Hard Puncher - Ketsumamireru no Eikou (c) 1988 Konami.
An excellent boxing game from Konami.

>>> TECHNICAL DETAILS
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Game ID : GX870
Main CPU : (2x) 68000 (@ 10 Mhz)
Sound CPU : Z80 (@ 3.579545 Mhz)
Sound Chips : YM2151 (@ 3.57958 Mhz), K007232 (@ 3.579545 Mhz), UPD7759 (@ 640 Khz)
Screen orientation : Horizontal
Video resolution : 320 x 224 pixels
Screen refresh : 60.00 Hz
Palette Colors : 1024
Players : 2
Control : 8-way joystick
Buttons : 3

>>> TRIVIA
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Released in December 1988.
The subtitle of this game translates from Japanese as 'Blood-smeared Glory'.
This game is known outside Japan as 'The Final Round'.
There are plenty of references to 'Contra' such as Rocky Smith and Joe Vulcan looking similar to Bill Rizer and Lance Bean : Contra's 2 main characters. not only that, but one of the CPU contenders named Red Falco is a reference to what else? Red Falcon, the extraterrestial arch-enemy from Contra.
Another of the CPU contenders, Iron Drago is a spoof of Ivan Drago, the boxer from the 1985 film 'Rocky IV'.
Finally, Black Stallion, the final contender is a spoof of Mike Tyson.
King Records released a limited-edition soundtrack album for this game (Konami Game Music Collection Vol.0 - 276A-7708) on 21/07/1989.

>>> GAME UPDATES
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There are a number of changes in this game to the boxer's names from 'The Final Round'.
Jabbin' Jim is known as Rocky Smith
Gentleman Joe is known as Joe Vulcan
Knockout Nick is known as Mr. Mohican
Steel Fist Fritz is known as Mark Rentz
Bronx Bruiser is known as Avege Hidev
Harlem Hit Man is known as Marvin Cobra

>>> TRICKS AND TIPS
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All these tricks work in Japanese version only, Hard Puncher!
* Unlock A Secret World : Begin a normal game. Then, at the opening blue screen, press Left, Right, Up, Right, Down, Right, Left(x2). If done correctly, a bell will sound. Now your rivals will be much harder and even connect specialty punches they didn't originally have. Also, you'll be able to string 20-hit combos on some opponents. Beat this game mode and you'll be awarded $20,000,000 instead of 10 (Note : This code appears briefly on screen after beating the game in Regular mode).
* Unlock A Powerful World : Begin a normal game. Then, at the opening blue screen, press Right, Up, Left(x2), Down, Up, Right, Down. If done correctly, a bell will sound. Now knockdowns will occur whenever a punch is landed (like sans power in Mortal Kombat). Beat this game mode and you'll be awarded $20,000,000 instead of 10 (Note : This code appears briefly on screen after beating the game in Secret World mode).
* Alien Ball In Power Training Session : Go to the Power Training Session and hit all 50 volleyballs. Then, an alien-like ball with veins and teeth will be thrown at your head. If you miss, it will bite your face, but if you hit it, you'll receive an additional 10% increment, for a grand total of a 30% power increment.
* Moai Mask : Sometimes the referee will be wearing a mask of Moai, the stone head from Parodius and Cue Brick. I haven't confirmed what triggers this particular trick, but I think it could have something to do with the timer. -Maybe winning at 2 :22, 1 :11, or something like that-
* Alternate Credits Roll : Beat the game in New or Powerful World mode. When the credits roll, the names will remain the same but the titles will be different. 'Making of this game' is replaced by 'Staff of Conjax Pro'. Also, keep an eye out for a cameo by Pentarou the penguin from Parodius during either credits roll.
* The Mob Never Forgives : When you win the game and get the park scene, look carefully in the background to spot two hit men armed with UZIs and gunning down a poor guy. The girl next to him tries to run. Is this subliminal violence??

>>> DESIGNERS / PROGRAMMERS / STAFF
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Total director : H. Tsujimoto
Game programmer : G. Suzuki
Assistant programmer : Tadasu Kitae
Character designer : K. Nakamura
Graphic designers : K. Ishimoto, K. Hattori
Visual designer : A. Nonami
Sound designer : S. Tasaka
Music composer : Motoaki Furukawa
Electric architect : K. Hashima
Electronic architect : M. Hiraoka
Package designer : F. Shibuya
Manager : K. Hiroshita

>>> OTHER GAME RESOURCES
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Game's rom.