Super Smash Bros.
Publisher: Nintendo Developer: HAL Laboratory Platform: Nintendo 64 Players: 1 (1 Player), 1-4 (Multiplayer) Release: 1999 Genre: 2D Fighter / 2D Platformer Rating: 8.0 \ 10.0: Great
Above is a battle between two Links and two Kirbys
When it comes to super heroes, the biggest argument is whether batman or Superman would win in a fight. Back in the day, it was the question of whether Mario or Link would win in a fight that sparked squabbles among gamers. In 1999, Nintendo fans put these quarrels to rest. This smash hit (get it? Smash? I made a similar title-related pun in my Super Smash Bros. Brawl review) is the first game in the series of 2D fighters in which you duke it out with your favorite Nintendo characters in various locales from their games. This game was created by HAL Laboratory, the long-time developers of the Kirby games, so quality is expected. Kirby creator Masihiro Sakurai directed this title as well. Although not as good as the more recent game in the series, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (which I gave a perfect 10.0 \ 10.0 score), the original Super Smash Bros. is a fairly entertaining pummel-fest. You can choose from two modes-- 1P Mode or Multiplayer. In multiplayer, you can play Free-for-All, a standard match in which you and up to three other friends can compete for the most KO's under an adjustable time limit or have a set number of lives; or you can switch it to Team Battle, a two-on-two match (or even a one-on-three) match. The game is a blast with pals, but if you're alone, you can choose how many COM-controlled opponents to face, who they are, and how skilled they will be. The object of the battles is different than in most other fighters-- rather than defeating your opponents by reducing their health, each hit increases their damage percentage. The higher the percentage, the farther they will be sent flying by a blow. To kill them, you must knock them off the screen, resulting in a bright burst of color. Adding to the mayhem are items from various Nintendo franchises, including Mario's Koopa shells, Pokémon's Pokéballs, and the sought-after Donkey Kong Hammer. There are also some original items as well. Nothing can top the fun of playing Smash with buddies, and it's nice to see how the 15-plus years of entertaining chaos began. When solo, you can also play other modes. Here, you can play bonus games or have training bouts against characters where you can spawn in any items, and even stack them up with a glitch so you can make instant-kill shells and bombs. Better yet, you can put your skills to the test in 1P Mode. In this you must complete a series of 12 challenges, from smashing targets under a time limit, defeating a set number of identical opponents, facing off one-on-one against another fighter, and more, and you must do this all without losing all your lives. Your number of lives which can be set from one of to five. If you run out of lives, you can replenish them by sacrificing points from your overall score. The difficulty is also adjustable. In the final stage, you face off against Master Hand, the iconic villain of the SSB. He may be a giant floating glove, but he's got a lot of tricks up his sleeve. If you defeat Master hand, the credits will roll, but you can skip them by holding Start if you get bored. But my one complaint as that the selection of characters and battlegrounds is small, leading to a lack a variety. Nintendo had been making games for two decades at this point, and some great characters were left out. Did you know that Pit, the star of the Kid Icarus series, would have been in this game in place of the Pokémon Jigglypuff, but was left out due to the massive popularity of the monster-training RPG during the late '90's (the angelic has since appeared in the last two Smash Bros. games, as well an original title)? Although it may not have as much content or be as much fun as its successors, Super Smash Bros. is still a fun fighter, and it should satisfy any gamer, both Nintendo aficionado and fighting game fanatic.
Above is a battle between two Links and two Kirbys
When it comes to super heroes, the biggest argument is whether batman or Superman would win in a fight. Back in the day, it was the question of whether Mario or Link would win in a fight that sparked squabbles among gamers. In 1999, Nintendo fans put these quarrels to rest. This smash hit (get it? Smash? I made a similar title-related pun in my Super Smash Bros. Brawl review) is the first game in the series of 2D fighters in which you duke it out with your favorite Nintendo characters in various locales from their games. This game was created by HAL Laboratory, the long-time developers of the Kirby games, so quality is expected. Kirby creator Masihiro Sakurai directed this title as well. Although not as good as the more recent game in the series, Super Smash Bros. Brawl (which I gave a perfect 10.0 \ 10.0 score), the original Super Smash Bros. is a fairly entertaining pummel-fest. You can choose from two modes-- 1P Mode or Multiplayer. In multiplayer, you can play Free-for-All, a standard match in which you and up to three other friends can compete for the most KO's under an adjustable time limit or have a set number of lives; or you can switch it to Team Battle, a two-on-two match (or even a one-on-three) match. The game is a blast with pals, but if you're alone, you can choose how many COM-controlled opponents to face, who they are, and how skilled they will be. The object of the battles is different than in most other fighters-- rather than defeating your opponents by reducing their health, each hit increases their damage percentage. The higher the percentage, the farther they will be sent flying by a blow. To kill them, you must knock them off the screen, resulting in a bright burst of color. Adding to the mayhem are items from various Nintendo franchises, including Mario's Koopa shells, Pokémon's Pokéballs, and the sought-after Donkey Kong Hammer. There are also some original items as well. Nothing can top the fun of playing Smash with buddies, and it's nice to see how the 15-plus years of entertaining chaos began. When solo, you can also play other modes. Here, you can play bonus games or have training bouts against characters where you can spawn in any items, and even stack them up with a glitch so you can make instant-kill shells and bombs. Better yet, you can put your skills to the test in 1P Mode. In this you must complete a series of 12 challenges, from smashing targets under a time limit, defeating a set number of identical opponents, facing off one-on-one against another fighter, and more, and you must do this all without losing all your lives. Your number of lives which can be set from one of to five. If you run out of lives, you can replenish them by sacrificing points from your overall score. The difficulty is also adjustable. In the final stage, you face off against Master Hand, the iconic villain of the SSB. He may be a giant floating glove, but he's got a lot of tricks up his sleeve. If you defeat Master hand, the credits will roll, but you can skip them by holding Start if you get bored. But my one complaint as that the selection of characters and battlegrounds is small, leading to a lack a variety. Nintendo had been making games for two decades at this point, and some great characters were left out. Did you know that Pit, the star of the Kid Icarus series, would have been in this game in place of the Pokémon Jigglypuff, but was left out due to the massive popularity of the monster-training RPG during the late '90's (the angelic has since appeared in the last two Smash Bros. games, as well an original title)? Although it may not have as much content or be as much fun as its successors, Super Smash Bros. is still a fun fighter, and it should satisfy any gamer, both Nintendo aficionado and fighting game fanatic.
Ups
Blast to play with friends
Plenty of Nintendo references
Solid fighting action
1P Mode is fun
Downs
Lack of variety
So much more Nintendo could have included
ESRB: E Content: Cartoon Violence Price: $10.00 (Download)
