Super Smash Bros. Direct on April 8th

No..tho they are probably holding it back for holiday season (of course they gonna say Wii U version need moar polish) as they probably pick this title as their *hit* title ..much like holding back DKC:TF when they pick Cat Mario 3D as their *hit* title for 2013. This way also they hope people who can't wait will get 3DS version then later Wii U version...of course it could backfire..if 3DS version turns out to be not so good..then people may even forget Wii U version. :P

Honestly, it's no more confusing than the fact that there are both a 3DS and Wii U version of the game to begin with. To me, very little about Nintendo's decision-making the past 4 plus years has made sense to me, but that's another story... But yeah, the Wii U version better sport something more jaw-dropping that better visuals and a different set of stages at this point, or otherwise, this will no doubt be damaging to the Wii U version of the game.

The good news about this Direct is at least Sakurai is a much more entertaining presenter than Iwata usually is during these things. The bad news is that despite the content, including a little more recycled content than I cared to see from previous games, is that I was still left wanting something that would make this games more... interesting. While I can appreciate the character-balancing and all, the games just don't feel very "new" to me. Like with many of Nintendo's recent efforts, I just can't help but feel that the game is being developed with the mindset of meeting expectations, not providing something that would blow the expectations truly away.

I'm going to give the Wii U version a bit more time, though. Hopefully, that version will have its own unique mode, like Smash Run for 3DS, that will spice the experience up more. Otherwise, the extra five month or so wait between the two games will be a total waste of time. As a whole, though, I wouldn't call the showing anything better than "good," which would be sufficient in most cases, but is still very much lacking for a new SSB game and a very critical game at this point for Nintendo as a whole.

honestly...its like they said screw the wiiU.

they are saying..the wiiu will do what its gonna do...buy the 3ds...as long as the 3ds does great we can survive just fine guys... buy the 3ds and smash bros for it also.

They still have time to reveal features that are exclusive to the Wii U game, like they did with the 3DS version today, but Nintendo is certainly taking away a great part of the boost the Wii U could have gotten out of this major release.

Sakurai is great!

He certainly knows his audience and knows how to tease them.

Some of the videos he used to present the new features and characters were hilarious.

yea.. i mean i dont mind. as long as nintendo are around making games..ill be having fun :)

ill just keep supporting all their questionable decisions :\

now i got to learn how to play smash on a 3ds .

I will try to wait for the Wii U version.

As a major Nintendo fan, buying both certainly seems like an appealing concept, but I think playing the 3DS version first will steal some of the thunder of the Wii U game. And since that's, in my mind, the real new Smash Bros, I will try to be strong and resist the urge to buy the 3DS game.

At least I will have Mario Golf and Mario Kart to keep me busy online until December.

Like a lot of Nintendo moves in the recent past, I don't understand this. It's not like the 3DS version releases a bit earlier, it is A LOT earlier. What's their plan? Try to get people to buy both versions? Although it could backfire and people might be burnt of of SSB before the Wii U release. This is ridiculous. If the Wii U version needs more time, delay the 3DS version and release them side by side. It's not like the 3DS NEEDS the game as soon as possible. The Wii U version better have some amazing features and exclusive stuff to warrant the wait. I never planned to buy the 3DS version because, to me at least, local multiplayer is at least 80% of the fun. I might have to now, so I guess that's what Nintendo is counting on.

It just seems like they've given up on the Wii U. SSB was supposed to be a huge release to get people to buy the Wii U, but if they can get it for 3DS half a year before the Wii U version releases, why bother? I don't like this gamble.

Just like not porting the entire Wii VC to the Wii U, like no GBA games on 3DS, like no Pokemon games on VC, like the Wii U naming, like the 2DS, I just don't understand what Nintendo is trying to gain from this.

I almost shed a tear during the second where Sakurai mentioned that Zero Suit Samus was not included in the game before actually revealing her. Well played, Sakurai. She was my main in Brawl and I definitely love her improved moveset.

Also, Megaman's final smash is FREAKING AMAZING!! Gave me goosbumps. I'm also extremely glad Greninja joins the Smash universe. He looks amazing.

Completely agree. I was horribly disappointed by the release information at the beginning of the direct, but I did end up enjoying it overall.

---------------------------------------------

Also, looks like the Kalos Pokemon League will be the Wii U Pokemon stage. From the Greninja reveal trailer, you can see Greninja and Fox fighting on one of the five Pokemon League rooms from X & Y. Drasna's room is pretty uneventful and I sure hope the stage changes every time we select it.

EDIT: The stage does change. The main hall, where you select which Elite Four member to face, appeared for two seconds. Can't wait to see the whole thing!

Both versions look quite nice. I hope Nintendo promotes the fact that the Wii U Smash Bros. title is different from its 3DS counterpart, to minimize the former's potential of cannibalizing the latter's sales.

