Kotaku, having played the import of Super Smash Bros Brawl for the last few months, have now got their hands on the US release. So what are their opinions of the English version? Thankfully they are one of the few sites who haven't "glossed over" the cons in Brawl, and have given an honest opinion of the highs and lows of the game.
Prepare for the fanboys uproar.
Loved:
* Tons of Characters: Impressive from the get go, once you've unlocked all of the characters that Super Smash Bros. Brawl has to offer you'll have one of the greatest assemblages of video game legends of all time at your disposal.
* Excellent Music: The musical talent assembled for the game reads like a who's who of famous Japanese game composers. Akihiro Honda, Koji Kondo, Yoko Shimomura - the soundtrack alone is worth the $50 price tag.
* Their Level Design, Your Level Design: As always, Masahiro Sakurai and his team have done an excellent job of creating fighting game levels that incorporate the elements of classic games. Rather than just being backdrops, the level you are fighting can determine how you play. Don't agree? Then see if you can do better, using the relatively simplistic level editor to create and share your own levels with your friends.
* Pretty Graphics: Some of these characters have never looked quite as good as they do in Brawl. Nothing too complex, but pretty enough while still maintaining a blazing frame rate.
* Extra, Extra: The game is filed to the brim with extra bits of fan service goodness. Trophies, game demos, music, and even a history of Nintendo game releases current as of December.
* Finally Online: Despite some issues with lag, online fighting via Nintendo WiFi is a dream come true for fans of the series. Extremely fun, while still quick enough to grab yourself a quick match before heading off to work or school. Potentially dangerously addictive. Even while not playing, I could watch Spectator Mode for hours.
Hated
* Wii Controls: If you don't own a GameCube controller, now is a good time to pick one up. Brawl just feels unnatural when played with the Wiimote/nunchuk combo, and the classic controller is too sensitive, which screws up jumping. It's odd when what could be the best game on the console does little to take advantage of the console's main selling point.
* Online Lag: A good quarter of the online matches I've participated in so far have suffered from extreme, stuttering lag, while a few times I had the game freeze in mid-bout and kick me out of the match. Even with a good group, the frame rate still suffers from time to time. Hopefully this is an area Nintendo can improve upon in future updates.
* Adventure Mode: Excellent cut scenes wrapped around 8 hours of poorly implemented platforming with repetitive enemies and some odd design choices. Remember the lesson of Tekken 5 - platforming and fighting game controls don't mix. The plus side? You don't have to play it to unlock characters - it's just a bit faster.
* Friend Codes: Screw the Friend Code system. Enough said.
Despite a few flaws, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is the best thing the Nintendo Wii has going for it right now. With addictive multiplayer, tons of collecting to do, the ability to create your own levels and share them with friends, Brawl isn't just a game that will sit in your Wii for months, it's a game you'll actually play for months, if not longer.
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* Online Lag: Tbh, all of Nintendo's major Wifi games suffered problems during the first weeks of release. Mario Kart DS had problems, and it runs very smooth now. So did Mario Strikers for Wii. The problems will be fixed in due time.
* Adventure Mode: This is all about opinion. In my opinion, the Adv Mode is awesome. I've had no trouble getting use to the controls, and the cutscenes really are epic.
* Friend Codes: I couldn't agree more. Hey Nintendo! Not all of us are 8 year olds, give us more online interaction. Hopefully this new 'pay n play' service is Nintendo's answer to Xbox live.
The load will eventually wear off to a point where the servers can manage and it will seem better. For the first few months, nothing but friends will be doable. After that you have a shot at random.
btw, this game was designed to function with a gamecube controller, kids. dont use the wii remote.
Way to accept some fundamental flaws in a game.
But I totally agree about the online play bein' laggy.
You know what I'd add as a con? King Dedede's fighting gameplay isn't quite good enough to do his character justice.
''cons'' anyday!