Review Context: I’ve been a long time fan of the Super Smash Bros franchise since it’s conception. I’ve seen how far they’ve pushed other games in the series, and trying out new ideas for gameplay modes in each new installment. I’m not the most serious player, but I love just sitting down with friends and fighting it out with our favorite Nintendo characters.
Date of Playthrough: May 2015
Date of MiniReview Submission: June 16, 2015
On the cusp of the new Super Smash Bros for the Wii U, Nintendo found the time to adapt the game to the Nintendo 3DS. This one was released only a month before the console version entered stores in North America. While Super Smash Bros is a household Nintendo title, easily being one of Nintendo’s best ideas since Mario, every iteration of the game needs to be a step forward and be memorable. The problem is the 3DS version is the complete opposite. The complete lack of replayability for this version only shows with the horrible release schedule. Only one month before the main console release doesn’t make enough sense marketing wise, unless you are trying to make another quick buck. This shows in some of the most forgettable features ever put into a Super Smash Bros. game.
Removing story/adventure mode from the game was the first straw, as it was a welcomed and interesting edition to the franchise, allowing more depth than just smashing other CPUs off the side of the edge to continue forward in Classic. They thought that adding in Smash Run, the Kirby Air Ride City Trial mode, mixing in ability increasing stat gain with story/adventure mode’s playstyle would make everything alright. While it is a fabulous feature to the game being one of its key selling points, it also brings up straw numero dos: This mode is limited to only local play. Instead of having an online feature to the mode to have a suitable replacement for story/adventure mode they limit it, making it a completely underused feature unless you have friends who has a 3DS and a copy of the game, unless you want to play it by yourself. We do not play Smash by ourselves, we do not buy this game just to have a go at all the single player features, we buy it for the multiplayer, and when that is lacking the entire game is lacking. This moves us onto straw nombre trois. The singleplayer is completely lacking. I haven’t seen any game of the series backtrack before, and this title has the least amount of memorable content since the first installment of the franchise for the N64. With only Classic, Target, Multi-man, Homerun, and All-star as the only other available modes with a tiered list of unlockable challenges.
The new and unique additions of the game are either only to offset the limitations of the device, or easily made more accessible in the Wii U version. Customization, while introduced in the 3DS version, it is also in the Wii U version making it the twin that was born two seconds before the other one. The stylistic choice with the graphics is cartoony and less dynamic with lighting and shading than the Wii U version with a black outline around it. It is probably because of the limited size of the screen that they used this style, as it pops out more. The stages and the gameplay are the only two things worth looking at in this edition. The stages are by far more creative and interesting to fight upon than their counterparts in the Wii U version; Pac-Man’s stage utilizing a more traditional backdrop for the franchise instead of Pacland, and the Fire Emblem Coliseum stage is only a stripped version of the Arena Ferox stage. The game feels just as good and as responsive as the Wii U version, removing the tripping and floaty aspects disliked in Super Smash Bros Brawl’s gameplay. With gameplay this smooth and operational with the customization giving a touch of personality to play styles, it would make up for many of the shortcomings of the game if you didn’t have a hard time going into the internet play without lag making it again only coherent in local play. With only a handful of modes and several unique additions only made more utilized in the Wii U version of the game, it just doesn’t stand up to others in the franchise. While a smooth and operational game, Super Smash Bros for the 3DS is the weakest in the franchise for memorability and evolution.
Similar Games Liked:
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (Wii U)
For a list of all of the MiniReviews for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS please click here
Date of Playthrough: January 2014
Date of MiniReview Submission: August 30, 2015
What started as a Wii U exclusive quickly vanished two weeks before release as the game would be multi-platform. It also didn’t help that the game was released one week before Grand Theft Auto V. After the controversy died, many found the game to be fun despite what platform it was played on. With my playthrough, I feel this is still a Wii U game, and would have a hard time playing this game on another platform.
I loved Rayman Origins and knew the type of game the sequel could bring with a more powerful system. As stated earlier, this game was made with the Wii U in mind from the ground up using the Ubi Art engine. This game supports Wii U Gamepad, Pro Controller, Wiimote, Wiimote Nunchuk, and Wii Classic Controller. If you are playing solo, you can only use the Gamepad. When you play levels that require Murphy, he will appear on the Gamepad and knock on the screen. With that you touch different platforms to help Globox on the level. What I love about this game is how most of the level designs are made for speed running and some levels are challenging, but the checkpoints and infinite lives brings down the frustration. You can even unlock fan favorite levels from Rayman Origins. I recently played the game with four people. It should be noted that the Wii U version supports five players locally. Long story short, it was harder than New Super Mario Bros U.
If there was one good thing to come out of the last minute delay, it’s that the team added more levels and content. If you think you are best player, you can do daily online challenges. With lots of content and replayablity, this game is a must-have for fans for platforming.
Similar Games Liked:
Rayman Origins (Wii)
For a list of all all of the MiniReviews for Rayman Legends please click here
