"Game Informer" writes that the secret to defeating King Hippo was likely more well-known than the 30-life code in the video game "Contra"". Colette Bennett echoed sentiments of the notability of his weakness and said that "anyone could tell you King Hippo's weak point". "1UP.com" editor Bob Mackey called the fight with him an "iconic moment in gaming" and one that was the "talk of the schoolyards during the 80's". Kotaku editor Owen Good mocked Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah for not being able to get past King Hippo in the NES "Punch-Out!!" The method of defeating King Hippo has been used as a metaphor to refer to both literal and figurative gut punches.