25. Punch Out

Nintendo. Punch-Out!! Virtual Console. 2007.










Rating
E for Everyone

Plot Summary
17-year old rookie boxer from the Bronx, Little Mac, and his trainer Doc Luis are ready to enter the big time. Through training, and several minor title fights, they slowly make their way through the World Video Association boxing circuit. Little Mac is smaller than his opponents, and features only 3 basic punches, but that doesn't stop the skill of the gamer from helping him to outsmart and counter attack his more skilled opposition. Mac starts his journey facing easier boxers, like Glass Joe, until he meets his final contender Mr. Dream. Mr. Dream fills in for Mike Tyson in the Virtual Console version of the game, because of Mike Tyson's expired contract, and is more than a worthy opponent for the confident Little Mac. Through the help of his signature star uppercut and the ability of the gamers controlling him, Little Mac has the chance to become the world heavyweight champion. The only thing standing in his way are 12 of the world's most skilled and talented fighters.

Critical Evaluation
The Nintendo Company has made a living from reviving its classic video game characters such as Donkey Kong, Mario, Zelda, and Kirby. It only makes sense that with the internet capabilities of the Nintendo Wii gaming console, that Nintendo would reintroduce the classic games that made it popular to a new generation of gamers. Everything from the sound effects, music, and game play remain the same in this 2007 Virtual Console rendition of the classic 1990 NES title Punch-out!! Nintendo has made some subtle changes in character dialogue and names because of expired contracts, but the changes are so minimal that classic gamers will have nothing to complain about. The other major difference classic Punch-out!! fans will notice is the newer classic gaming controller introduced by Nintendo. This controller offers four buttons instead of two and includes two additional directional pads that make the controller playable with a variety of games originally created for different systems. While teen gamers today might laugh at the simple graphics and corny characters, they wont be laughing at the addictive game play, challenging opponents, and overall fun that the game delivers. Teens gamers today will enjoy learning the different fighters tells and moves, and the patterns that classic games employed. Classic games like Punch-out!! survive and remain relevant because they are fun to play. A good game stands the test of time because of the enjoyment that its players receive, and Punch-out!! is as much of a joy today as it was during it's original release.

List of Fighters (Alphabetical)
Bald Bull, Don Flamenco, Glass Joe, Great Tiger, King Hippo, Mr. Dream, Mr. Sandman, Piston Honda, Super Macho Man, Soda Popinski, Von Kaiser.

player's Annotation
A little boxer named Little Mac has a lot to prove in the world of professional boxing. His classic quest to fight the world's best will lead him to the ultimate challenge; a chance to fight against Mr. Dream.

Virtual Console information
The Nintendo Virtual Console is a specialized section of the Nintendo Wii shopping channel that allows players to purchase Nintendo Points, which can be used in exchange for downloads of classic video games from systems like Super Nintendo, Sega Master System, and even arcade hits. The classic games for download are made available through emulation software, with most games costing between 500-1200 points. 1,000 points costs right around ten dollars, with more expensive games being the ones that come from newer systems with larger file sizes. Nintendo makes access to classic games obtainable for everyone with a broadband internet connection, and is currently trying to amass the greatest playable video game archive in history.

Genre
Sports

Curriculum Ties
N/A

Reading Level
Grade 5+

Challenge Issues
Violence

Challenge defense ideas:
1. Make sure you are familiar with your library collection and the book in question.
2. Be familiar with your library collection policy.
3. If possible, speak with the person challenging the material and make sure they feel comfortable. Ask the customer what they disliked or disapproved of in the resource. If they still insist on challenging the material give them instructions on how to file a formal complaint.
4. Research professional reviews that speak to the material's merit, and get input from teen readers on why they found the book important.

Reason For Selection
There has been a sudden resurgence in the world of classic gaming with the popularity of the Nintendo Wii. The Wii shopping channel allows new gamers and classic gamers alike to purchase the games that made Nintendo famous and successful. Repackaging the games for a new generation is important to show teens how far video games and technology have come so that they can appreciate gaming history.