Review: New 'Super Smash Bros.' packs big punch

Since its initial release 15 years ago, Super Smash Bros. has offered a different approach to the fighting game. Now it's turning up the dial on the chaos.

The Wii U release of Super Smash Bros. is gorgeous and completely outrageous, yet maintains the accessibility and charm that has made it so beloved by fans of video game maker Nintendo.

Before we dig in, some quick background on the fighting game. In most cases, the premise revolves around dueling characters battling to whittle down their opponents' health. They do this through a variety of throws, punches and kicks — some of which morph into strong, super-powered attacks when combined with sophisticated gestures of a thumbstick.

Enter Super Smash Bros., which offers a unique twist. Players still pummel their opponents, but the goal is to "Smash" them off the stage. Damage percentages are shown next to characters, and the higher that percentage, the easier it is to knock them off. The controls are simpler, too, only requiring players to learn a handful of button combos to execute stronger attacks. They can also pick up items, including the famous Smash Ball, executing a massive finishing attack.

The series is among Nintendo's most popular franchises. More than 12 million copies of the Wii title Super Smash Bros. Brawl were sold, while a version of Super Smash Bros. for the 3DS handheld topped 1.2 million in sales in the U.S. since launching in October.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, like its predecessors, is a showcase of the Video Game All-Stars. You have icons (Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, Pac-Man), Nintendo fan favorites (Yoshi, Kirby, Samus) and some other interesting choices (the trainer from Wii Fit). It's a massive lineup featuring enough diversity that players should find a worthy character to study and master.

As with many franchises players have seen jump to the Wii U, the first thing players notice is the shift to high-definition. Smash Bros. is beautiful, displayed in vivid, bright colors. The game also boasts an impressive selection of large and small levels for players to brawl, inspired by games including Sonic Lost World, Super Mario Galaxy and even classics like Donkey Kong and Pilotwings. One stage may have players fighting on a building with crumbling floors, or while hopping on and off the wings of flying planes.

Players can choose between one-on-one battles, four-player brawls and the incredible eight-player Smash, which packs eight characters on screen at once to duke it out. It's absolutely crazy, as players watch a crowd of characters trying to out-Smash the other in packed rumbles. Multiple controllers are supported, including the GameCube for longtime veterans. The only downer is that eight-player Smash is only available offline.

There's also Smash Tour, a mode combining traditional Smash battles with a board game. Players move across the board collecting items and fighters in preparation for a final four-person showdown featuring multiple fighters. It leans a bit toward being gimmicky but still feels like a fun, social experience.

Players can customize fighters for the first time, either choosing a current character on the roster or using their own Mii avatar. For Miis, players pick a fighting style, series of special moves, equipment to bolster attack strength, speed and defense, then venture out into battle. The same setup works for standard characters, so if you want a speedy Donkey Kong or a very tough Luigi, players can make it happen.

Many of the game's offline modes, such as Classic, All-Star and Special Orders (complete specific challenges for prizes) help players collect items to give their customized characters more options. If the roster wasn't large enough, adding custom fighters adds a new layer of variety.

It's too bad there's no way to take advantage of these creations in an online environment. Players can choose standard four-player Smash or Team Smash with 2-on-2 fights. There's also Conquest, where teams of brawlers battle. A section specific to Mii fighters would have been a nice touch for players wanting to test their creations against human foes.

Then there's the amiibo, Nintendo's line of figurines that players purchase and then bring into the game. Unlike Skylanders or Disney Infinity, amiibo presents a passive experience.

Players introduce their fighter through the Gamepad, then customize it. The character will learn from your fighting technique. With each match it is used in, the character can level up, all the way to 50, growing stronger and learning fresh moves. However, players don't get to control their amiibo in game.

But these tiny issues don't take away from the intensity and thrill of brawling in Super Smash Bros. Along with Mario Kart, released earlier this year, Smash Bros. gives Nintendo's Wii U video game console some much-needed punch.

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Nintendo

Platform(s): Wii U

Price: $59.99

Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10 and up

Release Date: November 21

Score: 4 out of 4

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.