Smash Bros is a multiplayer classic (Super Smash Brothers (N64))

Member Name: Tom Christopher

Product:	Super Smash Brothers (N64)
Date:	16/05/01 (75 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Incredibly addictive, Amazingly good fun, superb multuplayer mode, Balanced characters and great moves

Disadvantages: Disappointing single player mode

I first remember hearing of this game way back in an old issue of N64 magazine (in its glory days), I think they had reviewed the Japanese release. I remember the magazine printing a little form for its readers to fill in if they wanted desperately to see the game released on these shores. Then they would send them off to Nintendo and wait for the results. Who knows whether the publishers actually did, but the point is the magazine must have received literally thousands of these replies, and this is just after one review and a few screenshots. I can remember my 13 year old brother insisting it was going to be the best beat-em-up ever and was getting all his friends to send off these slips of paper. It was going to sell like hot cakes.

Well, the game got a British release, my brother had pre ordered it the day of that first review, so we were able to try it out from day one. And what else could anyone say the moment they picked up the joypad, but wooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!! I don't think the cartridge is made from plastic and electronics but instead, of pure FUN!

It follows after many classic Nintendo games in that it involves the most popular characters battling it out against each other. Smash Bros included some less well known characters (at the time of its release), these being that guy from Super Metroid and of course the now universally recognised Pokemon duo of Pikachu and Jigglypuff.

I don't think there's any pointless storyline as accompanies most fighting games, but I do recall an amazingly bizarre ending sequence once the one player game has been completed.

This is how it works: the single player game consists of a chosen character fighting ten or so battles against increasingly difficult opponents that annoyingly can't be unlocked to fight as yourself. I mean, how cool would it have been to fight as the giant hand from the final stage. Smash Bros 2 on the Gamecube perhaps...? The arenas are
two dimensional but work surprisingly well. Each character has their own setting, such as Zelda's castle for Link. Some areas seem a little small like Kirby's tree, but this makes a good place for a more skillful game. After each stage you are awarded points based on how long the fight took, how many special moves you used and various other obscure ratings. There are also bonus stages which earn you points but are better for improving your jumping surviving skills. Even so the one player mode can be completed within a few attempts and I'm sure the multiplayer mode is where you'll realise whole days go past in the blink of an eye.

Said multiplayer mode is hilarious. Get three mates round and you're guaranteed literally hours of fun (even better when slightly tipsy) beating the crap out of each other's favourite characters. It's great because it just works so well. The characters are fairly well balanced, although Kirby can float across the arena giving that player a distinct advantage. From experience he's only good for beginners. The characters only have a limited amount of unique moves and throws, but after playing you realise many more would detract from the intended simplicity of the game. As you build up damage your character gets projected further from the playing field with each hit, and get hit too far and you won't be able to reach the edge losing you a life. It's a great feeling to catapult someone into the distance with a direct upwards attack then just tap them off the edge if they manage to cling back on.

You can choose between games based on lives or time, the time version tends to get the tension going because your kill total is kept hidden till the end.

Another great but pointless feature is the still-frame mode, which pauses the game and zooms in to the action. This can produce some truly hilarious pictures; try using Kirby's taunt then pausing.

Overall it's the simp
licity and addictiveness of the game that keeps you coming back for more and if thought of as a multiplayer only game, you'll never tire of it. That's a guarantee. It's certainly up there with Goldeneye and Mario Kart, a true masterpiece.

Summary: