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WarioWare's Ashley is an assist trophy in Super Smash Bros.
By all accounts, WarioWare's Ashley is pretty strange. She chooses to live in a haunted mansion and she chooses to never comb her hair. Who never combs their hair? Bald people, sure, but folks with hair have no excuse. Still, we're pretty excited about the idea of her bringing that bad girl attitude of her's to Super Smash Bros. as an assist trophy. Assist trophies are special items that, when possessed, summon a character into the fight. That character performs a specialized attack then departs the battlefield. Sakurai announced Ashley's inclusion on Miiverse recently, though unfortunately he failed to offer anything else about her inclusion. The image posted to Miiverse is from the Wii U version, but presumably Ashley's in the 3DS game too. The Super Smash Bros. roster has steadily grown since the game was announced at E3 last year. So far, the Wii Fit Trainer, Mega Man, The Villager from Animal Crossing, Mario, Kirby, Donkey Kong, Samus, Bowser, Sonic, Link, Pikachu, Captain Olimar and his Pikmin pals, Luigi, Tune Link, Marth, Rosalina and Luma, Princess Zelda and, revealed just last week, King Dedede have all been confirmed for the latest Super Smash Bros. game.
Nintendo brings in Namco Bandai to work on new Smash Bros.
During today's Nintendo Direct press conference, president Satoru Iwata revealed new details on the upcoming Super Smash Bros. game currently in the works for 3DS and Wii U. Sakurai will return, but this time he'll have some help from Namco Bandai and Bandai Namco Studios. Two Namco individuals in particular were singled out: producer Kobayashi and Tales series director, Yoshito Higuchi.
This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Sakurai does D.I.Y.
The Nintendo Channel is celebrating WarioWare D.I.Y. this week by showing how renowned developer Masahiro Sakurai decided to use the software. In the near five minute clip above, he takes us through all of the steps of game creation -- from basic concept to pixel art to gameplay mechanics. It's a brief yet inspired look at how anyone can create a game in Nintendo's unique new entry in the WarioWare series. Check out the full clip above, then be sure to head past the break for the rest of this week's Nintendo Channel content.
Sakurai: 'Another Smash Bros? I'd have to give it some serious thought'
During a recent interview with ONM, Masahiro Sakurai talked about his latest game, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, among other things. What might be of most interest to us all is that he's apparently willing to work on another Smash Bros. game."It's interesting, because after every Smash Bros. game I've made, I've always felt at that time that I've left nothing out," he says. "However, I also understand that there are millions of fans out there who love the series so if Mr Iwata came to me in a few years time and asked me to make another one, I'd have to give it some serious thought." A few years? You're kidding! We want another game now. And can we get less things cut out of the game this time around, please?%Gallery-26316%[Via Go Nintendo]
Sakurai: 'I had a lot more characters' in Brawl
What do you think of Smash Bros. Brawl? Great game, right? Yeah, we think so, too. Is it missing something, though? Perhaps extra characters?According to ONM, Sakurai himself cut a couple of characters from the roster. "I had a lot more characters, for example.. but sadly I can't discuss which ones didn't make it," he said to ONM in an interview that will be featured in their next issue, hitting newsstands on Friday. How does that sit with you?For us, it's not much of a big deal. The game's already packed with a ton of characters, and even includes wonderful bits of fan service in Solid Snake and Sonic the Hedgehog. So, we're not complaining.%Gallery-3347%
Sakurai to spill beans on what makes games fun
The obvious choice aside, we can't think of many game designers who are better qualified than Masahiro Sakurai to discuss how to make fun videogames. Which is a good job, really, because the Smash Bros. and Kirby creator has been booked by DiGRA, Japan's Digital Games Research Association, to deliver a talk on what makes games enjoyable.Don't go getting excited, though. Sakurai's speech, entitled 'Game-ness,' will be delivered at the Fukutake Hall Running Theatre at Tokyo University's Hongo campus, and to an audience of only 150 people. If by some chance you are located near to the venue, know that DiGRA members get in free, while student non-members pay ¥500 (roughly $5) and all other non-members ¥1000 (approx $10).We wonder what games he'll use to convey his message? Bringing up Brawl or Kirby might seem a little conceited, but those are two of the titles we would use.[Via Develop]
GDC08: Sakurai on Super Smash Bros. Brawl development
At a surprisingly sparsely attended Friday morning session (relatively speaking), Masahiro Sakurai detailed the development processes behind upcoming super smash hit, Super Smash Bros. Brawl. First, he apologized for the game's North American delay, saying "Reggie said he would make a whole lot of extra copies to make up for that." Well, thanks ... we guess? First, he explained the construction of the team, saying they were "structured like mercenary horde." Since Sakurai works as a freelance designer (his company is really just two employees, including himself) he assembled the 100+ person team for Smash for this project, and not everyone was full-time. Moving onto the most obvious topic: character selection. With Smash's extensive roster, Sakurai said most of the characters were "finalized in planning documents" before production even began. One of the few exceptions was Sonic, says Sakurai. "To tell you the truth, the decision to include Sonic was not made until 2007." Apparently, even some Nintendo characters could not be included because of "rights issues" -- we're not sure which characters he may be referring to. %Gallery-8530%
Sakurai has "no plans" to port Smash Bros. to the DS
To be honest, we never really thought about the possibility of Smash Bros. on the DS. In a recent interview with Masahiro Sakurai, however, Matt Casamassina of IGN asked the genius game creator if there was a DS port in the works.Once Casamassina asked the question and touted a DS version as the "next logical step," we found ourselves agreeing with him. The DS is in need of more good fighters, so why not one filled with Nintendo characters? Sure, there would be limitations, but it could work.Of course, as soon as we started to fall in love with the idea, our hearts were crushed. While Sakurai said that there would be no control limitations when bringing Smash Bros. to the DS, it just isn't something that he'd be interested in working on. Cementing the issue, he said, "I personally have no plans to do this myself. If, in the future, such a thing was to be planned, it would be up to Nintendo to decide how and when and in what way they would like to create that sort of game."Although this doesn't rule out the possibility of a DS port at some point, we're not sure if it would even be worth it if Sakurai wasn't involved. How about you guys? Do you agree with Casamassina that Smash Bros. is "perfectly suited" for the DS? And, if so, would you still want the game without Sakurai's touch?
