We finally have a better idea of how Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will stand out from its portable sibling.
Nintendo revealed new details on the Wii U version of its popular cross-over fighting game series today during a Nintendo Direct stream. It confirmed the existence of the rumored board game mode (called Smash Tour) and stage creator, and it also showed off its first DLC character: Mewtoo.
Most notably, however, is that Smash Bros. for the Wii U permits up to eight players to fight at the same time (although only on certain stages). For this reason, Smash Wii U has some larger levels to accommodate the extra players. You also can’t play with that many characters online.
The 3DS version of Smash Bros. came out earlier this month, and we loved it. The Wii U version comes out on Nov. 21.
One stage, Donkey Kong Hijinks, features two planes, with fighters able to move between the foreground and background. This is another series first. The Wii U also has more stages in general. Nintendo is also releasing a Miiverse level, which shows messages from the Wii U’s community service in the background. The Wii U version also starts with more characters unlocked from the start.
Smash Bros. on the Wii U also features notably more songs than the 3DS version, and players can adjust which tracks they want to hear. You can unlock more music by finding disks while playing or by completing challenges.
Above: Just some of the new characters in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS.
Classic Mode, the standard single-player experience of the series, now plays out depending on how well you’re doing in it. You can also play Classic Mode (and All-Star Mode) with two players. Event Mode has players fighting through matches with specific challenges. The stream also detailed the Special Orders Mode, which has players fighting special battles and earning rewards.
The previously mentioned Smash Tour has four players using Mii characters and travelling around a game board, where they collect fighters, stat boosts, and items. At the end, they play a final battle where all the goodies they’ve gathered come into play.
The Masterpieces Mode enables you play the fighters’ older games, but only for a limited time. This includes classics like Super Metroid, Zelda II: Link’s Adventure, Super Mario Bros., and Earthbound. You can directly access the full games via the eShop if you feel like dropping the cash.
You can use the Wii U’s touchscreen to easily create levels, Players can also use the GamePad to doodle over screenshots taken during the match. You’ll eventually be able to share your creations online, but not at launch.
Like with Mario Kart 8, Smash Bros. on Wii U doesn’t have voice chat during matches.
The Japanese publisher and developer often uses these Nintendo Direct streams to highlight upcoming software. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is one of the struggling systems biggest releases of the year. It’s certainly the biggest Wii U game coming out this holiday season.