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Contrast Review: Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U/3DS

Archive — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 08:28:00 +0000

These games have been two of the most hyped games to be released last year, and for good reason. If you have been living under a rock for the past three years, Super Smash Bros for the 3DS and the Wii U are the fourth and fifth games in the critically acclaimed party brawler series from Kirby's Dreamland series creator Masahiro Sakurai, but I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that. As such, this review is going to be slightly different than what I normally do. Because of the varying contrast between the content of the two versions of the game, this time I'm gonna compare the two and tell you which version would better suit your gaming palette.

Now if you are worried about what characters are available in each version, you have no need to worry about that. Both versions of the game have the exact same cast of nearly fifty characters which include Mario, Link, Pikachu, Fox, Samus, Yoshi, Donkey Kong and Kirby (just to name a few), but the number of unlockable characters is reduced in the Wii U version. While there are twelve characters to unlock in the 3DS version, the Wii U version has four of these characters already unlocked from the get go which reduces the amount of work needed.

Returning from Super Smash Bros Brawl are the challenges. Challenges are in both versions of the game, but they are split up into three separate pages on the 3DS version with a total of 105 relatively easy ones to complete whereas the Wii U version has 140 moderately more difficult ones all on one page. Completing a challenge will give you a reward and a special picture to view as a little bonus.

Classic Mode also makes a return in these games as it always has since the series' beginning, but this time it has gotten a drastic overhaul. On the 3DS, you go through branching paths of varying difficulty (Blue = Easy, Green = Normal, Red = Hard) and it feels very similar to how Classic Mode has been in past games, but in the Wii U version, Classic Mode is more based on your actual skill level as there are multiple groups of fighters each with a varying number of opponents and the occasional rival and surprise ambush.

All-Star Mode makes a return yet again from its introduction in Super Smash Bros Melee, but it feels a little bit different this time around. Like in Brawl, you face every character in the game in order of character's creation and release according to the real world (with the exception of the customizable Mii Fighters), but the direction of the order you face them in differs per version. In the 3DS version, you fight them in chronological order. In the Wii U version, you fight them in reverse chronological order. Also, unlike the previous games in the series, All-Star Mode is unlocked from the start with more available opponents to face every time a new one is unlocked.

Now for the mode everyone knows about, SMASH MODE. This is the game's basic free-for-all versus mode in which you choose your character and beat the crap out of your opponent on one of dozens of different stages inspired by a game in Nintendo's MASSIVE repertoire of franchises. The types of battles that can be done include Timed, Stock, and Coin battles and each can be played in teams. Smash mode can also be played online in modes called "For Fun" which has all items on and uses every stage except for Final Destination, and "For Glory" which all items are turned off and the only stage available is Final Destination or a visual variation of it.

Now new to these two games are character customization and amiibo support. With character customization, you can apply badges to a character that will boost one stat and hinder another and modify their special moves to better suit your tastes (I personally made a version of Mario that had completely fire based attacks). These customizations can also be applied to the amiibo that have been getting released these past few months. Amiibo fighters are completely AI controlled with no input by the player at all, but at their lower levels they can be trained to fight better by mimicking the player's fighting style. It should also be noted that amiibo support on the 3DS is limited to the "New" 3DS only.

Stadium mode also returns from the previous games, but with some slight alterations. Break the Targets has been completely removed and a new mode called Target Blast has taken its place. The 3DS version only has one stage while the Wii U version has three and if you want an idea of what Target Blast plays like, think Angry Birds but instead of a slingshot, you're launching a large bomb with a character's smash attack. 15-Minute smash mode in the Stadium has also been replaced with a new mode called Rival Smash in which you have to knock out more opponents than a CPU controlled rival character. The Fighting Alloy Team from Brawl in Stadium has also been replaced with the Fighting Mii Team. I find this to be pretty humorous as the Mii's faces are taken from the system's internal memory (I have some pretty low brow ones on my systems).

Now, here is what is exclusive to each version.

Returning from Brawl are the Event Matches, but these are exclusive to the Wii U version of the game. Event Matches are special battles with very specific win conditions. Some examples would include defeating a specific character before a computer controlled rival, or even preventing a hoard of slowly falling enemies from landing of the stage. Each event also has a secondary win condition that will reward you with a special prize should you succeed.

