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Super Smash Bros. Direct

Nintendo announces new characters, launch windows, online functionality and new “Smash Run” mode

8th April, 2014 – A new Nintendo Direct video revealed numerous details about the upcoming Super Smash Bros. games for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems. At the start of the video, series creator Masahiro Sakurai announced that the Nintendo 3DS version of the game is planned for this summer, with the Wii U version targeting winter 2014. Both games will be available in stores and on Nintendo eShop for their respective platform. Sakurai also detailed many of the stages and items in both versions, described the games’ online functionality, revealed a new mode exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS version and announced fan-favourite Greninja, a Pokémon from the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y games, as a new playable character.

To view the Nintendo Direct in its entirety, visit http://nintendo.co.uk/nintendodirect. Today’s announcements included:

Super Smash Bros. 3DS will launch in the summer, Nintendo announced today. The Wii U version will follow this fall.

Masahiro Sakurai shared the news during today’s Super Smash Bros. Direct.

Live blog below:

– Sakurai is broadcasting from Mirai Kenkyujo Building, Bandai Namco Studios
– 3DS version in summer, Wii U version in winter
– Sakurai is broadcasting from Mirai Kenkyujo Building, Bandai Namco Studios
– 3DS runs at 60 FPS
– Some assist trophies run at 30 FPS
– Stereoscopic 3D
– Same roster in both versions
– 2 songs in each 3DS stage
– My Music: listen to music from the games
– There will be connectivity between Wii U/3DS versions
– 3DS stages: Reset Bomb Forest, 3D Land, Spirit Train, Gerudo Valley, Arena Ferox, Tortimer Island, Living Room, Prism Tower, Rainbow Road, Find Mii, Balloon Fight, Jungle Japes
– Wii U stages: Mario Galaxy, Pyrosphere, Town and City, Boxing Ring, Pilot Wings, Skyloft, Windy Hill, Garden of Hope, Wii Fit Studio, Palutena’s Temple, Halberd
– Familiar stages in both versions
– Wiley Castle features Yellow Devil
– The Devil attacks the fighter, but it can counterattack
– Only the Devil’s eye is vulnerable
– Explosion when you defeat the Devil
– In multiplayer, it becomes a competition to see who can take down the Devil
– Other boss character appearances in other stages
– Wii U version will have online multiplayer
– Can play with friends or with anyone online
– Can play online with the 3DS version as well
– Sakurai recommends wired connection for Wii U version
– When not playing with friends, can do “For Fun” or “For Glory”
– “For Fun” – random stages (no final destination), all items, smash battles only, only wins recorded
– “For Glory” – Final Destination only, no items 1 on 1 battles, wins and losses recorded
– Matches against friends can use whatever rules you like
– Almost all the stages now have a Final Destination form
– Playable in For Glory mode
– Names linked to Nintendo Network IDs will appear
– Code of conduct in place to keep things pleasant
– Working on starting and not playing, targeting an individual, cheats, repeated self destruction, frequent dropping, baseless reporting
– These may result in online play bans
– Items: Beam Sword, Bumper, Smart Bomb, Motion-Sensor Bomb, POW Block, Beetle, Fire Bar, Back Shield, Bombchu, Fairy Bottle, Ore Club, X Bomb, Hocotate Bomb, Rocket Belt, Steel Diver
– Assist Trophies: Andross, Devil, Knuckle Joe, Saki Amamiya, Lyn, Nintendog, Waluigi, Dr. Wright, Skull Kid, Mother Brain, Midna, Ashley, Dark Samus, Chain Chomp, Isabelle, Elec Man, Color TV-Game 15
– Meowth, Electrode, Eevee, Staryu, Metagross, Fennekin, Meloetta, Gogoat, Entei, Deoxys, Palkia, Kyurem, Victini, Keldeo, Xerneas
Samus

– Samus uses Zero Laser as her Final Smash
– Her power suit no longer falls to pieces
– Characters that changed forms no longer change
– Toughened her up
– Now uses jet boots
– Zero Suit Samus has an improved recovery ability

Zelda

– Down special attack is “Phantom Slash” for attack/defense
– Phantom can get reflected back
– Sheik is back
– Sheik’s moves have been polished
– Two new moves
– Burst Grenade: side special attack
– Bouncing Fish: down special attack

