Super Punch-Out!!
A boxing game with a behind-the-back perspective and colorful opponents.
Super Punch-Out!! is a boxing game from Nintendo for the SNES, the fourth in the Punch-Out!! series after the NES version. It launched in North America during October 1994. The GameCube version of Fight Night Round 2 included it as an extra, and it later appeared on the Super NES Classic Edition.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Nintendo R&D3
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Director
- Makoto Wada; Yasuyuki Oyagi
- Producer
- Genyo Takeda
- Programmer
- Masato Hatakeyama
- Artist
- Makoto Wada
- Composer
- Takashi Kumegawa; Masaru Sakakibara
- Series
- Punch-Out!!
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
The player controls a nameable boxer from a third-person perspective, with the boxer appearing translucent on screen, similar to the wireframe avatar in the arcade game. Players fight to become the World Video Boxing Association champion by knocking out opponents within three minutes. Attacks include jabs to the face or body blows from either hand; opponents can deflect punches, so players must aim at an open spot where the gloves are not. Depending on the opponent's stance, they guard differently, requiring the correct punch. A power meter at the bottom of the screen fills when the player lands punches and decreases when hit; when full, the player can launch knockout punches such as uppercuts, hooks, and rapid punches, which have a slight delay but cause more damage. The background color behind the player's face changes from blue to green to yellow to red, indicating power buildup; at red, the player reaches Power-Up status, increasing punch speed and power, which is lost if knocked down. Players can dodge left or right, duck, or block attacks to the head or body, but cannot block strong punches and must avoid them by dodging or ducking. Counter-punches can be launched immediately after avoiding an attack.
Development and release
Super Punch-Out!! was developed by Nintendo Integrated Research and Development, produced by Minoru Arakawa, Genyo Takeda, and Makoto Wada. Mike Shapiro and Charles Martinet provided the voices of the boxers, the referee, and the announcer. Nintendo IRD developed this game simultaneously with Zoda's Revenge: StarTropics II. The game is the closest arcade-to-home console translation of the Punch-Out!! and Super Punch-Out!! arcade games, though it is not a direct port. Before release, a prototype was shown in a video preview, an issue of Nintendo Power magazine, and two television commercials, featuring a different look for the protagonist and a different announcer voice compared to the final version. The marketing budget was $3.5 million. The game was released in North America in October 1994, in Europe on February 10, 1995, and in Japan on March 1, 1998, via the Nintendo Power service. Electronic Arts included it as an unlockable bonus in the GameCube version of Fight Night Round 2. It was added to the Nintendo Classics library on December 12, 2019.
Reception
Super Punch-Out!! received a rave review in GamePro, which praised its good controls, deceptive challenge, sprite layouts, animations, and sounds, noting the lack of an easy-to-use two-player mode as a flaw. Alternate reviews by winners of the 1994 Blockbuster Video World Game Championship also gave positive assessments, highlighting easy-to-learn controls, high challenge level, and artistic character design. Electronic Gaming Monthly's sports reviewers criticized the unrealistic style but acknowledged fantastic gameplay. Next Generation stated most everything was done to perfection, calling it a great tribute to the original classic. Several reviewers praised the game for not trying to be realistic, the originality of its opponents, and simple controls. Chris Scullion from Official Nintendo Magazine praised the outlandish characters, addictive gameplay, and simple controls, noting the opponents are the real stars with unique personalities and boxing styles. Skyler Miller from Allgame praised the simple, responsive controls, colorful detailed opponents, and use of transparent color palette for the fighter, as well as the sound and music, particularly the real voice for the announcer. Game Players applauded the large, colorful graphics and easy-to-learn controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Super Punch-Out!! released?
Super Punch-Out!! was released on October 24, 1994 in North America, on February 10, 1995 in UK and on March 1, 1998 in Japan.
What platforms is Super Punch-Out!! available on?
Super Punch-Out!! was released for Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
Who directed Super Punch-Out!!?
Super Punch-Out!! was directed by Makoto Wada and Yasuyuki Oyagi.
Who composed the music for Super Punch-Out!!?
The music for Super Punch-Out!! was composed by Takashi Kumegawa and Masaru Sakakibara.
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