The player controls a boxer named Little Mac, who aims to become the World Video Boxing Association (W.V.B.A.)

The series has received critical and commercial acclaim, with the NES game selling three million copies alone.

Playing as Little Mac, a 17-year old boxer from the Bronx, the player must climb the ranks of the World Video Boxing Association (W.V.B.A.

Gameplay differs slightly between each game, but generally, Mac can attack using his left and right fists, performing either a hook, a dodge, or an uppercut.

The key to defeating each opponent is to learn their fighting patterns, avoid their attacks and respond with a counterattack.

Opponents will always give a visual or audible cue to signal their next attack, though as the game progresses, the time given to the player to successfully react significantly decreases.

[3] The concept originated as Nintendo had acquired an excessive number of video monitors following the success of Donkey Kong (1981).

was first released in September 1987 in Japan for the Nintendo Entertainment System, as a prize for winners of the Family Computer Golf: U.S.

It formally introduced Little Mac (who was unnamed in the previous games) and his trainer Doc Louis.

!, with Mike Tyson replaced with fictional boxer Mr. Dream, due to the license for his likeness expiring.

His loss of the heavyweight title to Buster Douglas made Nintendo choose to not renew the contract.

was first released on October 27, 2009 in North America, for WiiWare as a Platinum reward for Club Nintendo members.

[15] The game was briefly made available once more to Club Nintendo members in 2015, prior to the service's shutdown.

(SNES) is included in the GameCube version of EA Sports's Fight Night Round 2.

King Hippo served as a primary antagonist in the DIC Entertainment animated series Captain N: The Game Master.

In "Tales of a Former Sport Glory", during Peter's boxing fight for the title they use the sound effects from the Arcade ("Nintendo") Punch-Out!