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Super Smash Bros. Brawl Preview for the Nintendo Wii

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Preview for the Nintendo Wii

The Ultimate Nintendo Fighter

October 23, 2007 – Quite possibly the most disappointing gaming-related news is that Nintendo’s hotly anticipated Wii-exclusive fighter, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, has had its release date pushed back. Brawl is now slated for release in the United States on February 10th, 2008 (*Update: The game was delayed again – Official Release Date is March 9, 2008.*) Details are scarce as to why exactly the release date has been postponed.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl screenshot

Despite this though, Brawl remains one of the most anticipated games of 2008. The Smash Bros. series has always been known for chaotic fighting action featuring tons of characters, a wide variety of battleplaces, and a huge amount of useable items. Brawl is certainly looking to continue with that trend, while at the same time amplifying it with a number of significant improvements.

If you thought that Super Smash Bros. Melee, released for the Nintendo GameCube, had a lot of characters, then Brawl is going to make you think again. Characters present in Brawl come from a huge spectrum of all sorts of Nintendo-related franchises. Nintendo classics such as Link, Zelda, Mario, Samus, and Pikachu all return, as well as new favorites. Brand-new characters include Pit from Kid Icarus and Solid Snake of Metal Gear Solid fame. Additionally of note is the fact that, however controversial it may be, Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega’s mascot, essentially) has been confirmed as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

The real fun of Super Smash Bros. games has essentially been knocking around other Nintendo characters. Every character throughout the game has a very distinct and well-crafted moveset. Basic moves are simple to perform; hitting a foe enough times will add damage. Super Smash Bros. is unique in that killing a foe does not encompass merely beating him or her up to a certain damage level. Instead, the more damage a foe receives, the further he will fly when hit. Rack up enough damage, then deliver a powerful blow to knock your opponent off the edge of the stage.

Previous Super Smash Bros. games have also been known for their quick-to-learn, difficult-to-master control schemes. Again, Brawl seems to be taking this fact and running with it. To begin with, there are four different styles of play: you can use the Wii remote, the Wii remote with the Nuncuk attached, the GameCube controller, or the Classic Controller. Naturally, the button presses for each controller to perform desired moves are going to be different and there’ll certainly be some fun in deciding exactly which controller best suits your style of play.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl screenshot

Duking it out with other Nintendo characters is all well and good, but as someone once said, variety is the spice of life. And to spice up your playing experience with Super Smash Bros. Brawl are a huge amount of Nintendo-themed items. They range from well-known accoutrements such as a Super Mushroom or Bob-Omb to lesser-recognized items (for example, the Maxim Tomato from the Kirby games). Easily the best (as well as least frequent) of all the items is the Smash Ball; the fighter that gains possession of this item has the ability to unleash an absolutely devastating attack called a Final Smash.

If you thought that the variety of courses in which to play was impressive in Melee, then Brawl is going to blow your mind. Not only are the graphics immensely improved from the latest iteration of the series, but the actual locales in which you will play are so much more interesting. Each character has a stage that somehow pertains to him; for example, Pit’s stage is a broken down temple, presumably that of the Goddess which he serves.

In addition to providing some graphical eye candy (which you probably won’t get to enjoy, by the way, thanks to Brawl’s frantic action-packed gameplay), the courses provide tons of little diversions. Every course is very distinct, mainly in the obstacles that it provides. Some courses move around, forcing you to follow along in the screen frame to avoid being knocked off the screen. Others include different environmental elements, some which merely present themselves as part of the environment and others with which you can interact.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl screenshot

Graphically, Brawl is one of the most impressive-looking titles on the Wii so far. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption has become the poster-child for great graphics on the Wii, and Brawl is looking to join the club. Absolutely everything looks jaw droppingly beautiful. Environments are expertly done, textures look fantastic, and the obvious attention to detail in every little aspect of each of the many characters is very noticeable. Graphics will never make a bad game good, but as Brawl exemplifies, they can make an already great game even better.

Another huge staple of the series ever since its conception is multiplayer. Playing against a computer is fine, but playing against a live opponent is a far more satisfying experience. Brawl offers typical four-player local multiplayer, allowing you and some friends to sit down and engage in a major slug-fest. The game also sports some incredible online play. The online mode matches you up with multiple players from around the world, and ensures that there’s always somebody ready to fight you.

