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Pikmin and Captain Olimar join the Smash Bros. Brawl cast
FINALLY, some new and interesting information arrives on the official Smash Bros. Brawl blog, this time announcing Pikmin's Captain Olimar as a playable character. According to the blog, Olimar fights by plucking Pikmin from the ground, and most of his attacks are done indirectly through the adorable little creatures.Olimar brings the number of new characters announced in Brawl up to an even twelve, equal to the number of veteran fighters announced. With everything all neat and tidy, could this be the last announced character for the game before its release? Do we have more secret characters to look forward to once the game is out, or has Nintendo gone and spoiled all the fun? We'll find out soon enough.
Jump Festa Brawl impressions: 'Thrilled! ... is not.'
var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/nintendo/Super_Smash_Bros_Brawl_impressions'; Bloggers from the Japanese site wii-ds.com attended the Jump Festa anime/game show at Tokyo' Makuhari Messe convention center (also the site of the Tokyo Game Show) and made a beeline for Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Brawl demo booth. Nintendo had free play available, and also a tournament-style competition. Players could use the Wiimote or the Classic Controller.Initially, the wii-ds.com fellows were nonplussed by the experience, finding the controls confusing and the lack of playable Lucas disappointing. Later, they went back and played it again, and it clicked. (Because they discovered how to customize the controls, mostly). They also were able to face Lucas, and were disappointed again by the apparently non-Japanese voice actor used.Shockingly, they really enjoyed playing Brawl with the Wiimote, saying (in obvious autotrans-ese) "Surprisingly, the controller make it simpler and easier classic! And finally smap bra that was able to feel the texture." Really, the main reason to read this is the consistent translation of Smash Bros. as "bra smap." That is hilari-tastic.[Via NeoGAF]
No Mega Man in Brawl, it seems
If you're anything like us, you might be hoping that one of the daily dojo updates will drop the bomb that Mega Man will be a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Unfortunately, it looks like that isn't happening. Bionic Commando recently interviewed Keiji Inafune, the creator of Mega Man, who had this to say regarding Brawl: "Well, I really do love Super Smash Brothers. It's a great series...but, Nintendo hasn't asked me yet if they can use Mega Man in their game. I'm still waiting...we have a little bit of time left, it's not coming out for another few months."Somebody, call the man! But in reality, it seems too late to add the lovable blue robot if they haven't already (the game comes out next month in Japan). Is anybody as bummed as this blogger, or are you glad that Mega Man won't be involved in Brawl?[Via GoNintendo]
Nintendo: no plans for a Kirby Wii title
Despite Kirby's prominent appearance in the Wii's megaton title Smash Smash Bros. Brawl, Nintendo has no plans of giving the little pink vacuum cleaner his own game on the console, according to the UK's Official Nintendo Magazine.In the magazine's Q&A section, Nintendo's official response is: "There are no plans right now for a Kirby game on Wii but there are plenty of Kirby fans out there, so in the meantime look out for Kirby in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Brawl which will be released in 2008."Though Kirby has always been best suited to 2D side-scrolling adventures, we're still a bit disappointed that Nintendo isn't considering any Wii love for the squishy mascot. We can't think of any clever waggle functionality, but wouldn't it just be fun to turn the Wii-mote on its side and let Kirby run free in a 2.5D adventure?[Via Wii Fanboy]
Smash Bros. Brawl dated for Europe ... at a 'later date'
Since 'June 2008 or beyond' didn't exactly resonate with European Wii owners, Nintendo has quickly, albeit indirectly revised its update on the European release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In a statement responding to yesterday's concerns about Brawl missing from a tentative Q1/Q2 release list, Nintendo has said: "All Nintendo software titles launching in Q2 2008 have not been finalized or confirmed to date. Nintendo will communicate on all software titles launching in Q2 2008 for Wii and Nintendo DS at a later date" -- oh, except for Mario Kart Wii, that one's definitely coming Q2.Nintendo can dangle Mario Kart in our faces all its wants, but that won't change the fact that its stance on Brawl in Europe remains as vague as ever. Europe's used to waiting, so c'mon Nintendo, either end it with a swift kick to the dome or just lay the bad news on us.
