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It has been over three years since Super Smash Bros. 4 was first announced. One of the few details we had from it's early mentions at E3 2011 was that series would be coming to both Nintendo's Wii U and 3DS. Three years and two E3s later, the hype just kept piling with Sakurai posting screenshots every day and a Smash Bros. Invitational tournament earlier this year.
Last weekend, the first version of this majorly anticipated game was released to the Western public, Super Smash Bros. 4 3DS. Even after having spent a significant amount of time with the demo, I was still excited to get my hands on this latest installment. Ever since it first came out on the N64, the Smash Bros. series has always been a landmark release for every Nintendo hardware. If current sales data is anything to go by, the first handheld entry to the series is no exception.
For the most part, Smash Bros. 4 3DS delivers. The gameplay is ridiculously fun. There are loads of characters to play as, stages to fight on, and items to employ it battle. There's a staggering number of trophies to collect, all detailing Nintendo's rich history. With all the game modes, it's almost impossible to get bored with it. Classic mode is as fun as ever with a fun twist on a classic boss. It even brings back the Fiend's Cauldron from Kid Icarus: Uprising. The game looks great and runs consistently. It's Smash, so it's good.
I just wish it were all praise and compliments, but there were quite a few things about Smash 4 3DS that disappointed me. Firstly, and let's start off with a petty complaint, there's no cinematic intro. Whether they're necessary or not, the cinematic intros for each Smash Bros. game are easily one of highlights of each entry. From 64's whimsical intro that set-up the tone for the experience perfectly, to Melee's epic, iconic opening, and on to Brawl's delightfully bombastic orchestral score, just watching each game boot up was a pleasure. Unfortunately, Smash 4 3DS doesn't have any such thing. Ah well. We can only hope Smash 4 Wii U won't deprive us of this joy.
Now for some more justified grievances. And these were some issues I brought up with my impressions on the demo. Namely, the fact that game has made no concessions when being built within the 3DS's limitations. Here's what I mean. Obviously, the 3DS's screen is a great deal smaller than the CRTs, Plasmas, or HDTVs the Smash series had inhabited prior. You'd think that would mean that stages would be designed to be smaller, and fighters to be larger, in an effort to make up for the loss of real estate. But, no! The stages are just as big as they usually are, and the fighters are basically the same size as well. During 1-on-1 sessions on a mid-sized stage, this isn't such a hassle. But throw in a couple extra players or a larger stage, and playing the game can be like looking at a Where's Waldo picture, except there are three other Waldo's armed with swords trying to knock your Waldo off the stage.
And then there's the controls. I mentioned this in my demo impressions as well. It's almost funny how not having a quick, reliable means of pulling off a smash attack makes Smash so much more difficult. That why the GameCube Controller's C-stick was such a godsend. The worst part about it is, there is an easy means around it. Sure, the 3DS might not have a second analog stick and Circle Pad Pro isn't supported, but why can't Smash attacks be mapped to either X or Y? Seriously, we only need one jump button. What's that? Nintendo's coming out with a new 3DS model that has a second stick built in that can be used to execute Smash attacks? Oh, Nintendo, you crafty, money-making bastards, you...
One of the biggest complaints I had with Brawl was how laggy the online experience was. Well, you'll be happy to hear that online in Smash 4 3DS is just as slow and jerky as before. I played a few online matches, and just about every single one of them suffered from noticeable lag. It wasn't so bad in the 1-on-1 matches.
And I really wouldn't be so down on the laggy online if local matches had download play. Seriously, download play is awesome, why wouldn't Smash use it? Being able to play Smash on 3DS with anyone regardless of whether or not they had a copy of the game would have been a huge benefit. But, for whatever reason, Smash 4 3DS doesn't have download play. This might not bother some of you, but the only people I know with a 3DS aren't planning on picking up Smash 4 3DS. So forgive me if I'm a bit miffed that I'm gonna have trouble enjoying the multiplayer element of a multiplayer competitive game.
For all the problems I have with this version of Smash, I must admit, it's still an enjoyable game. As I said before, it still has the heart of Smash. And there a few new additions I like. Customizable Mii fighters were a cool addition. Disappointed Bayonetta didn't make the final cut for Smash 4? Well, you can right that wrong, in a way, by just making a Bayonetta Mii and building her as a custom gunfighter. That's what I did. In addition, having custom moves for the regular fighters is another neat way for people to personalize their characters.
The 3DS version exclusive mode, Smash Run, is fairly interesting, if a bit cheap at times. While not as compelling as Melee's Adventure mode or Brawl's Subspace Emissary, Smash Run still works as a fast-paced portable alternative to those modes. It involves four players racing about a large, sprawling level with a set time limit to destroy various Nintendo-themed enemies to gather power-ups for a final brawl between players. It's quick and simple, but the overworld enemies can be a bit cheap at times. The random objectives for the final battle between players can be frustrating as well. You can spend your time in the overworld building up attack and defense upgrades only to have the final round turn out to be a race to the finish. It's all in good fun though, but, once again, I wish the multiplayer were more accessible.
For all it's faults, Smash 4 3DS is still a fun game. The core Smash experience is alive and well, and there's a lot to keep you coming back to it. At the same time, it's hard to brush away the feeling that there's so much better in store for Smash 4 than what's on display with the 3DS version. Those of you who are waiting to experience Smash 4 for the first time on Wii U aren't missing out on much. But, if you have some cash to spare, the 3DS version still holds up, and offers a great Smash experience on the go.
