67. Great Boxing: Rush Up (Pixel, Famicom, 1990)

Great Boxing is the latest in our tour of Famicom boxing games, and the final boxing title released on the system in late 1990. At a glance, Great Boxing looks a lot like the current worst game I've played this year, Family Boxing: the action takes place with a overhead view of the boxing ring, and the 2 boxers are free to move around the ring while fighting.

The controls and AI, though are a bit more evolved. While the basic controls are almost identical to Family Boxing (d-pad to move, B for defensive options, A for offense), the way they are utilized and the balance of the game feels much more entertaining and fair here in Great Boxing. Your position relative to the opponent actually determines which type of punch you are using, so your physical placement is very important. You can also lock an enemy in a barrage of punches, which feels great when you are doing it, but not so great when it's being perpetrated upon you. Thankfully, defending is very simplified in Great Boxing. You can just mash the B button and a direction and you will generally avoid most hits through either blocking or dodging.

The game's AI is still decently challenging; there's no early easy opponent to get you accustomed to the game, which I think is one of Punch-Out's big strengths. There is a full stat system, but your boxer starts with the lowest stats possible, so it feels like a very uphill battle.

2/5, another not-very-fun Famicom boxing game