Usually, the onset of Fall means two things for me: 1. Grocery stores start selling eggnog again, and 2. Tons and tons of video game releases. This year, however, my Fall has been about one thing; Engagements.
Seriously, I don’t know what it is about the temperature dropping and the leaves changing colors that makes people want to give up the single life, but for some reason, all of my friends are making this decision. Normally, I wouldn’t care, I might even go so far as to say that I am happy for them, but this year is different. This is a Super Smash Bros Year.
To all of my engaged friends, I say you may think you have found happiness, you may even think you love the person that you have decided to spend your life with, but I’m telling you, you haven’t known happiness, you haven’t known love until you’ve played the new Super Smash Bros on the Wii U.
Yesterday, I had the unique opportunity to attend Nintendo’s press event in Salt Lake City. This consisted of me and three other writers from Aggie Radio getting to spend one hour in a trailer with Nintendo’s holiday line-up of games. I, of course, spent most of my time in playing the new Super Smash Bros game, which was a dream come true. It was better than I could have ever imagined, and while my time was limited, I was able to get to know the game enough to know that it will be better than any wife or girlfriend. Here are a few reasons why you should break off your engagement so you can play more Super Smash Bros.
1. It’s Beautiful:
The new Super Smash Bros. is on of the best looking games I have played on the Wii-U. It must stretch the console to its limits, because the characters and environments are beautifully rendered and vibrantly colored. The game runs faster than Melee, but with the smoothness of Brawl. The contrast of the colors is incredible and every hit feels incredibly kinetic. This is easily the smoothest and prettiest SSB to date.
2. Customizations:
While the Wii U version of SSB that we played was only a demo, I did get to experience the full game on the 3DS, Nintendo’s handheld system. One of the features I was most hesitant about in this new game was the customization, but I have to say, it seems pretty sweet. Each fighter has alternate moves for the Up B, Down B, Side B, and B moves that can be swapped out depending on your preferences. This feature can turn your least favorite fighters into valuable combatants and can make your favorite characters even better. I always play as ROB, but I never use his Down B move, after playing a little with customization, I was able to change his Down B to something I was actually able to use, making him an even better competitor.
3. Mii Fighters:
Then there are the Mii fighters. You can turn any of your Miis into a playable fighter. There are three types of mii fighters; Gunner, Swordsman, and Fighter. Each class has alternate specials, costumes, hats, and badges that let you customize their stats. My play-style includes a lot of dodging and shielding which means my most important stats are speed and strength. When creating a mii fighter, I was able to sacrifice defense to add more strength and speed. Everything is still very balanced, but the game does a good job of making you feel like you are creating something that’s your own.
4. The Gamecube Controller:
One thing I worried about when the new Super Smash Bros was announced was adjusting to the feel of the Wii U controller. My worries were calmed when Nintendo announced that Super Smash Bros. Wii U would be compatible with the Gamecube controller. Last night I got to try both, I can say that, while I am glad that I will be able to use the gamecube controller, I did not mind playing with the Wii U’s gamepad. Either one works fine. I prefer the gamecube because I have been using that controller to play SSB for the last 10 years, but I also would not be upset if I ended up with the gamepad.
5. Fun With Friends:
I got to experience a four-player match on SSB Wii U. It was as intense as ever. Even though SSB has gotten a HD facelift and added a bunch of features, it’s still the same game you have come to love. It’s intense. It’s brutal. And it’s frustratingly competitive. You will love it.
So to my friends that have said, “I wish I could play, but I’m doing stuff with my Fiancé,” I say, “dump her and pick up a controller. Delay the marriage at least.” Girls come and go, but a game like Super Smash Bros., and a chance to play it with your friends, only comes once in a while.
