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MIT catches Brawl fever with newest 'hack'
The students of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are once again showing off their gamer cred with an on-campus prank (or "hack," as those princely nerds like to call it). This time, it's in honor of the release of Smash Bros. Brawl, a modest little Wii title that you may or may not have heard of. The "hackers" hung items and symbols from the game in Lobby 7 of their campus on launch day, including a Pokéball, crate, and Mario's cap.We have to admit that we're a bit disappointed with the simplicity of this gaming prank. Hanging little trinkets is nothing compared to arming and helmeting a statue to resemble Master Chief. While we appreciate the thought, this prank would seem tame at a community college, much less one of the most competitive schools in America. Of course, we're willing to forgive and forget, if MIT's student body can manage to come up with something a little better. You raised the bar yourselves, ladies and gentlemen. Now here's your chance to meet it.
Wii Fanboy poll: Best way to play Brawl?
So, you've had more than 24 hours to play Brawl. You've unlocked several characters, took the fight online and probably spent some time gawking at your trophies. But, the real question lurking in the back of many a fanboy's (and fangirl's) mind is: which control scheme is the best to go with?%Gallery-3347%
Brawl disc problems: patience to the rescue?
Looks like we've got our own less-severe version of the Xbox 360 "towel trick" -- an unconvential, illogical-sounding way to get games to run when the system is uncooperative. 1up's Videogames Editor-in-Chief James Mielke has offered a possible solution to the disc-reading errors that have broken so many would-be Brawlers' hearts. It's somewhat less interactive, unfortunately, than the iconic towel maneuver.According to Mielke, if you listen to the Wii's disc drive and make sure it stops spinning before "spamming the A button," the game will more often than not load correctly. You have to put the disc in, then wait, then press A on the Disc Channel, and wait for the noise to die down again. This makes it sound like the issue is that the dual-layered disc takes longer to read than most discs, and the system accidentally allows you to stop the reading when you press A and start the game.Soon after the Japanese release of the game, a company called A-Class released a series of Wii lens cleaners specifically marketed at Brawl owners. We're sure we'll see something similar over here, and we have no idea if it will work.
Joystiq's official Super Smash Bros. Brawl friend codes ber-list
Stop walking the streets and asking total strangers if they want to trade Super Smash Bros. Brawl friend codes. Come inside, pull up a chair, and let us serve you with fresh, safe (and hopefully clean) codes all in one spot. Please consider this the place for the Joystiq community to drop their Brawl digits. A couple quick ground rules: All that's required is the Brawl code and not your Wii digits. Please don't post your Wii code. This post is only for Brawl codes. This post is only for Brawl codes, seriously! --Love, Joystiq[Thanks to everyone that requested this post]
Wii releases for the week of March 10th
Even though it released on Sunday, Super Smash Bros. Brawl still technically falls under the umbrella of this week's new games. And, about 95% of you who were planning on snatching the game up already did and are now finding themselves sad that they must return back to their daily lives. Unless, that is, you're really crazy about the game and decided to take the day off. In that case, we ask that you just take the time to reload Wii Fanboy between matches so as to keep up with the news.This week's releases are: Super Smash Bros Brawl House of the Dead 2 and 3 Return George of the Jungle Oh, and who's snatching up House of the Dead 2 and 3 Return with us?%Gallery-3347%
Disc errors plague some unlucky Brawlers, Nintendo offers repairs
Did you pop in Brawl early this morning, only to find out that it wouldn't play? You're not the only one. A number of Wii owners on this side of the globe are reporting problems similar to ones seen in Japan -- disc errors, supposedly caused by dirty laser lenses. Since Smash Bros. is the Wii's first game that's on dual-layered DVD, it's extra sensitive to such problems.The good news is that Nintendo will fix the problem for you. The bad news is that it might be a few more weeks before you get to play Brawl ... or any Wii game, for that matter.Nintendo is urging people experiencing this problem to fill in this form and send in their Wiis for repair. They'll be footing the bill for the shipping and repair costs (as they should), so the only thing you'll be losing out on is quality time with your new copy of Brawl.Are any of you affected by this problem? If so, feel free to rant about it here. Just let it all out.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Wii Warm Up: Brawling
A certain game that you may have heard of was released today, making it almost a holiday of sorts for Nintendo fans in North America. So, tell us: Did you (or will you) pick up Brawl today? If you have it already, what are your initial impressions of the game? Who is the first character you played with? Have you tried playing online yet? If you haven't gotten the game yet (perhaps you're waiting for the game to ship, or maybe you live in a PAL country), feel free to vent your anger and jealousy here, too. Who will be the first character you play with when you get it? And what feature are you most looking forward to?So, use this space to talk about all things Brawl, readers.
