There's No Doubt About It: Brawl Is A Smash Hit! (Page 2 of 7)

Bowser may be big but he's nimble enough to dance out of harm's way

Bowser may be big but he's nimble enough to dance out of harm's way

There are few games that are as loved by gamers as Super Smash Bros. and for a good reason: the series boasts simple yet addictive gameplay, fluid controls, and an unparalleled amount of unlockable content. The newest entry in the vaunted franchise, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, retains all the elements that made the first two titles such classics and expanded upon the established formula in every imaginable way.

Full House

The roster of fighters has always been one of the greatest strengths of the Smash series, and Brawl ups the ante with the biggest and most well-balanced roster to date. Solid Snake is perhaps the most anticipated new comer, and fans will not be disappointed with his performance. Snake is a well balanced fighter who can stand his ground both in distance battles, through the use of his remote controlled missile, as well as short ranged battles, due to the speed of his standard attacks.

Fortunately, the developer put the same measure of refinement into every other character as well. From returning veterans like Mario to newcomers like Sonic, every fighter feels balanced, both in their fighting moves and how they control. Returning characters have also gotten a tune-up, which gives them a new sense of life. On the down side, there are several characters on the roster that felt like clones of each other. The similarities between Fox McCloud and Falco, for example, are so great I had a hard time telling them apart. However, the roster is varied enough that it isn't that big of a deal.

Samus is in big trouble as Mario activates the Smash Ball. But fear not: if she attacks him quckly enough, she can literally beat it out of him

Samus is in big trouble as Mario activates the Smash Ball. But fear not: if she attacks him quckly enough, she can literally beat it out of him

The More The Merrier

The other big attraction present in Brawl is the sheer amount of unlockable content that you can uncover and best of all, every item you unlock actually adds to the overall gameplay experience. The majority of this content comes in the form of assist trophies, Pokeballs, weapons, and items.

The assist trophies--items that call support characters into battle--add a nice element of strategy and it also gives the sense that the roster of characters is far bigger than it really is. Even though you don't have direct control of them, having Little Mac or a fleet of 8-bit motorcycles from Excite Bike rush out to your aid is a neat twist that adds a lot to the battle. The nostalgia factor for old school gamers will also be high as the assist trophies make many references that they'll be sure to recognize.

Of course, the most powerful item in Brawl comes in the shape of a Smash Ball. This uber-powerup appears randomly and once collected, they allow you to initiate your character's Final Smash; depending on who you're playing as, that'll usually result in a one hit knock-out. Collecting a Smash Ball is not as easy as it sounds, however- to obtain one, players must hit the tiny ball several times as it floats around the screen. When four Brawlers are all chasing after a Smash Ball, the chaos and competition that erupts is both exhilarating and hilarious.

Newcomer King Dedede prepares to make a big impression on the other Brawlers

Newcomer King Dedede prepares to make a big impression on the other Brawlers

When the Smash Ball appears, try and gain it as quickly as possible: it'll unleash a powerful attack that can really do some damage

When the Smash Ball appears, try and gain it as quickly as possible: it'll unleash a powerful attack that can really do some damage

Mario has obviously been taking lessons from Ken and Ryu of Street Fighter fame

Mario has obviously been taking lessons from Ken and Ryu of Street Fighter fame

Who was that masked man? Whoever it was, he sure didn't come to rescue anyone from a burning building

Who was that masked man? Whoever it was, he sure didn't come to rescue anyone from a burning building

Comments [14]

post a comment

thegamerofalltime

i dont like the wii its too hecking childish for me but i cant deny this game is soooooo fun

Tailicus

Yes this game rocks! But use the actual controller! otherwise it's just to awkward to control. The whole final smash thing is amazing. At first there were a few doubts but it sure is a must buy.

scoroct3

I completely agree with warchief809 everyone sometimes needs to just be quiet ssbb is the game of the year in my book i like ganondorf this time link dies LOL

James_Earl_Cash

Man I hate to say it, I want to be excited for this game, but only after playing it for about 5 hours, I just don't think that this is as good as everyone says it is.

seious

i can,t wait to play as sonic its about time he made it .but who the hell is rob or lucas

Post a Comment