Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!

Platform: NES Developer: Nintendo R&D Publisher: Nintendo NA Release date: June 1, 1987 Genre: Sports Media: Cartridge

Overview

The 1987 classic NES boxing game: Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! is one of those amazing games that doesn’t lose its touch over time. As graphics get better, controls get more accurate and monitor resolution gets higher, this game still stands out as one of the best games made for one of the best systems.

Because the NES wasn’t as powerful as the arcade hardware the game has to be redesigned with simpler graphics. Instead of making Little Mac semi-transparent so you could see through him, Nintendo decided to make Little Mac small so the opponent could be seen over him. This also led to the story with Little Mac being so small and amazing for his size. Mario makes an appearance in the game as the referee.

Story:

This is story of an underdog. Little Mac has to work his way up the professional boxing circuits. Along the way his trainer helps him out with pumped up adrenalin rushing montages and tricks to beating a series of fictional boxers. The final fight then takes place with real-life boxer, and then-World Heavyweight Champion, Mike Tyson.

Gameplay:

The gameplay in this game is a lot of fun and so great to play. As you can see in the table below, there are many moves Mac can make despite the limited number of buttons on the NES controller.

The fighting screen is split up into two sections. The top 1/4 has all the info you’ll need to know. You’ll see more details about that below. The bottom 3/4 has the fighting action. This game requires good reflexes in reaction to the computer-controlled boxers’ punches. As you advance through the game, the boxers give very little indication of their upcoming moves. The trick to winning the game is to learn the opponents’ boxers’ strategies. Once you learn these, their moves will become predictable and easy to conquer.

Opponents:

Minor Circuit

• Glass Joe (Paris, France) – The easiest boxer in the game.
• Von Kaiser (Berlin, Germany) – A former boxing instructor.
• Piston Honda (Tokyo, Japan) – Japan’s national boxing hero.

Major Circuit

• Don Flamenco (Madrid, Spain) – A vain Spaniard.
• King Hippo (Hippo Island) – The largest of the WVBA contenders.
• Great Tiger (Bombay, India) – A great magician.
• Bald Bull (Istanbul, Turkey) – Known for the Bull Charge.

World Circuit

• Piston Honda – Former Minor Circuit champion.
• Soda Popinski (Moscow, U.S.S.R.) – Professional Boxer and soda lover.
• Bald Bull – Former Major Circuit champion.
• Don Flamenco – Champion of Spain.
• Mr. Sandman (Philadelphia, PA) – Former World Champion.
• Super Macho Man (Hollywood, CA) – WVBA World Champion.

The Dream Fight

• Mike Tyson (Catskill, NY)/ Mr. Dream – Heavyweight Champion.

Cheats:

Training Tips

In-between fights when Doc is talking to Little Mac, press select rapidly to get tips from Doc and heal Mac a little before the next round begins.

Passwords

Enter the following passwords on the password screen

• 075 541 6113: Busy Signal 1
• 206 882 2040: Busy Signal 2
• 005 373 5423: Don Flamenco
• 005 737 5432: Major Circuit
• 005 737 5423: Major Circuit
• 007 373 5963: Mike Tyson
• 032 730 8442: Piston Honda
• 940 861 8538: Super Macho Man
• 777 807 3454: World Circuit