Wii Fanboy takes Super Smash Bros. Brawl Wi-Fi for a test drive

by David Hinkle { Mar 6th 2008 at 5:00PM }

When I ripped open the FedEx package today in a whirling dervish of nails and teeth, I found what I had been expecting: a copy of Smash Bros. Brawl. Nintendo, the wonderful and kind souls they are, decided this crummy little blog was good enough to get a copy of the game along with the press. A single tear poured down my cheek, kind of like that recycling commercial. It was a magical moment.

I then realized I had to work today and couldn't get my game on. As the day progressed and I tapped away at my keyboard, putting up news items and other stories that all 12 of you readers care about, the game sat there in front of my monitor, mocking me. It was almost like some kind of evil temptation, as I thought about just ducking away from my responsibilities to play. I then realized that it is my responsibility to play! I've got to review the damn thing, don't I?

And when I heard that Joystiq's own Kyle Orland got a copy of the game too, I decided a few mutliplayer matches were in order. And in the interest of those who don't want anything spoiled for them, stop reading here. The rest of you can head past the break where the real action is.

Gallery: Super Smash Bros. Brawl

First of all, we hadn't unlocked a single person in the game yet, save for Marth. So I didn't have access to Snake or any of the other high-profile extra characters (um, Sonic). With that in mind, I decided that I needed to put my best foot forward. I chose Samus.

Now, if you're looking for analysis of how characters differ from Melee, you won't really find it here. I admit I'm not the best player in the world, and it's been a pretty long time since I had played Melee, but I will say that I noticed a change in Samus. Her attacks all seemed the same, although her flamethrower attack distance has been cut down and her missiles seem to pack a bit more of a punch now (thank you, thank you Sakurai). Kyle went with Donkey Kong and, as I anticipated, I mopped the floor with him (not really, it went to Sudden Death, but I still won). We fought on the Melee stage Hyrule.

Once our match was complete and we were looking over the stats screens, I was anticipating that the game would boot me out of the room and I would have to connect to his session again. Thankfully, this was not the case, as our "group" remained persistent. It sent me right back to the character selection screen for more. I was very pleased.

Gallery: SSBB gallery two

The next match, I decided I needed to get physical, so I picked Bowser. He was always a favorite of mine because, well, he's frakkin' Bowser. Kyle ended up going with King Dedede and we fought on the Super Mario Sunshine level Delfino Isle. This match also went to sudden death and again I won, on the strength of Bowser's new suplex move. It's silly good, I tell you.

We fought some other matches across multiple levels (on theYoshi's Story level I got my ass kicked by Captain Falcon, but that's what I get for using Link) and we had a fairly smooth experience. Here and there I would notice a slight delay between my character's movement and my button presses, but overall it was a generally smooth and pleasant session.

Gallery: SSBB gallery three

Other items of interest:

On the Pictochat stage, Kyle sent me flying (he was Meta Knight, I rocked Marth) at 6,300 MPH
Wario is really fun to use, because his motorcycle is just great, but make sure you don't crash it!
Fighting over Smash Balls is incredibly intense and Captain Falcon's Final Smash is too amazing
I played using the Classic Controller, but felt the analog stick was too unresponsive; I'm going to try the Wiimote and GameCube control schemes later on
Kyle is really good with Captain Falcon and I am really bad as Link

Hopefully you guys found something of interest here. And you can bet I'll be waiting to take you all on at next week's Game Night!

Gallery: SSBB gallery four

Tags: bowser, captain-falcon, donkey-kong, impressions, link, marth, metroid, samus, smash-bros-brawl

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Roto13 @ Mar 6th 2008 5:08PM

I read that someone from another gaming blog was having a problem with lag, but they weren't sure if it was an isolated incident or not. Sounds like it was. This is good news. Now, can you play with people from other regions?

PaperMario480 @ Mar 6th 2008 5:14PM

Aweome. Just awesome. I literally went insane today and disrupted my class like crazy.

PaperMario480 @ Mar 6th 2008 5:17PM

Wait, yeah, Paper Mario level? I MUST KNOW!!! (check username)

PaperMario480 @ Mar 6th 2008 5:20PM

WAIT WAIT... you guys know Paper Mario is only North American... maybe they added something in?

SImpression @ Mar 6th 2008 6:42PM

Paper Mario is not North American only O.o

Jay @ Mar 6th 2008 5:13PM

Wait.....what Paper Mario stage?

