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Ars Technica Super Smash Bros Brawl review

arstechnica.com — Super Smash Bros. Brawl is basically a series of updates to a proven formula. When the formula is this good, however, that's more than forgivable. Read More...

Who dugg this? Made popular Mar 13, 2008

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  • pistonhonda, on 03/13/2008, -2/+70The Good

    * Wide variety of fighters
    * Many different environments in which to fight
    * Long, single-player campaign, as well as many events and challenges to overcome
    * Addicting four-player game play
    * Easy for beginners
    * Deep enough for hardcore gamers
    * A metric ton of stuff to unlock
    * Many different control options
    * You'll want the soundtrack, the music is great

    The Bad

    * Annoying friend codes and lack of voice chat make online play limited
    * Online play can have massive lag at times
    * Some unlocks take way too much effort
    * The level editor is also somewhat limited
    * No leaderboards or online stat-tracking limits bragging rights

    The Ugly

    * Knowing every move in the game, practicing for hours, and STILL having button mashers beat you

    Verdict: Buy
  • YellowSnowDemon, on 03/13/2008, -4/+38If you lose to a button masher, you're so full of fail. Shieldgrabbing FTW.
  • kinseyincanada, on 03/13/2008, -0/+21the fact that all the bad things about the game are solely just Nintendo's ***** online service shows how good this game is.
  • Infectedbull, on 03/13/2008, -3/+24Does anyone else hate having to go to the "next page"?
  • AwesomeMonster, on 03/13/2008, -5/+25I'm glad they liked SSE. I found it a whole bunch of fun and was getting pretty upset that every reviewer was bashing it. It was like a way more hardcore Kirby Superstar,and I loved every second of it.
  • Beto0707, on 03/13/2008, -0/+20You can play this game with a gamecube controller...
  • merripen, on 03/13/2008, -8/+25Great game. Lame review.
  • RetlawST, on 03/13/2008, -0/+15Don't get too frustrated! The reason why motion controls were not heavily integrated into the game was because they do not lend themselves to this style of game play. However, if you are not used to manual controls it can be tricky.

    I highly suggest using the classic controller if you aren't already because it really is the best method. Also, customize the control to what feels natural to YOU. When you go into the control settings, try to make everything make sense and just do a couple of matches in easy mode to get comfortable with them. The trick with SSB is that every character is NOT the same, and each handles differently. So when you're learning, use one character and stick with them till the end so you can get the hang of it.
  • Fuzi, on 03/13/2008, -0/+15play with 3 friends!!

  • YellowSnowDemon, on 03/13/2008, -0/+11Agreed, man. It's a lot better with friends, but With Anyone is the worst mode in the history of gaming. That mode in general unbalances the game. Only strong characters win 'cause it takes light characters longer than two minutes to combo a heavy character into killing percents.
  • mediaspree, on 03/13/2008, -13/+24Older gamer here (28, LOL). I bought Super Smash Brothers Brawl based on the hype and 100% positive reviews. Plus I think the premise is awesome, pitting all the Nintendo all-stars against each other! But I just can't get into it. I have no idea what is going on half the time. I feel like I am just mashing buttons and maybe something happens. What is the strategy? Why did they not incorporate any wii "motion" controls. It fells like I am playing a gamecube. Please help me enjoy this game! I really want to!
  • bossm4n, on 03/13/2008, -14/+24Finally a reason to turn on the Wii after 6+ months of collecting dust.
  • AwesomeMonster, on 03/13/2008, -3/+13Ars always offers the most in depth and well written reviews, they don't rush through games like everyone else. Their consistently high quality reviews are why they always make it to the front page.
  • Flummoxer, on 03/13/2008, -0/+9Because that limits you to three moves...
  • pistonhonda, on 03/13/2008, -0/+9Captain Falcon's opening cut-scene alone made The Subspace Emmissary worth the effort.
  • pistonhonda, on 03/13/2008, -0/+9No combos? Not in the traditional fighting game sense of the word, but have you ever seen a skilled Melee player? The beauty of Super Smash Brothers is that the combat style is simple and open; it invites the player to learn how to string together the right moves to make their own combos.
  • darkNiGHTS, on 03/13/2008, -1/+9You never played Mario Galaxy or Zack and Wiki? Don't complain to us because you're not buying games.
  • YouRookies, on 03/13/2008, -4/+12WTF? This game is not a button smasher friendly game. LEARN HOW TO BLOCK.
  • SoupsMan, on 03/13/2008, -2/+9To the bad list, I would add the Wiimote, and the 2 player in the Emissary. You do waaaay too much back tracking to finish everything. It might be ok single player, but the 2 player aspect of it is an after thought. You can't pause, the camera doesn't accommodates you at all, you port if you fall behind (mixed blessing), and if player 1 dies and runs out of lives, sucks to be alive if your player 2, nothing you do matters.

