Review

Super Smash Bros. (Wii U)

Super Smash Brothers FINALLY sees a release on the Wii U! This is a big deal and a long introduction is not necessary needed, especially since I’d be saying some of the same things I said during my review of the handheld version. So, let’s jump right into the fun shall we…

Note: Because of the many similarities between the 3DS and Wii U versions of this game, I narrowed down my review to focus on what’s different. Feel free to check out my first review for some of the finer details of basic gameplay. 

In addition to the usual one on one, 4 player brawls and team battle, Smash always packs a few extra modes to increase replayability. Classic mode returns as well as Home Run contest (extremely fun by the way,) and Multi-man Smash. New this time around is a mode called Smash Tour. Smash Tour adopts a board game approach to create an interesting party game. Using a Mii you select from different sized boards and select the number of total turns everyone takes to then scramble around collecting various powerups, trophies, character unlocks and stat boosts. Each character gets a random set of moves per turn to navigate the board. Boostable stats include speed, attack, jump, special, arms and defense. Each stat has an icon represented on the board as well as character trophies that need to be collected in order to participate in the battles during Smash Tour. Don’t have any trophies? Then you sit out battles until you do.

Other tiles on the board can warp you onto another tile, boost stats at random or initiate a battle. Of course bumping into players on the board also prompts battles as well. During battles the winner steals the second place Mii’s fighter and items are given out. Before each battle starts, you can select items that grant certain advantages during the brawl to give you a slight edge. After the turns are up, the final brawl starts with your stat boosted character and let me tell you beforehand that stat boosts make a huge different. At the end the winner keeps all the items they collected, along with gold and other random goodies that may have been accumulated. While fun, Smash Tour only serves as a brief diversion from the main game.

Also new this time around is the ability to customize character moves and the ability to create your own fighter. The original roster’s moves can only be enhanced with variations of their existing move-set, so don’t expect to give Link’s moves to Little Mac, it doesn’t quite work that way. Create-a-fighter allows you to use your Mii and give it 1 of 3 fighting styles being swordfighter, brawler (hand to hand) and gunner (arm cannon.) Your Mii can be enhanced further with boost that change your attack, defense and speed properties. Each smash attack has 3 selectable moves and each Mii can be dressed from head to toe in different attire. While the mode isn’t as in depth as other offerings, it is pretty cool and a step in the right direction for future iterations of SB.

Like its predecessor SSB Brawl, online multiplayer returns in full swing. Your choice of For Fun (unranked) and For Glory (ranked) modes determine what type of smash experience you have. For Fun allows item usage and stage hazards, while For Glory disables items, Final Smash orbs and all stages are set to their Form counterparts which means they are stationary flat stages with no hazards. Matches are frantic and very competitive and the majority of my matches had very little lag. You have the option to create a lobby and invite friends to duke it out in custom matches, a welcome addition.

A long standing wish I had for SB was the inclusion of more player controlled characters onscreen. Nintendo must have read my mind, because now there’s a mode dedicated to 8 PLAYER SMASH!! This is a huge deal, no scratch that a BIG FREAKING DEAL! This mode is fun as hell to put it lightly – a party mode through and through, where team battles never felt better. To accommodate the additional characters only level’s with large playing fields are selectable and while it does sound reasonable some of the levels are a tad too large, even with 8 players on screen. To some this allows breathing room and hiding but I prefer closer more intimate affairs that give you little room to run. Unfortunately 8 player smash isn’t supported online, maybe next time.

Graphically this game is easy on the eyes. 3D models whether it’s a character model or arena are all colorful, vibrant and really pop on screen. Character detail is extremely crisp especially when zoomed for closer inspections of attention to detail. The biggest deals here are the HD overhaul and the Wii U’s horsepower that flexes its muscles in a big way. Owning the 3DS version and previous releases, it’s painfully obvious how SB benefits from the Wii U’s hardware. Backgrounds feature an insane amount of moving parts and on screen scenery. Side by side comparisons with the 3DS backgrounds are mind boggling in scope and while it’s understandable, it makes me appreciate both versions for very different reasons.

Controller options are aplenty this game. Ranging from the wii mote, classic controllers, pro controllers, the highly regarded gamecube controller and “gasp” even the 3DS functions as a controller. The last option works well enough in a pinch but the main catch is you need a copy of SB 3DS AND it’s only limited to traditional Smash mode and 8 player smash, meaning no online play with the 3DS.

From a content aspect it’s astounding how much content the Big N packed onto the disk. In addition to trophies there are more challenges to complete, more soundtracks for your listening pleasure and even 3 minute demos of classic Nintendo classics. My ears exploded after hearing Mega Man tracks resurrected for this game whether in original or remixed format. There’s even an option to customize songs for any background and during menu navigation…nice indeed!