WhatIsThatThing @ Mar 6th 2008 5:30PM

I think he's talking about the Yoshi Story level. I may be wrong though, I don't have the game (yet).

David Hinkle @ Mar 6th 2008 6:01PM

Yeah, that's probably it. The small stage with the three blocks that guard the drop down to death in the middle.

RosuNamikaze @ Mar 6th 2008 6:46PM

thought i'd missed summin there.. :P

Metayoshi @ Mar 6th 2008 6:57PM

Oh I know what he's talking about.

"The small stage with the three blocks that guard the drop down to death in the middle"... That's the Yoshi's Island level from Super Mario World.

David Hinkle @ Mar 6th 2008 9:45PM

Yeah, I should know that, but it's been a busy day. Brain is fried. :)

jsa3mm @ Mar 6th 2008 5:17PM

I am gonna get my butt stomped, but I cannot wait to play!

Adv2k1 @ Mar 6th 2008 5:20PM

On a related note here a video of characters that should be in Brawl. :-(

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wgylsnue6nM

Nebinator @ Mar 6th 2008 5:55PM

I hate those videos... they make me so sad

Mr Khan @ Mar 6th 2008 5:25PM

Word up, although i rather wish you could give a more accurate comparison with Melee, just so i know what to anticipate at the GameStop tournament saturday night. 9:00, confirmed, and my best smash-playing friends are just slightly too young (17) to compete, which opens the field for me somewhat.

Mr Khan @ Mar 6th 2008 5:26PM

Also, I didn't expect you guys to be hiring again so soon. Is the blog expanding, or did someone say goodbye?

Or is it one of those non-disclosure things?

aarontherocker @ Mar 6th 2008 5:52PM

you can be under 18 and stil compete, read the rules...

David Hinkle @ Mar 6th 2008 6:04PM

About the blogging job:

Alisha, babies, need more posts.

Hopefully that helps! :D

vidGuy @ Mar 6th 2008 8:52PM

Why aren't the Help Wanted threads ever open for comments? I would like a place to discuss this dream-job.

David Hinkle @ Mar 6th 2008 9:46PM

Because it would just get too crazy and we have stories to post. We can't sit there lobbying questions about the job all day.

Also, it's a test. You have the instructions. Let's see you follow them. :)

WhatIsThatThing @ Mar 6th 2008 5:32PM

Dear Mr. Hinkle:
I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you I hate you.

The only way to redeem yourself is to send that copy of Brawl to me through one-day express mail post haste.

Regards,
WhatIsThatThing

David Hinkle @ Mar 6th 2008 6:04PM

Well then, one less Christmas card to send this year ...

Sonto @ Mar 6th 2008 5:37PM

We should Brawl Tonight at game night :D

What time does it start Central time?

David Hinkle @ Mar 6th 2008 6:05PM

I would ask people to Brawl, but not everyone has it right now. Wouldn't be fair to everyone. :(

7pm EST for Game Night

Nikolas @ Mar 6th 2008 5:37PM

At first I thought I would stick with the GC controller but I ended up clicking with the Wiimote and chuck. The largest difference I noticed is that when you dodge you do not fly to the side anymore.

Brawl destroyed my abilities with Mario.

vidGuy @ Mar 6th 2008 5:59PM

My GS isn't doing a midnight launch :( Better believe I'll have the game come Sunday.

Dash @ Mar 6th 2008 6:12PM

My copy is only arriving on the 14th (damn you, slow international delivery system). I think I'll just have to put myself in a self-induzed coma til then.

I'm glad there was no lag, and that you didn't have to reconnect to go another match.

"I then realized that it is my responsibility to play!" - You know David, that line should be on a movie or something. It's legendary. To Brawl is not your right, it's your duty.

David Hinkle @ Mar 6th 2008 6:19PM

Thank you. If I ever get business cards printed up, that'll be on there. :)

Lo @ Mar 6th 2008 6:25PM

What kind of shit Nintendo Journalist gets Yoshi Story confused with Paper Mario? I hope you choke.

Tom @ Mar 6th 2008 6:37PM

That's...harsh man. Seriously, don't wish someone would frickin DIE just cuz they mixed up a stage. Not that serious, man.

Haohmaru @ Mar 6th 2008 7:27PM

It's a stage with a 2D "storybook" feel, and Yoshi's Story was an ass game that most people, if they're anything like me, would have (mercifully) avoided at all costs.

Silly troll. Go crawl back underneath your bridge.

