Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Is Frenetic Family Fighting Fun

Fan of Nintendo since childhood? Expert button masher when it comes to fighting games? Stop reading now and go get Super Smash Bros. for Wii U! But if you’re not a lifelong Nintendo fan or fighting game aficionado, keep reading to learn all about the frenzied fun in the latest installment in the Smash Bros. franchise.

Characters

Super Smash Bros. pits over 40 of Nintendo’s famous (and some not-quite-famous) characters against each other in one epic fighting game. Mario, Luigi, Link, Pikachu, and even Sonic the Hedgehog join Little Mac (Punch Out!), Shulk (Xenoblade Chronicles), Captain Falcon (F-Zero), and more. Chances are if you have a beloved Nintendo character from years gone by, they’re in Super Smash Bros.

There are also characters to unlock, and you can even use your Mii to create a custom character with your preferred fighting style.

Controllers

Up to 8 players can join in the fun thanks to the variety of compatible game controllers available. Not only do the standard GamePad and your old Wiimotes work, you can even drag your vintage GameCube controllers out of the closet and hook them up with the new GameCube Controller Adapter for Wii U.  You can even use your Nintendo 3DS if you have Super Smash Bros. for that system.

We have been using a mix of our vintage GameCube controllers and the new Super Smash Bros. Edition GameCube controllers along with the GamePad and Pro Controller. No single controller has the advantage, but the GameCube controllers do make it easier to remember which buttons are the attack and Smash buttons.

Start Smashing!

I haven’t cracked an instruction book open in years, but after trying to jump in to a three-player melee with no clue of how to play for the first time, we ended up flipping through it for the basic character moves. (The official web site also offers a robust How to Play section.) Once you get the hang of the controls, the fun really begins. Use your character’s unique moves to jump, punch, kick, and yes, smash your opponents off the stage to win.

You can also grab special items for big damage or to summon even more allies to join in the fray.

The game also includes a variety of challenges and mini-games to keep the fun going even if you don’t have anyone to play against. But if it’s a worthy opponent you’re looking for, you can always take on a new foe (or friend): the amiibo!

amiibo

At launch, you can use 12 amiibo figures to fight with you or against you in Super Smash Bros. Once you tap the amiibo on the GamePad, the figure appears in game. Amiibo characters level up the more they battle and can be customized to your preferred fighting style.

Bottom Line

So what’s the verdict? “Intensely amazing!” declares my 10-year-old neighbor. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is chaotic, frenetic, button mashing, super smashing fun. There’s something for any level of fighting game mastery, from just button mashing to get through a round with friends to fighting for trophies, completing challenges, creating your own stages and Mii characters, and going online to battle.

That’s a lot to pack into one game. It’s so much that Nintendo released a thirty-minute video telling you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is available November 21, 2014, for a suggested retail price of $59.99. Various amiibo figures are also available for a suggested retail price of $12.99 each.

GeekMom received a promotional copy of the game, a Mario amiibo, GameCube controllers, and the adapter for review purposes.