    And a good thing is, the Emissary data is unlocked only once, if you choose, and can go over it again at higher difficulties without going through it again. This game is still great, and almost a must have ( ok, it's the Wii, it is a must have), and everything is solid. Also, the final boss has SNK syndrom if you try it with 2 people. only do 1 player for the final boss.
  • nytejade, on 03/13/2008, -2/+9Don't believe the people who don't know what they're talking about.

    Ness is MUCH different from Lucas, and the "Fox Clones" all play very differently.

    Yeah, if you suck at games you'll just see that they all kinda behave the same and coin them as clones.
  • dagamer34, on 03/13/2008, -2/+9The cutscenes made up for it. Otherwise it can be pretty boring.
  • AwesomeMonster, on 03/13/2008, -0/+7If it took you 6 hours to play through 25% then you just suck, no wonder you're so bitter about it. Took me 11 hours to finish on insane difficulty and i spent a good deal of time repeating some levels.
  • AwesomeMonster, on 03/13/2008, -0/+6You never even gave it a chance then, how could you like it? I wouldn't like the godfather if I only say ten minutes of it.
  • ParanoydAndroid, on 03/13/2008, -0/+6Unlike the COD franchise, the MOH franchise, Sega's astounding number of Sonic games, the FF series, HALO, etc ...
    Well thought out comment there buddy.
  • tech42er, on 03/13/2008, -0/+6What the ***** are you complaining about? You guys get Mario Kart Wii on the 11th.
  • emjaymj, on 03/13/2008, -0/+5You're confusing "hardcore gamers" with "competitive gamers". If you look at competitive play in pretty much any multiplayer game, it is almost always stripped down to its barest, and with good reason. The point is usually to create competition that is as pure as possible, because you're supposed be playing against your opponent, not the game. The great thing about Smash Bros. is that it's not about who can best memorize and execute 50 different overpowered, 20-button combos. Strategy and fast thinking are made considerably more important.

    A hardcore gamer on the other hand, is really just somebody who spends treats gaming as a serious hobby. The key difference is that competitive gamers devote themselves to the structured, rule-based play of usually just one particular game, while a hardcore gamer is constantly moving on to newer things. They need content to keep them busy. In this sense, there is absolutely enough depth for "hardcore" gamers, even if competitive play appears deceivingly simple.
  • Schmapdi, on 03/13/2008, -0/+5My few complaints - The smash orb (that allows the supers) is way too common. The smashes themselves aren't too balanced either. Olimar seems really poorly thought out - he only has one special move really, and his physical attacks are on the weak side too. The single player story mode (subspace) is waaay too long, and has way too many cutscenes. Clones of Ness, and a second clone of Fox seem redundant. I think I prefer melee's system for displaying trophies and whatnot. But overall pretty minor nitpicks - and I've been having a blast, I've been avoiding online play thus far because I'm sure its getting hammered.
  • Schmapdi, on 03/13/2008, -0/+5Back in melee I used to turn off hammers/hearts and tomatos for "competitive" play. I'd recommend nixing those and smash orbs this time around. The dragoon laser (or whatever its called) should prolly be turned off for 1v1 too, but I'd imagine its pretty hard to get all 3 pieces in a 4 player free for all.
  • biffsputnik, on 03/13/2008, -1/+5You must be new, boing, .. Ars reviews are always in-depth and and fair, regardless of how much hype surrounds a game release. It's refreshing in contrast to all the "zOMG it's the BEST GAME EVER" review sites. And Mr. Babyman finds good content, and has for quite some time. Both of these elements are sure to attract diggs. Good content promoted to FP = the point of digg. Following submissions by users who have a history of submitting good content = the point of digg's friends features, etc. What don't you get?
  • DraggingTheLake, on 03/13/2008, -9/+13 "Knowing every move in the game, practicing for hours, and STILL having button mashers beat you "