Tom @ Mar 6th 2008 7:33PM

I personally think it's from Yoshi's Island (Wait.. Yoshi's Island and Yoshi's Story the same game?) I (thankfully) never played Yoshi's story, just Yoshi's Island DS.
Were you calling me the troll, or were you calling Lo the troll? Cuz I'm innocent man! INNOCENT I TELL YE!!

David Hinkle @ Mar 6th 2008 9:47PM

Dude, Tom. AC/DC. Nobody can be mad at you. :)

Haohmaru @ Mar 6th 2008 11:14PM

Nah, I've never seen any kind of.. belligerence from Tom. And David has a point, it IS hard to hate on anyone with an AC/DC avatar...

Tom @ Mar 7th 2008 1:54PM

Hmmm. I never thought of it like that. Thanks!
As for Link, I think that it just takes some practice to find out what he can or can't do well at. But yeah, I just stick with Capt. Falcon for the most part. Can't go wrong with a little FALCON PUNCH!!

Tom @ Mar 6th 2008 6:40PM

HOWEVER, David, you don't know how much I'm writhing with jealousy in my chair right now. You just CAN'T comprehend it. And, How foolish of you to think you could stand up to CAPTAIN FALCON'S awesomeness with ANYONE (does Link suck in this game though? That would be sad, considering Legend of Zelda is prolly my favorite franchise...)
Despite what you said, I'll probably use the Classic Controller. Mine hasn't been used a lot, so it should have a good repsonse time. If it doesn't, I'll go out and buy a Gamecube controller (If I can find one, that is...)

RosuNamikaze @ Mar 6th 2008 6:51PM

i wanna buy a wavebird.

there's such thing as wireless wii-cude controllers isn't there?
might have to pick one up just before it gets delivered!

this stage is causing alot of bother.. haha.
it's probably the yoshi's island stage.

Lo @ Mar 6th 2008 7:43PM

Using the classic controller with a character like Samus should be awesomely reminiscent of playing Super Metroid.

David Hinkle @ Mar 6th 2008 9:49PM

Well, look at it this way. I could've gotten the game, played it and NOT SAID A SINGLE THING.

Oh wait, that probably would've been better for you. Nevermind! :D

As for Link, I just never liked him in the Smash Bros. games. To me, people rock him because they like him so much, not because his moves in the Smash Bros. games are any good. Frankly, I think he has one of the most useless move sets ever.

Cyber-Tyrant @ Mar 6th 2008 6:40PM

Care to give us a video next time?

Cyber-Tyrant @ Mar 6th 2008 6:43PM

BTW: I've checked the complete list of stages on various sites. There is no Paper Mario stage. Are you sure you haven't confused it with something else?

Perverted @ Mar 6th 2008 6:58PM

Samus is well nerfed...the missiles are a lot weaker....pack a lot less punch..Now Snakes missiles their good!
I feel the game to be a bit slower than melee but overall a more enjoyable experience and i actually have items on now...well one the smash ball it is fun. just a pity some a re over powered/under powered.....

Abscissa @ Mar 6th 2008 7:11PM

"I feel the game to be a bit slower than melee"

Really? Sweet! I actually found the speed in GC Smash Bros to bee a tad too fast for my tastes. N64 Smash Bros, I can play reasonably well. The GC one just kicks my ass.

Abscissa @ Mar 6th 2008 7:06PM

I've always felt that analog sticks were too unresponsive in Smash Bros. In both the N64 and GC versions. Especially the GC version.

Can you at least set it up to use the D-Pad for movement if you use the classic controller? (Please say yes! Without lying ;) ) If so, I'll be really interested in picking this up. That's one of the biggest things holding me back.

David Hinkle @ Mar 6th 2008 9:51PM

Sorry, with the Classic pad, the d-pad acts as your taunts. :(

If you could use the d-pad, I probably would be all over the Classic controller.

Abscissa @ Mar 7th 2008 12:24PM

And there's no way to change that? Not even with all the controller configuration options the Dojo was bragging about on this page:
http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/gamemode/various/various14.html

If so, that really blows :(.

John Rios @ Mar 6th 2008 7:08PM

My loins burn in anticipation! ... what?

PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Mar 6th 2008 8:48PM

just let me know how Ness plays (recently became my favorite character after i learned how to use him). i used to use Kirby all the time before so i wanna try out Metaknight and Pit too. either way, im going to try everyone out on Sunday anyway lol. i cant wait! glad the online is decent too.