Super Punch-Out!! (Super NES)

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Super Punch-Out!!
Super Punch Out box cover

The cover art depicts (from left to right) Mr. Sandman, Bald Bull and Super Macho Man, the three initial champions in the game. However, each one has either different skin or glove color in the actual game.
Developer(s) Nintendo IRD[1]
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Designer(s) Genyo Takeda (producer)[2]
Makoto Wada (game director, art director)[2]
Takashi Kumegawa (music composer)[2]
Masaro Sakakibara (music composer)[2]
Masato Hatakeyama (chief programmer)[2]
Yasuyuki Oyagi (assistant director)[2]
Platform(s) SNES
Release date NA October 1, 1994
NA 1996 (Re-release)
JPN March 1, 1994(Nintendo Power)
EU January 26, 1995
Genre(s) Sports
Mode(s) Single player
Rating(s) ESRB: K-A (Kids to Adults)
Media 16Mb (2MB) cartridge
Input methods SNES controller

Super Punch-Out!! (スーパーパンチアウト!!?) is a boxing video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Super NES October 1, 1994 in North America, and was rereleased in the same region in 1996. It was also released in Europe on January 26, 1995 for the same console, and in Japan for the Nintendo Power flash RAM cartridge series as well as the Super Famicom, the Japanese version of the Super NES. It is the fourth and latest game in the Punch-Out!! series, taking place after Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! for the NES.

Contents

[edit] Development

After the release of the Super NES, Genyo Takeda decided to resume producing for the Punch-Out!! series, rather than directing. As producer, his vision included a perfect transition from arcade to console for Super Punch-Out!! arcade to Nintendo's 16-bit home console, which had been previously impossible for its NES predecessor. This time, however, Nintendo chose not to include any real professional boxers as was the case in the previous Punch-Out!! title. Genyo Takeda chose to use the same name of the arcade version not only to provide continuity (see original Punch-Out!! arcade) but also to indicate the "Super" status with the transition to the Super NES console. This game marks the era that Nintendo Integrated Research & Development (Nintendo IRD) had the most activity in the software development section. During this period, Nintendo IRD was producing both Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II along with the Super NES version of Super Punch-Out!!.[2] Super Punch-Out!! was scored by Takashi Kumegawa and Masaru Sakakibara, while Charles Martinet was credited for providing the voices of the boxers and the announcer of the SNES title.[2]

[edit] Gameplay

Like the previous titles in the Punch-Out!! series, Super Punch-Out!! requires good timing and pattern recognition skills to react to the attacks of each opponent. Also, like the protagonist of the Punch-Out!! arcades, the protagonist is a nameable boxer working his way up all four circuits of the WVBA (World Video Boxing Association). As the player proceeds through the game's circuits, the opponents become more difficult to react to and defeat. Mysteriously, some boxers are allowed to cheat, by doing some non-boxing moves, such as kicking most notably.

[edit] Features

Some official, special features that were in previous Punch-Out!! titles returned in this Punch-Out!! title. These are:

  • Knock Out Punch - Formally known as Right Hook/Uppercut in the arcade versions of Punch-Out!! and Super Punch-Out!!, and formally known as the "Star Uppercut" in the Punch-Out!! titles for the NES/Famicom. The knockout punch is much more powerful than normal punches, but is also slower, and some opponents can easily evade it if they're not stunned. Unlike the NES/Famicom version of the game, you never lose meter power for throwing one of these punches, and can continue throwing them as often as you like until your meter decreases, such as from being hit by your opponent.
  • Duck - First used in the arcade version of Super Punch-Out!!, this move allows you to crouch and dodge punches that cannot be blocked nor dodged sideways.
  • Time Attack - Originally used in the Punch-Out!! and Super Punch-Out!! arcades, as well as Nintendo's Arm Wrestling arcade. This feature will allow you to time your matches against boxers. This feature has been updated to allow you to select and play against any boxer, after you already beat a circuit you already finished. The more circuits you finish, the more boxers you'll play in Time Attack are unlocked. When all four circuits are finished, there will be no more boxers to unlock.

Some official, special features that are exclusive in this Punch-Out!! title are:

  • Rapid Punch - This is similar to the Knock Out Punch, but it is performed by quickly double-tapping the Knock Out Punch button when the meter is full. Rapid punches alternate in a left-right combination and hit faster and harder than standard punches, but not as hard as a full-power Knock Out Punch. They are a good alternative to standard left-right combinations when attacking a stunned opponent.
  • Counter Punch - By throwing a punch that directly opposes your opponent's punch, for example throwing a right jab when they're going for a left jab, you can catch them off-guard and stun them temporarily, granting you the ability to land several combination punches. Also, if you counter-punch an opponent several times in a row, it will daze them and, in many circumstances, set them up for a one-punch knockdown.
  • Power Up - When the meter stays up to maximum for a certain amount of time, your icon on the upper-left part of the screen lights up and you will become stronger and faster.