Brawl delayed in Europe, get out your pitchforks and lynching gear
Let's rip the Band-Aid off quickly, it might hurt less that way: Super Smash Bros. Brawl is delayed in Europe until after June 2008. A Nintendo spokesperson confirmed the bad news with VideoGamer.com, we're sad to say.Oh, Nintendo. You burn European gamers over and over again, and yet, every time it happens, we're surprised. Perhaps it's because we're filled with the naive hope that you'll get your act together. Then you go and do something like delay the Wii's most anticipated game for an entire continent of people (and let's face it, probably Australia too, although that's not yet confirmed). We can grumble all we want about you, Nintendo of Europe, but you don't seem to mind at all.Our only consolation is that if you live in England, you have the chance to use an A-Team limo service. Even when NOE fails, the A-Team will never let you down.[Via Kotaku]
Smash Bros. Brawl not expected in Europe until Q3 '08
Nintendo hates Europe: Confirmed? It's not the steadfast and ever-lingering sort of hate, but rather that insidious aura which prompts someone to suffocate you with a pillow as soon as you're comfortable enough to share a bed with them. After all, our gaming pals in Europe didn't have to endure entirely ridiculous waits for Metroid Prime 3 or Super Mario Galaxy, and managed to enjoy both excellent titles while they were still fresh in the memories of those on more privileged continents. Even next year's Mario Kart Wii got a spot on Nintendo's latest second quarter release list.Cross-over cartoon violence spectacular, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, was sadly omitted from said list, prompting Videogamer.com to politely ask Nintendo when Europe could expect its arrival. "If the game is not listed on the schedule up until the end of Q2 it is currently not due out until after that time," came the bloodcurdling answer. That places Super Smash Bros. Brawl in June at earliest, roughly four months after the game's American release in February. We hope this is nothing more than a precaution (would another delay surprise anybody?), as we simply cannot comprehend this level of cruelty being inflicted upon Europe intentionally -- and we watch the Royal Variety Performance every year.
Animated spoof of Brawl invokes the spirit of Robot Chicken, only with Flash
Before you go clicking on any links, we want to warn you that the following flash is NSFW in many ways. Now that we're clear, we thought you might enjoy this (again, NSFW) jumble of short flash skits available at Newgrounds, based on the upcoming (and highly anticipated) Super Smash Bros. Brawl. These skits are meant to spoof many of the daily updates that we've gotten from the official Smash Bros. site. While some are completely unfunny, on the whole the Flash is pretty entertaining (specifically any scene with Snake in it). Keep in mind that although the scenes themselves are short, the compilation of them all leads to a pretty long video. On the chance that we've cause you to waste five or so minutes of your life that you'll never get back, know that we'll cry inside every day just thinking about it.[Thanks, hvnlysoldr!]
Classic Melee stages returning in Smash Bros. Brawl
Players intimidated by the chaotic, hazard-heavy stages of Super Smash Bros. Brawl will be delighted to hear that several classic stages will be returning from Smash Bros. Melee. Pictured above, the Temple stage is the only one officially announced, though director Masahiro Sakurai promises "a number" of stages from the Gamecube title (a few of the original N64 states couldn't hurt either, but there's no word on whether or not that's even a possibility).In other news, next Monday is December 3, otherwise known as the former release date of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. As this date has been slowly approaching, we here at Joystiq have noticed that the daily Brawl updates have lacked any startling new information. The last character announced was back in October, meaning that Brawl's blog is definitely overdue for some earth-shattering information. Perhaps Nintendo is holding off to make an announcement on the day we all expected to get our Brawl on? Maybe, maybe not. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.
Dojo update: YES! Hyrule returns
We're pretty sure it's been mentioned several times on the site here, but playing Super Smash Bros. Melee has come down to us pretty much fighting on one stage: Hyrule. Now, it returns in Super Smash Bros. Brawl (along with the promise of other Melee stages returning, as well). Also, it's now called The Temple, so no longer will we be labeling it Hyrule. Oh, you can't believe how giddy we are, as we giggle maniacally at the inclusion of our favorite stage into the new game. Is anyone else with us on this one?%Gallery-10206%%Gallery-6869%
Dojo update: Ice Climbers' Final Smash
Oh sure, we might be celebrating wildly this week in the Wii Fanboy offices, but in between the reckless necking of alcohol and bare-assed photocopier antics, there's still the daily grind to take care of. Like the latest dojo update, for instance!Today's instalment has a distinctly chilly feel about it, as we learn all about the Ice Climbers' Final Smash. Ominously titled "Iceberg," this Smash does exactly what it says on the tin, with a whacking great slab of ice crashing onto the stage at your behest. The result? Smaller, slippier ledges, and extra damage to contenders who aren't the Ice Climbers.%Gallery-10206%%Gallery-6869%
Dojo update: Take a back seat
Games that allow you to watch others play the game you've just dropped fifty bucks on have become increasingly prevalent recently. This trend is something of a mystery to us, probably because we're twitchy, fidgety little monkeys who'd much rather roll our sleeves up and jump into the action ourselves.Nevertheless, Brawl will also cater to those who don't mind taking in the action from afar. "Spectator" mode in Nintendo's scrapper is apparently "something that even people who aren't good at games can enjoy," (not us then, because obviously we rock) and will allow spectators to wager coins on the outcome of a battle. And even if you don't win any bets, you'll still get some free stickers just for watching. Because nobody ever really loses in Nintendo games.%Gallery-10206%%Gallery-6869%
