Nintendo has revealed more details about their highly anticipated Super Smash Bros game for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U in their latest Nintendo Direct presentation – including a release window (but not date). The 3DS version will be released first, coming this Winter 2014 (or Summer in North America/Europe). The Wii U version won’t be coming out until Summer 2014 (Winter in America/Europe).
It did not give any reasons why the 3DS version is coming first, but it is pretty safe to assume the Wii U version has a longer development period because of graphics. Nintendo also confirmed that Super Smash Bros will be set at 60fps, with assist characters at 30fps. There will also be some differences between the two versions, but the fight roster will be the same.
Nintendo also announced some new fighters. Yoshi is returning, while Zero Suit Samus and Sheik from Legend of Zelda now become separate fighters in the game (so you don’t have to switch between the two characters). Two new characters to the franchise are Charizard and Greninja – joining the two other Pokemon characters Lucario and Pikachu. Nintendo also confirmed that Lucario’s and Charizard’s Mega Evolutions will also be featured.
Online Multiplayer
Both games will feature online multiplayer between friends or anyone around the world, and will feature two modes: For Fun or For Glory. For Fun will feature random stages (except Final Destination) and be smash battles; while For Glory will be set in the Final Destination stage and only be 1-on-1 battles. Wins and loses will be recorded when playing For Glory, while wins only are recorded when playing For Fun.
Online matches will be linked to your Nintendo Network ID. Instead of using a leaderboard to match players, it will use its own skill-based matchmaking system called Global Smash Power. Nintendo didn’t go into detail about how your score will be calculated, but it appears to be based on your online and single player modes.
While you can play through the wireless connection, Nintendo recommends using an ethernet connection for the Wii U – and has an accessory for you to buy.