Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSurvival of the fittest
Video game icons battle it out in biggest Super Smash Bros. yet
By Dave Arey
Posted: 3/4/08, 11:19 PM EST Section: Joystick
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Developer: Sora Ltd., Game Arts
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Wii
Release date: March 9
Mario and his Nintendo pals have raced go-karts, played sports, teamed up in role-playing games and even taught kids how to type. However, most gamers want to see them do one thing - fight. When "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" is released for Nintendo Wii on March 9, Nintendo fans will (once again) get their wish.
"Brawl" comes after "Super Smash Bros. Melee," the second game in the "Super Smash Bros." series, which was by far the best-selling game on the Nintendo Gamecube. Nintendo is hoping "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" will repeat that feat on the Wii.
As always, there are many new surprises - new characters and stages, not to mention entirely new ways of playing.
We're not in Mushroom Kingdom anymore
One of the most notable changes is the addition of new characters. There are now 35 in total, and Nintendo has added many new faces, from familiar icons like the Pokemon Trainer and Wario to more obscure ones like Pit from "Kid Icarus." The most buzzed about newcomers come from outside the Nintendo universe: Konami's Solid Snake and Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog.
Of the two, Solid Snake is more out of place. The mature themes of the "Metal Gear Solid" games go out of the window, since he can't slit throats or drag around corpses. Still, he comes with enough missile launchers, hand grenades and proximity mines to take over a small country.
Break it up
"Super Smash Bros. Brawl" includes 25 original stages and six old ones taken from "Super Smash Bros. Melee." Many of the new stages include increased interactivity with environments. For instance, a stage inspired by "Luigi's Mansion" is entirely destructible, and a stage based on "Animal Crossing" will change depending on the time of day.
If you prefer to make your own levels, that option will be available as well. New to "Brawl" is the "Stage Builder," which allows players to create their own stages through a myriad of available objects and backgrounds. Players can even submit their ideas to Nintendo, who will send one new stage per day to gamers through its Internet service. Speaking of the Internet…
A link to the future
For the first time in the series, "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" will include online play. It will not come with the better online service you see with Xbox 360 and PS3 games, so expect lag - especially during the first couple weeks. Still, this was the next logical step for the best multiplayer series Nintendo has, so they deserve credit for finally listening to fans' demands.
dwarey@syr.edu
New Faces in an Old Crowd
Everyone knows Snake and Sonic, but some of the other new characters may not be as recognizable.
Ike from the "Fire Emblem" series
The addition of Marth and Roy in "Super Smash Bros. Melee" raised eyebrows, and their compatriot is sure to do the same.
Why play as him?
Because swords are cool, 'nuff said.
Pit from "Kid Icarus"
It's been more than 20 years since "Kid Icarus" was released on the original Nintendo system, but with Pit's inclusion in "Brawl," expect a new game soon.
Why play as him?
Even old school gamers need a mascot.
King Dedede from the "Kirby" series
He's cute, he's furry, and he's incredibly lazy.
Why play as him?
To humiliate your opponents with a penguin-aided beat down.
R.O.B.
Following in the peculiar Mr. Game & Watch's footsteps, another peripheral makes its way onto the battlefield.
Why play as him?
You're on your own here, folks.
Wario
His main attacks involve farting and running people over with his motorcycle.
Why play as him?
Someone has to take the annoying character, just for variety's sake.
Pokemon Trainer
Play as one of three Pokemon - Squirtle, Ivysaur or Charizard.
Why play as him?
If you never could afford a Charizard Pokemon card, this might be your only chance to test him out.
Captain Olimar from the "Pikmin" series
Just like in the games, Olimar plucks Pikmin out of the ground and hurls them at enemies.
Why play as him?
You could be incredibly cowardly or maybe a strategy buff. Either way, we don't judge.
Developer: Sora Ltd., Game Arts
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Wii
Release date: March 9
Mario and his Nintendo pals have raced go-karts, played sports, teamed up in role-playing games and even taught kids how to type. However, most gamers want to see them do one thing - fight. When "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" is released for Nintendo Wii on March 9, Nintendo fans will (once again) get their wish.
"Brawl" comes after "Super Smash Bros. Melee," the second game in the "Super Smash Bros." series, which was by far the best-selling game on the Nintendo Gamecube. Nintendo is hoping "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" will repeat that feat on the Wii.
As always, there are many new surprises - new characters and stages, not to mention entirely new ways of playing.
We're not in Mushroom Kingdom anymore
One of the most notable changes is the addition of new characters. There are now 35 in total, and Nintendo has added many new faces, from familiar icons like the Pokemon Trainer and Wario to more obscure ones like Pit from "Kid Icarus." The most buzzed about newcomers come from outside the Nintendo universe: Konami's Solid Snake and Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog.
Of the two, Solid Snake is more out of place. The mature themes of the "Metal Gear Solid" games go out of the window, since he can't slit throats or drag around corpses. Still, he comes with enough missile launchers, hand grenades and proximity mines to take over a small country.
Break it up
"Super Smash Bros. Brawl" includes 25 original stages and six old ones taken from "Super Smash Bros. Melee." Many of the new stages include increased interactivity with environments. For instance, a stage inspired by "Luigi's Mansion" is entirely destructible, and a stage based on "Animal Crossing" will change depending on the time of day.
If you prefer to make your own levels, that option will be available as well. New to "Brawl" is the "Stage Builder," which allows players to create their own stages through a myriad of available objects and backgrounds. Players can even submit their ideas to Nintendo, who will send one new stage per day to gamers through its Internet service. Speaking of the Internet…
A link to the future
For the first time in the series, "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" will include online play. It will not come with the better online service you see with Xbox 360 and PS3 games, so expect lag - especially during the first couple weeks. Still, this was the next logical step for the best multiplayer series Nintendo has, so they deserve credit for finally listening to fans' demands.
dwarey@syr.edu
New Faces in an Old Crowd
Everyone knows Snake and Sonic, but some of the other new characters may not be as recognizable.
Ike from the "Fire Emblem" series
The addition of Marth and Roy in "Super Smash Bros. Melee" raised eyebrows, and their compatriot is sure to do the same.
Why play as him?
Because swords are cool, 'nuff said.
Pit from "Kid Icarus"
It's been more than 20 years since "Kid Icarus" was released on the original Nintendo system, but with Pit's inclusion in "Brawl," expect a new game soon.
Why play as him?
Even old school gamers need a mascot.
King Dedede from the "Kirby" series
He's cute, he's furry, and he's incredibly lazy.
Why play as him?
To humiliate your opponents with a penguin-aided beat down.
R.O.B.
Following in the peculiar Mr. Game & Watch's footsteps, another peripheral makes its way onto the battlefield.
Why play as him?
You're on your own here, folks.
Wario
His main attacks involve farting and running people over with his motorcycle.
Why play as him?
Someone has to take the annoying character, just for variety's sake.
Pokemon Trainer
Play as one of three Pokemon - Squirtle, Ivysaur or Charizard.
Why play as him?
If you never could afford a Charizard Pokemon card, this might be your only chance to test him out.
Captain Olimar from the "Pikmin" series
Just like in the games, Olimar plucks Pikmin out of the ground and hurls them at enemies.
Why play as him?
You could be incredibly cowardly or maybe a strategy buff. Either way, we don't judge.
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