The problem with Punch-Out!! has always been that there isn’t much to it, and attempts have been made to remedy that here. Once you defeat the thirteen standard boxers once, you enter title defense mode. Here, all of the fighters have new attacks and defensive maneuvers that will force you to come up with a different strategy. For example, King Hippo tapes a manhole cover to his stomach, preventing you from smacking him in the belly for an easy win. Title defense mode is consistently clever and a great way to extend the experience beyond a few short matches. A multiplayer mode also lets you duke it out with a friend Wii Sports Boxing-style. Sadly, this mode seems like a wasted opportunity, as it restricts you both to being little mac and is offline split-screen only. Being able to play as other boxers in multiplayer, like Soda Popinski or Von Kaiser, would have made this a thrill for fans, but the lack of options won’t keep players coming back.

Punch-Out!! uses a colorful, toon-shaded graphics style that perfectly fits the game’s zany characters. The animation is stellar, enchanting each boxer with amazing levels of personality and humor. PO!! is visually varied as well, with each boxer having a distinct look and movement pattern. The music is mostly made up of throwback tunes that reference the classic NES soundtrack which will trigger any Punch-Out!! nostalgia existing within your body. The music is as pitch-perfect as the sound effects, which echo the cartoonish look of the game with over-exaggerated punching sounds and voice samples. While it may not push the Wii’s boundaries, this is an excellent looking and sounding game.

Punch-Out!! is the perfect example of how to resurrect a classic franchise. They reference and reuse enough of the old game to keep fans happy, tweak the game play just enough to make it feel fresh, and absolutely nail the look and feel of the universe that fans — like myself — have loved for two decades. Next Level Games and Nintendo have not only reinvigorated the franchise, but have also crafted the perfect “thank you” present for long-time fans that still hang on to that old-school Nintendo love. If you fondly remember the first time you knocked Mr. Sandman on his ass, or are a fan of arcade-style boxing, Punch-Out!! is a must-buy. Fight!