Super Smash Bros is one legendary series in the Nintendo library of original games. After waiting for more then a year after the Wii’s release, gamers finally have their hands on the most anticipated game this year. Gamers certainly show their love for Super Smash Bros. Brawl as the title has sold more then 1.4 million copies in its first week alone. With some new additions and an increased roster count, is Brawl quite possibly the perfect addition to your Wii library? Super Smash Bros Brawl is one game that I can safely say is leaps and bounds above most fighting games in recent years.

Story Mode! Brawl has Depth?

If there’s anything I must mention first about Brawl is its addition of a more in-depth and possibly complicated story element. Brawl gives you an adventure mode that hasn’t been as well implemented as its predecessors in the series. SubSpace Emissary follows the adventure of our Smash characters through a story element, which pens the evil characters against the good. This mode is a service to gamers that will certainly bring back memories of the times these characters were fighting in their own respective games. As you move through different stages you get the chance to unlock various characters.  This is certainly a much easier way of unlocking those new additions to the roster, then through the traditional way of having to win matches. It may take you quite a bit of time to complete the story mode, but it will be rewarding in the end. SubSpace Emissary may be tedious at first, but if you stick to it your Brawl experience will be much more fulfilling.

So many choices! Just pick one or many?

One of the great features of Smash Brothers is the ability to choose how you want to control your character. You can use the plain old Gamecube controller or you can play in two new ways. Players are given the choice to use the virtual console controller or even the Wiimote. However I recommend only using the dual joysticks, since you may find it difficult to use the buttons and both joysticks. This can also be avoided by simply using just one joystick and the buttons. If these control schemes are not what you are looking for, Nintendo has given you the option to use the Wiimote.

The Wiimote control scheme uses both the Wiimote and the attached nunchuk. This gives you a very interesting experience. Although it will take a moment to get yourself acquainted, it shouldn’t take experienced gamers long to discover its potential. Unfortunately you’re limited to using the A and B buttons, but you get to feel the rumble effect. I find this way to be more fun if you want an original experience.

The basic control layout of Brawl is still there, as it has been, since its original birth. The one option of the final “smash” has changed things up a bit. Instead of performing a combo and then your smash, you now have to find a glowing ball that will float around the map until someone hits it twice. Once that happens the character will begin to  glow the same color as the ball and they must press B near one of their enemies to get the full effect of the smash. This is much more friendly to newcomers of the series as it gives them a chance to really get going with the smashing. The gameplay is fun and inviting to all gamers.

My god what a roster!

Yes, its true, Super Smash Bros Brawl has definitely increased its roster this time around. With characters the likes of Wario, King DeDeDe, and even the more interesting additions of Sonic and Solid Snake. There are plenty of options for players to find their main character to smash their friend into oblivion with. While Brawl does give you the standard roster line up, players must still unlock the entire roster. Nostalgia goes a long way in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. What is also noticeable about the characters is their new and varied abilities

How can you sort out such a mess?

What I tend to notice about Brawl matches, whether it’s in the single player online or multiplayer with your friends, each match feels like a jumbled mess. I’m not tacking this on Brawl as a flaw, although it certainly nears that point. When you get four players on screen and you have all characters fighting at once, it seems like you can never sort out where you’re character is or what is happening. Some gamers may not find this very confusing depending on how well they can deal with the on-screen action.

What about those graphics?

This is where Brawl shines and really brings out the clarity in Nintendo’s famous characters. You can easily see the amount of detail put into each character. There seems to be no downgrade between cut scenes or gameplay even if you’re playing SubSpace Emissary or in a multiplayer matche. If you’re a graphic junkie, they you will certainly appreciate this in its HD glory. In short, Brawl gives us seamless character renders and excellent quality.

Nostalgia really hits home…

Gamers love music, and when it has to do with their favorite Nintendo characters, you will certainly have some fun with a new change in Brawl. As you complete SubSpace Emissary, you can unlock various items. The most important items you can unlock are various music tracks. These music tracks give you the ability to set battle music in your multiplayer matches. You can select classic tracks and themes of various characters and stages.  The sound quality and over all feel of these tracks can bring gamers back to the old days even before super smash brothers existed.

What’s that I see, a level editor?

Another one of the great features that really shines in Brawl is in the addition of a level editor. Don’t like the maps currently listed? Well, make your own! You can take elements from the Brawl universe and make your own original creation. When your finished you can send your map to Nintendo, who will select the best levels and showcase them for other gamers from around the world to play on.

Online play is well, a first step….

Online play is certainly a very welcomed addition to the franchise. However, what gets a little un-nerving about multiplayer is the lag in matches. If you run into certain players, you will get a considerable amount of lag that is so bad the game forces you back to the main menu. If you don’t have a real solid connection, it boots you out of the match and disconnects you from the WiFi network. When you’re searching for a match you could be left in sandbag limbo for quite a while if no players are found. What you have to do to get involved in online play is acquire friend codes. Each copy of Brawl has its own unique friend code. Along with giving your friends your Wii friend code, you now have to send them your Brawl friend code to be able to match with your friends. In some matches there was also a bit of a button delay as well, but that doesn’t hinder your online experience.

 Plasma Factor

Nintendo has always done a good job at providing a large amount of content with each games, so it should be no surprise that Brawl required a double-layered DVD. Super Smash Brothers will entice your mind and never let you pull away. With its entertaining SubSpace Emissary and Classic modes and the ability to play with friends, it is an even  more fun title. Super Smash Brothers Brawl can get your blood boiling and will certainly bring out you and your friends’ competitiveness. Brawl gives you the best experience there is for the Wii and you should be damned if you were to miss this title.

Get Ready! Smash!

So, what are you doing still reading this review? If you have a Nintendo Wii then you better be heading out to your nearest store to buy this game! Super Smash Brothers Brawl is a fascinating addition to the franchise. It is unthinkable to try and come up with something they could possibly do to improve the overall experience other than fix the lag issues. Hopefully they surprise us and give us something that can never be forgotten. Although, Brawl is one title for the Wii that is sure to become an instant classic.