Fansided

Super Smash Bros Review: A Smashing Success

By Ted Schwerzler

facebooktwitterreddit

Super Smash Bros makes its debut on the Nintendo Wii U and immediately becomes another game that makes the system a must buy.

Few games have bigger followings than the Super Smash Bros series, even by Nintendo standards. When thinking of first party games on Nintendo consoles, it is likely the Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros franchises that immediately come to mind. While the previous success is the reason for that, it is in the new title, Super Smash Bros Wii U, that we are reminded of this greatness.

More from Entertainment

Earlier this fall, Super Smash Bros made its debut on the Nintendo 3DS. While I didn’t personally play that game, it scored incredibly well and had everyone anticipating the release of the big brother version on the Nintendo Wii U. Based upon my readings of the 3DS version, and my time spent with the Wii U version, the console counterpart is every bit of the greatness with a cherry added on top.

First of all, the amount of options for Super Smash Bros on the Nintendo Wii U are astounding. Nintendo has recreated GameCube style controllers, along with an adapter, to allow the Super Smash Bros experience to be enjoyed in its purest form.

The graphical prowess on the console is something to be recognized as well. Everything on screen looks beautiful. Crisp characters, bursting colors, and perfectly fluid gameplay throughout. Aside from Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U, there isn’t a game that holds a candle to this level of graphical ability.

Aside from Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U, there isn’t a game that holds a candle to this level of graphical ability.

Outside of the graphics, another shining point for Super Smash Bros is the audio mastery that is the soundtrack. It is truly amazing, and accompanies the smash fest in such a great way. Each battle feels heightened through the intricacies of the audio playing throughout the background.

As has been noted for months prior to launch, the roster for Super Smash Bros Wii U is impressive. Of course you have Nintendo figure heads like Mario and Pikachu, but lesser characters like the Duck Hunt dog are also represented. The roster has something for everyone. In picking your character, there is also more than enough offered when it comes to where you play. The stages are incredibly well done, and the amount of differentiation offers a great fresh feel to the gameplay.

Despite Super Smash Bros being regarded as a game with near unlimited replayability, Nintendo has taken it up a notch on the Wii U. The standard 1 to 4 player Smash mode is present, along with an 8 player Smash, and Smash Tour. With 8 players on the screen, the chaos is ridiculous, but Super Smash Bros still runs perfectly fluid and the gameplay doesn’t suffer at all.

Smash Tour mode is a board game of sorts in which players can progress through the Super Smash Bros world battling through different fights against other players to unlock gear, costumers, and characters for their roster.

On top of the mentioned modes, the Challenge Board is back this time around as well. There are 140 spaces worth of unlocks that are unveiled by completing different tasks throughout gameplay. With a handful of other mini games and lesser modes, there is enough content in Super Smash Bros Wii U to have you playing for years to come.

With a handful of other mini games and lesser modes, there is enough content in Super Smash Bros Wii U to have you playing for years to come.

Amiibo functionality is one of the new features to be introduced alongside Super Smash Bros Wii U as well. These little figures are going to run you $13 and that’s a great price point because they can be addicting. Each Amiibo is user specific and can be leveled up and customized throughout the game. Battling against your Amiibo is tons of fun, and the connection through the Wii U controller is a very simple and seamless process.

Nintendo made cross functionality incredibly intuitive for Super Smash Bros as well. Not only can data between the 3DS and Wii U versions be easily transferred, but controllers can be made out of nearly any Nintendo product. A 3DS, GamePad, Wii Remote, Remote and Nunchuck combo, Wii Classic Controller, or GameCube controller can all be utilized to control a character. While 8 players require 8 controllers, you likely already have quite a few.

I don’t consider myself a Super Smash Bros veteran by any means, but this newest version is a game that you can easily lose hours at a time in each play session. With a handful of modes, online functionality, and up to 8 players locally, Nintendo has just rolled out another game that makes the Nintendo Wii U a must buy simply for a specific title alone.

The Good:

  • Beautiful graphics and gameplay that shines no matter how many gamers are on screen
  • So many game modes and options will provide months of replayability
  • Easy and fun Amiibo functionality

The Bad:

  • Would be nice to see a GameCube controller bundled in

More from FanSided

Home/Entertainment