This week of Smash Bros. reveals was quirky, to say the least. It had some definite highs and lows, but overall I was happy with it for one reason – they showed off the new Mega Man stage in more detail! Before we get to that though, just wanted to mention that next week we are going to introduce a new segment to compliment Character of the Week called Most Wanted Brawler. Without further ado, let’s get Smashing!
I have to admit, Monday’s screen was a bit of a WTF moment for me. I recognize that Steel Diver is a Nintendo game, and am pretty sure it involves submarines and was a 3DS launch title, but that is the extent of my knowledge. The fact that they miniaturized it into a weapon is hilarious and just a bit goofy. But the more diverse the weapons are, the better, so I’m all for it.
Tuesday’s screen hurt my soul. See, I’m already worrying about how my new main Mega Man will fare against the projectile blocker, Marth. Then we get this picture. Poor Mega Man. I do disagree with Sakurai’s assertion that few people used the Shield Breaker, but it is interesting to know it will be a more powerful technique now.
Okay, let me get something out in the open real quick. I have not, nor probably ever will, play Animal Crossing. It just looks like glorifying a bunch of busywork, but I admit the universe and art style look appealing. That said, I am 99% positive this Kappa critter is from that game. Also, though I don’t normally post the direct Miiverse comments, this one was so strange I am gonna break that rule.
“Yar, I wants to watch some o’ that Smash action, too, ye great beast!”
Yes, Sakurai is a strange, brilliant man. Moving on.
To say Thursday’s pic made me happy would be an understatement. Yes, we have known for a while that Mega Man would have his own Wily-themed stage. But I relish seeing it in crisp detail. Plus it looks like Yellow Devil will be a stage obstacle instead of just a boss, which is probably going to be hectic and crazy in the best sort of way. I can only wonder what other tricks this stage will hold…
And then we have Friday. I am not a dog person, nor am I a Nintendogs person. That said, I find this French Bulldog assist trophy adorable. Which is strange, but we’ll go with it. Hope you enjoyed the screenshots for this week. I’m still holding my breath for a new character reveal, but that will hopefully come in the next couple of months. In the meantime, I have a new Character of the Week written by yours truly!
Character of the Week
JOSH: Ness and I have an interesting history. See, back when I was a child, I wasn’t that into RPGs. At all. Not even a little bit. Then, one day I played EarthBound for a half hour at my cousin’s house, and everything changed. I was transfixed. The game was strange, it was compelling and (for the time) had amazing graphics! The whole thing revolved around a baseball cap-wearing schoolboy named Ness and his series of misadventures. That half an hour was glorious, and I couldn’t put the controller down. I was hooked. Then, tragedy struck. I won’t go into all the gory details, but some serious drama happened, and I was unable to play EarthBound again until it was released on the Wii U eShop some 18 years later. Luckily, before that happened, Ness came back into my life via Smash Bros.
Though I wasn’t amazing with him in the first game, I all but mastered him in Melee. It took plenty of time and effort, but I was determined to master him. Much like in my childhood, there was something strangely compelling about the young, psychic schoolboy. He took skill to play, and he swung a big bat. It’s not an exaggeration to say I spent somewhere around 500 hours learning to master his PK Thunder attack. It looked so versatile and cool, and I was determined to use it as a recovery. Now, I use Ness in the most aggravating way possible. I poke the enemy with some quick A attacks, run away, and then pelt them with a near continuous barrage of PK Thunders to juggle them mercilessly. It’s so fun, it should be criminal. I might not be as great with his other special attacks, since the PK Fire attack is easily blocked, PK Flash is nearly impossible to trick opponents with and PSI Magnet is only useful once in a while. But the amount that I can achieve with that one move beggars the imaginations of my friends. Combined with his epic Final Smash, PK Starstorm, which I easily nab by precision PK Thundering the Smash Ball, I make Ness a force to be reckoned with.
Even though Ness hasn’t yet been announced for the new Smash Bros., I am confident this three-time Smash veteran will make a comeback. And when he does, I’ll be ready, bat in hand and energy crackling. Heck, maybe Lucas will even join him for some more Smash Bros. fun!
