Publisher:	Nintendo
Developer:	Ninendo
Released:	27 Jun 2008
Genre
Platform

Super Smash Bros. has always been about pitching Nintendo’s iconiccharacters against each other and settling long-standing arguments onwho is the toughest in four-player bouts. Keeping this concept at itsheart, Nintendo has upped the challenge by introducing 16 newcharacters into the fray – bringing the total playable to 35 –including familiar heroes such as Solid Snake, Wario, Diddy Kong andSonic the Hedgehog. Never before have gamers had to master their combatstyle so finely, practicing and perfecting signature moves and combosto ensure they remain on top of the brawling pile.

Theintroduction of Wi-Fi combat via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection adds acomplete new dimension to the brawl, particularly the intense hallmarkfour character battles. For the first time, friends and strangers alikecan be challenged online either in cooperative teams, or alone asindividual fighters. Twisting the concept of spectator mode, coinsbuilt up during play can now be bet on matches by viewers making everygame as important as the last. If that wasn’t enough, players are alsogiven the ability to share photos and replays, team up for enjoyableminigames, and even share created environments.

As with previousinstalments, the goal of Super Smash Bros. Brawl is simple: bevictorious by battling other characters in the game’s numerousatmospheric and interactive environments, inflicting as much damage aspossible and finally propelling opponents off the screen to scorepoints. Using a combination of the two attack buttons and the controlstick, players can grab, attack and produce blistering ‘smash’ attacksthat have the potential to blow away challengers. With the added bonusof being able to play with Nunchuk and Wii Remote, Wii Remote, ClassicController and Nintendo GameCube Controller, everyone will find apreferred method to battle.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl offers soloplayers an in-depth side-scrolling adventure mode called The SubspaceEmissary that revolves around the invasion of a Subspace Army offormless enemies led by the evil Ancient Minister. Their plan is to cutup the world using Subspace bombs and transport the pieces back to theSubspace. Throughout the story mode players are forced to battleagainst numerous and tricky opponents such as Primids – the core unitsof the Subspace Army, familiar bosses like Petey Pirahna, also newbosses and allies who have become possessed by the Subspace Army andmust be overcome in battle. Once beaten, allies are freed of theirpossession and join ranks with the resistance!

Another uniqueaspect of Super Smash Bros. Brawl lies within the game’s ‘Vault’, theStage Builder – an incredibly accessible level design tool that allowsusers to create their own environments. By using a 2D-grid for thelayout plan, custom stages can be of one to three default sizes,contain an in-game background and musical theme, and have abuilding-block layout unique to the creators own tastes. All maps canbe shared with friends via a memory pack, or even submitted to Nintendofor the chance to be chosen as ‘stage of the day’ where it is sent toall other players in the Wi-Fi network.

Last, but not least, isthe introduction of numerous new in-game items and assist characters tohelp players throughout their adventures. Notable new power-ups includeSuperspicy Curry - allows the characters to breathe fire, the GooeyBomb – a passable bomb that sticks to terrain and opponents, and SmokeBalls – balls of smoke that block a competitor’s view. Assistcharacters are a first to Super Smash Bros. Brawl and are consolecontrolled ‘friends’ of the player’s character that are called upon fortemporary assistance. Examples include Dr. Wright from Sim City, GrayFox from Metal Gear and Excitebike – a number of pixel bikers that racearound and knock over combatants!

With 35 characters, Wi-Ficonnectivity, an enthralling single player story mode, imaginative andfully customisable arenas, numerous battle modes… and much, much morefor gamers to discover, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is the definitiveaction game for any wannabe brawler. Let the battle commence on Wiiwith Super Smash Bros. Brawl!