Kirby

– Kirby hammer technique added
– Hammer Flip
– Final Smash: Ultra Sword

Dedede

– Throws Gordos instead of Waddle Dees

Lucario

– Stronger aura attacks
– When damaged, more damage dealt to others
– Don’t power up too much or you’ll be in trouble
– Mega Evolution confirmed
– Aura attacks will do max damage in this mode

Pikmin and Olimar

– Only 3 Pikmin now follow Olimar
– Pikmin now plucked in fixed order
– Easier to see Pikmin and manage them
– Recovery move is now Winged Pikmin
– Corrected shortcomings, but added weak points

Pit

– Gliding mechanic cut
– Pit has been powered up in its palce
– Power of flight is an easy to use recovery move
– Final Smash: Three Sacred Treasures

– Movesets of other fighters stronger as well

Yoshi

– Yoshi now stands upright
– His model more in line with the games
– Yoshi is stronger

Rosalina & Luma

– Luma Shot sends Luma out and brings it back
– Luma can wander on its own and attack separately
– Rosalina/Luma each have different moves
– When far from another, can unleash many particular attacks of their own
– Side special attack: Star Bits (fire projectiles)
– Up special attack: Launch Star (long distance recovery move)
– Down special move: Gravitational Pull (draw in items, renders enemy shots ineffective)
– Final Smash: Power Star – combines shooting stars with a huge one

Little Mac

– Body is small, but packs huge punches
– Punches with both hands
– On the ground, his attack power is extreme
– Smash attacks hit at megaton levels
– Very weak in the air
– Vulnerable while airborne, with less attack power
– Recovery ability is terrible
– Little Mac has a Power Meter
– Neutral special attack: Straight Lunge
– When the Power Meter is full, you get a one-shot-only attack – the KO Uppercut
– One punch, instead KO
– Side special attack: Joly Haymaker
– Up special attack: Rising Uppercut
– Down special attack: Slip Counter
– Final Smash: Giga Mac
– Wireframe Mac included from the arcade hit Punch-Out!! as a costume choice

Villager

– Neutral special move: Pocket
– Side special attack: Lloid Rocket
– Up special attack: Balloon Trip
– Down special attack: Timber
– Final Smash: Dream Home

Mega Man

– Mega Upper, Charge Shot, Spark Shock, Flame Blast, Flame Sword, Slash Claw, Air Shooter, Hard Knuckle, Super Arm, Metal Blade, Crash Bomber, Leaf Shield, Rush Coil moves
– Final Smash: teams up with other Mega Mans

Wii Fit Trainer

– Fights with healthy techniques
– Deep Breathing and Sun Salutation
– Deep Breathing: attacks hit harder
– Sun Salutation: projectile attack (can save for later use)
– Can play as male Wii Fit Trainer (they’re the same)

– Custom move sets
– Can’t use this online with strangers
– More info on custom move sets later

Smash Run

– Only in the 3DS version
– Battle game
– Playable with up to 4 players
– Search dungeon for power ups
– Begin on an expansive battlefield
– Time limit set to 5 mins
– Explore, fight enemies, obtain power ups
– Jump, attack, special defense, other powers
– After 5 mins of collecting items, you then proceed to a battle
– Somewhat like City Trial in Kirby’s Air Ride
– Stalfos, Tac, Kihunter, Reaper, Mettaur, Poppant, Tiki Buzz, Roturret, Bulborb, Chandelure, Mimicutie, other enemies will appear
– Can use the random fighter option
– Different enemies will appear each time you play

Original: Today’s Super Smash Bros. Direct will begin at 6 PM ET / 3 PM PT. A live stream is posted above.

So here’s the deal. Since this is a game-dedicated Direct, we plan on covering the proceedings as a “live blog” (similar to The Wonderful 101’s Direct last year). All you need to know is that this post will be updated throughout the broadcast. If everything goes well enough, we may adapt a similar formula for all future Nintendo Direct presentations.

This live blog is where you’ll find information throughout the presentation. However, we may post break-out stories for new character reveals (if there are any… okay, there should be at least one), videos, screenshots, and whatever else comes in that we deem particularly newsworthy.

Oh, and we’re aware that there is speculation regarding additional characters for Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS such as Shulk from Xenoblade and Palutena from Kid Icarus. It could be accurate, but we don’t feel there’s enough credibility there (at least not yet) to share the full report.

That’s all for now. Enjoy the Direct!

Wondering how long today’s Super Smash Bros. Direct will be? 39 minutes, according to Nintendo of America’s live stream. Stay tuned for all of the news and announcements!


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