$28.00

Summary A great game, and definately worth the entrance fee of $50, but there is a certain sparkle about this gem that keeps it from being as good as it predecessor, Melee. This is a title that no Wii owner should pass up though.

Description Without a doubt, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is the Wii's most powerful asset, and a title I'd recommend to anybody with the console, but there is something about it, a sparkle even, that holds it back from being quite as good as it's predecessor, Melee. Gameplay: As far as Super Smash Bros Brawl goes, it has the absolute most different ways of playing the game than any other game out there. You are able to use any of the following control schemes: Wiimote/Nunchuck, Wiimote, Classic Controller, and Gamecube controller. As for comfort, and ease of use, you might want to dust off your old Gamecube controller. If you've played Melee, you'll automatically feel right at home, as the control scheme has remained exactly the same. I found that the Wiimote/Nunchuck style was alright if you've had time to get used to the layout. One major fault with it is that the jump button is located on the Nunchuck attachment, therefore making vets of the game accidentally lose lives because we are used to 'jump' being in the location as the other face bottons (A, B, X, and Y). As for the Wiimote (alone) setup, I really can't say anything other than bad. I played one Brawl using that layout, and it was so clunky and awkward that I wasn't able to charge Smash Attacks, Grab, Jump, or Taunt easily. If you have the console, it wouldn't make sense to not have a Nunchuck, and if, for some reason, you get stuck using the Wiimote scheme, drop the controller where you stand, and go to the store for either a Gamecube controller or at a Nunchuck. I haven't been able to play using a Classic Controller, but sense the Gamecube layout works so well, I don't think I'd want to stray from that formula anyway. Much Like Super Smash Bros Melee, Brawl has a slew of new and interesting gameplay modes. Most of your favorites make a return, such as: Break the Targets, Home Run Contest, Classic Mode (a no-brainer), Event Mode, and of course 4-player Free-for-All. Of the new gameplay modes Brawl introduces The Subspace Emissary (Adventure Mode) is probably the one that has had the most criticism. The Subspace Emissary is an old-school 2D sidescroller where you take control of the many Nintendo stars. In this mode, many unlockables can be obtained, ranging from trophies, stickers, and Brawlers. The major down-side of this Adventure Mode is the repetitive level design. While Adventure Mode will take somewhere from 6-8 hours to complete, making it a game in itself, while not a very good one, the mode will quickly lose your interest. Another flaw to the Subspace Emissary is the ability to obtain ALL of the fighters without any skill. Sure, you could go through the hassle of playing 450 matches to get Wolf, but simply playing through Adventure Mode will earn you the fighter. Personally, I preferred it when I had to work at getting all the fighters. Granted, playing 700 battles to get Mewtwo in Melee was needless, there was a greater sense of accomplishment when I was finally awarded Pokemon #150. Trophies: Much like Super Smash Bros. Melee, dozens upon dozens of Nintendo characters and items make a cameo appearance in the form of collectible trophies. Trophies are scattered throughout the game for you to find. In just about every different gameplay mode, these collectibles can be found. Aside from simply randomly finding these, there is a mini game called the "Coin Launcher". In this mode, you take control of a pivoting turret that you can shoot your collected coins (from Classic Mode) at moving Trophies and enemies. When you successfully break a Trophy, it is yours to keep, but be careful, you will have only a moment to hit the Trophy before it will disappear. Stickers: In addition to collecting Trophies, you will also have the ability to collect and use Stickers. These Stickers are used mainly in the Subspace Emissary to strengthen you combatants. Each and every character you use in the Subspace Emissary will have a separate screen with a small bubble where you can apply stickers to boost everything from Arm/Leg damage, Explosive power, Weapon damage, etc. Again, these can be found in just about every mode in the game, but you'll find that you'll end up finding many more when playing through Adventure Mode and Brawl battles (yes, even online). Graphics: This is Nintendo, what do you expect? You're not going to be granted the same visuals as Gears of War, but you're also not going to make the comparison that it's so bad it's like you just rubbed dirt into your eyes. If you're not satisfied, go ahead, shell out the $35 necessary for component cables to make it better looking, but for me, there wasn't enough displeasure graphics-wise to waste as much as another game. Simply put, you won't be spellbound, but you won't be let down either. On that note, while Super Smash Bros. Brawl might not be the next groundbreaking visual feast by today's standards, it does favorably compare to it's 7 year old predecessor. I really can't begin to start describing how things have advanced, but