Little Mac

"Little Mac Enters The Ring!"

Little Mac is the main protagonist of Nintendo's Punch-Out!! franchise, debuting with the 1987 port of the 1984 arcade title (which starred an unnamed boxer as its protagonist rather than Mac).

He is also a playable character in Nexed.

Real-World History
After having an excess amount of video monitors following the success of Donkey Kong, Nintendo set out to create an arcade game which used two monitors per unit, ultimately settling on a boxing game. The bottom unit would display the boxing match itself, while the top screen would display game information. Released in 1984, this game would become Punch-Out!!, which became very successful and led to the release of the updated Super Punch-Out!! the same year.

After the release of the Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo decided to port Punch-Out!! to the console. However, the team experienced difficulty with replicating the gameplay of the original on a single TV screen. It was eventually decided that the player's character would be smaller on the screen rather than being a wireframe model like in the arcade version, leading to the boxer being dubbed "Little Mac".

After the success of the NES version of Punch-Out!!, Little Mac would return in the SNES' Super Punch-Out!! (albeit with a wildly different design) and the Wii's Punch-Out!!. Aside from appearances in his own series, Little Mac would appear in games such as Fight Night Round 2, Captain Rainbow, and the Super Smash Bros. series (starting with for Nintendo 3DS & Wii U).

Gameplay Information
"An up-and-coming boxer from the Bronx, Little Mac's stature made him an unassuming opponent for most of the fighters in the World Video Boxing Association. However, with the steadfast advice and mentorship of former star Doc Louis, Mac has become a fighting machine, knocking out his foes and becoming the WVBA's champion!

Victory's not enough for Little Mac, though. After hearing about the Nexus Tournament, he got back in contact with Doc Louis to train for his biggest fight yet. Going glove-to-glove with fighters across the multiverse, Mac is ready to forge his legacy in the fabric of reality itself!"

Little Mac is a bait-and-punish character; Despite having a small build and low weight, his grounded speed and attack power are very high, allowing him to damage opponents with ease. This encourages him to stay grounded and punish whiffed attacks with his strong blows, filling up his Star Meter to gain access to a powerful finishing move.

However, Little Mac's air game is severely weaker than his ground game; While not completely helpless, he has some of the worst air speed in the game despite high air acceleration. As such, Little Mac is left most vulnerable while airborne, having a linear recovery.

Moveset

 * Star Meter: Little Mac has three empty stars on his HUD, with one being filled every time he successfully counters or parries a move, as well as when he hits a paralyzed or dazed opponent. He also has a chance to earn a star by landing one of his strong grounded attacks. Stars increase Little Mac’s attack power, as well as power up the KO Uppercut. However, Little Mac has a chance to lose a star if he is attacked, and he will lose all of them if he is KO’d or uses the KO Uppercut. This is inspired by the Star mechanic from the NES versions of Punch-Out!!.

Grounded Attacks

 * Jab: Little Mac throws a quick jab.
 * Dash Attack: Little Mac throws a lunging overhand punch.
 * Forward Light: Little Mac throws a one-two combo, being able to deal two hits of damage.
 * Up Light: Little Mac throws an overhead arcing backfist which somewhat resembles Don Flamenco’s Twirling Backhand from the Wii version of Punch-Out!!.
 * Down Light: Little Mac throws a crouching hook.
 * Forward Strong: Little Mac throws a cross punch.
 * Up Strong: Little Mac throws an uppercut.
 * Down Strong: Little Mac spins 180° to throw a quick, downward angled hook in each direction.
 * Counter: Little Mac punches the opponent in the gut as he slides forwards.

Aerial Attacks

 * Neutral Air: Little Mac throws a downward angled jab.
 * Forward Air: Little Mac throws a hook, being capable of spiking opponents.
 * Back Air: Little Mac throws a backfist.
 * Up Air: Little Mac throws an upward arching hook.
 * Down Air: Little Mac throws a downward punch, being able to spike opponents.

Grabs / Throws

 * Grab: Little Mac grabs the opponent with a grappling hold.
 * Pummel: Little Mac hits the opponent with a straight punch.
 * Forward Throw: Little Mac launches the opponent with an overhand.
 * Back Throw: Little Mac turns around before launching the opponent with an uppercut.
 * Up Throw: Little Mac launches the opponent with an uppercut.
 * Down Throw: Little Mac throws a double axe handle, launching the opponent forward.

Stage Intro
Little Mac walks onto the stage while shadow boxing.

Taunts
During any of Little Mac's taunts, Doc Louis can occasionally be heard calling out to Little Mac.
 * Little Mac raises a fist in the air.
 * Little Mac tightens his boxing glove.
 * Little Mac throws a series of punches towards the screen.
 * Little Mac jumps rope in place, referencing his reveal trailer for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.

Victory Animations
Little Mac's victory animation is the victory theme from the NES version of Punch-Out!!, orchestrated for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. During the victory animation, Doc Louis will say one of several lines:
 * Little Mac throws a feint punch against Doc Louis, who stumbles before they both posed.
 * Doc Louis bumps Little Mac with his belly before holding up Little Mac's arm, as a referee would after a boxing match.
 * Doc Louis lifts Little Mac onto his shoulders as both of them pose in victory, referencing a victory animation from the Wii version of Punch-Out!!.
 * "Y'know, that belt looks good on you, son."
 * "You win, Mac!"
 * "Ahh, winnin' feels good, don't it?"
 * "Was that a little too easy for ya, son?"
 * "Way to go, Mac! You're the champ, baby!"
 * "Nice work, Mac. You got it all figured out."
 * "You got what it takes, Mac!"
 * "I think I hear a chocolate bar callin'."
 * "I could barely keep my eyes on ya, son."
 * "You making my eyes water, son."
 * "Just like old times, huh?"
 * "I've never seen such speed before!"

Colors / Costumes


Trivia

 * Little Mac's Neutral Special was originally the Straight Lunge from the Super Smash Bros. series, but was changed to the Feign Jab to be more original and better suit Little Mac's playstyle.