Xiaoperior here and instead of a Thoughtful Thursday, today I will bring to you guys a review of the brand new Super Smash Bros for Wii U! This amazing console version of the most recent gen of Smash came out on the same day as ORAS and I have been able to play enough of it to get a general idea of its overall feel. I have been an avid fan of the Smash series and has followed it since Melee. Just like my ORAS review, I will be reviewing this game based on graphics, soundtrack and gameplay. Something extra I’ll add to the end will be characters.
DISCLAIMER: This game is nearly identical to the 3DS version so, chances are, if you like the 3DS version, you will love this one considering that this is essentially an expanded form of the 3DS version. However, I will be focusing on how the two versions differ as well as how this version differs from Brawl.
1) Graphics
Graphics-wise, Smash for Wii U really is second to none. Compared to what the graphics were in Brawl, the new graphics are a significant advancement. The character images are rounded out and have very obvious depth that was still missing in Brawl. Furthermore, there are many more detailed aspects in the stages and character designs such as the cracks in the pillars in Palutena’s Temple to the intricate lacy designs on Zelda’s dress. These features and details have been accented very in this new installment. Furthermore, it is also a great improvement form the 3DS version graphics as well. Here’s greninja from the 3DS:
and here’s greninja from the Wii U:
As you can see, the Wii U model is much more polished and smooth compared to the 3DS models, which has the apparent black border that gives it some unnecessary angles. In terms of character skins, there are A LOT more throwback/ unique skins in Wii U than in Brawl. Fore example, wire frame Mac, Dark Samus, and shiny greninja are all available to play with as skins of our favorite characters.
This aspect significantly expands the enjoyablility of this game. Overall, the graphics of the Wii U version is a great improvement from the Brawl version as well as a considerable improvement from the 3DS version so I will give it a 10/10 for just graphics.
2) Soundtrack
There really isn’t much I can say about the soundtrack either. Just like in Brawl, there are various soundtracks that you can pick to play in each respective stage so you can hear all your favorite tunes when you fight it out. Just like in the 3DS version, you can set soundtracks as background music as well. However, what really distinguishes the Wii U soundtrack from the 3DS soundtrack is the fact that there are more options in the Wii U version. For example, the Underworld Theme from Kid Icarus was one of my favorite themes from Brawl, but it wasn’t available in the 3DS version. However, it was right there in the Wii U version. Speaking of Brawl, most of the tracks from Brawl are included in the Wii U version as well along with many new ones from more recent games. Also, you don’t need to hunt down the CD’s anymore to access your favorite tracks. Despite the plethora of available tracks, however, none of the old ones are remixed sort of giving it an overall worn out feel when you start hearing the old Brawl tracks over and over again. This is why soundtrack gets an 8/10.
3) Gameplay
Gameplay is where the new Smash completely excels. It still maintains the basic Smash formula. In terms of standard play, there are still the options of stock, time, etc, there are still items that can be turned on or off, Online battling with others is still a thing, the concept of the final smash introduced in Brawl returns, and it still follows the same few move mechanics that were established in the N64 version. None of the battling mechanics have changed (but if you played the 3DS version, you’d know this already). There are, however, A FEW key mechanics that the Wii U version differs from Brawl. For one thing, the pacing is a lot faster akin to the speed back in Melee, the slipping mechanic is completely gone (thank arceus), and you can NO LONGER EDGE GUARD. The latter may make some players rage but overall gameplay is a step up from Brawl. If you play with items, you probably are already aware that there are plenty of shiny new items
as well as pokemon and assist trophies
to play with making the item battle even more chaotic and left more to luck rather than skill (not that that’s a bad thing). Furthermore, there are a plethora of new stages to play on as well. Fret not though since a lot of old favorites (like Final Destination) are still there with increased intensity due to redesign.
One interesting aspect of the new Smash are exclusive stages. The 3DS version and the Wii U version both have exclusive new stages. For example, the 3DS version has Lumiose City:
while the Wii U version has the Kalos Pokemon League:
The Wii U stages are generally larger and able to hold more players for reasons that will be explained later. Personally, I find the Wii U stages to be much more impressive and fun as compared to the 3DS stages. Also, the throwback stages from Brawl make a comeback as well, but only in the Wii U version. Furthermore, if you get bored of the multiple different stages, you can make your own since stage builder makes a comeback with much more impressive tools to work with.
This, however, is STILL not the last of the stage feature. The new Smash has also introduced the concept of Omega Mode where the player can play on every stage in the form of final destination! For example, here’s Super Mario Galaxy normally:
and here it is in Omega Mode:
This allows the player to smash on all there favorite stages while still retaining stage neutrality. It real is a win/ win situation! As mentioned before, the fact that Wii U stages are generally larger had a reason. That reason is 8-player Smash!