Reminder: Play Smash Bros. Brawl with (a) Wii Fanboy tonight [update 2]
Update 2: I've gotten out of the chat, but plenty of people are trying to take Brawl online and play with you. Head into the chat to hook up with people or just have fun playing by yourself. Either way, happy brawling and thanks to all of you that showed up tonight! You made the game's release that much better for the Wii Fanboy community!Update: Okay, folks. You should have your copy of the game about now, so head into the Wi-Fi section of the game and add my friend code (3179-5693-1348). Then, come back here and join us for some online play by hopping into our chat here. IRC fans, it's irc.freenode.net for the server, and #fanboygamenight for the channel. For those of you on the west coast, hop in when you get your copy. Something tells us we'll be up playing for awhile. To celebrate the release of what is sure to be the go-to game for just about every Wii owner for the next lifetime, I'll be around to throw down with you all later on tonight. Many of you will be attending a midnight release (as I am planning to), so you should dive into the online multiplayer with me. Keep an eye on the site later for where you'll need to go and we hope to see you this evening. Happy brawling!%Gallery-3347%
Brawlers throw down at the York, PA Gamestop
Well, folks, we've just returned from our local Gamestop's Smash Bros. Brawl tournament. The competition was fierce, but the general atmosphere was very light. Jokes were made, winners congratulated losers on their participation in epic battles and just about everyone agreed that this game is amazing. For some pictures of participants enjoying the game and employees dressed as Wario, hit up our gallery below.%Gallery-17990%
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 2/25-3/2
People interested in Japanese game sales probably have one question on their minds: Did Super Smash Bros. Brawl hold onto the top spot last week? Well, the answer is, no. The new Gundam game for the PS2 managed to end Brawl's reign, and end it convincingly. In fact, Smash barely stayed in second, with Wii Fit being right up the fighter's grill.The Wii itself also lost the top spot last week, overtaken by the PSP in hardware for the first time since Brawl's release. Aside from those major changes, though, everything looks to be what we'd expect, with Winning Eleven and Family Ski continuing to champion the cause for third parties.Go on and take a look at the numbers after the break ... or else.
Best Buy's Brawl gift card doesn't come cheap
The cheapest way we've found to get Super Smash Bros. Brawl so far is through Gamestop, but if you're not looking to trade in games, you can look to Best Buy instead. The retailer isn't cutting the price of the soon-to-be-beloved Nintendo fighter, but they're offering a $10 gift card when you buy Brawl and another game that's over $39.99.That's still not as good as the Circuit City deal, which also will net you a $10 gift card, but without making you buy a second game. The deal at Circuit City, though, is for preorders only.So, if you don't intend to preorder the latest Smash Bros., Best Buy may be your best bet. The offer lasts from 3/9-3/29 in stores only, and you must show them the promotional coupon (click the picture to the right).[Via GoNintendo]
Dojo update: Picture perfect
This is it, folks: the final dojo update before Brawl hits the U.S., and there's a definite "last day of school" feel to proceedings. Rather than deal with the drudgery of introducing new stages or describing individual items in fine detail, Sakurai and his team of translators have just loafed around with their shirts hanging out, flicked ink at girls, and uploaded around a hundred of the goofiest images that users have taken using Brawl's Snapshot mode (unfortunately, because we have a blog to run here, we only found time to upload around half).Some of these made us titter, some missed the mark, and others really need to be viewed with their caption (you'll have to go to the dojo itself for that) for the full effect. Oh, and you can forget shots of Peach's underwear, or of Snake and Pikachu in compromising positions. The dojo is a place for all the family, after all. Not some depraved message board thread populated by the likes of us. %Gallery-16727%%Gallery-10206%
WRUP: Uh duh edition
You all have a good idea as to what we'll be playing this weekend, and we pretty much know what you'll be playing. We imagine many of you will be acquiring your copy of Super Smash Bros. Brawl come Saturday night, as GameStop will have a midnight launch for the game and, we imagine, Wal-Mart and some other retails will follow their lead. We'd call if you're counting on getting the game somewhere other than GameStop before showing up Saturday night. We'd hate you to get burned.As such, we will hold a special edition of Game Night on Saturday night. All of the staff won't be there, but I will. So after you go get your game, come home and hit up Wii Fanboy for the details on getting in on the brawl! Just give me a little time to participate in the tournament here in my local town, okay?%Gallery-3347%
Metareview: Smash Bros. Brawl
As one might expect, the flood of reviews for Super Smash Bros. Brawl available now all talk in favor of the game. In fact, there are multiple perfect scores for the game, from a variety of different outlets. Did you expect anything different? Well, we didn't. This might top Ocarina of Time as the #1 ranked game of all time. Nintendo Power (100/100) says : "Rarely has any title delivered so much amazing action, such a wide variety of modes, and so many hours of value. It doesn't get any better than this." [Mar 2008, p.82] GamePro (100/100) finds only a small amount of fault in the game, however it isn't enough to drop the score down at all: "It takes elements of past SSB games and refines them, which is great, but players expecting an entirely new experience won't find it here. Still, it is a well round game that doesn't disappoint and it's a must buy for every Wii owner." IGN (95/100) thinks it's one of the best titles of this generation: "You will play the game to death when you get it. But unlike so many single-player hits, Metroid and Mario included, you will still be playing and consequently loving Brawl in the months and years to come. It is one of the great multiplayer titles of the generation and simply not to be missed." GameTap (90/100) loves the lasting flavor: " Super Smash Bros. Brawl is a Wii game you can play forever...or at least, until the next Nintendo console arrives." %Gallery-3347%