A few things you won't find in Smash Bros. Brawl
While you already know tons of information about the upcoming Smash Bros. game, you should probably know what not to expect. Many of your hopes and dreams have given birth to compelling rumors, but it's time to put those rumors to rest (and never wake them again).Masahiro Sakurai managed to clear up some things in a recent interview with IGN -- things we may have already known, but didn't necessarily want to believe -- so check after the break to see what's not in store for you this March (or June).%Gallery-10206%%Gallery-6869%
Iwata Asks Sakurai: Volume 7
We've been told that all good things must come to an end, and this unfortunately applies to Iwata's informative interview segments with Sakurai (no one ever expects a Sakurai inquisition!). So, what better way is there to end things than to talk about the beginning?In this installment, Iwata questions Sakurai about the roots of the Smash Bros. legacy. While the original idea (Dragon King: The Fighting Game) sounds like it'd be a good time, we're really glad that Smash Bros. became what it did. To think, the game almost didn't have Nintendo characters in it (gasp, shock, sound of horror)! As we always say, you can't know where you're going if you don't know where you've been -- so, head on over to the interview and read about the beginnings of Nintendo's beloved fighter in the final segment of "Iwata Asks."%Gallery-10206%%Gallery-6869%
Iwata Asks Sakurai: Volumes 5 & 6
Looks like we missed an update in the on-going series of discussions between Nintendo president Satoru Iwata and Smash Bros. Brawl. dev lead Masahiro Sakurai. This latest portion of their discussion centers around some of the new features that made the cut into the latest Smash Bros. game. Things such as the decision to include Final Smashes into the mix, as well as the almost limitless supply of trophies in the game are discussed. Today's portion of the discussion focuses on the music of the game. With over thirty different games to pull tracks from, the music in the game is almost as important as the character roster. And with new arrangements of classic tunes, as well as the option to pick from multiple tracks on each stage, we imagine the task of incorporating what Sakurai felt to be enough music was brutal, to say the least. Still, we're glad they put the effort in, because that surely means this will be the greatest game ever made. %Gallery-10206% Read - Iwata Asks Sakurai: New Smash Bros. Brawl features Read - Iwata Asks Sakurai: Music
Iwata Asks Sakurai: Volume 4
Another day, another portion of the discussion between Satoru Iwata and Masahiro Sakurai. And today's focus is on the single-player experience in Brawl, which has gotten a lot more love from Sakurai than from those who've worked on previous installments in the franchise.Essentially, he describes the single-player campaign as a completely different experience than that of the tried-and-true multiplayer game, citing differences in both character movement and the "basic game system." On top of that, it will offer players a more fleshed-out and digestible storyline, instead of just tossing the player into a scenario and asking them to complete it.
Iwata Asks: Volume 3
Following the first two installments of Iwata Asks with special guest star Masahiro Sakurai, we're now presented with the third. And, just like the first two segments of the interview, this one is chock full of interesting stuff. Again, we point to Iwata's uncanny ability to interview folks.This piece of the interview focuses on the fun you can have in Super Smash Bros. Brawl with others, whether it be locally or through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connect. It touches on stage building, sharing and, one of the aspects of the title we're most looking forward to, co-op.
