Smash Bros is definitely one of the most important intellectual properties in Nintendo's software library. Many surely remember the first installment released on Nintendo 64, which is already 20 years old. With the current, and modern, Super Smash Bros Ultimate on Nintendo Switch, Masahiro Sakurai's goal is to create the Super Smash Bros.. definitive, adding all characters who appeared in previous installments of the saga to the roster, in addition to the new characters in the aforementioned versionmore than 70 characters). Among the veteran figures, such as Snake, Ice Climbers, Mario, Yoshi, Peach and many others, new figures are added such as Chrom, King K. Rool, Simon e Richter Belmont e Samus, Dark Suit, recently announced at Gamescom 2018. Likewise, many historical maps are returning (in addition to new ones like New Donky Stage, totaling over 100 arenas planned for availability, but only 20 available during this demo), as well as familiar modes and traditional music dedicated to each brand involved in the roster. This desire to create a definitive experience is justified, according to its creator, as the final installment in the saga, which has existed across multiple console generations. During Gamescom 2018, we had the opportunity to get our hands on Nintendo's latest fighting game, scheduled for release this winter holiday season, namely December 7, 2018. For the occasion, a beautiful Smash Bros-branded Switch Pro Controller will be available in stores, and presumably, a bundle with the console will be offered.
Right from the start, we noticed some simple changes in the established game menus, and it’s good that players can choose the map before proceeding with character selection. However, it is always possible to proceed with stage selection traditionally through a dedicated alternative menu. The information that appears on screen as soon as the action begins remains unchanged, and the battle transforms into a chaotic brawl that sees players catapulted to the edges of the screen. At first glance, we don't notice any visual differences with Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo Wii U and its respective version on the Nintendo 3DS. Many changes, we recall, have been made to the gameplay, which is more technical and characterized by less latency in issuing commands. Clearly, it is difficult to draw conclusions about the balancing of the established and new characters, an issue that will be addressed in the review.
Many characters have been balanced and revised with a purely competitive focus. Trying Ridley, an unreleased character in this new chapter, we notice a balanced equilibrium that requires a certain mastery to use to its full potential, considering its clumsiness similar to Bowser or Ganondorf. Mario seemed the usual, although the addition of Cappy certainly makes him more interesting compared to the last chapter. The characters seemed more reactive to us, while it became easier to be knocked out of the field in a short time. In short, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the usual fighting game, frenetic and full of content that everyone has always loved, and this year is no exception. Clearly, a title of such caliber requires a more in-depth review, considering the sheer number of characters, stages, and all the modes that we were unable to test directly through the demo made available on Nintendo's floor. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate promises to be the ultimate fighting game from the Kyoto house. It seems like almost nothing is missing from it; in fact, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate offers the possibility to choose any controller the player wishes to use, including GameCube controllers via the official adapter, giving a nod to the more veteran players of the series. For the few minutes we fought, we were pleasantly surprised by the already numerous characters and stages available in a “small” demo.
