Adam Taylor
The long-awaited sequel to Nintendo’s most popular tournament game is finally here.
“Super Smash Bros. Brawl” is the third installment of the series, and such a release couldn’t have arrived at a better time to save the Wii’s sub-par repertoire of games.
It’s been seven years since “Super Smash Bros. Melee” rocked the Gamecube; seven years fans have spent absolutely annihilating their controllers in heated battle-and had this one not been the best of the three, there would have undoubtedly been throngs of skinny, pale, mouth-breathing, pimply adolescents rioting in the streets.
Fortunately for society, however, “Brawl” brought the best.
The ultimate amalgamation of Nintendo characters, SSBB delivers everything any fan could hope for. Nintendo’s developers left nothing out-neither stage creation, online play nor engaging and beautifully executed story modes were left out.
Whether it’s Princess Zelda, Metroid or Pikachu gamers have grown to love, SSMB will certainly offer new and old favorites.
With a total of 35 playable characters, it not only blows the other two away in quantity, but also in sheer coolness.
To name a few, Sonic the Hedgehog has joined the fray this time around, as well as Meta Knight from Kirby’s Dreamland and the angelic yet deadly Pit (who made his first appearance in 1986 as Nintendo’s Kid Icarus).
“The Subspace Emissary,” SSBB’s story mode, is worlds better than anyone could have expected of the Smash series.
Its cut-scenes are dazzling, storyline is surprisingly coherent and the series’ signature side-scrolling gameplay, oddly addictive.
Forget all that story-moding you never bothered to do in the last two releases-Nintendo put a ton of time and thought into “The Subspace Emissary” and knocked this one out of the park.
SSBB’s Wi-Fi option also adds an entirely new dimension to the game. Now all it takes to brawl with your best friend who’s in school upstate, is a wireless internet connection. Though not quite as responsive as brawling in person, the online mode is very playable and no doubt a welcome addition to the game.
If glorious graphics and loads of new content weren’t enough, Nintendo also threw in hundreds of unlockable soundtracks. No favorite song was left out in this compendium of digitally recreated classics.
Every game has its flaw, however, and Brawl is no exception. All of these bells and whistles come at a price-a price that yours truly has affectionately dubbed “suspense enhancers.”
Gone are the days of instant button-mashing as soon as we click “READY TO FIGHT!”
Get ready to anxiously stare at a silent, frozen screen for five seconds while each match loads.
Ultimately, though, SSBB lived up to every bit of hype it generated. Nintendo has delivered an unparalleled piece of gaming mastery and the Wii is redeemed.
Grade: A
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