Super Smash Bros. Brawl (spoilers inside!)

[Jeff]

Smash Bros. Dojo has been redone, and now has info on how to play, the music, and the stages in SSBB, but theres only one stage listed right now. And of course, the info we really want to see is inaccessible. Characters, game modes, and items are all locked, and there's another locked section called "notices". It does have some screenshots in how to play. And some interesting info on battlefield, that it changes between day and night. Not sure if it just cycles or if it's real time, but it sounds like it's real time. And something I noticed, the icon for how to play looks alot like a Wii remote, perhaps the game won't be controlled exclusively with GameCube controllers after all.

[Elec Man EXE]

The music sample is very cool.

The new damage icons... not so much. The character picture makes them too obstructing. Its so hard to keep track of which damage icon represents you just by the team insignia and position that we need to have the character's picture now too?

[Jeff]

The first update came today. The characters section is now open with profiles of Mario and Link. Nothing new revealed, the only thing of interest worth mentioning is that the Link in this game is based off of the Twilight Princess Link, which we already knew. This does show what kind of daily updates we'll be seeing to the site. At this rate though it might be a while until we get any new info.

Edit: I stand corrected, new item revealed today: the gooey bomb.

[Alucard]

Tehe Gooey bomb sounds awesomely fun, especially in a 4 player game.

[Drago]

The music sample is very cool.

The new damage icons... not so much. The character picture makes them too obstructing. Its so hard to keep track of which damage icon represents you just by the team insignia and position that we need to have the character's picture now too?

Yeah, Melee's percentages were obstructive enough (particularly in the Temple and levels of that nature), but the portraits could be interesting. On another forum the possibility was noted that the portrait would be filled with your own icon (ala Mario Kart DS) or, more interestingly, a portrait of your Mii. It'd be cool to have all your stats saved to your Mii (ala Mario Strikers Charged), particularly if the Mii portrait is a moving one, which reacts to getting hit, getting a KO, getting killed, etc.

[Alucard]

The Smash Ball sounds and looks totally awesome. I can't wait untill I can get my hands on that. The Cracker Launcher sounds sweet too and Delfino Plaza is looking rad.

[Jeff]

Looks like the pokeball is coming back, surprise surprise. Seeing Groudon being listed for the first time as a pokemon that can come out suddenly reminds me that there hasn't been a Smash Bros. game since the GSC days. Wow, it's been a while.

[Drago]

Isle Delfino looks pretty cool, leads me to note that there are a fair few Mute City-esque docking stages (Delfino, Halberd, possibly the Great Fox level featured in Fox's premier) so far.
...And today's update makes me sad. That was cheap, I hope they minimise the amount of 'How to Play' updates.
EDIT: Not much point in analysing it since the game's incomplete and this probably won't apply to the final product, but damn that looks like a massive third jump Mario has there. Assuming it was activated from where the effect is, he catches a lot of air to be able to latch onto the ledge, more than I seem to recall him ever managing previously. Maybe I'm just seeing it wrong.

[Jeff]

I remember in the How to Play video in Melee they showed Mario jumping back up from really far like that, and of course I was never able to do it. It's almost as if they exaggerate Mario's jump a little.

[Elec Man EXE]

Its also possible they improved it some. For being the "best jumper ever" Mario's recovery was actually very lackluster in Melee, one of the worst without combining the cape and tornado as well.

[Drago]

Wow. Looks like you were on the ball Jeff, after two really basic updates featuring Pikachu and Kirby, Sakurai brings out the big guns and reveals that the Wiimote is indeed compatible as a controller, in two different ways no less. This may not seem like much to some (I for one was going to use the Gamecube controller regardless), but it's definitely answering the prayers of some others.
I theorise that, in order to implement dashing with just the Wiimote, Sakurai will borrow from Kirby's control scheme, and have the player tap the D-pad twice to start sprinting. None too hard to figure out, really.

[Jeff]

I was pretty amazed that the Wii remote by itself could control the game, even though that's what the icon I pointed out implied. When I saw that I figured that the motion sensing controls could factor into dashing and smashing, like giving a little thrust along with a control pad press. But I like the double tap idea better, it opens up the possibility for a Smash Bros. DS.

[Drago]

I actually feel incredibly stupid now, you're almost definitely right; they're far more likely to use a tilt action in order to implement running, if it was just a double tap Sakurai would've just said it, rather than shroud it in mystery like he did. I like double tapping better too, but now that I think about it, it's likely not gonna happen.

[Blademaster]

TWO different Wiimote control setups?

...

One of them better incorporate the Nunchuk; that's all I'm saying.

[T3h Ky0gr3 L0rd]

I'm a semi-pro ssbm player ( search youtube for: ssbm life yakuza ) those are old vids, but i'll put new ones up -_-

IMO, the GC controller better be more dominate in Brawl, otherwise, melee will be my personal game of choice. i like the wiimote, but have you ever looked at pros play ssbm? the button setup is very different--actually, the wiimote has LESS buttons than the GC, so if it is the main controller for brawl.... IDK.

