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!
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.
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…)
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…
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…
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!
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 –
Clue #1 for this week’s Most Wanted Brawler – This character is equally agile with their hands AND feet. — Joshua Speer (@SpeerofD3stiny) March 10, 2014
Clue #2 – This character has very peculiar taste in clothes… — Joshua Speer (@SpeerofD3stiny) March 11, 2014
Clue #3 – This character does more than just eat grapes… — Joshua Speer (@SpeerofD3stiny) March 12, 2014
Clue #4 – This character first showed up in a N64 game with his cousins. — Joshua Speer (@SpeerofD3stiny) March 14, 2014
Clue #5 – This character has a tendency to blow up like a balloon! — Joshua Speer (@SpeerofD3stiny) March 14, 2014
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.
*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.
Down + B = Orangstand
Lanky will flip onto his hands, opening up a brand new move set.
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 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.
