By Luke Kirby
Since the franchise first started on the Nintendo 64 back in 1999 I’ve been an avid fan and loved every game in the series, which is odd for me as I usually despise the majority of fighting games. Jump to 2014 and the world is graced with another Smash Bros title on not just the home console of the Wii U but also the amazing handheld that is the 3DS, with the 3DS edition to be released in the summer and the Wii U version out in the winter… I’m expecting console bundles for the Christmas period.
Since the franchise first started on the Nintendo 64 back in 1999 I’ve been an avid fan and loved every game in the series, which is odd for me as I usually despise the majority of fighting games. Jump to 2014 and the world is graced with another Smash Bros title on not just the home console of the Wii U but also the amazing handheld that is the 3DS, with the 3DS edition to be released in the summer and the Wii U version out in the winter… I’m expecting console bundles for the Christmas period.
Anyone who has played any of the games in the series will know it has had the same fast-flowing, insane combat since day one. From what I’ve seen of the gameplay of the latest installments, this hasn’t changed and I’m incredibly happy about that. This time though the action will take place in glorious HD on the Wii U. Equally as easy on the eyes is the 3DS version with its cel-shaded art style, which I’ve always been a sucker for, with black outlines around the characters which is meant to help players see their character on the smaller 3DS screen. (It’s worth noting that this feature can be turned off if one so wishes too.)
Both versions of the game will have stages that are exclusive to each platform, but because of this there will not be any cross-platform between the two systems available. However there will be some form of connectivity, yet it’s unspecified what this exactly is. The character rosters will be the same across the two platforms with new additions such as Mega Man, Villager (both male and female), Little Mac and various others with more to be announced as the release of both looms ever closer.
The 3DS version does have one exclusive feature/mode to the system and this being Smash Run. In this mode players have five minutes to explore a huge arena, battling enemies who drop power-ups, which can also be acquired through opening chests and breaking targets to increase stat,s such as your character's dashing speed and/or jumping height. After the five minutes are over players engage in battle with their beefed-up characters in different battle-types such as the normal 'Free-for-all', 'Reflect Smash' and 'Flower Smash', among others types.
Both versions of the game will have stages that are exclusive to each platform, but because of this there will not be any cross-platform between the two systems available. However there will be some form of connectivity, yet it’s unspecified what this exactly is. The character rosters will be the same across the two platforms with new additions such as Mega Man, Villager (both male and female), Little Mac and various others with more to be announced as the release of both looms ever closer.
The 3DS version does have one exclusive feature/mode to the system and this being Smash Run. In this mode players have five minutes to explore a huge arena, battling enemies who drop power-ups, which can also be acquired through opening chests and breaking targets to increase stat,s such as your character's dashing speed and/or jumping height. After the five minutes are over players engage in battle with their beefed-up characters in different battle-types such as the normal 'Free-for-all', 'Reflect Smash' and 'Flower Smash', among others types.
Something that wasn’t quite great, at least in my experience, was the online play of Smash Bros on the Wii. Not once did I have a lag-free game, which in any multiplayer game as high-octane as Smash Bros is simply unacceptable. I’m looking forward to the online play on the latest installment with the two new modes being introduced for it. 'Fun mode' records player’s victories, and players fight on random stages with all items are included. 'For Glory' is slightly more competitive with all items being removed from battles and setting every battle on a final destination version of certain levels, with both victories and defeats being recorded. Honestly this is the setting I’ll be choosing, simply for the fact that I normally battle without items when playing others. Players are able to set their own custom rules whether playing against friends, locally or online. I’m excited to take my 3DS out and connect to a Wi-Fi spot and battle others when out and about, or just with a few friends or family who share the console. This is one of my favourite game series' ever and being able to play it where and whenever I want is amazing to me.
However, there was one problem I had with the game and it wasn’t even with the game itself, really. But it was the fact I would not be able to use a GameCube controller, the best controller ever and if you disagree you can go away. I rejoiced when I heard a company would be designing a GameCube inspired controller for the Wii U specifically for Smash Bros… In that regard I don’t think I could be happier.
Whether I’m playing online or knocking the stuffing out of someone sitting next to me I’m overly excited for what is to come from Nintendo's headlining fighting game.
However, there was one problem I had with the game and it wasn’t even with the game itself, really. But it was the fact I would not be able to use a GameCube controller, the best controller ever and if you disagree you can go away. I rejoiced when I heard a company would be designing a GameCube inspired controller for the Wii U specifically for Smash Bros… In that regard I don’t think I could be happier.
Whether I’m playing online or knocking the stuffing out of someone sitting next to me I’m overly excited for what is to come from Nintendo's headlining fighting game.
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