head to head
vs
Punch-Out!!vsShadow Warrior
Punch-Out!! leans Execution (Practiced Mastery); Shadow Warrior leans Execution (Practiced Mastery).
Punch-Out!!Shadow Warrior
Axis by axis
Execution8 vs 7
Punch-Out!! leans harder on execution: precise dodge and punch timing
Reads0 vs 1
Shadow Warrior leans harder on reads: Multiplayer existed but enemies are scripted spawns
Variance1 vs 1
Even - both lean on variance about the same.
Optimization6 vs 5
Punch-Out!! leans harder on optimization: memorizing fixed opponent attack patterns
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.