Nintendo has finally released the fourth installment of their extremely popular Super Smash Bros series for the 3DS on October 3. Diehard fans and many others have dusted off their 3DS’s and have given it a good and long awaited play.
Imagine all of your favorite Nintendo games: Super Mario Bros, Kirby, The Legend of Zelda, and Pokémon. Now, imagine the characters of those games trying to kick the living daylights out of each other. This simple and oddly ground-breaking concept is the main driving force of the Super Smash Bros series. Since its conception in 1999, Super Smash Bros has become nothing less than an international video game sensation, selling millions of copies over many years and generations.
Now, the storied franchise, first only sold on TV Nintendo consoles, has made its way to the handheld consoles with Super Smash Bros on the 3DS.
Experienced Smash players will quickly find out that the game must be played much differently. First of all, the screen and controller are part of the main console; therefore, a steady hand is needed to play since any way you tilt the controller, the screen follows. This could cause eye strains. It also means that the buttons are much closer to each other and allow players to quickly transfer from basic attacks to special attacks with a rapid motion of the thumb. This creates more devastating blows and the faster transition of battles.
Graphics are limited since it is a handheld console, but characters still appear vivid. Characters are outlined in black, making it easy to spot them. 3D, like every other game ever, is technically useless since there is little to jump at you. There aren’t as many levels as previous titles, but there are more characters, allowing more customization and variety.
Through all these problems the new Smash possesses, there is one main factor that contributes to the ultimate success of the game. THE GAME IS FUN! Fun would be an understatement; the game is addictive. The same great formula is present and with new features such as the special flag, which gives a character another life despite lowered defense levels, the Smash Run, and new challenges giving players a sense of completion, the game still has the new and fresh feeling you want from a sequel but still keeps the charm that made the franchise a classic in the first place. Plus, being on the 3DS, you can take the battle anywhere! This encourages players to play more and makes the game near impossible to put down. If I were to rate this game, I would give it a rating of 8.1. The game has faults, but it is still as entertaining as the previous versions. However, this game features portability, which can keep players happy longer and entertained wherever they go.
Super Smash Bros for the 3DS is obviously available for the 3DS as of now. Wii U gamers will have to wait an additional month for their version of the game to come out. The Wii U version promises more gameplay modes and different levels, making the game much different from its handheld counterpart. The game is rated E+10, for anybody ages ten and up. With this new game, anybody and everybody, for fun or for glory, can be a hero and smash on the go.