I have sadness this week. Not because it was a bad week of screenshots (blasphemy!) but because a reveal I expected didn’t happen. Twice now, Sakurai has revealed returning Brawlers to coincide with Western or Japanese releases of games, such as Diddy with Tropical Freeze and Dedede with Kirby Triple Deluxe. So, naturally, when I saw that Yoshi’s New Island released this Friday, I instantly thought it heralded the return of everyone’s favorite dino-horse, Yoshi! Alas, it was not the case. That said, there were a lot of cool reveals this week, including a new stage for the 3DS version. We also have a very entertaining Most Wanted Brawler to top things off. Yoshi will just have to wait for another week, but I still have faith he’s coming back

Okay, that’s enough jabbering. Let’s get Smashing!

Big Mac - Smashing Saturdays | oprainfall

Monday started with a bang (or a blubber). See the shiny trophy? It is apparently Little Mac. That’s right, he’s not so little here! Not exactly sure when he was this obese in a Punch-Out!!! game, but the trophy is hilarious nonetheless. Every Brawler has to start somewhere, I guess.

Lumiose City - Smashing Saturdays | oprainfall
On the road to Viridi… I mean, Lumiose City!

Tuesday was much better. Anybody recognize this lovely city? That’s right, it is none other than Lumiose City from Pokemon X and Y! I’m not entirely sure how this level will work, but according to Sakurai players can brawl at the top of Prism Tower! Makes me wonder if the stage is a constantly shifting one, like Delfino Plaza. I also wonder if you’ll get to avoid the taxis as hazards to harm your foes? Regardless, I’m quite excited about this one! (just so long as it doesn’t have a game breaking glitch like the source material…)

Zelda's Din's Fire Hits Pikachu - Smashing Saturdays | oprainfall

Ouch. Looks like Zelda’s magic is as potent as ever. I’ll quote Sakurai for the specifics – “Zelda’s Din’s Fire is now stronger in its core. The farther it’s projected, the bigger and more powerful it will be, but you need to hit foes with the core if you want to make them fall.” Not gonna lie, I was not a fan of Din’s Fire before, but now it sounds even more destructive. Joy. Looks like Pikachu is blasting off again…

Donkey Kong and the Motion Sensor Bomb - Smashing Saturdays | oprainfall
No, DK! No touching!!!

The Motion-Sensor bomb makes a triumphant (or explosive) return. Like other returning items, it looks to have gotten a sweet redesign as well, making it look more alien and nasty. Curiosity killed the ape, it would appear…

Villager and Wii Fit Trainer - Smashing Saturdays | oprainfall

I already voiced my frustration about Yoshi not being revealed this week. So enough whining on my part. This one is interesting for a couple reasons. First of all, it is either a new stage or an extension of Tortimer Island. Secondly, this pic gets the award for best unintentionally inappropriate quote – “Looks like someone’s enjoying the bachelor life in this pad.” SO many things I want to say, but I’ll keep it clean. It wouldn’t be half as funny if Villager was fighting anyone else besides the sexy Wii Fit Trainer. And if he wasn’t so short.

Anyhow, that’s all the screens for this week, but don’t disappear! We have a great Most Wanted Brawler by David Rawlings up next!

SOURCE


Like usual, I spent this week tweeting clues for the following Most Wanted Brawler. What was unexpected was somebody actually guessed right before I even tweeted the last clue! If that person, sbloom85, feels up to it, they can reply to me on Twitter and suggest a Nintendo character for an upcoming Most Wanted Brawler! As long as the suggestion is within reason and was from a Nintendo game, it’s fair game. In case you missed them, here were my clues from this week –

Without further ado, here is our Most Wanted Brawler!

Most Wanted Brawler

RAWKY: To say this character is my “Most Wanted Brawler” is a slight exaggeration, but he is a character that I feel gets too much flak from the gaming community. He has potential to be one of the very best and most versatile characters ever in Smash Bros. history.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you… Lanky Kong.

