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{{Short description|Video game series}}
{{About|the video game series|the individual games and other uses|Punch-Out (disambiguation)}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2009}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = Punch-Out!!
| image = Punch-Out!! series logo.png
| caption = Logo since 2009
| platforms = {{hlist
  | [[Arcade game|Arcade]]
  | [[Game & Watch]]
  | [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]
  | [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]]
  | [[Wii]]
  }}
| developer = {{Unbulleted list
  | [[Nintendo Integrated Research & Development|Nintendo R&D3]] {{resize|83%|(1984–1998)}}
  | [[Next Level Games]] {{resize|83%|(2009)}}
  }}
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| genre = {{Unbulleted list
  | [[Sports game|Sports]]}}
| creator = [[Genyo Takeda]]
| producer =
| artist = 
| writer = 
| composer = 
| first release version  = ''[[Punch-Out!! (1984 video game)|Punch-Out!!]]''
| first release date     = February 17, 1984
| latest release version = ''[[Doc Louis's Punch-Out!!]]''
| latest release date    = October 27, 2009
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Punch-Out!!'''''|パンチアウト!!|Panchi-Auto!!|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a [[boxing]] [[video game]] series created by [[Genyo Takeda]], and published by [[Nintendo]]. The player controls [[Little Mac]], a boxer who aims to become the World Video Boxing Association (W.V.B.A.) champion.

The original ''[[Punch-Out!! (1984 video game)|Punch-Out!!]]'' [[arcade game]] was first released in 1984,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Evolution of Punch-Out!! |url=https://stoneagegamer.com/blog/the-evolution-of-punchout |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=stoneagegamer.com |language=en |archive-date=2024-04-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405135825/https://stoneagegamer.com/blog/the-evolution-of-punchout |url-status=live }}</ref> and was quickly followed by a sequel, titled ''[[Super Punch-Out!! (1984 video game)|Super Punch-Out!!]]''. The series received its first home console entry in 1987, with ''[[Punch-Out!! (1987 video game)|Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!]]'' for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. In 1994, ''[[Super Punch-Out!!]]'' was released for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]. While not a direct port, it features gameplay more similar to the arcade games, rather than its NES predecessor.

Following a period of dormancy, the series was rebooted with ''[[Punch-Out!! (2009 video game)|Punch-Out!!]]'', first released in 2009 for the [[Wii]], along with a [[Club Nintendo]]-exclusive prequel, ''[[Doc Louis's Punch-Out!!]]''. The series has received critical and commercial acclaim, with the NES game selling three million copies alone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85752027/|title=Nintendo has Singlehandedly has revived the video game industry|newspaper=[[Albuquerque Journal]]|page=13|date=October 16, 1989|accessdate=September 22, 2021|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207162030/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85752027/albuquerque-journal/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Spin-offs were also released, namely ''[[List of Game & Watch games#Boxing|Punch-Out!! / Boxing]]'' ([[Game & Watch]]) in 1984, and ''[[Arm Wrestling (video game)|Arm Wrestling]]'' in 1985.

==Gameplay==
Playing as [[Little Mac]], a 17-year old boxer from the [[Bronx, New York|Bronx]], the player must climb the ranks of the World Video Boxing Association (W.V.B.A.), and fight their way against other boxers from around the world, going from the Minor Circuit then the Major Circuit and then the World Circuit, while fighting challengers including [[Glass Joe]], [[King Hippo]], Piston Hondo, Don Flamenco, Bald Bull, Mr. Sandman, or in the original NES version, the former heavyweight boxing champion himself, [[Mike Tyson]].  Gameplay differs slightly between each game, but generally, Mac can attack using his left and right fists, performing either a hook, a dodge, or an uppercut. He can also dodge and block to avoid the opponent's attacks, the block dealing less damage. Many games in the series give the player a powerful uppercut ability; its use is limited, must be earned during matches, and is earned from well-timed punches or rapid combos, depending on the game.

