Overview
This game is very similar to the two preceding games, Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee. This game, for the Nintendo Wii console, features a stage creator, one of the most incredible soundtracks, 35 different characters, and for the first time in the series, online play!
Fighting Scheme
The fighting scheme in Super Smash Bros is different than most other fighting games. For one, the game is fought on a 2-d arena with a 3-d background. You have the ability to move horizontally and vertically. The way to defeat your opponent is to use attacks to raise his/her percentage to a high enough level that you can use a smash attack to know him/her off the stage.
There is also a new addition to the game, called Final Smashes. These moves are the ultimate of all moves in the game. Most of them usually end up in one or more KOs (knock-outs). You can obtain these final smashes by hitting a smash ball sufficiently enough to use your Final Smash which you will then begin to glow. You then must use your standard special button to activate your final smash for ground-breaking effects.
Single Player Mode
For the first time in the series, the game features an in-depth story mode. (WARNING: SPOILERS) The story mode starts out with Mario and Kirby doing a peaceful fight in an arena. Afterwards, the Halberd (Meta-Knight's ship) flies over the stadium and drops little shadow bugs which turn into part of the “Subspace Army” and the Ancient Minister detonates a subspace bomb, which sends the entire stadium into the subspace. From there on, multiple characters such as Mario, Pit, Samus Aran, Ness and Lucas, Wario, Solid Snake, and even Sonic the Hedgehog embark on a journey to defeat Taboo, who is controlling the world via the Master and Crazy hands.
Multiplayer Mode
Definitely the highlight of this game. Multiplayer mode features some of the most in-depth customization of the game. You are able to add bunny hoods, 300%, Stamina, Metal, High or Low Gravity, and many more options as well as items, stock, time, and coin matches AS well as custom stages, new stages, and stages brought back from Melee.
Online
For the first time ever, Super Smash Bros. now has online connectivity. While there aren't too many features available, it is a great step for the game. You have the option to fight with Random people in 2 minute, free for alls, or you can fight a friend with customizable matches. The battles are based on a peer-to-peer system, so if one person has a below average internet connection, lagging will occur.
Controls
Brawl is based on a very easy to learn control system. First and foremost, there are four controllers you are able to use, the Wiimote, Wiimote + Nunchuck, Classic Controller, and the Gamecube controller.
For the Gamecube and Classic controller, the basic button layout is the same. A button for standard attacks, B button for special attacks, Z to grab, L and R to shield, C stick (or right analog stick) to smash and left analog (and D-Pad on classic controller) to move.
Now for the Wiimote which is held sideways. You must press the 2 button to standard attack, and 1 to use special attacks. You use the D-Pad to move but to run you have to double-tap the direction you want to move in.
The Wiimote + Nunchuck is similar to the Gamecube layout. A is standard attacks, B is special attacks, left analog (nunchuck analog) to move. Now to shield you have to hold down the Z button which is the back trigger on the analog stick. To auto-grab, you must use the C button which is located just above the Z button.
Additional Features
There are numerous new/improved features in Brawl, such as snapshot where you must press Z to take a snapshop anytime you want except in online mode. You can also save all matches up to 3 minutes in length and view them later. You can design custom stages with features such as moving floors, ice, trampolines, etc. You may also assign phrases up to two lines in length to each of your four taunts during friend online play.
Final Score: 9.5/10 - Amazing!
