Inexplicable Video Game Reviews: Punch-Out!!

A sweet example of the characters and gameplay.

First things first, in terms of actual reviews, my Bakugan review is now available on Blast by clicking here. Feel free to bask in its glory!

Anyway, my most recent gaming project was Punch-Out!! for the Wii, which had all of the charm of the original, minus a scary convicted rapist. Although you can play using the active Wii-controls, or whatever the frick it's called, it's a lot easier to flip the Wiimote on its side and to play "classic style," as the kids call it.

Although the gameplay is essentially the same as the NES and Super Nintendo versions, the presentation values have been radically upgraded. As the above video shows, each opponent now has a lot more individual characterization, such as wacky accents and distinctive sound effects. Also, Mac's trainer Doc Louis says silly things between fights, which makes me giggle.

Of course, it wouldn't be Punch-Out!! without some frustratingly tough enemies. I actually found this version of the game harder than the previous two - Although the character sprites are unquestionably larger and more interesting, as a result the camera bounces around and can make things hard to follow at times. This is also overlooking that quicker jabs, hooks and uppercuts. While in the original games, I could easily make it to the World Circuit (third tier opponents), in this one I struggled once I hit the Majors (second tier). Somehow, between games, Don Flamenco went from major pussy to major world-beater.