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- This article is about the player character in the arcade games, for the other opponents ranked as "Challenger", see Super Punch-Out!! (arcade)#Boxers and Punch-Out!! (Wii)#Boxers.
The Challenger (also known as the Champion of the World after defeating Mr. Sandman or Super Macho Man) is the player's character in arcade Punch-Out!!, Super Punch-Out!!, and Arm Wrestling. He does not have an official name, instead being named by the player. As this character, the player battles several opponents to become the WVBA champion. This green-haired character is noticeably different in appearance from Little Mac.
Based on appearances (primarily hair color), this character is possibly the same one used in Arm Wrestling.
Appearances[]
Punch-Out!! (1984)[]
When the player begins playing the game, they are given a chance to name the character using a total of three initials. Then, they start by fighting Glass Joe, then Piston Hurricane, all the way to Mr. Sandman. After beating him, the player becomes the champion, and the game loops again until they lose the match.
Super Punch-Out!! (1984)[]
In Super Punch Out!!, the same premise from its predecessor applies. The Challenger faces different opponents in the same loop, by fighting Bear Hugger, then Dragon Chan, all the way to Super Macho Man. However, when doing a rematch against an opponent, a bandage on their right eye will now appear, representing the wounds they sustained.
Arm Wrestling (1985)[]
As indicated by the game's name, the player must arm wrestle against several opponents. First, the player has to earn points to gain power until they can pull their opponent's arm over for the win. Although the game doesn't refer to the player character as "The Challenger," it is very likely he is the same person, both having green hair and a similar face shape.
Rule Infractions[]
As per the unified rules of boxing established by the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combat Sports:
- When Challenger is knocked down, his mouthguard falls off, implying that it is not fitted properly, however, this can sometimes happen accidentally if he is hit too hard.
- When the Challenger punches Super Macho Man after his Triple Clothesline, Challenger punches him in the back of his head if he uses a jab. While Super Macho Man is breaking the rules by turning his back, Challenger is also breaking the rules, because punching the back of the head is illegal as it can lead to serious brain injury, but if you look closely, Super Macho Man’s stun animation’s 1st punch has him taking the hit to the face so it's likely he turned before he got hit so it could be passable and how this is also controlled by the player.
- He can also hit Super Macho Man's back when he turns his back if he uses a hook, which is a separate infraction from the above one, but the same rules apply.
Challenger has 2 optional possible Infractions and 1 possible infraction.
List of game appearances[]
This is a list of game appearances for the Challenger. Punch-Out!! titles are in bold.
| Title | Year | System | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punch-Out!! | 1984 | Arcade | Playable character |
| Super Punch-Out!! | 1984 | Arcade | Playable character |
| Arm Wrestling | 1985 | Arcade | Playable character |
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U | 2014 | Nintendo 3DS, Wii U | Playable character (Little Mac's alternate costumes); Trophy |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | 2018 | Nintendo Switch | Playable character (Little Mac's alternate costumes) |
Trivia[]
- In Frank Bruno's Boxing for the Commodore 64, an unofficial port of Super Punch-Out!!, the portrait for the game's final boxer Peter Perfect has similar facial features to The Challenger.
- The Challenger's portrait in Punch-Out!! was originally going to have yellow hair in the same exact hairstyle seen in Super Punch-Out!!. However, the final version is more true to his in-game sprite.
- It is possible that the unused blonde-haired Challenger was recolored and reused in Super Punch-Out!!.
- The tip "Little Mac's origins" from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and this interview with Sakurai both indicate that the Challenger is actually Little Mac.
- However, all of Little Mac's trophies in the Super Smash Bros. series say that he originated from Punch-Out!! for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
- Little Mac resembles Jake LaMotta, while the challenger resembles Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa.
- In Arm Wrestling, the challenger wears a black suit as the only known clothing. This could have been the inspiration for Mac's trademark shirt.
Gallery[]
