It is one of the best games I have ever played and has turned me into a punch out fanatic.
Gameplay-10/10 Boxing in punch out is simple, dodge the opponents' punch and then counter with a barrage of hooks and jabs or punch him at just the right time to earn a star, allowing you to perform a devastating uppercut, known as the star punch. Each boxer has his own pattern of punches, taunts, and super moves and remembering there pattern is key to winning. You also have a fatigue gauge, when you block, get hit or have your punches blocked it decreases and when its gone you get tired and can't punch until you dodge a punch. After you become champ you face everyone over again in title defense mode, each boxer has drastically improved and even pro's at the old punch out may struggle over the new headgear wearing Glass Joe. After that you go to Mac's last stand, where you face boxers at random until you lose 3 times and then career mode is over.
Graphics-10/10 punch out may not look realistic, but its graphic style is perfect. It has a unique charm few games have, its cartoony style is just so loveable. Character intros are done nicely with animated drawing giving some background story to each character. The game also does a good job with showing physical damage on the characters.
Sound-10/10 the music in punch out is absolutely great. Each character has a remix of the main fight theme based on there country they live in. The sound effects are different for each character, like before they throw a punch. And for voices each character speak there native language and there are no subtitles, so with the exception of the English speaking boxers, you wont know what they are saying. even if it is gibberish to you it will have certain charm and so many lines are so catchy you will catch yourself saying them some times.
Value-10/10 Punch out has 3 main modes, career mode where you go through all the boxers to gain and defend the belt, exhibition where you can practice a hologram version on the boxer you are on in career mode and fight boxers you have already beaten. Finally head to head mode where you and your friend can fight each other, both players are Mac and hitting your opponent after they miss will build up a gauge that once filled transforms you into giga Mac, where you play much like a boxer from career. there are also 3 challenges for each character in exhibition mode, such as TKO this guy in round 1 or never get hit by his special move. Completing these challenges unlocks there audio in gallery mode, this allows you to listen to their theme and their dialogue. All these things will keep you hooked for a long time, and even though the game is extremely hard later on, you'll still come back the next day to give it another go. i can see my self coming back to this game in a few years and still have a blast playing it.
Overall-10/10 this game has very little flaws, it is incredibly hard, but besides that its perfect in everyway.