Also returning from Brawl and are exclusive to the Wii U are the Masterpieces. Masterpiece are demos of classic games that last anywhere between 1 to 5 minutes in length. If you happen to like the game's demo by the time the timer runs out, you are given the option to buy the game from the eShop which is a very nice convenience.

The Stage Builder also returns to the Wii U version of the game, but it simultaneously got both an upgrade and a downgrade in terms of content. The upgrade is the ability to draw the stage you're building with the Wii U's Gamepad. The downgrade on the other hand is the lack of stage additions you can add to what you're creating compared to Brawl. While the free form drawing is very nice and extremely cool, I feel a bit let down by the removal of so many options from the last game. Overall though, what you are given gets the job done, but I was still hoping for more.

New to the game and exclusive to the Wii U version is Special Orders mode. Special orders gives you randomized rules and opponents to fight with a guaranteed prize should you succeed. In Master Orders you pay a small sum of coins to take one of three challenges and the options reset with each win or loss. In Crazy Orders however, you can either pay a fairly high sum of coins or pay with an Orders Pass which can be won from Event Matches or from the roulette in Classic Mode. In Crazy Orders, you go round after round with most damage kept after each round until you feel like you don't have the confidence to continue any further. Whatever damage you accrued from the previous rounds will be then calculated into health for the final battle with Crazy Hand and any minions he may have helping him.

Exclusive to the 3DS version is Smash Run mode which is a 5 minute trial in a MASSIVE map where you collect stat boosting items to help increase your chances of winning a special challenge after the time is up. To find stat boosters, you need to defeat enemies from many different Nintendo games and some from games made by Capcom, Namco and Sega. It is actually very similar to the City Trial mode in Kirby Air Ride. The Wii U version has something slightly similar to this mode, but it is a much more party based mode called Smash Tour. This mode is played on one of 3 different maps of varying sizes with your Miis to act as the game pieces, but the general concept is the same: collect stat boosting items to improve your chances in the final match. Honestly though, I personally think Smash Run is much better than Smash Tour.

And now the pi√É¬®ce de réstistance, 8-PLAYER SMASH. This mode is exclusive to the Wii U version of the game and it is a damn fun mode to be had. You and up to seven other people can compete in these fantastically outrageous battles on a select few set of stages that can support the load of eight characters at once. But there is a catch. If you want to play with eight people, you will need to get at least one Game Cube controller adapter due to the fact that only four wireless controllers can linked to the console at any one time. In my opinion though, the Game Cube controller is the way to go anyway.

Now comes the verdict. The controls are tight and responsive, the music is fantastic, and everything else will keep you occupied for a very long time like collecting trophies and betting coins on the online spectator mode. If you're like me and enjoy playing games with other people in the same room, then get the Wii U version. Almost all the game modes in the Wii U version can be played in co-op mode with friend which is very nice. However, if you aren't the person who spends a lot of time playing TV games or if you travel a lot, then I would recommend the 3DS version as the game can be taken over to a friend's house for use as a controller for the Wii U version or you can play the 3DS exclusive Street Smash game mode when you encounter a random person with the game when out and about. I guess you could also get both if you have the money, but until then, I'll be seeing you.

3DS Score:

Wii U Score:

15 Characters that Should be Playable in the Super Smash Bros Series

Archive — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 11:47:00 +0000

Everyone loves the Super Smash Bros series. Its easy to pick up and play and has everyone's favorite Nintendo characters in a all-star free-for-all. But here's the thing: does it really have everyone's favorite characters? I myself have been wanting several characters to appear in the series ever since Super Smash Bros Melee, and the list keeps growing year after year. But unfortunately the chances of them being playable anytime in the future are slim at best. Still, it wouldn't hurt to share who I want to see in a future installment. And who knows? Maybe you will agree with me on a few choices. So here are my top 15 characters I want playable in the Super Smash Bros series.

#1: Inkling (Splatoon)

Let's get the obvious one out of the way first. I'm sure I'm among one of many people that want an Inkling from Splatoon to be added to the series, and who would blame us? They're deviously cute, have a wide variety of battle styles, and are from one of the best new IP's that Nintendo had made over the past decade. I honestly would be shocked if they weren't included in Smash 5.

