Super Punch-Out!! has a hidden two-player mode — and you can try it on the Switch

Screenshot by Jay Peters / The Verge

The game has a hidden two-player mode that was discovered nearly three decades after it was first released. You can try the secret mode on the current version of the game if you don't own an SNES.

There is a new two-player mode and a fight select screen. You have to have two controllers hooked up to your console in order for them to be activated. They were able to work with a Pro Controller as player one and two Joy-Con as player two.

On the title screen, hold down Y and R with the player two controllers, and on the player one controller, press A. I got this to work by pressing the plus button on the switch's pro controller. The fight select screen allows you to jump to a bout of your choice.

At the title, hold Y+R, then press A or START. Following screen will appear instead or regular menus. Here you can select any character to fight a free single match. See, even fighters from SPECIAL CIRCUIT are available here. -> pic.twitter.com/Hh7AtPdTcK

— Unlisted Cheats (@new_cheats_news) August 8, 2022

The two-player mode can be activated next. If you highlight the fighter you want to play and then hold down B and Y at the same time on the player two controller, you can start the game. The plus button is on my controller. If you want to get through the pre-fight screen, hold down B and Y on the controller and press the fight button.

When the fight starts, the player two controller should be able to control the fighter you picked. If you are playing with a friend, you might want to keep an eye out for the player two character who can do special moves.

Sorry! Completely forgot to mention! All combinations must be held on JOYPAD2! Then A or START on JOYPAD1!

— Unlisted Cheats (@new_cheats_news) August 8, 2022

I have never played this game, but the fact that it is an option at all is a delight. Some of the secrets used to be accessible in games with the right combination of arcane buttons. I hope classic-style cheats come back after seeing the new secrets menu in Vampire Survivors.