I trust Nintendo. they are game g0dz. i will just wait for it to come out and see how it goes.
----edit----

i jut saw the site.

wierd.

[PNT510]

I'll probably end up using the classic controller to play. I don't really like playing games where I have to turn the wii-mote on its side for two long it just feels weird. I also have always hated the gamecube controller. It never fit right in my hands.

[Andrew]

I know I'll stick with the Gamecube controller. So far, Pikachu seems kind of Nerfed a bit. Link's Final Slash seems... deadly. As done Mario's. BUT Pikachu's seems kind of... lame.

I am hoping we get a Fire Emblem Character or two. I loved Marth.

Still, out of the newcomers, they're all decent so far. Wario seems ulimately, bizzare.

[Jeff]

Wow, Zelda was revealed today. There were some people that thought we wouldn't get any more characters confirmed this way, looks like they were wrong. I do think though that any "newcomers" will be only be reveled through videos though. So this brings the list up to: Mario, Link, Pikachu, Kirby, Samus/Zero Suit Samus, Meta Knight, Pit, Wario, Snake, Fox, Yoshi (revealed through his ending theme and the Yoshi's Island stage), and Zelda. I wonder if Zelda will still transform into Sheik.

[Phoenixsong]

...Something has occurred to me.

Now, I don't really know when the Japanese releases of Smash 1 and 2 happened in comparison to the American ones. But doesn't it strike you as a bit odd that they're already hyping it so much in English (and other languages/regions) before the Japanese release is even out? Normally, Nintendo denies the existence of a game to its American consumers until slightly before or slightly after the Japanese release. To my knowledge, they only started revealing characters for Melee in the weeks leading up to its American release. So what are they doing now? Is it just that they're that excited about the whole project that they're not bothering to hide it from anyone, and we'll get it the requisite four-plus months after Japan? Or does that mean we can count on a fairly early release here in America, and possibly in other places? After all, at the very least I know that my American SSBM can be played in both English and Japanese, so in effect all they have to do is add that capability, switch the defaults and the region formats and they're done. Shouldn't take that long, should it?

I dunno, just a theory that can probably be shot down pretty easily, but it's a nice thought.

[Starry Might]

I've know about this site and have looked at it occasionally.

I am hoping we get a Fire Emblem Character or two. I loved Marth.

+1

Wow, Zelda was revealed today. There were some people that thought we wouldn't get any more characters confirmed this way, looks like they were wrong.

Really?! They revealed somebody new (well, not NEW-new, but you know what I mean )

*RUNS TO THE SITE*

Wow, she looks really awesome!

Since when was she a brunette, though? "Twilight Princess"?

[Alucard]

Ganon would be nice.

EDIT: With a fucking sword I might add.

[Drago]

Lots of people figure that since Link (and now Zelda) are in TP form, Ganon's likely to do the same, and, seeing how they want clones out, the easiest way to do that is with his TP sword in hand.
I'm not so fond on Brawl's Ganon wielding a sword (there's a fair few sword people around), I prefer the idea of the sword being limited to one of his B moves, or to make things a little different, have him use the twin swords he had in Wind Waker...

I find it interesting that they would profile Zelda without even the briefest mention of Sheik. Could suggest that Sheik's out, or perhaps her own character? I would guess that, if Sheik and Zelda are still connected, the next update is going to be Sheik's profile.

[Jeff]

Yes, but keep in mind that Samus' profile was posted without any mention of Zero Suit Samus, despite it already being confirmed that they are connected. I'm guessing that we'll get profiles for ZS Samus and Sheik later on, hopefully with some info on how they are connected to their counterparts.

[Drago]

They haven't done ZS Samus' profile yet?? *digs through site* Wow, you're right again, Jeff. You're good at this.

[Elec Man EXE]

Its entirely possible Shiek will be removed. From what we have seen of ZSS, she seems to be very similar to Shiek in Melee... especially the attacking scene we see in the second trailer. And since Shiek didn't appear in Twilight Princess... well, take of that what you will I guess.

Its possible she stays as well, though. Even though Zelda has her TP look. Way I see it, just because Zelda didn't transform into Shiek in TP doens't mean she doesn't have the ability. Can't deny the similarities between ZSS and Sheik though.

Its great they showed us a new character in Zelda. Not only does she look beautiful, but it could possibly pave the way for the rest of the unseen return characters. On another forum, someone brought up the possibility that they'll give a number of the returning characters on the site, leading up to E3, to get us "used to" the old characters that they may show in a new trailer, and get the full effect from any entirely new characters they might show. So instead of being like "WOMG updated return characters" it'll be like "Oh, they're showing us the old characters again... then BAM, new characters". I like that theory

*goes to listen to Zelda Medley on the Dojo site for the 20th time...*

[Alucard]

Ganon should be able to wield a sword, fire purple projectile force thingers and also be able to punch & kick.