Last weekend, the first version of this majorly anticipated game was released to the Western public, Super Smash Bros. 4 3DS. Even after having spent a significant amount of time with the demo, I was still excited to get my hands on this latest installment. Ever since it first came out on the N64, the Smash Bros. series has always been a landmark release for every Nintendo hardware. If current sales data is anything to go by, the first handheld entry to the series is no exception.
For the most part, Smash Bros. 4 3DS delivers. The gameplay is ridiculously fun. There are loads of characters to play as, stages to fight on, and items to employ it battle. There's a staggering number of trophies to collect, all detailing Nintendo's rich history. With all the game modes, it's almost impossible to get bored with it. Classic mode is as fun as ever with a fun twist on a classic boss. It even brings back the Fiend's Cauldron from Kid Icarus: Uprising. The game looks great and runs consistently. It's Smash, so it's good.
I just wish it were all praise and compliments, but there were quite a few things about Smash 4 3DS that disappointed me. Firstly, and let's start off with a petty complaint, there's no cinematic intro. Whether they're necessary or not, the cinematic intros for each Smash Bros. game are easily one of highlights of each entry. From 64's whimsical intro that set-up the tone for the experience perfectly, to Melee's epic, iconic opening, and on to Brawl's delightfully bombastic orchestral score, just watching each game boot up was a pleasure. Unfortunately, Smash 4 3DS doesn't have any such thing. Ah well. We can only hope Smash 4 Wii U won't deprive us of this joy.
Now for some more justified grievances. And these were some issues I brought up with my impressions on the demo. Namely, the fact that game has made no concessions when being built within the 3DS's limitations. Here's what I mean. Obviously, the 3DS's screen is a great deal smaller than the CRTs, Plasmas, or HDTVs the Smash series had inhabited prior. You'd think that would mean that stages would be designed to be smaller, and fighters to be larger, in an effort to make up for the loss of real estate. But, no! The stages are just as big as they usually are, and the fighters are basically the same size as well. During 1-on-1 sessions on a mid-sized stage, this isn't such a hassle. But throw in a couple extra players or a larger stage, and playing the game can be like looking at a Where's Waldo picture, except there are three other Waldo's armed with swords trying to knock your Waldo off the stage.
And then there's the controls. I mentioned this in my demo impressions as well. It's almost funny how not having a quick, reliable means of pulling off a smash attack makes Smash so much more difficult. That why the GameCube Controller's C-stick was such a godsend. The worst part about it is, there is an easy means around it. Sure, the 3DS might not have a second analog stick and Circle Pad Pro isn't supported, but why can't Smash attacks be mapped to either X or Y? Seriously, we only need one jump button. What's that? Nintendo's coming out with a new 3DS model that has a second stick built in that can be used to execute Smash attacks? Oh, Nintendo, you crafty, money-making bastards, you...
One of the biggest complaints I had with Brawl was how laggy the online experience was. Well, you'll be happy to hear that online in Smash 4 3DS is just as slow and jerky as before. I played a few online matches, and just about every single one of them suffered from noticeable lag. It wasn't so bad in the 1-on-1 matches.
And I really wouldn't be so down on the laggy online if local matches had download play. Seriously, download play is awesome, why wouldn't Smash use it? Being able to play Smash on 3DS with anyone regardless of whether or not they had a copy of the game would have been a huge benefit. But, for whatever reason, Smash 4 3DS doesn't have download play. This might not bother some of you, but the only people I know with a 3DS aren't planning on picking up Smash 4 3DS. So forgive me if I'm a bit miffed that I'm gonna have trouble enjoying the multiplayer element of a multiplayer competitive game.
For all the problems I have with this version of Smash, I must admit, it's still an enjoyable game. As I said before, it still has the heart of Smash. And there a few new additions I like. Customizable Mii fighters were a cool addition. Disappointed Bayonetta didn't make the final cut for Smash 4? Well, you can right that wrong, in a way, by just making a Bayonetta Mii and building her as a custom gunfighter. That's what I did. In addition, having custom moves for the regular fighters is another neat way for people to personalize their characters.
The 3DS version exclusive mode, Smash Run, is fairly interesting, if a bit cheap at times. While not as compelling as Melee's Adventure mode or Brawl's Subspace Emissary, Smash Run still works as a fast-paced portable alternative to those modes. It involves four players racing about a large, sprawling level with a set time limit to destroy various Nintendo-themed enemies to gather power-ups for a final brawl between players. It's quick and simple, but the overworld enemies can be a bit cheap at times. The random objectives for the final battle between players can be frustrating as well. You can spend your time in the overworld building up attack and defense upgrades only to have the final round turn out to be a race to the finish. It's all in good fun though, but, once again, I wish the multiplayer were more accessible.
For all it's faults, Smash 4 3DS is still a fun game. The core Smash experience is alive and well, and there's a lot to keep you coming back to it. At the same time, it's hard to brush away the feeling that there's so much better in store for Smash 4 than what's on display with the 3DS version. Those of you who are waiting to experience Smash 4 for the first time on Wii U aren't missing out on much. But, if you have some cash to spare, the 3DS version still holds up, and offers a great Smash experience on the go.
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