Metareview -- Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii)
The time of Super Smash Bros. Brawl is almost upon the North Americas. Sunday, in fact, in case you're just waking from a coma (welcome back, btw). We've given our initial impressions of the game, but the reviews are coming in and they look smashing (sorry). The only real complaint leveled against the game is that it doesn't move the series forward, but merely refines what's there. We're pretty sure the many who plan on playing all Sunday night and are calling in sick for Monday don't care. GamePro (100/100): "From the fighting mechanics to roster of players Brawl is a well-rounded game that I just couldn't put down. The only downside to Brawl is that it doesn't do anything to reinvent the series. It takes elements of past SSB games and refines them, which is great, but players expecting an entirely new experience won't find it here. Still, it is a well round game that doesn't disappoint and it's a must buy for every Wii owner." IGN (95/100): "You will play the game to death when you get it. But unlike so many single-player hits, Metroid and Mario included, you will still be playing and consequently loving Brawl in the months and years to come. It is one of the great multiplayer titles of the generation and simply not to be missed." GameTap (90/100): "That's the beauty of Brawl: It's a game that keeps on giving. The game supports online matchups via the Wi-Fi Connection, of course, but even when you're not focused on the primary game modes, you can spend hours just playing with extra features or hunting down a ton of unlockables. ... Super Smash Bros. Brawl is a Wii game you can play forever...or at least, until the next Nintendo console arrives." %Gallery-8530%
'Free for All': Our favorite rap song about Smash Bros. Brawl
A question for you, dear reader: What is your favorite rap song about soon-to-be-released fighter Super Smash Bros. Brawl? ... Oh, really? That's interesting. We can't actually hear you, but you should know that unless you just answered "Free for All" by the rapping pride of West Virginia, The Covenauts, you are terrifyingly, heart-breakingly wrong. Having been recorded before the game's character list was announced the song is a bit outdated now, but you know what's not outdated? That flow. Please, enjoy with our compliments, and just try to deny that there's a better song that involves lyrical acrobatics and battling Nintendo characters.
Wii Fanboy takes Super Smash Bros. Brawl Wi-Fi for a test drive
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Wii_Fanboy_takes_Brawl_Wi_Fi_for_a_test_drive'; When I ripped open the FedEx package today in a whirling dervish of nails and teeth, I found what I had been expecting: a copy of Smash Bros. Brawl. Nintendo, the wonderful and kind souls they are, decided this crummy little blog was good enough to get a copy of the game along with the press. A single tear poured down my cheek, kind of like that recycling commercial. It was a magical moment.I then realized I had to work today and couldn't get my game on. As the day progressed and I tapped away at my keyboard, putting up news items and other stories that all 12 of you readers care about, the game sat there in front of my monitor, mocking me. It was almost like some kind of evil temptation, as I thought about just ducking away from my responsibilities to play. I then realized that it is my responsibility to play! I've got to review the damn thing, don't I?And when I heard that Joystiq's own Kyle Orland got a copy of the game too, I decided a few mutliplayer matches were in order. And in the interest of those who don't want anything spoiled for them, stop reading here. The rest of you can head past the break where the real action is.%Gallery-3347%
GameStop holding Smash Bros. Brawl tournament, midnight launch events
GameStop announced today that it will hold Super Smash Bros. Brawl tournaments and midnight launches this Saturday at 2,500 of its stores. The single-elimination tournaments will begin at 10PM (local time), but contestants are asked to check with their store for exact time and must be there 30 minutes before the event.Winners of the local GameStop store SSBB tournaments will continue up a chain, with a few more qualifying rounds, leading to the finals on April 12 in San Jose, CA. The last brawler standing will receive an LCD-TV (that's what the release says, but the flyer after the break says plasma), a Wii console plus accessories, "an entire Nintendo Wii Software Library" and $5,000 in cash. The second and third place finishers will receive a gift card, and will likely be asked if they'd like to pre-order any games.
Dojo update: The final brawler
Looks like we may have our final character, folks! Hit the break to find out who it is!
Check out Joystiq's Smash Bros. Brawl page
We just have one thing to say about all of this: wow. And here we thought we were, like, the best place to go for sweet Smash Bros. Brawl content. Oh no, it turns out that Joystiq's comprehensive Smash Bros. Brawl page is pages rich with information within some ancient tome. But unlike that tome, you don't need to worry about the pages turning into dust in your hand. Plus you can click on this page.Aside from "borrowing" our galleries (they'll pay for that!), there isn't much in the way of our content there. But, that's a good thing, because Joystiq has some very sweet features and other items of interest that you may not have caught. So head on over there and poke around. We can't think of a better way to pass the time before the game releases this weekend than boning up on all things Smash Bros. Brawl.
