro brawler with humor, but too short.

Game Nintendo Wii 2009
Punch-Out!! Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

Community Reviews

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age 5+

Based on 1 parent review

fallout
fallout Adult
May 25, 2009
age 5+

better then the others

even if you do not like the others I would recommend this one. it is short, yes, but it has a charm and fun about it most other game don't. best game on the wii of '09 thus far. but it is very hard. there is, of course, punching, but no guns, knifes or any kind of weapon. there is also no blood.
See all 1 parent review

What’s It About?

Little Mac is back -- the classic cartoon fighter has climbed back into in the ring after a 15-year hiatus. Nintendo's beloved brawler PUNCH-OUT!! is now available for the Nintendo Wii, offering players one of two revised control schemes. Players can face off against each of the zany fighters -- such as Von Kaiser, King Hippo, and newcomer Disco Kid -- using the wireless and motion-sensing Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers or the Wii Balance Board (included with Wii Fit). Alternatively, the game can also be played with classic NES-style controls by turning the Wii Remote sideways.

In case you never played the original, this modern update of Punch-Out!! -- now employing "cell-shaded" graphics that make the fighters appear as 3-D cartoons -- stars a young and spunky fighter, Little Mac, who challenges a host of hilarious boxers from around the world. Trainer Doc Louis will teach players how to swing a punch (upper cuts, jabs, and hooks), use defensive maneuvers (dodge, duck, and block) and dance about the ring with grace. Play well and you'll KO opponents, take on tougher fighters, and vie to wear the covered championship belt.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (8 ):

Punch-Out!! is quite fun for both fans of the original as well as younger gamers, but it's not a perfect fighter. You can't play against a friend online (two players can only duke it out on the same television via split-screen) and its $50 price is too high for a game you could easily finish in a weekend (or less). That said, it's hard to resist the game's retro charm.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether Nintendo should bring back these classic games -- and introduce updated graphics and control options -- or should the Japanese game maker concentrate more on new games. On a related note, are gamers getting tired of the "retro" movement?

Game Details

  • Platform: Nintendo Wii
  • Available online?: Not available online
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release date: May 18, 2009
  • Genre: Fighting
  • ESRB rating: E10+ for Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief
  • Last updated: November 5, 2015

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