Dojo update: Get your taunt on
Taunts may be more or less redundant, but they still littered our Melee sessions, and we expect the same will be true of Brawl. Today's dojo update gave us a first look at how we'll be able to goad our opponents in the game, so we see Link giving his sword a nonchalant twirl, Mario spinning his hat "whimsically," Snake hiding in his box, and Sonic giving us a quick shuffle of his feet.Each character has three different taunts, all of which can be executed by pressing certain directions on either the d-pad, or the Wii Remote's 1 and 2 Button.%Gallery-10206%%Gallery-6869%
Dojo update: Hang out at Ridley's place
Another day on the dojo and another stage is unveiled. The seventeenth in all. This time it's Norfair, the place called "home" by chief Space Pirate Ridley (already confirmed as a playable character, you may recall, but with the Ice Climbers returning, who knows if this is still the case) from the Metroid games.Once again, there's almost a game within a game here, with fights periodically interrupted by gushing tidal waves of lava that can come from any direction. These wash over the entire level, with only a single safe spot (complete with hatches that close at the sign of danger) remaining untouched. Problem is, there's not exactly a lot of room on your anti-lava platform, so you'll have to scrap it out for a space. A bit like musical chairs then, only with the added risk of getting horrifically burned alive in molten hot goo. We like!%Gallery-6869%
Dojo update: Gray Fox enters the fray
There's a tasty double serving of updates today on the dojo, but the lowdown on Brawl's "Grab and Throw" manoeuver is likely to be overshadowed by the inclusion of a second Metal Gear Solid character.The good news is it's not Raiden (we fear the internets would implode with fanboy vitriol), but Frank Jaeger, a.k.a cyborg ninja Gray Fox, a.k.a That Dude Who Engages In A Totally Badass Battle With Metal Gear REX Only To Get Heroically Stomped. The bad news: he's not playable, but merely an Assist Trophy. Nevertheless, a pretty cool addition.%Gallery-6869%%Gallery-3347%
Lay out your own Brawl stage online
As excited as we are about the Super Smash Bros. Brawl's four thousand other features, we're especially anxious to play with the recently-announced Stage Builder. Penny Arcade forumer Mntorankusu shares our enthusiasm, but rather than wait until next February to live out his dream of constructing levels for a video game, he whipped up a barebones Flash application that mimics the Brawl's edit screen.In its current state, the online editor doesn't support specific structures or skinned platforms, but as you can see from our sophomoric sample stage above, there's still a lot of room for creativity. Past the post break, we've included some of the funnier and more ingenious arenas we've seen so far from the Penny Arcade forums and NeoGAF. Try it out yourself, and leave a comment with your results!
Smash Bros Brawl gets replay sharing
In addition to unveiling new challenger King Dedede, this week's Smash Bros. Brawl update also showed the revised Target Smash mode. Hidden within that post, however, is a much more impressive feature announcement: replay sharing."This time, you can view replays," read the post. "What this means is, the game records what you did in brawls or in Target Smash and lets you review it." You can record around three minutes. Also revealed is the ability to share replay data with your Wii friends, though all allusions to sharing replays specifically reference Target Smash so we're not sure if sharing brawl-related replay sharing will be an option.We'd love to see leaderboards for downloading the best Target Smash replays, akin to Gran Turismo HD Concept, as well as some way to turn the replay data into video we can email and post online. We're hoping more replay-related features are revealed between now and the game's February launch.
King Dedede joins the Smash Bros Brawl cast
Warning! Challenger approaching! Every time we pop onto the Smash Bros Brawl website and see those words, our hearts go all a-flutter. This morning, the new competitor in the ever-growing Brawl cast is King Dedede, Kirby's recurring nemesis going all the way back to the original Kirby's Dream Land on the Game Boy.King Dedede is an addition to the "heavyweight" ranks of Brawl, joining Donkey Kong and Bowser as a slow, but powerful character. He sports a brutal hammer, a big belly, and -- we're crossing our fingers -- hopefully the ability to echo Kirby's most famous move by inhaling and shooting out his enemies, in a manner reminiscent of his boss battles.This brings the number of Kirby characters in Nintendo's fighter up from a meager one in Melee to an impressive three. Could other lonely franchise characters be receiving the same treatment?
Smash Bros Brawl's Pictochat level boggles the mind, but could be better
We're all very much amazed that someone decided to place a level in Super Smash Bros. Brawl based on the Nintendo DS's PictoChat functionality. With its adorable drawings and mishmash of hazards, the PictoChat world is bound to draw (haha) comparisons to Melee's Game & Watch arena: awesome in theory, annoying in practice.As excited as we are, we can't help but feel that Nintendo's missing a golden opportunity here. If the DS can have wireless connectivity to the Wii, why not give players the option of having someone draw the stage? The Wii could beam a tiny PictoChat clone program to the DS, where a fifth player could create and erase the terrain as the Nintendo Defense Force's favorite mascots duke it out. Please, Nintendo? Pretty please?
Wii Warm Up: The importance of Sonic
We know there are a lot of Sonic fans out there. We usually hear from them when we disparage a Sonic game or gleefully employ the Sonic DO NOT WANT image macro (We're sorry, kind of.) We also know that the hardcore Nintendo fanbase and the Sonic fanbase aren't all exactly the same people, especially given the fact that Sega and Nintendo were once archrivals. That led us to wonder about Super Smash Bros. Brawl, which has suddenly seen a dramatic increase in the number of included blue hedgehogs. Was anyone swayed by the Sonic announcement? Any Sonic fans formerly planning to pass on the title now getting a copy due to Sonic? Or maybe you just thought Sonic looked really fun in Brawl?
