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Mike Tyson's Punch-Out‼(JP) is a boxing video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, and the first one for the system. The game features a boxer named Little Mac, who dreams of being a heavyweight champion, as he works his way up the professional boxing circuits, facing a series of boxers from other Punch-Out‼ games and culminating in a final fight with real-life boxer Mike Tyson.

A version of the game without Mike Tyson's likeness, titled Punch-Out‼ Featuring Mr. Dream, was released a few years later.

Plot[]

Gameplay[]

NES Punch Out

The first match in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out‼ against Glass Joe. Mario can be seen as the referee.

Little Mac has to work way through three main circuits before earning his shot at the championship belt. The game requires good reflexes in reaction to the computer-controlled boxers' moves, as the more advanced boxers give very little indication of their coming moves. Punch-Out‼ incorporates a lot of variety to be a challenge to even the most experienced of players. Still, many have mastered Punch-Out‼ by learning the computer-controlled boxers' consistent patterns.

Little Mac has a limited repertoire compared to many of his opponents. His punches are limited to left and right jabs, left and right body blows, and a powerful uppercut. The uppercut can only be used once the player earns a star, which can often be accomplished by counter-punching the opponent directly before or after certain attacks are launched. On the defensive side, the player can also dodge left or right, duck, and block attacks.

Little Mac also has a heart meter, which decreases by three upon being struck by an opponent and one upon blocking an attack or an opponent blocking the player's attack. When the heart meter decreases to zero, Little Mac temporarily turns pink and appears exhausted; leaving the player unable to attack, but still able to defend. At this point, the player regains a few hearts and Little Mac reverts to his original palette, but only if Mac is able to successfully avoid his opponent's attacks. Mac will remain exhausted until he has successfully defended against an opponent's move.

Doc Louis serves as Little Mac's faithful trainer and corner man, and he provides advice to Little Mac between rounds on how to defeat his opponent.

Mario can be seen having the role of being a referee, and a few other Mario characters can be seen in the audience.

Minor Circuit[]

  • Glass Joe (Paris, France) - The easiest boxer in the game. He has lost 99 matches and has only won once.
  • Von Kaiser (Berlin, Germany) - A former boxing instructor in the German military academy.
  • Piston Honda (Tokyo, Japan) - Japan's national boxing hero fighting for his village. Somewhat of a camera lover.

Major Circuit[]

  • Don Flamenco (Madrid, Spain) - A vain Spaniard who enters the ring with a rose in his teeth.
  • King Hippo (Hippo Island, South Pacific) - The largest of the WVBA contenders, Hippo's only weakness is his enormous, bandaged stomach. Once knocked down, he is never able to get up.
  • Great Tiger (Bombay, India) - A great magician who wears a turban; he has mystical punches.
  • Bald Bull (Istanbul, Turkey) - Known for his signature technique, the Bull Charge. Tougher to beat second time around; requires star to be knocked down.

The Major Circuit is accessible by the code 005-737-5423.

World Circuit[]

  • Piston Honda - Former Minor Circuit champion. Trained vigorously since losing his title.
  • Soda Popinski (Moscow, U.S.S.R.) - A Russian boxer who is fond of drinking soda. Formally known as Vodka Drunkenski.
  • Bald Bull - Former Major Circuit champion, sporting a significantly improved constitution.
  • Don Flamenco - Champion of Spain. Utilizes a completely different fighting style.
  • Mr. Sandman (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) - Former World Champion. Excellent all-around boxer.
  • Super Macho Man (Hollywood, California) - WVBA World Champion. A self-absorbed muscleman.

The World Circuit is accessible by the code 777-807-3454. Its champion, Super Macho Man, can be reached by several codes, including 707-207-3070, 237-210-7938, and 659-493-5070.

The Dream Fight[]

Accessible by the code: 007-373-5963

Another World Circuit[]

Another World Circuit is accessible only via a code. Enter 135-792-4680, but after the last digit, instead of finishing the password normally, press A, B, and Select simultaneously.

Development[]

Reception[]

Other versions[]

In 1990, towards the end of the NES's run, the game was re-released as Punch-Out‼ Featuring Mr. Dream, with Mike Tyson being replaced by Mr. Dream. Mr. Dream fought in the same fashion as Tyson, but had cosmetic changes to his face and skin color. This version was the result of Tyson's contract with Nintendo expiring and not being renewed. In addition, he had lost the title to Buster Douglas. These events also contributed to severe modifications for the planned Nintendo sequel, which was eventually released as Power Punch II, featuring a modified Tyson (now named Mark Tyler) in pink trunks fighting alien characters aboard a space station.

During the release of Mike Tyson's Punch-Out‼ in the United States, Nintendo released it in a gold-colored Famicom cartridge simply titled Punch-Out‼ in Japan, without Mike Tyson or Mr. Dream in it, as a prize for the Golf US Course Famicom Tournament. This version's final boxer is Super Macho Man.

References in other games[]

In WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$!, all of Jimmy T.'s boss stages (not only his original stage, but also the two remixes halfway into the game) features boxing matches with various people based on the original Punch-Out‼.

One of the microgames in WarioWare: Smooth Moves involves the player taking on the role of Mario as the referee and counting down Glass Joe, Von Kaiser, and Bald Bull.

The game Super K.O. Boxing, made by Glu Mobile for the cell phone in July of 2006, has an appearance and feel strikingly similar to the old Punch-Out‼ games. The player controls one underdog character that goes through three circuits facing different characters, just as in Punch-Out‼.

External links[]

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