Super Smash Bros. for Wii
Producer: Nintendo
Release Date: November 21, 2014
Platform: Wii U
Rating: E10+
Genre: Fighting
Same Taste, More Filling
Written by Jesse Seilhan
For some, Nintendo is synonymous with childhood. The original NES console created some of the most iconic characters in pop culture history, from Mario and Luigi to Princess Zelda and Samus. The company in charge of these delightful figures have all but squeezed every drop of life and blood from them for over 30 years, but fans keep coming back for more. Beyond the eventual sequels and remakes that keep these franchises alive, the Super Smash Bros fighting series has always given old and new franchise favorites a reason to exist. The sprawling multiplayer fighting game has a cast of characters spanning the entire company’s existence, from 1980’s Game & Watch to the Wii Fit trainer. The stages are all nods to classic games, the modes incorporate Nintendo ideals, and the entire package is one giant love letter to the fans. But is it any good?
The answer to that question mostly relies on your fondness for the aforementioned franchises. Those symbols of gaming’s roots are mostly fun to control, while many of the modern fighters from the Pokemon and Fire Emblem universes are less inspired. Some of the super powers go so far over the top that balance flies right out the window, but the game’s myriad of customizable match options can help control some of the chaos. The controls are fairly simple, with each character getting two attack buttons that can be modified with the directional pad, as well as buttons for jumping, blocking, and grappling. Tons of weapons show up during gameplay, from baseball bats and laser guns to Pokeballs and health items. Each character even has the chance to unleash a devastating “Final Smash” after harnessing one of the most powerful items mid-battle. From there, matches usually boil down to who can do the most damage the fastest, eventually sending their opponent flying off the screen. Multiply this by 8, the most playable combatants the series has ever seen, and the insanity goes off the charts with bodies, names, and items going everywhere.
If you have a group of friends and a bunch of WiiMotes, this game could be an instant party classic. The sheer variety of modes, characters, and personalization options make for a different battle every time. For just the solo fighting enthusiast, there is not a whole lot of content. Gone is the single-player narrative found in the Wii version and instead a series of matches awaits you, like any traditional fighting game ladder system from the 90’s. A confusing board game can also be played, with matches staggered in between, as well as training modes, mini-games, and an event mode, which turns out to be the most fun. This mode sets you up as a different fighter every time, tasked with some distinct goal for victory, be it winning in a short time frame or with a certain move or two. But in all reality, you need some friends to make this game worth playing.
The online system works as advertised, which actually is a compliment for a Nintendo product. No noticeable lag showed up during any sessions and the level of competition seemed to be quite high. The hi-res trophies are back, giving fans of Nintendo’s quirkier titles something to gawk at, but there is not any sort of progression or hook to keep you coming back beyond unlocking the next shiny object. As with most fighting games, the level of addiction will only come from having a healthy group of friends to practice with. If you’re a fan of Nintendo and fighting games, this is certainly up your alley, but if you like a little more meat and aren’t living in a frat house, Smash Bros for Wii U might not be worth it.