Boxing

About

Nintendo’s 1984 Game & Watch title Boxing pits two fighters in a no-frills 2D brawler. Players control a boxer locked to the right side of the screen, trading jabs and haymakers in quick rounds. The simple layout prioritizes timing and reflexes over strategy, with matches ending via knockouts or round count. Single-player mode challenges a CPU opponent while the multiplayer option lets two players take turns. The design sticks to basic mechanics but feels responsive for its era. The game’s most notable trait is its identity crisis. Originally marketed as Punch-Out!! in the US to ride a popular franchise’s coattails, it reverted to Boxing for later re-releases. The box art shift was the only regional difference beyond the title. Part of Nintendo’s Micro VS. line, it fits the format’s constraints while delivering a punchy duel. With a model number BX-301 and a focus on head-to-head combat, it remains a niche entry in the company’s early handheld history.