Now with these larger stages, 8 players can fight each other at the same time on one field. This concept is not only revolutionary to the extent where new tournament rules probably have to be established, but also pretty chaotic as well. However, this is a welcome feature for those who just want to have fun. Stages, however, are not the only things that can be customized. The new Smash has also introduced the concept of character customization
where the player can actually modify his or her favorite characters by equipping items to change their stats or even changing up their moves! This concept (also available in the 3DS version) gives yet another layer of uniqueness to the Smash franchise. In terms of activities aside from standard play, there is a variety of side games that the player can enjoy as well. Just like in Melee and Brawl, Classic mode, Challenge mode and All star mode all make a return. These games still play like they do before with the team battling and trophy collecting only with a brand new look. The Wii U version also brings some of its own surprises as well for the final boss battle as well.
Other small features fromBrawl like Snake’s Codex makes a comeback as well in the form of Palutena’s Guidance:
As for other side games, things like training, multi-man smash, target smash and home run contests also make a return still playing similarly to they way they did in Brawl and Melee. There is, however, a new one called Trophy Rush where the player must smash crates before they reach the top of the screen like a wild game of Tetris.
The 3DS version, however, introduced Smash Run, which is where the player accumulates power ups as he/ she moves through a maze and fights other players with these power ups when time runs out. Smash run is exclusive to the 3DS version and is replaced by Smash Tour in the Wii U version.
Smash tour is essentially a Mario Party-esque game where the players move across a game board and collect power up. If the players meet or land on a specific spot, they engage in some sort of mini game with each other with the equipped power ups whether it is fighting each other or a monster or something. All of these new additions and returning old feature are very nice, but one feature did not return. Story mode does not return to Smash for Wii U. For me, the MOST enjoyable aspect of Brawl had to be the Subspace Emissary. This story mode actually built up a back story for these fighters and made them seem more alive than the actually are. For me, the lack of a story mode is really a let down but it does’t destroy the game by ant mean. Therefore, I have to give the overall gameplay a 9/10 because even though the new additions are amazing, not including a story mode was not a good idea.
4) Characters
The character roster for every Smash game is always an unwinnable war. Everyone is adamant that their character deserves a slot on the roster while some other character is either a “clone” or “unneeded”. I you ask me though, Sakurai did a pretty good job of trying to satisfy everyone. The majority of characters from Brawl, like Olimar, Ike, Pit and Meta Knight, all came back, Dr. Mario (and another character) is brought back from Melee for the Nostalgiaholics, and a great number of new characters were added to give the game some nice shine rather than having it feel like Brawl all over again. This should also thoroughly satisfy all those rabid pushers that have been foaming at the mouth to get Mega Man into Smash.
Personally, the only character removal I didn’t understand was the removal of Ice Climbers who have been in Smash since Melee. Since they are also the only representatives from their game in Smash (unlike Lucas or Wolf), it didn’t make sense to remove them. My only other concern is with the sheer number of swordsmen. The game is literally overrun with them now.
but that’s not a big deal. Also since I’m a major pokemon fanatic, I kind of wanted another new pokemon (which I still kind a got) instead of some random boy from some random game who uses half of a pair os scissors to fight with. But that’s just me (at least I’m not as rabid as those Ridley fans). Anyways, simple roster aside, what about the playability of these new and updated characters? As for new characters, There are some very powerful additions like Rosalina:
Little Mac:
and, my favorite, Greninja:
All these new characters bring something completely new to the table and old players will surely have a blast smashing with them. Even more, Smash for Wii U also introduced the Mii fighter character essentially allowing the player to turn a personal Mii into a playable character that follows one of three fighter types:
This adds yet ANOTHER layer of uniqueness available to the player. With the great characters, however, there are also some of the not so great characters.
No, I’m not hating on Palutena. I really enjoy her as a character, but her movements are so slow and her attacks are so drawn that she is usually a walking target in standard 4-player Smash. But, hey, at least she is pretty to look at. Moving on to updates on older characters, there are a few characters that got update to the point of becoming top tier threats. These include Zero Suit Samus:
Yoshi:
and Charizard:
These new updates make characters that are simply mediocre or bad before something that you’ll now frequently see at tournaments. This rearrangement of the tiers is what truly made the new roster revolutionary. As before, although there are characters that got buffs, there are characters that got nerfed:
(Pikachu, not Mario) and there are characters who are left in their Brawl mediocrity without ever being able to shine like they did in Melee ever again:
However, excitements and upsets are to be expected with every new roster and personally, I am very satisfied with the colorful new set that we received in this installment. I shall give the overall characters a 9/10 just because of pikachu and Peach.
Overall
Overall, I find Super Smash Bros for Wii U to be an amazing installment in the Smash series and is worthy of play by every smash fan out there. BUT WAIT! THERE IS MORE! If you possess both the 3DS version and the Wii U version of the game, you will receive a free DLC for MEWTWO as a fighter!!!! This game series never ceases to please and surprise so:
Optimal Otaku 