Super Smash Bros. Brawl review (Wii)

Review by: Craig Reck

Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
System: Nintendo Wii
Price: $49.99
ESRB Rating: T for Teen (13+)
Developer: Sora
Publisher: Nintendo

Age Range: 9+. A teen rating is too strict. Children who watch cartoons will see the same types of “crude humor” and “cartoon violence” in a typical cartoon show that they will in this game.

Buy?: Of course! As a corner stone of the Wii, this game has something for everyone. Young children will enjoy the enticing visuals, scene-setting music and easily-learned controls, while anyone (including parents) can become lost in the fierce competition.

Summary: Brawl picks up where its predecessor, Super Smash Bros. Melee, left off. The concept has remained the same, but the characters, levels, add-ons and excitement have all increased. Plus, a “level-creator” feature allows players to use their creativity to build their own level.

Difficulty: This game is as difficult as you want to make it. Choose from the five difficulties ranging from “very easy” to “intense.” Up the difficulty setting as your confidence grows in your “smashing” ability.

Learning Curve: Although it only takes an hour to learn the controls and how the game is played, mastering your skills will take much longer.

Total hours of play: Brawl is so full of trophies, stickers and other extra collectibles that you will be playing this game for quite a while until you completely beat it.

Family Factor: The biggest problem that you might have with Brawl is the fact that it is a fighting game. Far from the likes of typical fighting games that are branded violent and graphic, Brawl is tame and within reason. It reinvents the idea of a fighting game because there is no blood, bruises or name-calling. However, if you are offended with a character breaking wind in order to cause damage to his opponents, you might want to try another title.

Review:
Super Smash Bros. Brawl picks up where its predecessor, Super Smash Bros. Melee, left off. The concept of a 4-player battle royale has remained the same, but the characters, levels, add-ons and excitement have all increased. Plus, a “level-creator” feature allows players’ creativity to flourish and design their own battlegrounds.
Learning the basic controls for Brawl is easy. Press the “A” button for a standard attack and the “B” button for a special attack. Add some movement of the joystick while pressing an attack button and an entirely different, and usually more powerful, attack is performed.

There is much debate over which controller is most conducive for gameplay, as the GameCube controller and the Wii Remote are both compatible with Brawl. Super Smash Bros connoisseurs who have followed the series since its Nintendo 64 days will argue that using the Gambecube controller is the only way to play. However, using the Wiimote and Nunchuk give the player freedom to move his/her hands freely while being caught up in fierce battles. As a past supporter of the Gamecube controller, I must admit that I have been converted into a Wiimote user. Gamecube is in the past, so it’s time to give up the system and its controllers. Use a Wiimote and play Brawl the way it was meant to be.

Aside from the mountain of extra unlockable goodies, Brawl has two new features that prove it’s worth one of the top spots in your video game library. The Subspace Emissary, a new story mode for the Brawl competitors, allows a single player to fully enjoy a game that is known its multi-player matches. The second feature comes from the field of new items that can be used on al Brawl terrain. The Final Smash Ball is the ultimate item. All Brawling ceases when this item appears and competitors begin to battle for it instead. Every character has Final Smash unique to their personality and style. If you are unlucky enough to miss the chance to obtain the Ball, be sure to run and hide immediately.
Super Smash Bros. continues to improve graphically and aurally with Brawl. The levels are full of depth and the characters are more detailed than ever. If you need music to put you in the Brawling mood, there is no need to worry. There is more music, most of it unlockable as you progress through the game, than you have time to actually listen to it.

The biggest problem with this installment of the Super Smash Bros. series is the longevity of a brawl. All competitors have better recovery skills and can return to the board much easier. This leads to longer matches and frustration if there are not enough controllers for everyone in the room.

Related games: Soul Calibur IV (PS3, Xbox 360), Mario Party 8 (Wii), Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)