It can be astonishing to look back and see how much video game franchises have changed over time. While the original Super Smash Bros. is fundamentally the same as its successors in terms of gameplay, it's a humbler and simpler game at heart, albeit one with its own appeal, and I say that as someone who got into the franchise through Melee.
SSB is different from other fighting games in that instead of depleting enemies' life bars, you have to knock them out of the arena, and the more damage they take, the farther they fly when knocked back. Depending on the game mode, you might try to rack up the most KOs while avoiding being defeated, or be the last one standing. It's a fun twist that helps the game stand out from the competition.
In terms of mechanics, the game is fairly simple. Each character has a variety of basic attacks, four special moves, a throw, a block and a double jump that, combined with the B up move, can save them from getting knocked out of the ring. It's "easy to learn, hard to master," and it's a nice change of pace from other fighting games' complex move inputs.
Players can also use various items to heal themselves or attack their foes, which adds a nice element of unpredictability to fights and rewards players quick enough to seize them. The stages are relatively simple and don't feature as many gimmicks as some stages in the sequels do, for better or worse.
The game not only has a VS mode with human or AI opponents, but a good single player mode, alternating between standard fights, special fights (such as fighting a horde of weak enemies or teaming up with AI players on a large enemy) and minigames, culminating in a final boss battle. There isn't anything as complex as Adventure from Melee or Subspace Emissary from Brawl, but it's fun to play by yourself.
There are only eight famous Nintendo characters- Mario, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Link, Samus, Fox and Pikachu- as well as four lesser-known unlockable characters- Luigi, Ness, Captain Falcon and Jigglypuff- and in stark contrast to Ultimate, all the characters can be feasibly listed in a review of this size. Except for Mario and Luigi, none of the characters are Moveset Clones of each other, and the unlockable characters bring noticeably unique movesets and skills. This game's cast lacks the breadth and variety that its sequels have, but the cast is well-rounded.
One noticeable downside is the graphics, which, to be frank, are not very good, even for the N64. Most of the characters look noticeably worse than they do on their other N64 outings, and the stages are relatively blocky and visually unappealing.
SSB may not be the best game in the series- Melee is my favorite- but it's an fun and innovative fighting game that's worth your time if you enjoyed the sequels.
VideoGame Humble Beginnings
It can be astonishing to look back and see how much video game franchises have changed over time. While the original Super Smash Bros. is fundamentally the same as its successors in terms of gameplay, it's a humbler and simpler game at heart, albeit one with its own appeal, and I say that as someone who got into the franchise through Melee.
SSB is different from other fighting games in that instead of depleting enemies' life bars, you have to knock them out of the arena, and the more damage they take, the farther they fly when knocked back. Depending on the game mode, you might try to rack up the most KOs while avoiding being defeated, or be the last one standing. It's a fun twist that helps the game stand out from the competition.
In terms of mechanics, the game is fairly simple. Each character has a variety of basic attacks, four special moves, a throw, a block and a double jump that, combined with the B up move, can save them from getting knocked out of the ring. It's "easy to learn, hard to master," and it's a nice change of pace from other fighting games' complex move inputs.
Players can also use various items to heal themselves or attack their foes, which adds a nice element of unpredictability to fights and rewards players quick enough to seize them. The stages are relatively simple and don't feature as many gimmicks as some stages in the sequels do, for better or worse.
The game not only has a VS mode with human or AI opponents, but a good single player mode, alternating between standard fights, special fights (such as fighting a horde of weak enemies or teaming up with AI players on a large enemy) and minigames, culminating in a final boss battle. There isn't anything as complex as Adventure from Melee or Subspace Emissary from Brawl, but it's fun to play by yourself.
There are only eight famous Nintendo characters- Mario, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Link, Samus, Fox and Pikachu- as well as four lesser-known unlockable characters- Luigi, Ness, Captain Falcon and Jigglypuff- and in stark contrast to Ultimate, all the characters can be feasibly listed in a review of this size. Except for Mario and Luigi, none of the characters are Moveset Clones of each other, and the unlockable characters bring noticeably unique movesets and skills. This game's cast lacks the breadth and variety that its sequels have, but the cast is well-rounded.
One noticeable downside is the graphics, which, to be frank, are not very good, even for the N64. Most of the characters look noticeably worse than they do on their other N64 outings, and the stages are relatively blocky and visually unappealing.
SSB may not be the best game in the series- Melee is my favorite- but it's an fun and innovative fighting game that's worth your time if you enjoyed the sequels.