#2: Porky Minch (EarthBound)

Now for a not so obvious one. Ever since Porky's inclusion as a Subspace Emissary boss in Brawl, it got me thinking on why he wasn't included as a playable character. I get that he would be rather large in that spider mech he rides in Mother 3, but what about the "Heavily Armed" one in EarthBound? It's a fair bit smaller, 'bout the size of Bowser in terms of relative size, and would provide a much needed villain to represent the EarthBound series. Just give him his attacks and devices from EarthBound and Giygas's "Inexplicable Attack" as a final smash and he'd be set.

#3: Takamura (The Mysterious Murasame Castle)

Sakurai himself has stated on record that he wanted to try and get Takamaru into Smash 4, but decided against it because of the lack of familiarity for the character outside of Japan. Now why would that stop him? He has pushed for characters in Japanese exclusive games before; remember Marth and Roy in Melee? I say he should try again to get Takamaru into the game as a playable character. If Marth and Roy has taught us anything, it sparks interest into a game or series if the character is obscure enough. Maybe it might even revive the series as a whole.

#4: Krystal (Star Fox Adventures)

Probably one of the best characters to be added to the Star Fox series, and it probably helps matters that fans have wanted her in the game since Brawl. We need more varied Star Fox characters in the games. Fox and Falco are far too similar, and Wolf adds to the pile because of him having the same final smash and special moves as the other two. Krystal would bring some much needed originality through her staff skills and the help of her cloudrunner mount. Plus I don't think anyone could handle another Fox clone...

#5: Paper Mario

Think there are too many Mario characters as is? Nonsense! Besides, Paper Mario is different enough that he could be a rather unique character. Compared to regular Mario who is known for jumping, Paper Mario primarily uses a hammer when fighting. Just make Paper Mario's attacks mostly hammer based and make his specials based around the badge attacks and "curses" from The Thousand Year Door and he would be a perfect inclusion to the roster.

#6: Abraham Lincoln (Code Name S.T.E.A.M.)

I know what you're thinking: "You can't include him, he was a real person! It violate's Sakurai's rules!" and normally you'd be right. But Lincoln from Code Name S.T.E.A.M. is a special case. Unlike the real world's 16th President of the United States, this man had faked his death at the Ford Theater so he could found a team of extraordinary gentlemen that could help him (and his steam powered mech) defend the Earth from the invading alien shugguth. Just find some way to incorporate the game's overwatch attacks into his moveset and give him his mech for his final smash and I'm sure everyone would love him. The only problem would be getting Wil Wheaton to reprise his role as Lincoln's voice.

#7: Captain Syrup (Wario Land)

Another case of a villain being needed to fill out a roster; in case you don't know who she is, she's a recurring antagonist from the Wario Land series. Even though she only appeared in three games in the series, she got a major design upgrade when Wario Land: Shake It! was made for the Wii. Now I will admit she doesn't have many original attacks from the games she appears in, she does take great pride in her gadgets and getting her toadies to do her fighting for her. I'm sure those could be implemented into her fighting style in some way.

#8: King K. Rool (Donkey Kong Country)

Let's keep the villain train rolling shall we? This is yet another character that has been requested for the series since Brawl. He does have a few idiosyncrasies that make him a rather eclectic fighter in the games he's in, but I think that adds to his charm so to speak. Now the problem would be whether or not to base his moveset on just one game appearance, or on a combination of all of the Donkey Kong Country series. I think the latter option would probably work better, plus not many people realize that King K. Rool, Kaptain K. Rool, and Baron K. Roolenstein are all the same person.

#9: Vaati (The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap)

Can't stop the villain train now! Vaati has been on my personal character wishlist ever since Zelda: Minish Cap was released. He certainly would make for a more interesting inclusion to the game with his wind-based magic, plus his narcissistic personality would make for some interesting taunts. And it's not like his body proportions would be an issue; Toon Link is already in the game after all and they have practically the same build. Plus to be honest, we need a new Zelda character that has a unique moveset.

#10: Isaac (Golden Sun)

Let's get back to the heroes for a moment before I do some more villains. Like Robin, Isaac has a fighting style that combines sword skills and magic. The only difference with this though is most of Isaac's magic (called Psynergy), is primarily defensive and environmental whereas Robin's is mostly offensive and status hindering. I think that Isaac could make for a very interesting fighter if this distinction was included. The real question now is should they use young Isaac or his adult incarnation from Golden Sun: Dark Dawn?

