It has been 15 years since the last new Punch-Out!! release. I was still in elementary school when Super Punch-Out!! launched for the Super Nintendo. Even more astounding, Sega was still in the hardware business and Duke Nukem Forever hadn’t been announced. The Nintendo 64 and GameCube came and went, but a third installment in the beloved boxing franchise never emerged. It seemed as if Little Mac had retired for good.

Then, following his appearances in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Captain Rainbow, Nintendo announced that the gutsy pugilist would enter the ring once again.

If you have played a previous Punch-Out!!, then you will be in familiar territory. The Wii exclusive, like its predecessors, is all about pattern recognition and quick reflexes. You study a foe’s movements, evade when necessary, and strike when given an opening. Some adversaries will delay or even fake attacks, so you need to pay attention when they telegraph their strikes. As a nod to fans, Piston Hondo raises one eyebrow to signal that a jab is coming. Punch-Out!! is littered with homages to the Tyson-flavored original, which should delight longtime fans.

The roster is comprised primarily of established Punch-Out!! characters. In fact, Disco Kid is the only novel character in the game. I wasn’t a big fan of the Kid at first, but his energy and panache make him a solid addition to the cast.

As you might expect, the returning competitors retain many of their NES and SNES attacks. King Hippo still does his trademark overhand club, while Bald Bull charges with more fury than ever before. With that said, the established fighters do have some new tricks, so don’t expect an easy path to the title. The lack of new fighters is disappointing, but the game’s familiar cast is one of its greatest strengths.

The designers deserve some kudos for retaining the series’ over-the-top flair. Fighters needlessly twirl, stumble and dance around the ring as they fall to the mat. The Oscar goes to King Hippo, who emits pineapples and banana bunches as he tumbles over the top rope to the floor.

The game also looks damn good. Eyes blacken and battered faces sport bandages, bruises and bumps. The hues are bright and varied, which will appeal to anyone who is weary of brown and gray. You won’t be blown away by the graphics, but the visual style fits the franchise.

Punch-Out!! features two control schemes. You can either use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, or turn the Wiimote sideways for an NES-style configuration. The Wii Balance Board, which allows you to perform evasive maneuvers, can be used with either option.

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