Lankey Kong: Most Wanted Brawler - Smashing Saturdays! | oprainfall
He’ll stretch his arms out, just for you.

*tumbleweed*

Yes, the Kong that has no style, nor grace, and is most likely hated by his own family, is a character I would very much like to see playable in Smash Bros.

Firstly, he would offer something completely new to the Smash series, which would be two interchangeable fighting styles for one character. I know we already have Zelda/Sheik, Samus/Zero Suit Samus and the Pokémon from Pokémon Trainer, but they actually switch characters rather than using the same one. In Lanky’s case, it will be as simple as changing his fighting stance from standing on his feet to standing on his hands by using the Down+B special. Let me explain in more detail.

Feet Stance

When on his feet, Lanky’s move set will focus on strength and range. His arms will be able to stretch quite a fair distance, in most directions, and will give him his more powerful standard attacks. However, what he benefits from having strength and range, he will lack in speed and combos.

Whilst in his feet stance mode, his specials will work like so:

B = Grape Shooter

The weapon he uses in Donkey Kong 64 makes a welcome return. Simply pressing B will make Lanky shoot grapes across the stage. Every so often a “Golden Grape” will be shot that moves faster and causes more damage.

Smash + B = OrangSlap

A chargeable move where Lanky stretches his arms out, at super fast speed, and traps opponents in a combo of up to 10 quick, powerful slaps – depending on how long it was charged for.

Up + B = Baboon Balloon

Just like his move from Donkey Kong 64, Lanky Kong can inflate himself, just like a balloon, then shoot off in any direction causing damage, and knock back, to anyone that gets in the way.

Lanky Kong: Baboon Balloon - Smashing Saturdays! | oprainfall
Look at that fool fly!

 

Down + B = Orangstand

Lanky will flip onto his hands, opening up a brand new move set.

Lanky Kong: Orangstand - Smashing Saturdays! | oprainfall
Fighting whilst hand-standing is the future.

Orangstand

When in Orangstand mode, Lanky will now fight with his feet. This time, he loses his strength and reach, but makes up for it with speed and combos. He uses his feet for quick attacks, and can easily juggle opponents into the air. Most of his special moves will also slightly differ when in Orangstand mode.

Orangstand B = Grape Shooter

Similar to when he is on his feet, but this time he will shoot the grapes at a lower trajectory.

Orangstand Smash + B = Orangsprint

This move is also chargeable, and will make Lanky run across the stage, on his hands, at high speed. The longer you charge the move, the longer it will last. Try to think of Yoshi’s ‘Egg Roll’ move to get a good idea of how this will work.

Orangstand Up + B = Baboon Balloon

Works in exactly the same way as when he is fighting on his feet.

Orangstand Down + B = Feet Stance

Lanky will flip back to fighting on his feet.

Final Smash

Enguarde the Swordfish. Simple. It may not make a whole lot of sense and seem a little off-kilter in game, but since when does a Smash Bros. game have to make sense? Although, saying that, Lanky Kong is the only character from Donkey Kong 64 to be able to use Enguarde in game.

Lanky Kong: Enguarde Smash - Smashing Saturdays! | oprainfall

 

Lanky Kong would morph into the aquatic companion from the Donkey Kong Country games and be able to swim/fly(?) around the arena, much like Mr. Game & Watch’s Final Smash. He can dash and stab opponents with its sword-nose resulting in instant K.O’s and causing all sorts of annoying mayhem.

Josh Speer
Josh is a passionate gamer, finding time to clock in around 30-40 hours of gaming a week. He discovered Operation Rainfall while avidly following the localization of the Big 3 Wii RPGs. He enjoys SHMUPS, Platformers, RPGs, Roguelikes and the occasional Fighter. He’s also an unashamedly giant Mega Man fan, having played the series since he was eight. As Head Editor and Review Manager, he spends far too much time editing reviews and random articles. In his limited spare time he devours indies whole and anticipates the release of quirky, unpredictable and innovative games.