But nostalgia is definitely a draw for this release, and holding the Wiimote sideways for NES style controls works just as well here as it did in the original game. Several old characters from the previous games return, and in fact there is only one newcomer (two if you count a secret opponent, but I’m not going to spoil who it is). They are mostly as you may remember them, though their patterns have been updated so they aren’t completely able to be beaten by memory. A lot of familiar music is here too, though it has been remixed to modern standards. The developers did a great job making this feel like Punch-Out, and series veterans will be right at home.

While I wasn’t able to play the local head-to-head multiplayer (nobody that was around wanted to play it, amazingly enough), that still left a fair amount of single-player content. Once you clear the main set of fights, a series of Title Defense bouts are unlocked; old characters return with new looks and new moves, such that it’s almost a completely different fight against them. Even after that, a Last Stand mode lets you fight until you lose, so you won’t run out of things to do right away.

The only real problems this game has are a lack of online play, and that even with the unlockable content you will run out of things to do in relatively short order. Dedicated players could easily see most of what Punch-Out has to offer within a few days of play, though a series of challenges might keep you coming back. I bought it at full retail price and am mostly happy with my purchase, but I’ll admit a strong case can be made for renting it. Despite this, the Wii version of Punch-Out is a solid entry in the classic series, and I’d recommend it to just about anyone.