    With the exception of cheap ass items, that's not true. Overall good review though.
  • rabidg00se, on 03/13/2008, -1/+5hm, let me click a youtube link ending in uuiU. there's no way that could be anything juvenile, immature, and most of all old as *****.
  • wizpig64, on 03/13/2008, -0/+4dugg for daft punk ref.
  • tech42er, on 03/13/2008, -1/+5Arsis one of the best review sites out there. What the ***** is your problem? Should we have linked to an Engadget or Gizmodo article? Boing-Boing? Kotaku is a gaming blog, but they don't do real in-depth reviews. Get over yourself.
  • SonicAD, on 03/13/2008, -0/+4Actually, the SSE DOES unlock all of the characters, but there's 3 that you don't need to get to complete the story, and indeed I don't think you can get them until after you've gone through once.
  • Ellipsys, on 03/13/2008, -0/+4Smash is a faster, more frantic game that changes the area of focus quicker than just about any other fighter out there. Zooming in, zooming out, explosions and the like all force you to reset your view and keep tabs on where your character is in relation to everyone else. Take some time and keep practicing! I don't think it has to do so much with age, as it does changing how you "program yourself" for a fighting game. Also, if you have one at your disposal, it may help to use a Gamecube controller.
  • dagamer34, on 03/13/2008, -1/+5The deep part of the game isn't memorizing a bunch of attacks and picking the best one. This fighter goes so much deeper because the items available, the stage you are on, and moveset each character is dramatically changes from one to the next.
  • inactive, on 03/13/2008, -0/+3Im with you... we just got this, and my son routinely kicks my butt with these games. Stuff is way too fast and apparently my brain doesnt work that way. Im used to slower fighting games where this is some sense of strategy and skill. These games seem to be over before they even begin. I dunno... maybe Ill go poke at it some more while he is sleeping and see if I can "get it".
  • thatcrazycommie, on 03/13/2008, -0/+3"I feel like I am just mashing buttons and maybe something happens." -- Okay, basically, if you're using a Gamecube controller, your two attack buttons are A and B. Each of those buttons can do four different attacks, depending on if, when you press the button, you're holding the control stick up, down, sideways, or not at all. That's the basic premise. R and L are shield, Y and X are jump.
  • doshindude, on 03/13/2008, -0/+3*claps*
    retard of the day, everyone.
  • rnelsonee, on 03/13/2008, -1/+4Same here - I'm about to turn 30 (which is why I got the game - wanted a good new multiplayer for the party). I just got back from playing with my roommates and I'm not totally into it yet. My coworkers loves SSB and says that you can get really good at it and there's a lot to master. Kind of like Mario Kart I'd imagine, which is probably my favorite game ever. Easy to pick up, but if you play with friends, you get a lot of practice (kind of accidentally) and you end up just really exploring all the possibilities Nintendo gave you.
    On the other hand, Mario Kart for Wii comes out in like 5 weeks, so SSBB will probably start collecting dust then.
  • drjones78, on 03/13/2008, -0/+3Is there anyway to play online multiplayer brawls without the second player (either CPU or human) on both teams? I hate the 2v2 matches, and would rather do 1 on 1, but I dont see that you can... seems kinda dumb.
  • BestJaxx, on 03/13/2008, -0/+3I want Nintendo games to come out in Europe earlier as well, but you deserve to be buried anyway. If that means burying the rest of Europe with you, I'm sure they will understand.
  • bloosteak, on 03/13/2008, -0/+3olimar is actually very good
    go to youtube and search olimar. he's just not a very traditional character like ike
  • tidu, on 03/13/2008, -1/+4oh boo hoo, we get brawl 1-2 months after Japan.
    It's not like Nintendo has any grudge against Europe.
  • kymike, on 03/13/2008, -0/+2Yeah, I feel exactly the same way - I just can't get into it. My 9 year old loves it, though (so far, anyway). I don't know. I've played Dead or Alive 4 (360), and it just seems to be a better game, fighting-wise (of course the graphics are better on the 360.)
    With SSBB, it just feels like random stuff is happening. And the two-player adventure mode: It sucks to be player #2.
  • TBoneFever, on 03/13/2008, -0/+2I don't miss mine. Seriously, after mario galaxy and metroid prime 3, there weren't anymore Wii games that excited me. It was a very disappointing realization.
  • Evi1d33d, on 03/13/2008, -0/+2Yup, he's very technical and needs some getting use to. His recovery still sucks balls though.
  • inactive, on 03/13/2008, -0/+2Wow. You should really look into some other fighters.

    DOA is great, if you like a hi resolution, boobie bouncing, game of Rock Paper Scissors. Its basically the Lowest Common Denominator of fighting games in terms of depth and design. I can definately see preferring it to SSBB (which I also am not crazy about). The great thing about DOA and SSBB, is that the barrier for entry is quite low, even "girlfriends" sitting on the couch next to you, can really get into a DOA or SSBB battle.
  • doshindude, on 03/13/2008, -0/+2that scene was badass, Olimar was like "WTF you killed my pikmin"
  • Klarth, on 03/13/2008, -0/+21-2, huh?
    Wasn't the Super Paper Mario delay close to ten months? Yes. It was. I wouldn't be so optimistic if I were you.
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