Nintendo Switch User Reviews

having the original arcade version of punch out on the switch is awesome. it also has online features which is really cool

Gameplay: The gameplay is the exact same as the original arcade version that was released in the 80s. You play as a boxer who must beat a series of challengers to eventually get to the end, not that complicated. However, in the arcade version, you get a joystick a some buttons for movement, on the switch you are using 2 joycons and the button translation feels really odd. The controls feel a little clunky to me, you need to press the left and right triggers of each joy con to punch, or only use the left joycon to press buttons to punch. I guess the reason why it feels so weird is because this game was only meant to be an arcade cabinet, and then you force its controls on the switch. I will admit, after awhile you do get use to the control scheme, but its really weird and troublesome if you played the original arcade version. Along with the arcade version of the game, you can also play High score mode that lets you compete for your highest score but you won't be able to save unlike classic mode allows you to. There is also caravan mode that times you for 5 minutes to see how far you can get. These modes are nothing special, but do offer some variety. Performance: The game runs perfectly on switch, no glitches or bugs of any kind. The sound is just like the original and looks how it did back in the day. No issues performance wise at all. ETC: Now I'm going to talk about how the game can be displayed. Since this game was an arcade cabinet, there were 2 screens to show you who you were fighting, and the game itself. There are 3 ways to display this. There is the original version, were 2 screens are stacked on top of eachother with a black backdrop on the sides, a horizontal display that puts the 2 screens right next to each other from left to right, or the most odd one, the whole game being played vertically including the switch itself. Unless you have a special stand, there is no real reason to play that way, it's just really odd. I myself play to original arcade display. All of these displays in general are odd, but its really the only way to port this game without dual screens, this game should have been ported to the 3DS or even Wii u. The displays are not the best suited for the switch. Overall: Overall, this port is great way to introduce new players to the punch out game that started it all. Although the controls aren't the best and displaying the game can be an issue, for the price of $8, It ain't that bad.