Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

The controls work well, although it takes a bit of getting used to. For example, executing a Smash attack with the B button and the Circle Pad takes some practice. With the New Nintendo 3DS (2015), this issue is resolved with the new C-stick and two extra shoulder buttons. Therefore, the Circle Pad Pro is not supported.

With 51 characters from various games and stages, the variety is endless. Each character has their own unique abilities. Kirby can float for a long time, while Little Mac is weak in the air. For beginners, Pac-Man is a good choice, but for veterans, newcomers like Mega-Man and Villager are more suitable. I often play as Mario because his moveset is so versatile and easy to master. However, I also tend to go for the stronger fighters like DK or Bowser.

What's a Smash Bros. game without multiplayer? Not much, I'd say. Luckily, the game features an extensive multiplayer mode. You can battle for fun or for glory. All your data is saved, and a score is kept. It can be quite challenging online, as you might face some real 'masters' at times. To learn, you can also choose to 'Spectate', where you can watch others' battles and bet your collected gold to predict the outcome. It's a fun option, but not essential. Nintendo just needs to work on an update to fix the bugs and make the multiplayer more stable. Currently, there can be significant lags during online matches, which can be frustrating. In local multiplayer, this is rarely an issue.

In addition to these modes, classic modes like 'Classic' and 'All-Star' are back. Plus, new modes have been added. In 'Stadium', you can play Home-Run Contest, Bomb Smash, and Multi-Man Smash. They are all entertaining, but you might get tired of them after a few rounds.

Another new addition is 'Smash Run'. I find this mode a bit disappointing. The goal is to defeat enemies and collect items in a huge labyrinth for five minutes to enhance your skills and then face off against your opponents in a final battle. The concept is fine, but it tends to get boring quickly. Nonetheless, it's still fun to play occasionally.

This game, as you can see in the top right corner, deserves the 'Supersize' badge, and rightfully so. Normally, you'd spend around 10+ hours playing, but if you aim to unlock everything and collect all trophies, you'll easily reach 50+ hours. The multiplayer aspect extends the lifespan of this fantastic game indefinitely. It remains enjoyable and highly addictive. This will only increase with the release of the Wii U version, as both versions can be linked. We already know that the 3DS can function as a controller in the Wii U version and that both versions will support amiibo. With amiibo, you can train and enhance your own fighter using a physical figurine akin to Skylanders. More information on the connectivity between 3DS and Wii U, as well as about amiibo, will follow!

Visually and audibly, it's a delight to play. It maximizes the capabilities of the 3DS in all aspects. The soundtrack is beautiful, the graphics are sharp and polished, and the framerate is impressively high (around 50-60, which is remarkable for a 3DS game!).

Super Smash Bros. Melee finally has a worthy successor, and the balance between all its predecessors has been achieved. With its size and quality, the game offers long-lasting entertainment, and you'll be able to enjoy it for a long time.
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