Punch-Out!! (NES)

Punch-Out!!, originally a highly successful arcade game, in 1987 got a port to the Nintendo Entertainment System. Even now, it is considered one of the greatest games of all time.

At first, it might look like an ordinary boxing game.   You play as Little Mac and work your way up professional boxing circuits.  There are three, three minute matches against each opponent.  The aim is to knock your opponent to the floor three times in one round, or deal as much damage so that they cannot get up within 30 seconds.  But the game is much better than just any old boxing game.

One thing you'll notice is that if you try to play the game normally, you'll find your attacks getting blocked all the time.  This is because you have to wait until the opponent has his guard down before you can strike him.  The game is very addictive and very challenging, though once you know the opponent's attack pattern, it can be easy to defeat them.

One annoyance is that when you have to face King Hippo, the only advice you have is to "join the Nintendo Fun Club".  Seeing as the club doesn't exist anymore and the fact that it is near impossible to defeat him without knowing how is quite irritating.  However, it isn't that much of a bad thing considering that this was common at the time. Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, for example, required you to crouch down on a certain block with a certain item equipped.  The only way you would know to do this would be to buy a copy of Nintendo's magazine.

However, the real annoyance, though quite minor, can cost you some health.  If you are holding Down on the d-pad and suddenly press Up, it will not work.  You have to take your finger off the d-pad for a split-second before you press the Up button.  This isn't a great nuisance, but it can sometimes annoy you slightly.

All in all, this game is a true classic.  It is loved by millions to this day, and the game's formula is unbeatable.

Verdict
+ Addictive gameplay
+ Great cartoony graphics
+ Quite challenging
+ Soundtrack is one of the best
- Controls could have been a bit more responsive

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