Despite it being a very-hyped game, I have little doubt that Brawl will live up to, if not succeed, expectations. From all the information that’s been divulged from the developers thus far, we’ve seen that all the core elements of a Super Smash Bros. game are clearly there. But what’s going to make Brawl the must-buy game of 2008? All those elements have been hugely amplified. The graphics are great, the gameplay maintains both its simplicity and its complexity, and the multiplayer is shaping up to be great. All in all, expect Brawl to be the biggest-selling Wii title of 2008.

Features:

  • Play with four types of controllers!: Wii Remote, Wii Remote & Nunchuk, Classic Controller and the GameCube controller.
  • Your Favorite Veteran Fighters Are Back! Mario, Link, Kirby, Pikachu, Fox, Samus, Zelda, Bowser and Donkey Kong are ready for more action! New characters also join in the bash this time around!
  • Brawl in your favorite Nintendo Locations!: Battlefield, Delfino Plaza, Yoshi’s Island, Lylat Cruise, Bridge of Eldin and Smashville are some of the places to get your Brawl on!

  • Brawling Interaction

    Aug. 21, 2007 – Since the days of the Nintendo 64, fans who debated which Nintendo character was the best of them all have had a way to prove their convictions – Super Smash Bros. Fans have been eating the title up since then, and some have even gone as far to say it was the best fighting game title available on the market. After the sequel on the GameCube, Super Smash Bros. Melee, fans begged for another installment to the series. Come this December, those pleas of more carnage will be answered, and a collective excitement is now being felt across the globe.

    Super Smash Bros. Brawl screenshot

    With the controls on the Wii, some fans wonder exactly how they will be able to enact their brawliest moves on the unsuspecting victims who choose to play against them. We have a few of those answers for you. However, for those of you out there who have no idea of the phenomenon that is the Super Smash Bros. series, I shall fill you in first.

    The Super Smash series is your typical fighting game with a few varying techniques that players of traditional fighters may have to get used to. For starters, instead of a health bar, you will have a percentage tally on the screen that starts at zero. As that percentage races to the 100% mark, you will find it increasingly hard to stay on the stage. After all, the main goal is to knock off all opponents on the screen. The fabled Nintendo characters, such as Mario, Link, Kirby, Pikachu, Fox, Samus, Bowser, and Donkey Kong, have all your basic moves like punching and kicking, as well as specific moves depending on the corresponding buttons pushed. In addition to the basics, each character will have four special attacks and one character specific signature move called “Final Smash.” Players will use an item called “Smash Balls” to perform these promising attacks.

    The stages this time around will be new with the exception of one returning stage from Melee, which is heavily changed since it was last seen. In fact, most of the stages will drastically change cosmetically during the battles of iconic characters. The Battlefield stage will change from day to night, the Yoshi’s Island stage will change whole seasons, and the Skyworld stage will have destructible platforms. Players will also have weapons they can use against their adversaries, such as projectile weapons and an item that will heal one specific character and damage all others around. Some special items that will be accessible occasionally during the battles are the Assist Trophy and Poké Balls, and each brings in special guests or Pokémon to aid the player. Most of these quests are invincible, but they are uncontrollable by the players.

    Super Smash Bros. Brawl screenshot

    Speaking of controls, there will be a few ways you can experience this installment into the series. You will be able to use the Wii remote turned on its side, the Wii remote Nunchuk combination, the classic controller, and even the traditional GameCube controller. The reasoning behind the variations of play is for the different gamer styles out there. We will also be able to configure the controls the way we want to for the different controller we use. The option of different controllers is not the only new control aspect of the game. Plenty of new characters will be available as we progress through the game as well. Some are complimentary to the franchises already present in the game, such as Meta Knight from the Kirby series. In addition, a few will represent their titles for the first time. Wario, at the top of many fans must-play lists, is making his debut, and Pit from Kid Icarus will return from a hiatus that began in 1991. However, one character not only makes his first appearance into the series but also marks the first third party character to grace the Super Smash titles. I am, of course, speaking of the king of stealth missions, Solid Snake.

    If you are worried those mindless hours of fighting might not be able to hold your interest, there will be an all-new single player mode that will intrigue fans. The Subspace Emissary is what the new adventure mode is called, and it will feature full motion videos, storylines, and some side scrolling action. The main emphasis on the adventure mode will be character development and seeing them persevere through their own personal histories. Promises of a more fleshed out single player only seems to increase the already insurmountable hype around the game. According to a recent release from Japanese gaming magazine Coro Coro, Super Smash Bros Brawl will have WiFi Battle; this could mean that the brawlers among us will have the capability to battle things out online. While nothing is concrete at current moment, it does appear to be happening for the fighting series. Only time will tell how these new inclusions will aid the game, but it certainly makes me wish December was much closer than it is.