The key to defeating each opponent is to learn their fighting patterns, avoid their attacks and respond with a counterattack. Opponents will always give a visual or audible cue to signal their next attack, though as the game progresses, the time given to the player to successfully react significantly decreases. If the player successfully dodges an attack, the opponent will be left vulnerable for a while, allowing the player to strike back. Little Mac can block some of his opponent's punches by holding up his gloves, but he will eventually tire out if he blocks too much.

==Characters==
{{main|List of Punch-Out!! characters}}
{{Clear}}

== List of games ==
{{Video game timeline
| compressempty = yes
| subtitle = Main entries in '''bold'''
| range1 = 1984
| range1_color = #45c203 #b4e714
| summary = A timeline of releases in the Punch-Out!! series from 1984 to 2009.
| 1984a='''''[[Punch-Out!! (1984 video game)|Punch-Out!!]]''''' (Arcade)
| 1984b = ''[[List of Game & Watch games#Boxing|Punch-Out!! / Boxing]]''
| 1984c = '''''[[Super Punch-Out!! (1984 video game)|Super Punch-Out!!]]''''' (Arcade)
| 1985 = ''[[Arm Wrestling (video game)|Arm Wrestling]]''
| 1987 = '''''[[Punch-Out!! (1987 video game)| Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!]]'''''
| 1994 = '''''[[Super Punch-Out!!]]''''' (SNES)
| 2009a = '''''[[Punch-Out!! (2009 video game)|Punch-Out!!]]''''' (Wii)
| 2009b = ''[[Doc Louis's Punch-Out!!]]''
}}

===Main series===
====''Punch-Out!!'' (1984)====
{{Main|Punch-Out!! (1984 video game)}}

'''''Punch-Out!!''''' was first released on February 17, 1984 in Japan.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005) |date=October 13, 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |pages=57, 128 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n58}}</ref> The concept originated as Nintendo had acquired an excessive number of video monitors following the success of ''[[Donkey Kong (1981 video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' (1981). Tasked with creating a game that used two monitors per cabinet, Genyo Takeda of [[Nintendo Integrated Research & Development|Nintendo R&D3]] suggested they make a boxing game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smallwood |first=Karl |date=2018-03-29 |title=This is Why Punch-Out!! Had Two Screens |url=http://www.factfiend.com/this-is-why-punch-out-had-two-screens/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Fact Fiend |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=December 29, 2024|title=Iwata Asks: Punch Out - Part 1|url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/punchout/0/0/}}</ref>

The game was re-released by [[Hamster Corporation|Hamster]] as part of their [[Arcade Archives]] series in 2018 for [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2018/03/arcade-archives-punch-announced-switch |title=Arcade Archives: Punch-Out!! announced for Switch |author=Sal Romano |date=March 23, 2018 |work=Gematsu}}</ref>

====''Super Punch-Out!!'' (1984)====
{{Main|Super Punch-Out!! (1984 video game)}}

'''''Super Punch-Out!!''''' was first released in September 1984 in Japan. Gameplay is mostly the same as its predecessor, though it introduced ducking as a defensive maneuver, and several new enemy characters.

The game was re-released by Hamster as part of their Arcade Archives series in 2020 for Nintendo Switch.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thegamer.com/the-arcade-version-of-super-punch-out-comes-to-switch/ |title=The Arcade Version Of Super Punch-Out Comes To Switch |author=Mufsin Mahbub |date=August 16, 2020 |work=TheGamer}}</ref>

====''Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!''====
{{Main|Punch-Out!! (1987 video game)}}

'''''Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!''''' was first released in September 1987 in Japan for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], as a prize for winners of the ''[[NES Open Tournament Golf#Family Computer Golf: Japan Course and US Course|Family Computer Golf: U.S. Course]]'' tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=賞品版パンチアウト |url=http://ninten.style.coocan.jp/notsale-punchout.htm |website=Famicom Soft Collection |access-date=March 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912110944/http://ninten.style.coocan.jp/notsale-punchout.htm |archive-date=September 12, 2007 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=December 29, 2024|title=Iwata Asks: Punch Out - Part 3|url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/punchout/0/3/}}</ref> The game received its first retail release the following month in North America. It formally introduced Little Mac (who was unnamed in the previous games) and his trainer [[Characters of the Punch-Out!! series#Introduced in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! (1987)|Doc Louis]].

