Retro Rewind: Then and Now: Punch-Out!!

May 18, 2009 | By: Robert Workman

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Glass Joe and company take center stage with fists held high in this week's Retro Rewind.

Nintendo is no stranger to the video game market. The company's been around for several years, releasing memorable games for the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and the Nintendo 64. Each platform has seen a great number of successes, as well as new franchises that have stuck with Nintendo for a long time.

Features

The GameCube, which was released in 2001, uses mini-discs instead of their classic cartridges. This format prevents piracy, and makes the discs easier to handle than typical sized DVDs or CDs. The discs snap right into the unit itself, and are very easy to pull out without damaging the disc. Only those who grab them the wrong way or "rip" them out of the system run the risk of damaging them.

The system itself is a cube shaped unit with a handle on the back, which makes it easy to carry around from one room to another in case you're using it for multi-room play. It comes with four controller ports and two memory card ports on the front, and also has two different colors available- purple and black. The Japanese release saw several other colors, including orange, but if you're looking for customization, your best bet is to use "skins", little $10 cover-ups that fit over the unit nicely.

The unit comes with an AC adapter that is easy to connect and plug in for play (it comes in two pieces, but works very conveniently) and also has audio/video cables that can plug into any standard TV. There are no S-video cables available, but that's all right, as most games don't even support the medium at this point. This is something Nintendo will probably change with their next machine, the Revolution, but the GameCube was built for convenience, and thus is very easy to hook up.

The GameCube was built primarily as a game machine, and thus does not support any kind of DVD discs or any other discs that can be played. However, with the Game Boy Player peripheral (sold separately at $50), gamers can plug in their favorite portable games for big-screen play, making it a handy device. Nintendo does not offer Internet/online play with the machine, but it can be achieved through use of the broadband adapter and signing up with the GameSpy Internet service, namely for such games as Super Smash Bros. Melee and the Mario sports games. It's not Nintendo approved, however, so approach at your own risk. This network can possibly have older gamers who may be too experienced playing against children.

The system features a helpful menu system. If a game is not in the system at the start, you will go to this menu, where you can manage the memory on your memory card or check out other options, like time and listening features. This is an easy menu system to follow, featuring a virtual cube on-screen that twists with each new direction you take. In case you do have a disc in the drive, you can also access this menu by holding down the A button on your controller. The GameCube logo on-screen will twist into the main menu as a result.

Memory cards are supplementary, and not required for play. However, they are highly recommended if you want to save your game progress in a title such as Super Mario Sunshine or The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. Nintendo has three different models available- the original 256 memory card, the black 512 memory card, and the improved (and highly recommended) 1019 memory card. The numbers indicate the number of bytes of memory the card themselves will hold, so with a 1019, you can save a bunch of data, where the 256 easily runs out of space after a few saves.

There aren't too many other peripherals available for the system, although the congo drum peripheral is worth a look. It's interactive with such games as Donkey Konga and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat, and is actually a pretty fun device. Nintendo offers these games packed in with the peripheral, or you can buy them separately for multiplayer purposes.

Ten Recommended Games For Family/Early Teen Play

Soul Calibur II (Namco)- Namco's long-awaited fighting sequel struck across all three major gaming platforms, but it seems that the GameCube version was the "must-have" edition of all three. That's because, prior to the game's release, Namco announced exclusive characters for each edition. The PS2 edition received Heihachi from the Tekken series, while Xbox owners got to brawl with the legendary comic book character Spawn. But the GameCube version offered the most intriguing character of all, Link from the Legend of Zelda games. His arsenal of moves reflected his character perfectly, including the ability to pitch bombs and his nimbleness with quick attacks. The game also maintained its beautiful visuals and stunning gameplay on the Cube, making it a must-own.

F-Zero GX (Nintendo/Sega)- Nintendo and Sega collaborating? On a racing game, no less? These one-time rivals from back in the 16-bit days found themselves in an incredible union when Nintendo called upon the Daytona USA producers at AM2 to work some magic with their F-Zero futuristic racing franchise, and the result was a blistering masterpiece with speed so intense, your teeth fillings would rattle out of their sockets. The game featured exquisite graphics with high detail in its backdrops and track design, and the game packed plenty of modes, including a four-player versus match that retained its high speed. With the variety of vehicles available and the number of modes to tackle, it was no doubt why it was such a hit. To make things even more interesting, Nintendo returned to the arcade scene, engineering an arcade version called F-Zero AX that allowed you to use your memory card to transfer data for arcade races. Sadly, distribution of the arcade unit was very slim. But, if you can find a machine with its motion cabinet, it's most certainly worth a play or two.

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (Nintendo)- Nintendo initially released their bongo drum peripheral with a music/rhythm game in mind, and that game was the somewhat enjoyable Donkey Konga. However, the peripheral found better use in, of all things, a platforming action game, and Donkey Kong Jungle Beat became one of the standout games of 2005 as a result. Controlling Donkey Kong on-screen with the help of bongo drum poundings and clapping, players were treated to a festival of beautiful visuals and innovative gameplay, as well as challenges that opened up new levels and better hand-eye coordination skills. Platforming games haven't quite been the same without a bongo drum, I'm sure someone might agree.

