ONM Punch-Out!! Review

I received my newest issue of ONM UK today and in it there is their Punch-Out!! review.

They begin by detailing the game. They talk about how the Minor, Major and World circuits only take about 1h 30m/2h to finish. They say at this point they were going to give it 70%. Then the "World B" circuit is unlocked, and the whole game becomes much harder and more exciting. All fighters get new move sets and will do things like fakes etc. They say on this mode, the first time they fought Glass Joe, they lost. They say this should take you about 5/6 hours.

They go on to talk about exhibition mode. Here you can fight any fighter you have already beaten but with extra challenges like "defeat Von Kaiser in 5 punches". This mode is supposedly "insanely hard".

They go on to talk about multiplayer, but basically say it's a waste of time.

Quotes of interest:

""There's a two-player mode but if we're being honest it's the weakest aspect of the game. It's fun when you... transform into Giga Mac... but overall it's nowhere near as entertaining as the single-player modes."

"And the final surprise will please everyone, but we're sworn to secrecy on that..."

Summary:

+ Looks absolutely incredible

+ Boxers ooze character

+ C1as.sic Punch-Out!! gameplay

+ Easy for noobs, hard for pros

- Multiplayer mode is weak

Final Score:91%

Nice.

WTH bad multiplayer. Damn :( Now i'm probably not getting this.SoAmazingBaby

With that said, this multiplayer looks fun for a little while, but it wouldn't add that much to the game. That's what this reviewer says, so I won't be surprised at all if I (and most people) end up agreeing with him. But it's nice as an option, considering it sounds like the single-player game didn't need to be compromised.

I wonder how it would score if Nintendo's name wasn't on it...clicketyclick

Probably around the same, provided that the game was just as good. Honestly, I didn't think I would hear such a response like that from you. Being one of those people that have hyped 2009's Wii lineup, I figured this would be a positive thing for you. Granted, I know very little about the ONM, but I want to think that it's not that biased to only give Nintendo games a great score (of course, it wouldn't be the first time a game has gotten a score much better than it deserved, but still...). Heck, Nintendo Power gave Madworld a 9 recently, and while I've had my questions with Punch-Out, I can't exactly say I've seen a lot of bad things out of it.

Can't say I'm much more hyped about the game than I was before reading this, but maybe it is worth at least a rental, provided I can find it.

Probably around the same, provided that the game was just as good. Honestly, I didn't think I would hear such a response like that from you. Being one of those people that have hyped 2009's Wii lineup, I figured this would be a positive thing for you.Madmangamer364

I wonder how it would score if Nintendo's name wasn't on it...clicketyclick

[QUOTE="Madmangamer364"]Probably around the same, provided that the game was just as good. Honestly, I didn't think I would hear such a response like that from you. Being one of those people that have hyped 2009's Wii lineup, I figured this would be a positive thing for you.clicketyclick

Only Ninty can get away with putting out such a short game with awful multiplayer that's basically an old game regurgitated exactly and still get a great score. Only Nintendo. clicketyclick

Positive review, but the question of the game being shallow still remains for me.wiifan001

If this game is anything like Super Punch Out!! on the SNES, it is EXTREMELY deep. You keep finding out faster and faster ways to take down opponents. I have spent at least an Hour on each boxer in time attack with Super Punch Out. There are manny subtle complexities to each fighter

Only Ninty can get away with putting out such a short game with awful multiplayer that's basically an old game regurgitated exactly and still get a great score. Only Nintendo.clicketyclick

That's because only Nintendo can do that and have the game be awesome in the process.

[QUOTE="Madmangamer364"]Probably around the same, provided that the game was just as good. Honestly, I didn't think I would hear such a response like that from you. Being one of those people that have hyped 2009's Wii lineup, I figured this would be a positive thing for you.clicketyclick

Wow, this thread is becoming more shocking by the post. I agree that the jump from 70% to 91% was a nice shock to the system, but is it possible that this "old game" that Nintendo "regurgitated" became more enjoyable and replayable as more things were unlocked? I don't think it would be the first time that has happened, and I don't think only Nintendo has managed to pull it off. As for everything else, it just sounds like a lot of sour grapes from where I stand, which is strange, because I usually see you as the "wait and play" type when it comes to this. Already dismissing the game's characters as stereotypes, pretty much making claims that the game is stuck in the past, and jumping on the game's difficultly and who can play makes it sound like you already have this game figured out. Coming from you, especially, it just feels... odd.

