Did you know that the original Punch-Out!! has a 22-year-old secret? Well, apparently it does, and Nintendo is finally ready to share it with gamers. Makato Wada, who was part of the development team that ported the arcade versions of Punch-Out!! to the NES and SNES, took part in the latest Iwata Asks interview and spoke about the secret.

Wada

This is a great opportunity, so I have something I’d like to say. In Punch-Out!!, the game gives you a lot of hints about effective timing of punches. There is a big boxer called Bald Bull in the NES version as well and a light flashes to the right in the audience when he charges. If you punch when it flashes you will land a body blow.

Tanabe

What? Really?

Wada

No one has known about that for about 22 years…

Everyone

(laughter)

Wada

I was wondering when I would have a chance to tell people that.

Iwata

You’ve been holding that information for 22 years since the release. (laughs)

Wada

Now that I had the chance. (laughs) There are a lot of hidden elements in the NES version.