vashivihan
Let There Be Rock
Yes, it’s the biggest, most drool-inducing ‘coming soon’ title for Wii, but we gamers aren’t the only ones with high hopes.
Whilst SSBB will trundle out of the game emporium doors on just rep and hype, it’s also Nintendo’s great white hope for breaking down the resolve of those snobbier joypad-wielders who continue to snub the Wii, considering it a toy. The Big N want a little white console with blue flashy bits in every home, and the continued delays in the final-polishing of Brawl are a hint as to how important this title really is to them.
But you’re probably as sick of the hoopla as we are, just wanting to get down to kicking the living snot out of some of the greatest game stars in history. So, as that release date creeps ever-so-slowly closer, we’ve come up with a speedy summation of what we know we’re in for when Super Smash Bros Brawl FINALLY hits the stores.
We’re assuming pretty much everybody but under-rock dwellers will have an idea what the basic point of SSBB is – mega fighting action – but what may not be as well known are the various modes that will be available.
Obviously, the basic, all-out fighting-in-various-arenas mode remains – don’t let your damage get to 999% (ahem) whilst you inflict move after move of damage to your opponents in order to boot them all of screen and become king of the castle. Now for the cooler stuff – try adding four player simultaneous play, plus the ability to do this online. Even if your buds have deserted you for the afternoon/night/morning/all of the aforementioned in a row, you’ll be able to find potential chump challengers from all over the globe via the Wi-Fi connection.
You can also construct Special Brawls, by fiddling with existing criteria. Elimination tourneys add another carrot for multi-players, Target Smash returns and if you manage to get bored of the myriad levels (which range from classic Mario darlings, Pokemon stadiums and Zelda faves through to one based on the DS feature Pictochat(!)) you’ll be able to construct your own with the included Stage Builder. Plus, this time ‘round we have destructible terrain, very nice!
And this is just the tip of the huge, pointy block of floaty frozen water with a penchant for sinking the unsinkable. There are also all manner of bonus power-ups ranging from nature’s good ol’ vitamin pills (oh OK, bananas) through barrels, hammers, pinball bumpers and the ever-so-tempting super-spicy curry – just for starters. Then there’s the reward collectables such as trophies, music, coins, snapshots and stickers.
Stickers, when used properly, will bolster your powers in one of the modes we’re really jonesing for, the adventure Subspace Emissary game (MMMmmm… side-scroller!). The addition of this mode, which is a completely different genre to the usual fighting action, offers buyers plenty of variety for their buck and will function in both solo and co-op play.
Speaking of music, 38 maestros of Japanese game music have been seduced into composing tunes for SSBB, ranging from traditional arrangements to a fabulously down and dirty techno-tinged rip of the original Donkey Kong arcade machine ditty. If there’s a song you hate, or love, you can adjust settings so as it appears less – or more. Now THAT is fine-tuning.
Meanwhile, overall control is key, with four options; the old Wii-mote turned on its side trick, Wiimote + Nunchuk, Wii classic controller or Gamecube controller. Want personalised button combos? Got them too, which save with your name so you don’t have to keep re-entering them. Plans are also afoot to save these settings to your Wii-mote, so hopefully we’ll be able to schlep them with us when travelling.
So, what characters are in store, you may well ask? Well, returning to the fray from past Brawls we have Mario, Peach, Bowser, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Link, Zelda and alter-ego Sheik, Kirby, Pikachu, Fox, Samus and those ever-so-cute Ice Climbers from way back in the NES days.
But that’s not all! Newcomers to the fray include Mario’s mascot-nemesis Sonic the Hedgehog, Wario, Diddy Kong, Kid Icarus’ Pit, Fire Emblem’s Ike, Pokemon Trainer, Metal Gear’s Solid Snake, Earthbound’s Lucas (aka Ryuka), Kirby’s nemesis King Dedede and Mr Bad/Mr Good Meta Knight plus Pikmin and Olimar (here’s hoping this is an omen that we may get some Wii Pikmin action soon).
Considering each character has four special moves, plus a unique Final Smash if you’re skilful enough to grab a Smash Ball, there’s some seriously varied pwnage infliction potential. And we can’t wait to experience Wario’s fart attack firsthand. Thank (insert preferred deity here) Nintendo haven’t come up with Smellovision yet.
Discounting the hype and working on known facts alone, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is shaping up as THE game for the Wii this year. Stay tuned for more updates and our definitive review. Coming real soon, really…
For further reading, check out our look at what characters could be in the full Super Smash Bros. Brawl roster.
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link http://www.gameplayer.com.au/Home/PREVIEWS/PREVIEWGAME/tabid/1484/Default.aspx?CID=2701b77d-ed54-48a0-9ac3-5a2d375e5331&v7Pager=1
