As good as they say and then some. I prefer Wii Punch-Out for my personal connection to the game, but don't take that as a slight on this one. The technical limitations of the NES versus the Arcade turned a very gimmicky proto-fighting game into a clever, carefully-designed series of puzzles for the player to solve with quick thinking, pattern-recognition, and reflexes (like actual boxing!). Even the purest expressions of the game's technical shortcomings - for example, reused sprite bases or the re-fights in the World Cup - do a lot to strengthen the overall game. And though you may know the tricks, it's a whole different experience being good enough to pull them off (still nothing so scary as overcoming the Dreamland Express).

Mr. Dream is a huge letdown compared to Mike Tyson, and not just for the obvious reason. Getting told that "MIKE IS WAITING FOR YOUR CHALLENGE!!" every time you start the game does a TON to sell the experience.