I think 5 months will be long enough. Break it down, its like 2 months to love it, 2 months to forget, and an entire month to build up hype for the best version.....kinda devious really. Its like throwing a full fledged game as a demo for a better game on a different console....the two versions even have different stages so converters won't be bored right away; but they also have similar maps to welcome them in....it really is clever! Hell, I'd bet my left nut that progress carries over! If you unlock all the characters on the 3DS, they unlock on the WiiU that way people don't have to start over...maybe just start over on stages and trophies for a new sense of progress to continue?

I honestly think it makes alot of sense anyone else?

Nope, it was the fact that another amazing Smash Bros is coming. I never played online in Brawl and I have absolutely no desire to play the new one online. This game is a great couch game with friends and I couldn't be happier that we are finally getting a new one.

Another reason to lose friends during multiplayer.

247 New Screenshots, some even showing new items like the Tanooki tail and Boomerang!

And still no Captain Falcon? I am really really worried.

@Kenny789: why Captain Falcon when I put my bets on Ganondorf? To me,Ganondorf is LoZ's version of Captain Falcon( in terms of strength obviously)so no doubt if he could be brought back.

There'd better be more diference between Wii U & 3DS version..other than better visuals..if they are limiting a Wii U game base on 3DS limitation..that would be lame. Wii U is a more powerful machine with more storage..I expect more contents on Wii U version - bigger character rosters?, more modes & stages. :p

Charizard and Greninja are a nice surprise. I'm not too happy about a winter release though. I'd put money on the WiiU version being delayed until 2015. Not real money of course though.

@Smashbrossive50: Simply cause I want an F-Zero character in it. I'd love to have Ganondorf return as well but if he does then there will be four LoZ characters am I right? F-Zero has NOTHING. And if Nintendo doesn't care about F-Zero enough to have at least ONE character in it as a fighter then it worries me Nintendo doesn't care about F-Zero at all. It's more than just being able to play one of my fave characters.

I believe he said characters will be the same across both platforms and 3DS will have stages that Wi U doesn't and vice versa.

Honestly, I think Nintendo is doing the right thing with the 3DS version coming out that early.

Because originally, I was expecting Wii U this Christmas, and maybe the 3DS version a week or so later, or early 2015. If this was the case, I would've just skipped the 3DS game completely.

But since the 3DS version is coming out earlier, I will 100% buy it to tide me over until the Wii U version is out. Furthermore, it gives me an excuse to give the 3DS version a chance.

Finally, the best thing about it, is that the Wii U version is still coming out at the time period we were expecting. The only change is an earlier 3DS game. Overall, that's a win-win.

I really enjoyed this Direct. One of the best Direct's yet. Well done Nintendo.

Oh I get it.

So you're one of those, "I barely play the game and use it's features so it's good for me", people.

Enjoy your head in the sand.

Lol, such a troll.

@Kenny789: you should've moved yourself up,let alone F-zero,Captain Falcon needs his roids to do one-hit-magic "Falcon PUUUNCH!",Ganon on the other hand,he's the most expected to make a come back,if he didn't make it,then I have Wolf O'Donnell on the money.

EDIT: speaking of F-Zero's involvement,it's a must since Melee brought it in the first place,I have good hopes that he would be downgraded to match the future tournament criteria,because I've used him back in Brawl and I'm disappoint in his cockiness(he's on steroids)

Man, I hope they have a lot more than smash bros. this holiday... I don't even care about smash

It's funny how you call 3d world cat mario lol, cat mario is weird

I highly doubt Captain Falcon (and Jiggs and Ness) will be removed this generation. It would be a huge kick to the balls to millions of Smash because those characters have been playable since the original and are already a huge icon in Smash Bros. I assume they revealed Luigi first out of the four N64 unlockables because it was the Year of Luigi.

yup cpt falcon means smash...they go hand and hand...sakurai knows this is one of the most wanted charcaters. he is proabably waiting for an e3 announcement.

160 new 3DS screenshots

and the Ice Climbers Polar Bear appears in Smash Run. Ice Climbers confirmed. :D

You mean besides the metric ton of people who have for years being asking for handheld version of the game? I believe the most sensible move from a business standpoint is to provide people with a product their asking you to sell to them. Many will be buying both versions of the game, so instead of 1 $60 sale, they will be making likely $100 from each player. And while I believe the 3DS version would do well if it came out post the Wii U version. I believe that releasing first will really have no impact negatively on the Wii U version. Smash is a console game and people want to play it on the big screen. There will likely be some exclusive features to the Wii U version, but even sans that, they 3DS version wont hurt it.

What if people get burned out of SSB before the WIi U version releases? What if they don't feel the upgrades are worth it? They would lose $20 per person that makes that decision. If the 3DS evrsion released a little earlier, like a week or two, I wouldn't have a problem, but this is too big of a gap.

This is all guesswork though. Maybe everyone will buy both version, maybe they won't. We'll never know until it happens.