#11: Black Shadow (F-Zero X)

BACK TO THE VILLAINS! Now if there is one series that Nintendo has been criminally neglecting, it is F-Zero. Even Smash Bros is evidence of this series' neglect. Out of all four games only Captain Falcon is playable, and it wasn't until Brawl when Samurai Goroh was added as an assist trophy. Now if any character from F-Zero that deserves to be playable in Smash it is the series main antagonist, Black Shadow. The only problem would be making a fighting style that works for him. As long as the energy rope that he used against Captain Falcon in the F-Zero GX story is incorporated somehow, then I'd be content.

#12: Ridley (Metroid)

This is the last villain, I promise. Now I know the memes that has spawned from Ridley not being in Smash 4, but there IS a way to incorporate him into the roster and still make him big, but not "too big." The way I see it, Ridley wasn't notable because of his size, but because of his ferocity and primal fighting instincts. Give his movement some girth to it and he could feel big while still being around Bowser's size. I've seen hacks and mods of Brawl that have Ridley being playable and they all make him into a beast because of his heavy claw swipes and footsteps. Sakurai could do the same if he had thought of that as well.

#13: Saki (Sin & Punishment)

Now I'll admit that I don't know much about Saki even though I've played and beaten both Sin & Punishment games, but the thought of a sword user with a laser gun that flies around with a jet-pack and can transform into a super powered monster called a ruffian is freaking awesome in my book. To me, it all just screams Neon Genesis: Evangelion, but on a less weird scale.

#14: Zoroark (Pokemon Black/White)

Out of all the pokemon to be included as playable fighters in the series, I'm kinda surprised that Greninja won out over Zoroark. Greninja doesn't even have a movie staring it like what Zoroark and Lucario have. Instead, Zoroark was relegated to pokeball status while Greninja got to roam free. It's also kind of insulting that what Zoroark does is a carbon copy of Greninja's final smash. There is so much that could have been done with this pokemon, but it is just wasted potential at this point in time. Making her playable would certainly make for some unusual fighting styles though. Maybe make it so her downward special is a counter that transforms her into whoever attacked her? It would certainly be an interesting take on her illusionary abilities.

#15: Simon Belmont (Castlevania)

Now if you thought I would finish this list without at least one third party character, well you'd be wrong. Now I know that very few people like Konami as of late, but I really think Simon Belmont should be included in the roster for the simple reason that the Castlevania series has thrived on Nintendo's systems. Plus if you think about it this way, if the third party characters from Smash 4 made their way back into the next installment, then it would have all of the main characters from Captain N (minus Kevin), and I think that would be hilarious.

Well I would like to say that that's the end of my list, but I've had some issues with how some pre-existing characters play and I believe that a few of them could benefit from some minor modifications. So here is an additional 5 characters that are already playable in the games, but I think could use a little bit of tweaking.

#1: Lucina

She is a clone of Marth in the purest sense and to me, that is EXTREMELY lazy game design. Either get rid of her in the next game, or turn her into an alternate costume for Marth. Either or, this is unacceptable in her current form.

#2: Dark Pit

Yet another clone character, but of Pit this time. A slightly slower and slightly stronger variant of an existing character does not a good fighter make. He had so much potential to be good as he had his own exclusive arsenal in Kid Icarus: Uprising with even a weapon named after him. This needs to be fixed in the next game.

#3: Ganondorf

Now even though Ganondorf is technically a clone of Captain Falcon, he's a special case as he's actually a pretty good clone. But given this fact, he's still a clone. Now with the newest games, I don't understand why he doesn't have his sword now, or why his special moves aren't more like his dark magic from Ocarina of Time or any of the games where he's Ganon. It would make him so much more interesting.

#4: Jigglypuff

To be completely honest with you, I am not a fan of this character in the slightest. She plays weird, her final smash is garbage, and Smash 4 doesn't take her new Fairy-type in to account for new attacks at all. She needs a new moveset that takes advantage of her new type; her final smash especially.

#5: Wario

There isn't much wrong with Wario as of right now, but I do have a few issues with a couple of his special moves. His upward special doesn't gain enough air to be a viable recovery move, so why not move his down special to his up one and make it so you can manually charge it? And to replace his old down special, make it is quake punch from Wario Land: Shake It! While we're at it, bring back his side smash from Brawl as well. It's starting to feel like Sakurai is trying to make people forget that Wario was in a series other than Wario Ware.

Well, that's my list folks, if you disagree with my choices, tell me why in the comments and what you would have chosen instead. But until then, I'll be seeing you.