[NES] Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! ROM Download

Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! ROM Screenshots

Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! ROM Description

Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out is a boxing game developed by Nintendo. The game was adapted from the 1983 arcade game of the same name.

You play as Little Mac, a 17-year-old fighter from the Bronx. Your trainer is Doc Louis, a hard-hitting ex-heavyweight from the 1950s who guides you from the minor circuit to the world championship-level fights.

Gameplay

Fights take place over three rounds and are three minutes long. So what is the game like to play? Control is simple – you can punch with your left or right hand to the head or the body. Uppercuts are an option, as is the ability to block, dodge, and duck incoming punches.

Timing is critical in Puncher, as is learning your opponent’s rhythm. Progression takes place one fight at a time – if you win, you move up the rankings; if you lose, you drop down and have to fight the lower-level guy again.

Hearts allow you to throw punches. When they run out, you turn this funny color, and you’ve got to dodge until you get your energy back. You earn a star when you hit your opponent with a clean shot. Stars are uppercut currency, with the uppercut being your go-to punch to turn the tide in one of those close fights. Little Mac also has a stamina meter – once this gets to zero, you get knocked down.

Opponents

One area where the game excels is the boxer variety. You’ll be fighting characters like Glass Joe, the slick Don Flamenco, Soda Popinsky, Mr Sandman, or the man himself, Iron Mike Tyson. Every opponent has a particular strategy; at first, it’s not obvious how to deal with that tactic, but perseverance is the key. In time, you’ll work out their weakness; if not, your trainer will advise you with some tips between rounds. It’s a genuinely satisfying moment when you finally work out how to beat your opponent as you rain down left and right punches and move on to the next tier.

Visuals and Audio

Visually, the game still looks pretty cool. Yes, it’s sometimes a bit blocky and pixelated, but the charm still holds. The fighters are great caricatures, and the over-top color palette brings the whole action to life.

Sound-wise, it has that classic Nintendo feel – excellent sound effects and catchy music; it all sits perfectly with the game’s visuals and style. And it brought back so many childhood memories for me.

Verdict

So what’s the verdict? Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out is a fantastic arcade classic. It’s the best arcade boxing game of all time by a considerable distance. The gameplay is simple but has great depth and excellent progression; the boxer variety is fantastic, with each one being as memorable as the last; the sound and visuals are classic Nintendo; and it’s a beautiful game – so much fun, so simple yet so addictive, and it will keep you coming back for more.