series, including Bear Hugger, Dragon Chan, Vodka Drunkenski (whose name was changed to Soda Popinski in later releases), Great Tiger, and Super Macho Man.

!, the player assumes the role of a green-haired boxer (later recast as Little Mac in the 1987 Nintendo Entertainment System version),[2] known by three initials, who works through the ranks of the WVBA (World Video Boxing Association).

In order to win a bout, the player must knock out the opponent within one 3-minute round; failure to do so results in an automatic loss.

A technical knockout is awarded if either fighter is knocked down three times, but the opponent will sometimes fail to rise after the first or second knockdown.

also features a joystick which can be pulled straight up from the panel, allowing the player to duck opponents' punches.

Shigeru Miyamoto, due to his increasing responsibilities with the Famicom, had a smaller role for the sequel, aiding artists with their concept images.

Takeda held brainstorming sessions with R&D3 on how to improve on Punch-Out, but initially had difficulties coming up with ideas within the rules of boxing.

Takeda said they "did everything we could do with boxing," so the "only thing we could do was to include illegal moves, and that's why we made it so anything goes and had characters who would kick or were like martial artists, and that became Super Punch-Out!!

Team member Phil Britt said the "inclusion of world records and the increased difficulty make it more" playable.

Five exclusive characters were added to the game: Tribal Trouble, Frenchie France, Raviolo Mafiosi, Antipodean Andy, and Peter Perfect.

Like Super Punch-Out, it features a KO meter, allowing a more powerful punch to be thrown when the bar is filled.

Great Tiger, Super Macho Man, and Vodka Drunkenski appear in the 1987 Nintendo Entertainment System version of Punch-Out!!.

Vodka Drunkenski was renamed "Soda Popinski" in order to eliminate alcohol references in a family-oriented game.