Zero Suit Samus, Yoshi, Charizard, Sheik, and Greninja are all confirmed to be playable charcters in Smash Bros.! Wow, who could've guessed that they would make Zero Suit seperate from Samus, and Sheik seperate from Zelda! But as long as the game is more balanced, I am totally fine with that. I just knew that Yoshi would be added eventually as a veteran character. He was one of the few to be in the original, so how could he be eliminated from the roster now? Also, speaking of old veteran chracters, where the hell is Captain Falcon, Ness, and even Jiglypuff? With the release of Earthbound for the WiiU's Virtual Console,I don't see any reason why Nintendo won't include or delay his confirmation to the game's roster! I kind of don't like how Charizard is now his own seperate character and Greninja being a newcomer, which decreases the likelihood of Mewtwo and Pokemon Trainer making a return to the roster.

Nintendo has seroiusly made so many mistakes from day one. A website that only shows scrrenshots and videos, but not any descriptions or articles. Trailers that are extremely vague even though they are really creative. Only telling fans about many new content in the direct vidoes instead of through articles on the website. Eliminating the adventure mode entirely with those cinematic cutscenes! No cross compatibility play between the two systems. And there are many more mistakes they made. There are even some fans and websites claiming that Nintendo is slacking off for this version and hoping to make the fifth Smash Bros even better after they realized they screwed up, kind of like the rumours speculating the cause of making the WiiU to replace the Wii.

E3 will reveal more hopefully...with MK8 coming so close I guess there's not much till after E3. Hehehe..because before launch it was all they were talking about cat suit...I find it just a step back, I wasn't wow by it, unlike when I first saw Galaxy...since there's rumour about a new Mario game in the works, fingers' cross it will be for Wii U & the one that succeed Galaxy. At least in the realm of Mario 64 & Galaxy type..bigger world. :P

A lot of baseless assumptions going on here. I highly doubt Nintendo is holding back a blockbuster Wii U title for superfluous reasons. The 3DS version has the exclusive Smash Run mode, the Wii U will most likely have a exclusive mode of it's own, which may explain the delay.

I just watched the direct. It was good to have some official word on a lot of this stuff after all of this time.

I'm happy about the Summer release for the 3DS. Admittedly... I think I'm back to not caring about the Wii-U again. I think I have too many game systems now as it is, and my 3DS is probably my favorite system. And I've always wanted Smash Bros. on a handheld so... Great!

I was happy with, even if not particularly stunned by, the new character reveals. Charizard and Greninja, cool... But again, those are just two really popular Pokémon, who get more time in the limelight than many others. Kinda like Lucario. I think it's kind of odd that there are multiple versions of several characters, but that's been going on since Melee so that's not a big deal. I think what is bothering me more than anything is that there was no mention of a female Villager, yet there is a male and female wii fit trainer. ...More goofy decisions.

I like the points ratings idea, but I still don't know if I'd care much more about that than I do leaderboards. Especially as I'm getting older and spending less time actually playing games. I'm happy that the 'For Glory' mode will have different versions of the Battlefield stage, since if it were just the one lone stage, it would be really boring to look at compared to other modes. The new 3DS exclusive mode looks like a lot of fun.

There was no mention of how the 3DS and Wii-U connectivity will work, and the title of the games stayed the same. Most of the announcements from the direct were about really technical things in the game, such as how this or that move works or how this or that was changed from previous games. But I still think it was a good direct. I mean, they spend freakin 40 minutes talking about Smash Bros., and they could have easily just thrown together a direct half that length and told us only the basics. But they put some work into explaining things to us, so that was nice.

I planned on getting the game, now I have more information so I'm feeling more excited about it. The only other thought I have now is, I'm actually not sure how much I will really play this game once I get it. I've spent all this time waiting to hear more about Smash Bros., and looking forward to it. And I'm sure I will like the game a lot. But I've always kinda spent more time playing Smash Bros. single-player, than anything. I'm iffy when it comes to online gaming, especially anymore. So I'm not sure if I will get the full enjoyment out of this game that a lot of people will.

But anyway... Summer... Looking forward to it.

I have to say though that there's some impressive animation between both versions. Looking at the 3DS version, it got me wondering why did Capcom decide to go with static background for the 3DS version of Street Fighters VI if a game like this shows its capable of pre-rendered backgrounds....

Only characters I'm really looking forward to coming back is Ike (Please don't nerf him! Please!) and Ganondorf (He will most likely be Demise unless they go with Ganondorf from TP). Everyone else like Captain Falcon and Ness are pretty much lock to return so there's no reason to give them a mention...

As far as content goes, I only hope both versions (if not 3DS version then Wii U) at least equal or surpass the amount of content that's in Brawl. So far from what announced, its only got around 70% of what Brawl had in it....

I'm calling it now, SSB4 packaged with all WiiU consoles

I actually wrote an entire article on the pros and cons of releasing the 3DS version first.

I'm generally an optimistic person, and take the time to understand the reasons for what people (in this case, a company) do. It's important to look at both sides of the story. However, after analyzing it to the best of my conjecturing skills (let's face it, we're all conjecturing unless we work at Nintendo on the teams that make these executive decisions), I sadly have to err on the side of it being a bad thing.

Time will tell, and it may be a year from now before we see the results of the strategy, but I really hope I'm wrong...