Video - Punch Out!! on Nintendo Wii

Why wasn't Punch Out!! on the Nintendo Wii a bigger hit?  It barely managed to sell a million copies, despite being one of the most beloved NES games ever made.  This should have become an evergreen blockbuster like Wii Sports Resort and Mario Kart and Super Mario 5.  What happened?

Remember, if a video game fails to become a hit, it is because there is something wrong with the game itself.  Something was missing that should have been there, or there were excess barriers in place that had no business being there, or the controls and gameplay mechanics were flawed.  Do not blame the customers, or fall upon the game industry's condescending "casual gamer" label.  A generation of video game players grew up with Mike Tyson's Punch Out!! on the Nintendo.  Why didn't they show up here?

Punch Out is one of the best examples of motion controls for the Nintendo Wii.  I've had a lot of fun playing it at the arcade demo station at the downtown Minneapolis Target.  Yet, I still haven't bought the game.  I haven't even played the game for a while.  Why is this?  What am I waiting for?  I find myself struggling for answers.

The game industry needs to get off their high horse and honestly answer these questions.  The market is in decline and the core gamer scene is shrinking.  No more excuses, folks.  It's crunch time.