Developer: Nintendo of America
Publisher: Nintendo of America
Genre: Fighting
Rating: T (for Teen)
Number of Players: 1-2
Expected Release: February 10, 2008
Platforms: Nintendo Wii
Super Smash Brothers Brawl Gallery

The Revolution
The next installment of the Super Smash Bros. series is entitled: Super Smash Bros. Brawl. A fitting name...Don't you think? There are a lot of goodies packed in this upcoming video game, and people have been craving its release so they can get in on the action. Everyone is hoping that it will live up to their expectations as the best Super Smash Bros. to grace next-gen consoles, but there are mixed feelings about some of the changes made to the game. Many fans feel that it will be awesome and innovative with the character selection and items that have been removed and added, though there is always that small percentage who feel that the game will never be the same or as fun as before.

The Game
The game itself hasn't changed much; you're still presented with its basic but unique foundation of having all players starting at 0% health, and the more damage you take, the higher your percentage rises. The higher your percentage is, the greater the chance you'll be sent flying through the sky and lose a life (or points, if the settings are changed). On the Wii you have a wider variety of ways to play. You can use the Wii Remote on its side, the Wii Remote and Nunchuk together, the new Classic Controller, and the GameCube controller to play the game. It's said that the director didn't want to change the style of play so drastically like most games on the Nintendo Wii. They wanted to preserve the goodness of what Super Smash Bros. is: an easy-to-learn beat-em-up with simple controls.

Stages and Items
Stages are still completely in 3D and limit you to a 2D plane, although Brawl introduces destructible terrain. Old and new stages alike will be seen again in Brawl along with new stages from third-party characters like the Metal Gear Solid-inspired Shadow Moses Island. Some items were removed and new ones were added.  The developers felt that the selections of items were tasteful and could increase competition, but still keep that Super Smash Bros. feeling.

Characters
Characters have come and gone in the past, but Super Smash Bros. Brawl seems to have a solid, but very unique roster lined up for its release. Being the first Smash game to feature third-party characters, there is a lot of skepticism from gamers as to how and why certain characters were selected. For example, many find it strange that Solid Snake has been put into the mix, while characters such as Captain Falcon have yet to seen. Characters are as listed:

Returning Characters

• Mario (Super Mario)
• Link (The Legend of Zelda)
• Kirby (Kirby's Dream Land)
• Pikachu (Pokemon)
• Fox (Star Fox)
• Samus (Metroid)
• Zelda (The Legend of Zelda)
• Bowser (Super Mario)
• Donkey Kong (Donkey Kong)
• Yoshi (Super Mario)
• Princess Peach (Super Mario)
• The Ice Climbers (Ice Climbers)

Newcomers

The famous Sonic the Hedgehog has joined the brawl.
• Pit (Kid Icarus)
• Wario (Super Mario)
• Zero Suit Samus (Metroid)
• Ike (Fire Emblem)
• Pokemon Trainer (Pokemon)
• Diddy Kong (Donkey Kong)
• Meta Knight (Kirby's Adventure)
• Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid)
• Lucas (MOTHER 3)
• Sonic (Sonic the Hedgehog)
• King Dedede (Kirby's Dream Land)

Adventure Mode and Online Mode
New features that have been added to Brawl are the Adventure mode and Online mode. The Adventure mode, entitled Adventure Mode: The Subspace Emissary, is a mode that includes unique character storylines like boss fights, CG cutscenes, and side-scrolling action. The Subspace Army, the antagonists, is led by the Ancient Minister. Throughout the Adventure mode you will face familiar enemies all while the characters' storylines develop. You may play single-player or cooperatively with another player with a unique team system where you are left with a limited choice of characters, but more will unlock as the game progresses. Characters may leave the team and new ones can join.

The Online mode could be the biggest reason for all to buy Brawl. Everyone knows that Super Smash Bros. is better with more players. With online compatibility with the Wii, players are able to play online with their friends or randomly selected players. Player nicknames will be displayed on-screen while playing, and you are allowed to have 4 phrases that are set by the player beforehand that will appear in a chat bubble above the player's character during a taunt. Along with online player, there is a spectator mode, where players can watch fights and bet on who will win using coins that you get from winning. While waiting for an online match to start, you play different modes such as practicing against Sandbag or playing the Home-run contest. Screen shots and recordings can be done and submitted to Nintendo through its WiFi connection or to other players.