In any case, you're entitled to your own opinion, so I'm not mad at you or anything for expressing it. That's a major reason why we're here, afterall. I don't know... I just didn't expect such a response, I suppose. :|

[QUOTE="C-Lee"]Nice Calling an 8.5 or an 8.0 hereLordQuorthon

Also it is difficult. We all know Gamespot hates a challenge

I wonder how it would score if Nintendo's name wasn't on it...clicketyclick

pretty good score and it sounds like they noted some solid points about the game too, I never expected multiplayer to amount to anything so that's no surprise its not very good. But losing to glass joe? now I'm very intrigued about the title defense mode.

[QUOTE="LordQuorthon"][QUOTE="C-Lee"]Nice Calling an 8.5 or an 8.0 herePikminmaniac

Also it is difficult. We all know Gamespot hates a challenge

I''ll be honest, right now this game is looking like it did not live up to my ridiculous expectations. I wanted a compendiun of old school nostalgia mixed with modern day features to compete with other games.

It did this for the most part but the fact they do not have leaderboards, online multplayer, and the multiplayer is looking shallow is a major problem. I am not saying multiplayer is the only way to do things, I am saying that this game needed some up to date features added to it and multiplayer could have been a great way to project that.

I''ll be honest, right now this game is looking like it did not live up to my ridiculous expectations. I wanted a compendiun of old school nostalgia mixed with modern day features to compete with other games.

It did this for the most part but the fact they do not have leaderboards, online multplayer, and the multiplayer is looking shallow is a major problem. I am not saying multiplayer is the only way to do things, I am saying that this game needed some up to date features added to it and multiplayer could have been a great way to project that.

kardine

Why would it need online multiplayer?

To be honest I don't even know why they put in local multiplayer.

[QUOTE="kardine"]

I''ll be honest, right now this game is looking like it did not live up to my ridiculous expectations. I wanted a compendiun of old school nostalgia mixed with modern day features to compete with other games.

It did this for the most part but the fact they do not have leaderboards, online multplayer, and the multiplayer is looking shallow is a major problem. I am not saying multiplayer is the only way to do things, I am saying that this game needed some up to date features added to it and multiplayer could have been a great way to project that.

GabuEx

Why would it need online multiplayer?

To be honest I don't even know why they put in local multiplayer.

[QUOTE="C-Lee"]Nice Calling an 8.5 or an 8.0 hereLordQuorthon

Ahh gamespot. At least they're predictable.

Anyway, I'm glad to see a review in the 90's. I'm also glad to hear that it's challenging.

As for the multiplayer, I really didn't care about that anyway. Punch-Out has always been a 1-player game. It's like when they added multiplayer to Metroid Prime 2 Echos. Nice addition, but it's not really the main attraction.

[QUOTE="Pikminmaniac"]

[QUOTE="LordQuorthon"] Nah. More like 6.5 because of the lack of Mii integration, no online co-op, no zombies, no downloadable content and having too many colors.funsohng

Also it is difficult. We all know Gamespot hates a challenge

Almost there, but I think you're all forgetting something that appears on the box art:

That's another -0.5, bringing it to 5.0: Mediocre!

This thread is genius :P

I really hope that this game is good...

Great! I wanted them to add a multiplayer mode, even though I knew it would be hard to fit it in the game's gameplay.

Now I kind of wish they hadn't developed this mode.

Horray! hmmm....GS will give it no more than a 8.0

great score

[QUOTE="clicketyclick"]I wonder how it would score if Nintendo's name wasn't on it...AlexSays

[QUOTE="funsohng"][QUOTE="Pikminmaniac"]

Also it is difficult. We all know Gamespot hates a challenge

MischiefmAker

Almost there, but I think you're all forgetting something that appears on the box art:

That's another -0.5, bringing it to 5.0: Mediocre!

