Meta Knight, Mario, Link, Wario and Samus, all characters from the Nintendo Wii game Super Smash Bros. Brawl.   Image courtesy of google.com

Super Smash Bros. Brawl is one of the most anticipated video games of all time. The third in Nintendo’s series of mascot mangling fighters, it adds a slew of new features to a game that is already overflowing with features. It is one of the few games that meets every single expectation you have for it. The concept of Smash Bros., for those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, is stupidly simple, yet also deceptively complex.

You play as a host of Nintendo video game mascots, from the famous like Mario and Link, to the obscure, like R.O.B. the Robot and Mr. Game and Watch. You use a series of character specific attacks, such as Mario’s fireballs and Pikachu’s electricity, and randomly appearing items to build up your opponent’s damage meter. The higher your foe’s damage meter, the farther they fly when you smack them. The goal is to smash them straight off the field and out of bounds, thus scoring a point.

Yet as simple as that sounds, there is a ton of depth to be found. Each character has specific requirements in timing and move strength, and certain moves counter opponent’s moves better. You don’t want to shoot a fireball at a charging Bowser, but a well placed smash attack can send him flying. The fields themselves are dangers as well, with each arena sporting traps and dangers that will send you flying just as much as a well timed punch.

Adding even more to the game play are the new features. First and foremost is online play. You now don’t need to wait for three friends to gather at your house to really get a party started. Just hop online and play. There is also a substantial single player mode now called The Subspace Emissary, an amusing way to eat up time when you aren’t playing with friends. Game play wise, there are two big new features.

The first is assist trophies, an item similar to Pokemon’s Pokeballs where you call upon a helper to heap some damage on your foe. Only instead of a Pokemon popping out of them, you have classic Nintendo characters such as Star Fox bad guy Andross or Punch-Out!! pugilist Little Mac. The second and most important new fight element is the addition of the Smash Ball. At random times during the fight the Smash Ball will appear and begin to float around the arena.

The first player to bring enough damage down onto the Smash Ball and crack it open will gain access to their Final Smash, a crippling move that will most likely blow away the competition. The Smash Ball ratchets the tension of matches up tenfold, as players with only one life left see a thin chance at survival confined within that glowing orb while winning players see a huge threat and a way to clinch the match.

Finally, Nintendo aren’t alone in the game this time. They have allowed two non-Nintendo mascots to join the fight. The first is Solid Snake, the star of Konami’s Metal Gear franchise. He uses rockets and timed explosives to take down enemies. The second, and most anticipated new character, is Sega’s own Sonic the Hedgehog. Yes, Nintendo has finally allowed geeks from all over the Earth to answer that eternal question, the one that has been plaguing them since they were six years old: who would win in a slap fight between Mario and Sonic?

Beyond the fighting, there are several extra modes to play in Braw. Collecting trophies, an arcade shooter, a home run derby, challenges and target smashing are also there to pad the experience. Not that it really needs the padding. As I said earlier, this is the best way I can think of spending $50 at the moment. For that price you will buy a game that will last you not for weeks or months but years to come. You and your friends will be enjoying this thing most likely into the next console cycle…when the next Smash Bros. comes out.