System Update Note: This game contains system updates on its disc. Regular users will be unaffected by these and can most likely install them without worry. Anyone importing or using homebrew will need to take appropriate precautions, however.

The folks at Next Level Games had a lot to take on when they made this game; just about everyone who has ever played the original Punch-Out!! on the NES (or even the sequel on the Super Nintendo) has very fond memories of it. It’s held in the same high regard as other Nintendo first party franchises like Mario and Zelda, so failure was basically not an option. And they delivered; this looks, sounds, and feels like a Punch-Out game on modern hardware. Most of the classic characters are immediately recognizable, though Little Mac has been put in proper perspective with his opponents and no longer comes up to their knees.

For those of you who haven’t played a Punch-Out game before, it’s nowhere near as complex as most other boxing titles. Defense consists of dodging left or right, ducking your upper body, or blocking, and the last of those is virtually useless once you get past the first few fights. Attacking is only slightly more complex, consisting of left and right jabs to the face, along with left and right hooks to the body, and ’Star Punches’; powerful blows that you can briefly use if you do particularly well. As a result, this isn’t a game about technical boxing so much as it is recognizing an enemy’s pattern and dealing with it. You’ll still need some quick reflexes to win, but the real focus is learning your opponent’s attacks and using the right counter. That may sound basic, and it is, but it’s also fun.

You control Little Mac in one of three ways: Wiimote and Nunchuk, Wiimote plus Nunchuk plus Balance Board, or NES-style Wiimote on its own. The Balance Board lets you control Mac’s dodging with your feet, though I didn’t have one handy for this review and can’t tell you much about it. On the other hand, using the Wiimote and Nunchuk for motion controls worked great. It’s not quite like Wii Sports’ Boxing, as you dodge using the analog stick and you don’t have the range of punches that game offered. On the other hand, the controls are less finicky and handle a lot better. I had no problem unleashing full force punches (or nearly so, the Nunchuk wire admittedly holds you back) and found it was a decent workout. I willingly played through most of the game with motion controls and had a great time of it.