Nintendo announces release of NEW Super Smash Bros.

By Sonya Davidson

Nintendo released information about the New Super Smash Bros. games (and someone in my household is excited). Masahiro Sakuria, Director of Super Smash Bros., announced the games, slated for release in coming months, will offer new characters, launch windows and online functionality.

Things are being fine tuned at this point but the game will launch this summer for the Nintendo 3DS and then for Wii U just in time (hopefully) for the holiday season. I suspect that's being done on purpose to get gamers hooked and then in time for the gifting season.  Yep...hit me twice! But you’ll be interested to know that there will be some differences between the two game versions. While characters on the website will appear on both systems, some of the stages will be different. There will also be some elements that will offer the opportunity to link the two systems together to enhance the playing experience.

"New Super Smash Bros. games are a major event for video game fans everywhere, and present an experience that only Nintendo can offer," said Ron Bertram, Nintendo of Canada's vice-president and general manager. “Fans have two launches to look forward to this year, and they will want to get in plenty of practice with the Nintendo 3DS version so they can be prepared for the launch of the Wii U game later in the year.”

Highlights for the new game include... 

1. New "Smash Run" mode offers an exciting way to play against others in a multiple 3DS player mode. Four players will have five minutes to enter a dungeon and explore the surroundings, battle enemies and power-ups. Once the five minutes are up, the players go into the battle arena using their newly acquired items and power ups. Enemies are from a wide range of characters.

1. When playing online, two modes will be available: "For Fun" and "For Glory". In the "For Fun" mode, all stages are randomly selected and all items and power-ups will be available.  In "For Glory," only Final Destination stage variations will be available making it a nice, clean playing field between characters.

2. When playing with friends, full customization will be available where players can set the rules, stages and items however they want.

3. New enhanced features for characters include Zero Suit Samus, who's back but this time she's her own fully playable character and given powerful jet boots; Sheik, who also appeared in previous Super Smash Bros. games but will also be a unique playable character for the first time in both system offerings; and Yoshi who will stronger than ever. NEW Challenger Greninja (from Pokemon X and Pokemon Y) joins the roster for both systems.

4. Boss Characters, like Yellow Devil in Dr. Wily's Base, will make appearances in some stages. Players will be able to use them in strategic ways to battle other fighters.

5. Both game formats will also have a "Final Destination form," an alternate for of each stage that is inspired by a simple layout of the much-loved Final Destination stage.

Grab a snack and view the full 40-minute announcement from Nintendo Direct!