In 1990, the game was re-released as simply '''''Punch-Out!!''''', with Mike Tyson replaced with fictional boxer Mr. Dream, due to the license for his likeness expiring. His loss of the heavyweight title to [[Buster Douglas]] made Nintendo choose to not renew the contract.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baird |first=Scott |date=2020-05-13 |title=Mike Tyson Is Bringing Back Punch-Out (On His Terms) |url=https://screenrant.com/mike-tyson-punch-out-coming-back/ |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> The game has since been re-released on [[Virtual Console]] for the [[Wii]], [[Wii U]], and [[Nintendo 3DS]], as well as [[Nintendo Classics]] for [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[Nintendo Switch 2]].

====''Super Punch-Out!!'' (1994)====
{{Main|Super Punch-Out!!}}

'''''Super Punch-Out!!''''' was first released on October 24, 1994 in North America for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]. Although it shares the same name as the 1984 arcade game, it is not a direct port. However, it does feature mechanics that were absent in the NES game, such as the power meter.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Lucas M.|title=''Super Punch-Out!!'' Review|website=[[IGN]]|date=March 30, 2009|access-date=May 11, 2009|url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/967/967615p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402191932/http://wii.ign.com/articles/967/967615p1.html|archive-date=April 2, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The game has since been re-released on Virtual Console for the Wii, Wii U, and [[New Nintendo 3DS]], as well as Nintendo Classics for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

====''Punch-Out!!'' (2009)====
{{Main|Punch-Out!! (2009 video game)}}

'''''Punch-Out!!''''' was first released on May 18, 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5160711/nintendos-120-game-line+up-punch-out-excitebots-dated|title=Nintendo's 120 Game Line-Up, Punch Out, Excitebots Dated|last=Ashcraft|first=Brian|publisher=Kotaku|date=February 26, 2009|access-date=February 26, 2009|archive-date=March 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301091641/http://kotaku.com/5160711/nintendos-120-game-line+up-punch-out-excitebots-dated|url-status=live}}</ref> in North America for the Wii. It is a reboot of the series, and the first to be developed by an outside studio, [[Next Level Games]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Punch-Out!! |url=https://www.nextlevelgames.com/games/punch-out/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804213731/https://www.nextlevelgames.com/games/punch-out/ |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |access-date=April 22, 2020 |website=Next Level Games}}</ref>

The game was re-released on Virtual Console for the Wii U in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ie.ign.com/articles/2015/01/14/super-mario-galaxy-2-metroid-prime-trilogy-coming-to-wii-u|title=Super Mario Galaxy 2, Metroid Prime Trilogy Coming to Wii U|first=Jose|last=Otero|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=January 14, 2015|access-date=January 14, 2015|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709082317/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/14/super-mario-galaxy-2-metroid-prime-trilogy-coming-to-wii-u|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Spin-offs===
====''Punch-Out!! / Boxing''====
{{Main|List of Game & Watch games#Boxing}}

'''''Boxing''''', known as '''''Punch-Out!!''''' in North America, was first released in July 1984 in Japan. It is the first game in the ''Micro Vs.'' [[Game & Watch]] line.

====''Arm Wrestling''====
{{Main|Arm Wrestling (video game)}}

'''''Arm Wrestling''''' was first released in 1985 in North America. The game was developed by Nintendo R&D3, the same team that developed the ''Punch-Out!!'' arcade games.

====''Doc Louis's Punch-Out!!''====
{{Main|Punch-Out!! (2009 video game)#Doc Louis's Punch-Out!!}}

'''''Doc Louis's Punch-Out!!''''' was first released on October 27, 2009 in North America, for [[WiiWare]] as a Platinum reward for [[Club Nintendo]] members. The game is a prequel to ''Punch-Out!!'' (Wii), and features Little Mac sparring with his trainer Doc Louis.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Marcel van Duyn|date=July 14, 2009|title=Take on Doc Louis in a Club Nintendo Exclusive Punch-Out!! Game|url=http://wiiware.nintendolife.com/news/2009/07/take_on_doc_louis_in_a_club_nintendo_exclusive_punch_out_game|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217190559/http://wiiware.nintendolife.com/news/2009/07/take_on_doc_louis_in_a_club_nintendo_exclusive_punch_out_game|archive-date=February 17, 2011|website=Nintendo life}}</ref>

