Tips and Tricks - Punch-Out!! (Wii)

This week, the Punch-Out!! Wii title defense spotlight falls on Piston Hondo (formerly Piston Honda in the NES version). Piston Hondo has a few minor tricks up his sleeve, but it’s nothing drastic like King Hippo’s manhole cover or Glass Joe’s helmet. Being informed would make this title defense a breeze.

Here are Piston Hondo’s moves:

• The first thing Hondo does is bow, so give him a punch to gain a star.
• Piston Hondo’s eyebrow-moving sign is back. When he does that thing with his brows, throw a punch at his face. Doing this will cause Hondo to dodge your punch and throw you a punch to your right side. Dodge it, and then smack him in the face for another star. Don’t forget this move—Piston Hondo will repeat it several times during the match.
• If you’re lucky, or if you’ve perfected Hondo’s patterns, you will be able to land the punch when Hondo nods his eyebrows. However, this would only land one punch and no chance for a combination.
• Here’s a new move: Piston Hondo will scream, crouch on either side, and then throw a nasty uppercut right to left (your right to your left). You know the drill when this happens—dodge sideways, then counter with punches to his face. If you still have stars, you may use them to great effect.
• Piston Hondo’s left-to-right uppercut (your left to your right) can be a bit trickier because he likes to put in a little delay by moving his arm in a circular motion before throwing the punch. Don’t be fooled and wait until Hondo turns red. That’s when you’ll know he’s going to throw a punch.
• Another new move: while standing, Piston Hondo would prepare his right arm for a hook, which would travel from your left to your right. Again, just sidestep and counter with a few punches to his face.
• Here’s an old move that was noticeably absent during your first encounter with Piston Hondo, but was a staple move of the boxer in the NES: Hondo would step back, move left and right, then move towards you and throw a continuous combo of punches, left and right. If you recall, you’re supposed to throw him a punch to the belly as he moves in to hit you. Hitting him once during this move could knock him down, but not always. In any case, doing this would prevent Hondo from continuing the combo.
• After a knockdown or two, Hondo would add more fakes to his move. He will crouch and lean to the left or right, trying to throw you off. Remember: wait until he turns red—that’s when he will throw a punch.
• While Hondo crouches and fakes, you may try throwing a punch at his belly. If you’re lucky and it lands, you get a star.
• At the beginning of a new round, Hondo would bow again but he’s prepared this time. You may try throwing a punch as he bows, but there’s a good chance he’ll dodge this, then throw a straight of his own.

If you follow these tips and keep your nose clean, you just might come out on top. Watch out for more tips next week. If you’re wondering who the next opponent is, it’s Bear Hugger.

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