Little Mac blocking an attack from Piston Hondo.
Blocking is a technique in every installment of the Punch-Out!! series. It can be used to avoid weak punches, but can also be broken if the opponent's punches are strong enough. Both the player and their opponents can block each other's punches.
Usages[]
Punch-Out!! (arcade)[]
Initially, blocking was referred to as "guarding". It can be performed by moving the joystick up or down. Moving the joystick up blocks jabs while moving the joystick down blocks body blows. Additionally, body blows will be blocked automatically without any directional input.
Super Punch-Out!! (arcade)[]
As established in the previous installment in the series, blocking can be performed by moving the joystick up or down. Moving the joystick blocks jabs while moving the joystick down blocks body blows. Additionally, the Challenger will also automatically block body blows without any directional input.
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!/Punch-Out!! featuring Mr. Dream[]
Blocking can be performed by pressing down on the Control Pad. The player cannot choose which way to block, instead only dodging jabs. Blocking will also cost the player one heart. If the player blocks too many punches, they will lose all of their hearts, causing them to be unable to punch for a short period of time. Additionally, automatic blocks did not make a return in the NES version. Blocking is most useful against Piston Honda's jab combo, many of Great Tiger's attacks, Mr. Sandman's jabs, and Rounds 2 and 3 in the fight against Mike Tyson/Mr. Dream.
Super Punch-Out!! (SNES)[]
The blocking mechanic works in a similar fashion as in the arcade games. Jabs can be blocked by pressing up on the Control Pad, while body blows will be automatically blocked without any directional input. Unlike in the arcade games, body blows can only be blocked automatically, meaning there is no input that allows the player to block downwards.
Uppercuts cannot be blocked and certain non-uppercut attacks such as Gabby Jay's Taunt Punch, Mr. Sandman's third punch on his Jab Combo, Heike Kagero's Hair Flick and Super Macho Man's Spin Punches are also immune to blocking.
Punch-Out!! (Wii)[]
Blocking can be performed in one of two ways, depending on the control scheme used by the player:
- Wii Remote and Nunchuk: Press up on the Control Stick.
- Wii Remote only: Press up on the Control Pad.
Similarly to the NES title, blocking a punch successfully will cost the player one heart and blocking too many punches will make Little Mac tired, leaving him unable to punch. However, unlike any previous Punch-Out!! game, the player can block both low and high punches with the same input. The only opponents that have unblockable jabs are Title Defense Disco Kid during his Disco Flurry, Bald Bull, and Title Defense King Hippo. Blocking can also cancel certain attacks, such as Aran Ryan's headbutt.