[Phoenixsong]

Just as long as he's not a bad CF clone, I'm happy. I always preferred Bowser in terms of the villain characters, but with a new moveset I might get to like Ganon more.

[Andrew]

Wow, these new assist tropheys seem pretty rad. More like "Pokeballs" but with the possibilities from any game.

Come on Dixie Kong!

[Drago]

What a great way to start this week's updates!! The assist trophies seem like a pretty cool idea (a lot better than the random Goomba and Re-dead appearances in Melee), though it disappointed me a little when I saw Samurai Goroh come up, only to note he was under the items classification. I've never had the chance to play an F-Zero game (shame!) but it would've been pretty cool to take the reigns of Goroh.

And today's update was, at least for me, even better... Bowser!! I haven't quite gotten the feel for his 'different flavour' yet, he looks like more of the same so far, but it's still a pretty sweet return! Here's to more weight and less lag!!

[Phoenixsong]

NGZOMFG Bowser! Fox is back (as we all knew), Pikachu is back (ditto) and now Bowser... one by one, my simple little dreams are coming true! Yes!

And his Final Smash is a transformation into Giga Bowser... you've got no idea how bad I've wanted some excuse to actually play as good ol' GB. YESYESYESYESYES.

[Alucard]

I must say the graphics are looking rather spiffy.

[Andrew]

Giga Bowser, wow. Hoorah. I am wanting to see if Marth makes it back in. COUNTERCOUNTERCOUNTER!11

Still, I wonder what will happen with priority with like, Final Smash vs Final Smash. Volt Tackle Vs Giga Bowser.

Pikachu so far seems kind of lame in this upgrade. Which is sad. I've always loved the little sparker.. to fight with.

I am hoping we don't get Roy/Ice Climbers/Mr Game and Watch back in such LAME ways.

Plus, I am hoping Luigi gets better.

Finally, that different skins are included, without being made SEPERATE characters. Ie Paper Mario/Dr. Mario/Mario. Link/Young Link/Wind Waker Link.
Each with slightly different attributes, but the same basic moves. Oh. And I want the awesome Black Yoshi back.

[Jeff]

So we finally know how to do sideways wiimote smash attacks. And much to everyone's surprise, they don't involve motion control. If this works out though, I'd like to see it in a Smash Bros. DS. Eh, I can dream.

[Andrew]

Our main Monkey is back. And UGLY. It's a shame. Come on Diddy/Dixie Kong! I'd love to see them.

[Drago]

I really like the aesthetic feel of the new Animal Crossing level (Smashville, hehe...) and the presence of an icon for it could suggest a playable AC character. Not Totakeke or Nook if they're chilling in the background... who's left? Resetti? LOLZOR

The only problem is that the architecture of a lot of the stages feel very much the same; platform over the main 'island', there hasn't been a whole lot of variation (even Delfino had the same kinda thing, albeit with 'docking' segments), I hope they at least throw in a couple non-tournament compatible wacky arenas like the Temple and such. Meh. Splitting hairs.

I wonder who's the next character they're going to reveal?

[Alucard]

Fuck E3.

[Jeff]

Some of the arenas really do lack originality in the layout department, it seems they are focusing too much on the aesthetics and not enough on making them enjoyable. The original smash bros was great for this, Hyrule Castle's tornado and the random pokemon popping out of the Silph building added a little extra excitement to the levels. Then again, this game does seem to have some of that with the Bridge of Eldin and it's constant habit of being destroyed so hopefully we'll see more.

As for the next character, Yoshi has practically already been revealed, they just need to post his profile, and then there's the characters that have been revealed, Snake and Meta Knight. I've been expecting them to be posted for a long time and ended up getting surprised with Zelda and DK, so you never know who's going to get posted next.

[Phoenixsong]

Yeah, Yoshi will probably be next anyway, as he finishes off the original eight. Then we'll probably get another returning Melee char or two before Meta Knight, and some more before Snake. Depending on what went on at E3, we might start getting glimpses of more newcomers, too.

[Jeff]

Mystery solved! Samus turns into Zero Suit Samus after using her final smash, the Zero Laser. That just leaves the question of if Samus gets her suit back after falling of the edge, I guess it depends on how rare smash balls are, since if they are too common the original Samus wouldn't get too much play time if she didn't get her suit back. Also, yesterday's revelation of Deoxys' attack form has gotten me thinking if the other forms will appear, they probably will.

[Phoenixsong]

I assume you'll be able to set the rarity of Smash Balls as you would any other item, although they might still appear less frequently than other things.

If they are really rare, though--even if they're not--what if you like Zero Suit better than normal Samus? It's not like Sheik and Zelda where you can just switch whenever; you're forced to wait for the Smash Ball to use the character you're more comfortable with. Not that big a deal, depending on your playing style, but still kinda sucks.