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (Nintendo)- When Retro Studios initially released Metroid Prime for the GameCube, the controversial criticism of the first-time company's development were quieted by the elegant quality of the game and the excellent control scheme that was introduced. But Retro once again went beyond the call of duty with its sequel, Echoes, introducing not only some new dark elements to make the single player mode a bit more quirky, but also a multiplayer split-screen mode that pitted light soldiers against dark in a number of arenas. Sure, it wasn't online, but it finally gave Nintendo system owners their first multiplayer shooting jolt since Goldeneye 007 back on the Nintendo 64. Its design was top notch, too, complete with blazing graphics and more of the same great gameplay.

Super Smash Bros. Melee (Nintendo)- The first Super Smash Bros. release for the Nintendo 64 ended up doing phenomenal business, introducing a new multiplayer aspect for the machine that made it the ultimate party game. So, of course, when Nintendo announced GameCube release plans at E3 2001 and revealed the game to the public for the first game, gamers went completely insane over it. The sequel features far enhanced graphics (complete with interactive backgrounds, like the F-Zero race track), as well as improved gameplay that took advantage of the awkward GameCube pad. There was also a heavy amount of trophies to be collected, as well as several mini-games to check out. The only thing missing, however, was online play. Later after the game's release, GameSpy would work out something that involved unofficial online play for the game, through a series of set-ups for the GameCube. Fortunately, Nintendo's already planning ahead for the series' release on the GameCube, and working on incorporating online play.

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (Nintendo)- Another favorite that was introduced for the Nintendo 64 was Paper Mario, a reinvention of the Mario role-playing game since the ideal was introduced on the SNES with Super Mario RPG. The game was a big hit, due to its awesome battle engine and unique paper-thin design, almost like it was out of a storybook. The GameCube sequel followed suit, with even crisper visuals and a longer quest, involving more complex enemies and more inventive sub-characters to help Mario out on his journey. This would test out the market and lead to a number of role-playing game releases for the Cube, including Tales of Symphonia and Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance.

Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue Leader (LucasArts)- When LucasArts initially revealed this game at E3 2001, it was easily picked as one of the favorites at the show. That's because, for the first time in a long time, the Star Wars experience was truly brought to life on a game console. Rogue Leader let you relive a number of old-school Star Wars scenarios in an exciting new presentation, including the classic run on the Death Star and the battle on Hoth against the nearly unbeatable AT-ATs. The controls still feel like a dream, and it's all backed by John Williams' brilliant film score. Sadly, the game lacked in multiplayer, but the release of Star Wars Roque Squadron III: Rebel Strike would later remedy that. That sequel featured co-op missions, as well as on-foot segments and unlockable classic arcade games. The Force was strong with this series on the Cube.

Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (Nintendo)- Mario had a number of his old franchises hit the GameCube in style, from Mario Party to Mario Golf to Mario Power Tennis. But it's his racing shenanigans in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! that felt the most evolved. The game featured higher detail in its graphics, as well as a more fitting soundtrack. The gameplay featured fine tuning with its partnered-up play and its improved physics, especially on power drifts. But where Double Dash!! really found its footing was in the multiplayer aspect. Not only did the game feature split-screen racing, but also supported a network cable that allowed eight racers to get in on the action in real time, ala two GameCubes, two copies of the game, and eight controllers. (Two TV's help, too.) Sure, it didn't go fully online like the DS version did, unless you count Gamespy's tinkering under Nintendo's nose, but it still offered plenty and gave the brand life again.

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Nintendo)- One could make mention of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Shigeru Miyamoto's creative attempt to reinvent the franchise with a unique new look, and it was a terrific game. But many felt they were robbed of the Zelda experience that swept them away with the original NES release, or the Nintendo 64 masterpiece that was Ocarina of Time. Nintendo listened, and began development on a more mature Zelda release with Twilight Princess, bringing back the Ocarina-style appearance and gameplay. At E3 2005, the game had a phenomenal showing, first with a trailer at Nintendo's press conference and then at the event itself, where the line to play the game stood at three hours plus wait time. Along with keeping GameCube owners happy, the game is supposedly going to be a big hit for the Revolution as well, as rumors are circling that the game will allow use for the Revolution controller on Nintendo's high-end machine once it's released. Nintendo, however, hasn't commented. This game should arrive no later than early summer '06.

Ikaruga (Atari)- Although it wasn't really a "fan favorite" like the PlayStation 2, the GameCube saw its fair share of releases that were dedicated to the hardcore gaming fans out there. Alien Hominid, for example, reintroduced 2-D shooting action that resembled the likes of Contra and Gunstar Heroes; and Chaos Field catered to the space shooting fan in all of us. But it was with Atari's release of Treasure's Ikaruga that the gaming community came out in droves. This inspired shooting game, complete with an inventive two-layer system and incredible graphics, caught lots of attention, and soon became a must-have. Granted, nowadays it takes a while to track down a copy, but it helped get the GameCube back on track with the people who brushed it off as merely a kids' machine, and so for that, it deserves a mention in the place of some of Nintendo's finest.