There is something else on that box art that suggests an even lower score from Gamespot. Take a closer look at Disco Kid. He is on the bottom right just above King Hippo's left bicep.Don't see it yet? Look closer, he is SMILING :0!!!! This childishness cannot be tolerated in this age of gaming. If this was a post-apocalyptic wasteland like it should have been, there would be no smiling or color. Gamespot will deduct at least another 0.5 making the score 4.5/10

[QUOTE="MischiefmAker"]

[QUOTE="funsohng"] and i dont think this game has chainsaws, blood, or guns. calling 5.5Pikminmaniac

Almost there, but I think you're all forgetting something that appears on the box art:

That's another -0.5, bringing it to 5.0: Mediocre!

There is something else on that box art that suggests an even lower score from Gamespot. Take a closer look at Disco Kid. He is on the bottom right just above King Hippo's left bicep.Don't see it yet? Look closer, he is SMILING :0!!!! This childishness cannot be tolerated in this age of gaming. If this was a post-apocalyptic wasteland like it should have been, there would be no smiling or color. Gamespot will deduct at least another 0.5 making the score 4.5/10

There you go. AAAAE GOTY guaranteed!

There you go. AAAAE GOTY guaranteed!

LordQuorthon

LOL! That was also a AAA effort on your part!

There you go. AAAAE GOTY guaranteed!LordQuorthon

[QUOTE="clicketyclick"]I wonder how it would score if Nintendo's name wasn't on it...AlexSays

I wonder how it would score if Nintendo's name wasn't on it...clicketyclick

Exactly my thoughts. I'm not seeing any appeal whatsoever aside from nostaglia.

very nice very nice

I know you're kidding, but De Blob's 8.0 flies in the face of that. And do we keep needing to remind everyone that Gamespot gave Super Mario Galaxy their game of the year award when it came out? If GS hates the Wii as much as people say they do, then a lot of their scores make no sense.

JordanElek

Aww, come on, this is fun! :D

Hmmm..

Nice review, but I think i'm gonna wait for some more reviews.

How can you honestly refer it to "an old game regurgitated exactly" when it has as many new modes of play as it does? Title Defense, Exhibition (with achievements), the "final surprise" ONM mentioned. None of those were in any of the previous games. (Except maybe Title Defense, which appeared in some form on the arcade titles)evildevil97

Wow, this thread is becoming more shocking by the post. I agree that the jump from 70% to 91% was a nice shock to the system, but is it possible that this "old game" that Nintendo "regurgitated" became more enjoyable and replayable as more things were unlocked? I don't think it would be the first time that has happened, and I don't think only Nintendo has managed to pull it off. As for everything else, it just sounds like a lot of sour grapes from where I stand, which is strange, because I usually see you as the "wait and play" type when it comes to this. Already dismissing the game's characters as stereotypesMadmangamer364

Title Defense is described as playing the game over again. It's a "new mode" that stands in place for a harder difficulty setting. Exhibition is a "new mode" that stands in for Achievements or Trophies. It's just little challenges to do. clicketyclick

[QUOTE="evildevil97"]How can you honestly refer it to "an old game regurgitated exactly" when it has as many new modes of play as it does? Title Defense, Exhibition (with achievements), the "final surprise" ONM mentioned. None of those were in any of the previous games. (Except maybe Title Defense, which appeared in some form on the arcade titles)clicketyclick

Wow, this thread is becoming more shocking by the post. I agree that the jump from 70% to 91% was a nice shock to the system, but is it possible that this "old game" that Nintendo "regurgitated" became more enjoyable and replayable as more things were unlocked? I don't think it would be the first time that has happened, and I don't think only Nintendo has managed to pull it off. As for everything else, it just sounds like a lot of sour grapes from where I stand, which is strange, because I usually see you as the "wait and play" type when it comes to this. Already dismissing the game's characters as stereotypesMadmangamer364

Most Nintendo games are also timeless so that might have something to do with it