[edit] Opponents

These are the opponents that the player has to face in the four boxing circuits in order of appearance.

[edit] Minor Circuit

The first match in Super Punch-Out!! against Gabby Jay.
The first match in Super Punch-Out!! against Gabby Jay.
  • Bear Hugger from Canada is immune to body blows except at a critical moment. He is a returning character, having previously appeared in Super Punch-Out!! for the arcade. He usually tries to firmly slap both of his fists simultaneously toward the protagonist's face.

[edit] Major Circuit

  • Bob Charlie is a Jamaican boxer that dodges often and has a powerful whirling punch. His name is a play on reggae singer Bob Marley. He seems to frequently shout "Woo" as part of his taunts.
  • Masked Muscle is a luchador from Mexico. He cheats by spitting in the protagonist's eyes to blind him for a short time. He also headbutts his opponent.

[edit] World Circuit

  • Aran Ryan, an Irish boxer who is able to counter all but the most powerful punches and is able to grab the protagonist, just like Pizza Pasta in the original Punch-Out!! arcade game, but is able to gain health. Also, Aran Ryan has a move that shows a fast series of jabs and body blows, similar to Piston Hurricane's Hurricane Punch, but more difficult.
  • Mad Clown is an Italian clown who uses juggling balls as weapons. Like Bear Hugger, Mad Clown's also immune to body blows and does hugging attacks.

[edit] Special Circuit

  • Narcis Prince, a vain British ivy-leaguer. Goes berserk when you hit his vulnerable face. His name is a play on narcissist. Once you get him angry, his face becomes easier to hit, which is helpful since face punches inflict a lot of damage to him.
  • Hoy Quarlow is an elderly Chinese man who attacks mostly with a cane, even though it is supposed to be a boxing match. Like Dragon Chan, Hoy Quarlow also utilizes kung-fu and kick-boxing.
  • Rick Bruiser, the younger Bruiser brother, but no less monstrous in appearance. His only loss came at the hands of his brother. He usually tries to punch back after being punched, and sometimes jumps in the air while throwing a powerful punch. He is nearly identical to Nick, with the exception that he is slightly more pale, talks more, and is less difficult.
  • Nick Bruiser, the elder Bruiser brother and the most powerful opponent in the game. He speaks little and expresses no emotion. He has never lost a match. Unlike his brother Rick, his actions appear very robotic, as if he is not human.

[edit] Ending

The ending of the game is essentially the same, just with a few slight differences, depending on how many defeats the player has on their record prior to knocking out Nick Bruiser. In the ending, the character comment on you facing them, some acknowledging their defeat, some very angry and wanting rematches. The most notable difference is that if you beat all the boxers without losing, the game will show a small video of them before you see their comments. Also, in the last screenshot, the player will utter a phrase when your final record is posted up (since you can go back and fight the boxers over, with it being counted to your total overall record).

  • If the player has loss more fights than they won, the phrase the fighter will say is "Too close" (What he says after winning a fight, but being knocked down twice)
  • If the player has won more fights than they have loss, but has still amassed at least one defeat, the phrase the fighter will say is "Got 'em" (What he says after winning a fight, but being knocked down once)
  • If the player goes undefeated in his record, the fighter will say "Piece of cake," then "Right On!" (his phrases for winning a fight standing the whole time, then for capturing a circuit title), then a crowd will cheer, signaling your dominance in the W.V.B.A.

[edit] Reception

[edit] Other appearances in media

  • The Nintendo GameCube version of Electronic Arts' Fight Night: Round 2 includes Super Punch-Out!!. If the player finishes Super Punch-Out!!, the game's protagonist becomes available for play in Fight Night: Round 2. He is named "Little Mac" (or simply "Mac" according to the shorts he wears), but his appearance and naming in Fight Night are not considered canonical due to the third-party nature of the product; however, Nintendo has not confirmed whether or not that this is the modern version of Little Mac.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Calderon, Anthony. The Nintendo Development Structure N-Sider Retrieved on 2008-03-13
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h N-Sider.com: Super Punch-Out!!. N-Sider (December, 23, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-23.
  3. ^ a b c d Super Punch-Out!! Reviews. Gamerankings (December, 23, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-12-23.

[edit] External links

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[edit] See also

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Punch-Out video games
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