The Punchinello Crime Family is an enemy faction featured in the Max Payne video game series. They are an Italian-American crime family based in New York and rivals of Vladimir "Vlad" Lem's mob and the DeMarco Crime Family.
At some point, the Punchinello Family got involved in the trade of Valkyr, a drug developed by the Aesir Corporation. Eventually, Aesir's CEO, Nicole Horne, believed that the Punchinellos had become a liability and decided to kill Punchinello don Angelo to tie up loose ends. Under orders of Horne, B.B. killed Alex Balder and had Max Payne, who was looking into the Valkyr trade, framed for the murder while making him believe that the Punchinellos were responsible, pitting them against each other. Max waged a one-man war against the Punchinello Family, significantly reducing them in power and setting Angelo up to be killed by Aesir's Killer Suits. Unaware of the truth, some gangsters loyal to the Punchinellos were hired by B.B. to cover his escape, though they failed to prevent Max from killing him.
After Angelo's death, the Punchinellos were taken over by a new don known as the Godfather. The Godfather managed to restore some of Punchinello's lost power and promoted Vinnie Gognitti to underboss. That proved to be a mistake when Vinnie proved to be too hotheaded for his own good and tried to kill Vlad, who ended up using him as a pawn in the Inner Circle Civil War, eventually killing him.
Lacking effective leadership, the Punchinello Family was reduced in strength, and many of his gangsters were arrested, leading them to be taken over by the DeMarco Family. After Max undermined the DeMarcos, the Punchinellos waged war against them to regain their lost power.
Battle vs. Pegorino Crime Family (by WraithOfWaffle)[]
Pegorino: 123456
Punchinello: 123456
On a boat to Happiness Island 6 men are loading their weapons. Micro Uzis, Glock 22s, and AK-47s were loaded with magazines entering the gun. Among them was Jimmy Pegorino, one of the top mafia bosses in Liberty City who was prepared to kill a rival Angelo Punchinello.
"Okay so I've got an anonymous tip sayin' Punchinello is hiding out in Happiness Island. We have to look for him and put a bullet in his head." Jimmy said.
Jimmy feared that if he had new competition it could ruin his business.
Meanwhile, a Punchinello is scoping with binoculars over the water when he sees a boat.
"Yo boss, I think the Peg has come to visit you." the man says.
"Good, I've been waiting." Punchinello says in a satisfied tone.
When the boat arrived to the docks 4 of the men along with Pegorino exited.
"Stay here." Pegorino said to the boat driver.
Suddenly a green pineapple flew through the air and ended up in the boat. The driver looked down and saw a Mk 2 frag grenade andcaused a state of panic before he was obliterated.
Pegorino: 12345
"GET BEHIND SOMETHING!" Pegorino demanded.
Six men appear out of their cover and open fire. They continue shooting as one stray bullet from a Micro Uzi manages to kill a Punchinello.
Punchinello: 12345
Jimmy decides to tip the odds in his favor and throws and M26A1 grenade at his enemies, killing one and injuring the other in the leg.
Punchinello: 1234
The injured man takes out his 92FS and sprays bullets. He sees a Pegorino and blows his brains out.
Pegorino: 1234
"GO!" Punchinello demanded his 3 remaining men to do.
One of them stays behind with a Commando and waits for a man to pop up. He sees one and puts 2 in his chest and 1 in his head.
Pegorino: 123
The other Pegorino manages to hit the Punchinello in the back as he attempted to retreat with his Micro Uzi.
Punchinello: 123
Punchinello is running for dear life with his remaining men.
"You go to the boat, you stay with me and help me kill Pegorino." Punchinello demanded.
As the henchmen sent to the boat ran quickly and safely, the Punchinello with Angelo wasn't so lucky. He was sprayed with an AK-47 by a Pegorino.
Punchinello: 12
Angelo sees the man and shoots him with his MAC-10.
Pegorino: 12
- Meanwhile at the escape boat*
The Punchinello assigned to drive the boat is having some trouble.
"Start! Come on! I don't have time for this you piece of sh*t!" the Punchinello cursed.
He was cut off by Pegorino's KA-BAR. To make sure it was done Pegorino shot the man with his Glock 22.
Punchinello: 1
Angelo is trying to find the boat when he's run into a Pegorino.
"You're dead c*nt!" the Pegorino swore.
Angelo panicked, he didn't have anymore men, and was outnumbered. He took the chance and tried to shoot the Pegorino with his MAC-10. At the last bullet it managed to hit the Pegorino in the head.
Pegorino: 1
Punchinello saw Pegorino and tried to shoot him with his MAC-10 which had no ammo.
"SH*T!" Punchinello cursed
Pegorino took aim at Punchinello with his Glock 22 and Punchinello tried to fire with his Berreta 92FS as he fleed. Pegorino chased after him but lost his breath.
As Pegorino looked for Punchinello he suddenly felt a massive pain in his arm. He was hit with a baseball bat and disarmed. Pegorino took out his KA-BAR and tried to slash at Punchinello but failed. Punchinello got the upper hand as he hit Pegorino in the groin. Jimmy quickly fell on the
"Any last words?" Punchinello said tired and out of breathe and he pulled out his 92FS and pointed it Pegorino's head.
"F*CK YOU!" Jimmy screamed in pain.
Punchinello pulled the trigger and Jimmy's brain and what it remains of it is now a permanant part of Happiness Island.
Pegorino:
Winner: The Punchinello Family
Expert's Opinion[]
The Punchinellos won due to their superior weaponry and higher x-factor average.