you know what they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Take a look! Sound: With a compilation of old, new, and remixed classic Nintendo themes, Super Smash Bros. Brawl sets the tone perfectly with it's huge library of songs. Everything from the classic Super Mario to King Dedede's theme from Kirby's Dream Land, all the way to the yet-to-be-released Metal Gear Solid 4 Theme of Love will be found throughout the dozens of Nintendo worlds. If possible, you should pick up the Super Smash Bros. Brawl OST, or at least download it from Limewire, Ares, Bit Lord, or whatever program you're using. This collection of incredible tunes is something no fan of Nintendo should let slip by. CDs: While rare, during certain Brawls, music CDs will appear. These CDs will show up once in a blue moon, and give you only a moment to grab it before it vanishes. If you successfully grab the CD during on of the battles where it shows up, you will be awarded with another song for you to fight to in one of the battlefields that you have. Wi-Fi (Online): This is a first for fans of Nintendo's acclaimed Super Smash Bros. franchise to take their skills to player across the globe. My arch nemesis, Nintendo Friend Codes, has once again popped his ugly head, but it's okay this time. You're not limited to playing against ONLY friends you have registered (even though I'm not 100% sure you were in the past) because Brawl gives you the option to play battles against anybody online. While the gameplay remains identical to offline gameplay, and the lack of cheaters (for right now at least) makes this a gold metal performance, I'd have to quickly snatch it away due to one major lapse in performance. I'm not sure if if you are able to successfully connect to online Brawls with a LAN adapter or another wired source, but the vast majority of players will have to connect wirelessly. Cutting costs by eliminating the mass production of outside wired sources, thanks to the Wii's built-in wireless receiver, was a good idea, in theory, but it leaves the undeniable lag during gameplay. If you've played the game, you should be familiar with the stop watch item and how it slows down the battle. There were times when simply playing online, I was blighted with the same negative effect, or worse, while at other times, it was a seamless fast-paced melee. This didn't take all the fun out of crushing my opponents across the world, but it did significantly inhibit my desire to play online all the time. The aforementioned gold metal that I snatched away was quickly replaced with a bronze, at best. A valiant effort, but it still doesn't beat playing with 3 of your friends in the same room. There is no denying that Super Smash Bros. Brawl is, without a doubt, the best multiplayer game of the current gen consoles (take that Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4), but there is an aspect of this game that I just felt robbed of. This aspect, however, is nothing that should inhibit you from picking up this great game. If you were expecting the next groundbreaking step in the Smash Bros. series, you will be in for a major disappointment, as this really hasn't strayed too far from the formula that made Melee such a phenomenal hit. If you are a gamer (like me) who has been anticipating this game since last year, you were probably fully justified in your purchase, but for those of you who haven't been looking forward to it as long or just don't get a stiffy for the series (again, like me), you might want to hold off. I would recommend that you wait for it to become Player's Choice, but seeing as Melee (2001) is still running $35, you might never find Brawl for a decent amount. This is one of those titles where you'll either love it, or hate it. There seems to be very little overlap Nintendo's recent hit. I give it 2 thumbs up. However, looking on reflection, I would give it about 1.8 thumbs up, because of a few aspects of the game that I don't care much for, but there seems to be a lack of .8 thumb icon. So whatever. Super Smash Bros. Brawl Combatants Bowser (Super Mario Bros.) Captain Falcon (F-Zero) King Dedede (Kirby) Diddy Kong (Donkey Kong) Donkey Kong (Donkey Kong) Falco Lombardi (Star Fox) Fox McCloud (Star Fox) Ganondorf (Legend of Zelda) Ice Climbers (Ice Climber) Ike (Fire Emblem (Path of Radiance) Jigglypuff (Pokemon) Kirby (Kirby) Link (Legend of Zelda) Lucario (Pokemon) Lucas (Mother) Luigi (Super Mario Bros.) Mario (Super Mario Bros.) Prince Marth (Fire Emblem) Metaknight (Kirby) Mr. Game & Watch (Game & Watch Gallery) Ness (Earthbound) Olimar and Pikmin (Pikmin) Princess Peach (Super Mario Bros.) Pikachu (Pokemon) Pit (Kid Icarus) Pokemon Trainer (Pokemon) R.O.B (Robot) Samus (Metroid) Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid) Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog) Toon Link (Legend of Zelda) Wario (Wario Ware) Wolf O'Donnel (Star Fox) Yoshi (Super Mario) Princess Zelda/ Sheik (Legend of Zelda) Zero Suit Samus (Metroid) Other Scores Super Smash Bros. Brawl Received Nintendo Power - 10 (out of 10) Game Informer - 9.5 (out of 10) IGN - 9.5 (out of 10) GameSpot - 9.5 (out of 10) 1up.com - A+ (A+ being the highest) Review Page Hits: 16 today (122 in the last 30 days) Create Your Own Review or