    Super Smash Bros. Brawl screenshot

    New and old fans of the sequel to Super Smash Bros. have been biting at the bit for this game for quite some time. With the improved graphics, inclusions of more fan favorites, and, of course, the willingness to adapt to different player styles with the inclusion of different controller options, there’s no reason anyone with a Wii should not be looking forward to this game. For those of you without the Wii, race out to get it before it goes into “sold out” hiding once this game hits the shelves.

    Features:

  • Play with four types of controllers!: Wii Remote, Wii Remote & Nunchuk, Classic Controller, and the GameCube controller.
  • Your Favorite Veteran Fighters Are Back! Mario, Link, Kirby, Pikachu, Fox, Samus, Zelda, Bowser, and Donkey Kong are ready for more action! New characters also join in the bash this time around!
  • Brawl in your favorite Nintendo Locations! Battlefield, Delfino Plaza, Yoshi’s Island, Lylat Cruise, Bridge of Eldin, and Smashville are just some of the places you can choose to get your Brawl on!

  • Gaining Speed!

    July 11, 2007 – Nintendo’s Smash Bros. series is gaining speed as they announced today the release date of one of the most anticipated Nintendo Wii games around. What might this magnificent day be? How about December 3rd of this year? That’s right fans boys and girls! The Brawl is finally coming. There are plenty of ways that we will be able to play; some of fan favorites and some that will be new to the series. Those that are going to be joining Mario and his regular ragtag crew are Kid Icarus, Wario, Samus, and my personal favorite: Solid Snake.

    Super Smash Bros. Brawl screenshot

    Speaking again about those modes for our gaming ease: we will be able to not only use the Wii-mote and Nunchuk combination, but we will also be able to use the classic controller and the GameCube controller, or the Wii-mote, holding it sideways. There is plenty more info that we will be passing along to you in the next few days as we learn as much as we can from this year’s E3. Stay tuned to CheatCC!

    Features:

  • The world-famous fighting franchise is coming to Wii!
  • An all-star cast of the biggest names in the video game world are coming to Wii, to duke it out in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
  • Four styles of gameplay available!


    Nintendo takes the fight outside by Vaughn Smith

    June 29, 2006 – Updated with new screens.

    May 10, 2006 – You wanted it….you got it! Nintendo announced today via a video announcement trailer that indeed, a new installment of the insanely popular Super Smash Bros. franchise would be appearing on the Wii. Oddly enough, it was Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid that helped bring the announcement to the masses….and he was labelled as a newcomer, which means Nintendo is going after third party companies to get their permission to use outside characters. How cool is that? Finally you’ll be able to answer the age old question, “Who would win in a fight between Pikachu and Solid Snake?”, because we know you have nothing better to do with your time than invent ridiculous matchups. Other newcomers (with even more to be announced) can be located directly below. Kid Icarus fans must be busy relieving themselves in their pants right about now.

    Super Smash Bros. Brawl screenshot

    Super Smash Bros. Melee creator Masahiru Sakurai, was approached by Shigeru Miyamoto to create a new Super Smash Bros. game and Brawl is it. One of the stipulations that Sakurai had, was that the game was not to be played with the Wii-mote even though it would on the Wii system, so gamers will once again be able to pick up their Cube controllers and have at it.

    There will be changes to the single player experience although those weren’t revealed, but it did slip that there would be online play!

    Super Smash Bros. Brawl screenshotSuper Smash Bros. Brawl screenshotSuper Smash Bros. Brawl screenshotSuper Smash Bros. Brawl screenshotSuper Smash Bros. Brawl screenshot

    For now check out the screens and be sure to check out the comical movie trailer for the game….do you think one of the Nintendogs might be playable? Arf Arf! Click here to see the movie.

    Super Smash Bros. Brawl screenshot

    Unfortunately the game won’t be ready until 2007, but I’m sure that’s a small consolation for those who thought Nintendo had abandoned them when Super Smash Bros. wasn’t mentioned during Nintendo’s E3 Press Conference. We’ll have more ASAP.

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