The game was briefly made available once more to Club Nintendo members in 2015, prior to the service's shutdown.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/02/02/here-they-are-the-final-club-nintendo-rewards|title=Here They Are: The Final Club Nintendo Rewards |author=Seth G. Macy |date=February 2, 2015 |work=IGN}}</ref>

===In other games===
====''Fight Night Round 2''====
{{Main|Fight Night Round 2}}

''[[Super Punch-Out!!]]'' (SNES) is included in the [[GameCube]] version of [[EA Sports]]'s ''[[Fight Night Round 2]]''. Additionally, Little Mac, based on his appearance from the SNES game, can be unlocked as a playable character in the main game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/02/24/ea-sports-fight-night-round-2 |title=EA Sports Fight Night Round 2 (Review) |author=Jeremy Dunham |date=February 24, 2005 |work=IGN}}</ref> 

====''Captain Rainbow''====
{{Main|Captain Rainbow}}

Little Mac made a cameo appearance in [[skip Ltd.]]'s ''[[Captain Rainbow]]'', where the title character must help Little Mac get in shape to regain his championship title.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wii.ign.com/objects/142/14265257.html |title=IGN: Captain Rainbow |publisher=Wii.ign.com |access-date=2011-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109102923/http://wii.ign.com/objects/142/14265257.html |archive-date=2011-11-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====''Super Smash Bros. series''====
{{Main|Super Smash Bros.}}

Little Mac first appeared as an assist trophy in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', before becoming a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U]]''<ref>{{cite web|last=Schreier|first=Jason|title=Smash Bros.' Newest Contestant: Punch-Out's Little Mac|url=http://kotaku.com/smash-bros-newest-contestant-punch-outs-little-mac-1522420348|website=Kotaku|date=13 February 2014 |access-date=2014-02-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214085154/http://kotaku.com/smash-bros-newest-contestant-punch-outs-little-mac-1522420348|archive-date=2014-02-14|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''. 

==Appearances in other media==
[[King Hippo]] served as a primary antagonist in the [[DIC Entertainment]] animated series ''[[Captain N: The Game Master]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/09/feature_10_strangest_moments_in_captain_n_the_game_master |last=Scullion |first=Chris |title=Feature: 10 Strangest Moments in ''Captain N: The Game Master'' |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=September 21, 2019 |access-date=January 25, 2024}}</ref>

''Punch-Out!!'' would get referenced in ''[[Family Guy]]'' on multiple occasions. In "Tales of a Former Sport Glory", during Peter's boxing fight for the title they use the sound effects from the Arcade ("Nintendo") ''Punch-Out!!'', since they were "out of budget to take it  (music) from the movie." In "A Fistful of Meg", when Meg goes to Quagmire to help get training, they re-enact the famous bicycle scene from Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!. And in "Not All Dogs go to Heaven", when Meg gets the family together to say grace and let's Peter lead, Peter prays to God for the cheat codes to ''Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!'', stating that he was stuck on Bald Bull for years.

''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'', co-produced by Nintendo and based on the company's [[Mario (franchise)|''Mario'' franchise]], features a pizzeria in [[Brooklyn, New York City]] named after the ''Punch-Out!!'' series as a prominent location. Photos of characters from the games can also be seen inside the pizzeria.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oddo |first=Marco Vito |date=2023-04-06 |title=Every 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' Easter Egg and Reference |url=https://collider.com/super-mario-bros-movie-easter-eggs/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=Collider |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407083358/https://collider.com/super-mario-bros-movie-easter-eggs/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100306001835/http://punchout.nintendo.com/ ''Punch-Out!!'' Wii Game Website.]
*[http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/punchout/0/0 Developer interviews about ''Punch-Out!!'' franchise history]

{{Punch-Out series}}
{{Main franchises by Nintendo}}
{{Next Level Games}}

[[Category:Punch-Out!!| ]]
[[Category:Nintendo franchises]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1984]]