Super Smash Bros.- A winning game or will the Brawl be reduced to tears? (UK short review)

It's a matter of weeks before the UK release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Lucky gamers outside Europe have already had their grubby hands on the sequel to Melee much to the envy of everyone else. Luke Kerrison is one of those lucky guys and, in his pity, kindly decided to give us a short review of the upcoming fighter. Here are his thoughts:

"I just recently purchased a Wii whilst in the US. There were a number of games I wanted but I instantly had to get the greatly hyped game Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It's the sequel to the monster hits Super Smash Bros. on the N64 and Super Smash Bros. Melee on the GCN. I have to admit when I bought the copy I was unsure whether Nintendo would be able to improve on Melee. To a degree I anticipated the same game with extra characters and stages but I'm happy to admit I was wrong. Super Smash Bros. Brawl is easily the best game on Wii so far.

Brawl does share a lot of common ground with Melee, but no more than any sequel does. So what's new?
 
Lets start with the basics: the graphics. Nintendo went all out on Brawl to make the stages and characters look as amazing as they possibly could. There are some areas which could have used work, but these are very minor areas. It isn't so much the graphics or presentation but minor glitchy errors in the animation (like a characters foot being inside another character as they lay on the ground). However, this is a very minor detail and, unless you're a stickler for small things like this amidst a brawling battle, it won't bother you and most people won't even notice. The moves are more fluid than in melee and the final smash animation is simply beautiful.
 
The sound is, as we've come to expect, perfect. The music offers not only brand new songs, taken from the latest iterations of Ninty games, but it also provides all the music from the original Super Smash Bros. and Melee. As you've probably guessed there is next to no voice acting (VA) in this game. There isn't really much need for it here but the VA provided is more than enough to satisfy.
 
The controls are very tight and responsive. If you've played Smash Bros. before then this won't be new ground for you. Brawl does offer up four controller options – Wiimote/Nunchuck, traditional Wiimote, Classic Controller and the Gamecube controller. The Wiimote and Nunchuck control scheme is different, and takes some time getting used to, but it works well. Veterans of the game may find themselves switching back to more traditional control methods though.

Some things have remained the same, such as the A button being the melee attack and the B button being a special. (which changes if you hold a directional button). In fact the only two real differences are the jump action being replaces by the C button and the old shield (used by holding L) has been removed. My only complaint about the controls is the simple fact that it doesn't use the Wiimotes motion sensitive abilities at all. Kinda takes away the whole point of the console in some ways but if it means a quality, responsive game then I guess it's a sacrifice needed to be made.

The gameplay makes up for the lack of Wiimote usage. Brawl introduces many new characters including SEGA's plucky mascot Sonic and Sony's top spy Snake. (Even though Snake originally made his bed at Nintendo anyway). All the characters handle basically the same with each character having unique abilities and strengths. This keeps the basic controls simple but ensures there are different reasons to pick each fighter. It also makes it easy to pick up and play. There is now a create a stage option in which you choose the background, the floor, the obstacles, the music and the stage name. This mode is a bit limited and hard to get used to but it's a nice feature to use occasionally. There is also a new mode to earn trophies by shooting your coins at targets (and the trophies themselves) which is far more fun than Melee's lottery machine. Classic Mode is of course present and hasn't changed, but hey, why would they? That's why it's called 'Classic Mode'. Event mode is still around with new err...events. With each more fun than the last it's well worth playing. Target test and the homerun contest also make comebacks; both are very good and fun additions.

So previous modes have been kept with new additions. The only new mode is the 'Campaign' - The Subspace Emissary. There's plenty to do in the game but a campaign mode is just what the series needed. Subspace Emissary as a new mode offers an extreme difference. It contains your typical Nintendo storyline. Super Smash Bros. land is under attack by a mysterious Ancient Minister and his lackies - not too complex but fun. The goal in each level is to fight your way to the end of the stage and reach the next boss. An interesting note is that some defeated enemies transform into Trophies in this mode and there are also other trophies and goodies to find hidden throughout the stages. The boss battles are great and at just the right level of difficulty to keep you interested and challenged but not to the point where you begin to self harm. Personally I think this game's worth the money just for this mode.

Overall, I'd say this game does what many thought impossible - it makes Melee look like a piece of trash. Well, maybe it's not quite that good, but regardless it is better than melee in everyway possible and I think it's a must buy for Wii owners. If you have a Wii and don't have this game, GET IT asap! If you don't have a Wii but love melee - get a Wii and then get it! Brawl will provide you with endless hours of fun whether you've got lots of friends to trash or if you're a larry then don't despair, there's plenty here to keep everyone entertained."

9.5/10