Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

super smash bros for wii u box art review
8.5 Overall Score
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Controls: 7/10

Lots of fun characters

Never a fan of Smash Bros. controls, no story mode

Game Info

Game Name:  Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Developer(s):  Sora Ltd./Bandai Namco Games

Publisher(s):  Nintendo

Platform(s):  Wii U/Nintendo 3DSFi

Genre(s):  Fighting

Release Date(s):  November 21, 2014

ESRB Rating:  E10+

super smash bros for wii u mario pit metroid villager

Let the fighting begin!!!

Master Hand is back and playing all-new games with its puppets.  Now, some of the biggest stars of gaming have been brought together to battle it out.  With higher stakes, faster battles, and even more moves, it is time to smash again!

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U use is the fourth installment of the fighting game and with a version also being released for the Nintendo 3DS.  The game follows Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii and features characters from various Nintendo owned properties and other developers.  The game also incorporates the Wii U’s use of Amiibo figures.  The game was released to strong reviews and became a bestseller for the Wii U.

super smash bros for wii u multiplayer gameplay

Beat the crap out of your “friends”

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is what it is.  It is a fighting game.  If you like fighting games, you will probably like Super Smash Bros. for Wii U but if you don’t like fighting games, the chances of you liking this entry will probably be quite slim.

The game itself has a lot of variety.  It does lack a story mode which I actually rather enjoyed in some of the versions (though most people hated them).  There are multiple games and game formats including online play and all pretty much boil down to beating the crap out of your opponents.  The game also has plenty of rewards and challenges to keep the rather one dimensional game from getting stale.

The controls for the game continue to confound me after multiple versions.  Unlike something like Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter which require precisely timed moves, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is much more about button-mashing.  The jumping aspect of the game is still frustrating (especially when it seems the CPU can jump from so far off the board).  The multiple characters do provide some variety and characters can be mastered.

super smash bros for wii u playable characters

So many choices, so little fights

In that matter, the game character roster is deep.  It features:  Bowser, Bowser Jr., Yoshi, Dr. Mario, Luigi, Mario, Peach, and Rosalina & Luma from the Mario series; The Villager from Animal Crossing; Diddy Kong and Donkey Kong; Duck Hunt Dog from Duck Hunt; Ness from Earthbound; Captain Falcon from F-Zero; Ike, Lucina, Marth, and Robin from Fire Emblem; Mr. Game & Watch; R.O.B. from Gyromite & Stack-Up; Dark Pit, Palutena, and Pit from Kid Icarus; Kirby, King Dedede, and Meta Knight from the Kirby series; Mega Man; Samus and Zero Suit Samus from Metroid; Mii Brawler, Mii Swordfighter, and Mii Gunner from Mii; Pac-Man; Olimar from Pikman; Charizard, Greninja, Jigglypuff, Lucario, and Pikachu from Pokemon; Little Mac from Punch-Out!!; Sonic the Hedgehog; Fox and Falco from Star Fox; Link, Sheik, Ganondorf, Toon Link, and Zelda from The Legend of Zelda; Wii Fit Trainer; Wario; Shulk from Xenoblade.  It also features multiple downloadable characters including:  Ryu from Street Fighter; Mewtwo from Pokemon; Bayonetta; Lucas from Earthbound; Cloud from Final Fantasy; Corrin and Roy from Fire Emblem.

super smash bros for wii u gameplay

Fight ’til the bitter end!

Visually the game excels.  The Wii U is often criticized for its graphics in comparison to more powerful machines like the PS4 and Xbox One.  It really depends on how it uses the graphics though.  I can’t imagine that the shading and texture of Smash Bros would look any better on the PS4 or Xbox One.  Here, it is stylish and slick.  I will concede that a complaint I do have with all versions of Smash Bros. is that I sometimes lose track of my character on the screen…and end up falling off the site.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U might have a clunky title but it is a slick game.  The game is fun and fast and it has a relatively easy learning curve for moderate and new players.  It still is fun to see Luigi get the upper-hand on his brother Mario or Pac-Man beat Sonic the Hedgehog.  The series continues to truck on and is followed by Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Switch in 2018.

Related Links:

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Author: JPRoscoe View all posts by
Follow me on Twitter/Instagram/Letterboxd @JPRoscoe76! Loves all things pop-culture especially if it has a bit of a counter-culture twist. Plays video games (basically from the start when a neighbor brought home an Atari 2600), comic loving (for almost 30 years), and a true critic of movies. Enjoys the art house but also isn't afraid to let in one or two popular movies at the same time.

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