Iwata Asks Sakurai: Volume 2
Following yesterday's dojo update, we were excited to see another Iwata Asks piece hit the net. For the president of an incredibly successful company, Iwata's interviewing skills are amazing. And, of course, we'll take any and all things about Super Smash Bros. Brawl we can get our grubby little mitts on.In the second installment of Iwata and Sakurai's discussion, Sakurai discusses his feelings on working with the Wii and what he thinks of the console, as well as the design philosophy behind Brawl (they developed it thinking it would be the last game in the series, allowing them to put in as much as they could). Not only that, but Sakurai also goes on about how Super Smash Bros. Brawl could have easily been a more casual title (thankfully, it didn't turn out that way).Overall, it's a very fascinating read.
Smash Bros. Brawl update brings out fireworks [Update 1]
The Smash Bros. Brawl website has been keeping true to its promise of daily updates. Since the Final Smash post, the blog has shown a new map (Delfino Plaza), a new weapon (the unfortunately-named Cracker Launcher) and the ability to now move while shooting.One interesting note in the description of the Cracker Launcher, essentially a Roman candle, is how you can "aim the launcher at different angles by tilting the Control Stick up or down." The mention of the control stick sounds like a reaffirmation of series creator Masahiro Sakurai's statement at the game's unveiling to keep the game compatible with GameCube controllers -- then again, it could also be a reference to the joystick on the Nunchuk attachment.The constant stream of a news, coupled with earlier comments from Hideo Kojima, indicate that the game is coming along well. Here's hoping we'll get a release date (and some hands-on impressions) at Min-E3.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl tidbit roundup
For those not compulsively checking the official Smash Bros. website daily for bare snippets of information, we here at Wii Fanboy have decided to perform the service of coalescing tidbits into tidbigs. Over the past week, a few interesting details have surfaced.Most of the reveals are item-based: you may now move freely with projectile weapons (finally!), and as detailed earlier here, the new "Gooey Bomb" item was unveiled. The most interesting new item, however, is the Smash Ball, which activates character-specific "Final Smash" attacks. Mario's is entitled the "Mario Finale" attack, which unleashes a spread-fire explosion attack, and we've seen Link's Triforce blade attack in an earlier video. Since most competitive Smash Bros. players contend without the randomizing effect of items, it'll be interesting to see if this affects higher-level gameplay.Also unveiled are some of Pit's (of Kid Icarus fame) attacks, which include a controllable arrow of light and limited flight capabilities (most likely the Up+B special). Brawl looks like it's coming together nicely ... do you guys agree?
Smash Bros. website finally updates
After a day of wearing out our F5 key, the Super Smash Bros. Brawl webpage has finally made its promised update. Unfortunately, we have yet to find any huge megaton announcements. In fact, some of the content is a little too non-megaton-- like an explanation of the (unchanged) basic rules of Smash Bros.There is neat stuff to be found, though, most obviously in the form of a few screenshots that, while they still don't show any new or new-to-Brawl characters, do show off a day/night cycle. Also, the list of composers contributing to the game is massive-- a total who's-who of Japanese game music. Some of the composers, we're sure, are only credited for having created the music from Smash characters' original games. But Jun Fukuda and Masafumi Takada from Grasshopper Manufacture are on the list, and that is really exciting.The website promises updates every weekday, so don't let the somewhat underwhelming first day put you off. Keep checking the site for the inevitable character announcements and control scheme explanations!%Gallery-3347%[Thanks, Tigeron Starfire!]
Smash Bros. countdown counts down to ... nothing?
This morning's speculation has come true, as the countdown that counted down to nothing has left the fine folks at Nintendo Power holding the ball and dare not drop it. Turns out, the countdown at the SSBB site counted down to nothing and while our report earlier was made as pure speculation, new pictures of the latest issue by forum user Ben_X_02 confirms that Sakurai will indeed be publishing a blog. Personally, we're kind of disappointed and were hoping for something a bit bigger in the news department.[Via Joystiq]
Wii Warm Up: SSBB Countdown to end in two hours?
According to this thread about a Nintendo Power from the future, the Super Smash Bros. Brawl countdown will wind down two hours after this very post is published, so we figured that was just enough time to get our last minute speculation in under the wire. Major speculation seems to center around some pretty basic new content (images and wallpapers) or an all new day-by-day blog by Masahiro Sakurai. At this point, we really have to say that anything could happen when this countdown wraps up. What's your take?[Thanks, hvnlysoldr!]
Report: Kojima feels Smash Bros. Brawl "very complete"
The next game in the Super Smash Bros. saga may be ready sooner than later. At a recent gathering of Japanese game developers, Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima reportedly got a chance to play a version of the game with Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai. According to Kojima Productions podcastee Ryan Payton, Kojima later said the game was "a lot of fun" and "already feels very complete." How complete? "You guys could put it out right now and it could sell millions of copies," Kojima reportedly said.Nintendo has been characteristically stingy with details about the highly-anticipated game, releasing no new information since a trailer last November. Could this be a sign the game will indeed make the 2007 release date promised way back at the last E3? Here's hoping.[Via 1PStart]Listen - Kojima Productions podcast (Smash Bros. discussion starts around 11 minute mark)
