US SSBB release now 'TBD'

  • By Staff, GameSpot
  • Posted Oct 10, 2007 10:49 am PT

Official Web site no longer lists the hotly anticipated Super Smash Bros. Brawl as shipping on December 3; game officially delayed until January 2008 in Japan.

What a difference a day makes...

News that Sonic and Mario could finally face off in hand-to-hand combat wasn't the only Super Smash Bros. Brawl-related news to arrive today. Although the Wii brawler had been scheduled to ship on December 3 ever since the E3 Media & Business Summit in July, the game's official Web site now has its release date as "TBD." Web caches of the page show that the change occurred within the last 24 hours.

Though not yet 100 percent officially delayed in North America--Nintendo had not responded to GameSpot's request for official confirmation as of press time--the date change could be a signal that Super Smash Bros. Brawl is slipping from its initially announced 2007 release window. In doing so, it would join a throng of high-profile games pushed into the now sardine-can-tight early 2008 shipping schedule. However, at a Tokyo press conference this morning, Nintendo announced that the Wii game won't arrive in Japan until January 24, 2008.

Such a postponement would send the game's rabid fan base into varying degrees of despair and apoplexy. For over a year, Nintendo has steadily whipped up enthusiasm for the game by revealing additions to its iconic cast. These include new characters such as Zero Suit Samus, Solid Snake, and now Sonic the Hedgehog.

For more on Super Smash Bros. Brawl, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

514 Comments

  • Dingle_Dootie

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 4:39 am PT

    Right on, WIIDan7! My birthday is on February, too. Of course, now the game is delayed, so... at least Brawl won't interfere with my birthday? Heh...

  • kossheadset

    Posted Dec 11, 2007 4:43 am PT

    brawl is out Jan .16, 2008 is that right?

  • WllDan7

    Posted Oct 16, 2007 7:54 am PT

    "Dingle_Dootie At least I don't have to worry about playing Brawl instead of studying for my finals this December! That's one way I can look at it..."

    You and me both. I probably was going to fail all my finals playing this game but now there is a chance. But since this game is coming out a few days before my birthday at least that sort of makes up for the delay.

  • rennik_l

    Posted Oct 12, 2007 5:34 am PT

    It's on the site now, US release, Feb 10th, 2008, 2 months and a week delay, it best be worth it.

  • Dingle_Dootie

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 4:20 pm PT

    At least I don't have to worry about playing Brawl instead of studying for my finals this December! That's one way I can look at it...

  • Snowjo

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 3:51 pm PT

    europe 2009 if were are lucky at this point.
    come on just get sonic to ship the games out will speed up the whole process

  • natashame

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 1:07 pm PT

    awww this sucks! if its not gonna come out in japan until then, then when will it come to canada?! and i was so exited too

  • zero-G1080

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 9:47 am PT

    i wonder if the delay is because they are making code for sonic the hedgehog? or are nintendo making super sonic and shadow as extra hidden characters?

  • angelGP32

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 9:23 am PT

    my guess is that they cannot figure out how to make a fighter work well without having to use either a game cube controller or the Wii classic controller. Nintendo is so invested into the wii-mote that it would look like total failure if they cannot get it to work good.

  • ManiacalCarrot

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 9:15 am PT

    It's always better for developers to choose to take their time in producing a polished game, rather than create a rushed game with lots of bugs and twitches. Like most developers right now who are rushing to build substandard games for the Wii due to it's popularity, but end up releasing a flop.

  • rockstar_88

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 8:51 am PT

    I guess releasing news about Sonic being playable alongside a delay announcement would ease the pain of fans. Good move?

  • JAREDJR

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 8:42 am PT

    I too, welcome delays. Although I still can't wait for this game!

  • kakashi552

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 8:15 am PT

    Well...this stinks.

  • Jozo2

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 8:14 am PT

    As long as it comes out before Duke Nukem Forever, I'm happy.

  • sidious

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 8:06 am PT

    I agree with JiminycricketX below, and ultimately Shigeru Miyamoto. I'd rather them get it right and take a bit longer than ship a product that needs more polish. That is my general rule for any game.

    On the other hand, Sonic being added feels like news on something most suspected to be true for some time. So I'm glad it is finally official. Too bad they couldn't con Microsoft into tossing a couple of Rare goodies into the game for old times sake. I'd love to see Banjo or Conker throw down with the rest of 'em. lol.

    I wonder if they will add any other Sonic/Sega characters to the roster before it is over, like a Nights jester, ToeJam/Earl, Billy Hatcher or maybe another Sonic character like Eggman.

  • JiminycricketX

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 7:53 am PT

    "A delayed game is eventually good, a bad game is bad forever."
    -Shigeru Miyamoto

    By Miyamoto-san's logic, if more games allowed themselves delays, there would be less purely crappy games on the market. I welcome delays.

  • fanboy_killa

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 7:45 am PT

    to shadowfox96792 ==========================================back in the day when i was playing my genesis and nes/super nintendo ( i still play these systems occasionally) ppl in my school or neighborhood would always wonder how it would be to have mario and sonic go up against each other--- because you had the sega crowd and the nintendo crowd talking smack which of the 2 were the coolest mascot on their favorite system. there was even a poll in a few gaming mags asking gamers who they thought is the coolest mascot. so most old school gamers or gamers that grew up playing genesis and nes/snes always wanted these rival characters back in the day to duke it out or at least be playable characters in the same game...... no one back in the day ever thought we would ever see a sega character and a nintendo character in the same game let alone make a game for their respective rivals (sega becoming a 3rd party company making games for nintendo). you'd get lit up for even thinking that sega would ever make games for nintendo. the rivalry between these two companies was pretty rough back in the day.

  • Dante_Fox

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 7:22 am PT

    We get a delay... but in turn we get news that Sonic's on the roster... seems fair to me, I can wait for a while longer. The guys really want to make this game perfect and I don't blame them, Melee was incredible and with things shaping up right now, this game may take the cake. But of course not as soon as we expected.

  • distant2nd

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 7:12 am PT

    In all fairness, while Nintendo hasn't set a new official date for the N. America release, a delay could be short term. Just think back to the Metroid Prime 3 delay. What was it pushed back? 3-4 weeks? I think Nintendo is going to want this game on the shelves in time for the holiday. Likely they ran into a few glitches with networking that they need to correct, tweak and retest. This close to the intended release date, they are definitely in beta testing, and probably just stumbled across some issue that they need to find a solution to. The sooner they sort it, the sooner they'll announce the modified date. Rest assured that they are going to give their best to getting it out for the holidays to push the Wii sales even further.

  • prioritymail

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 6:56 am PT

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

  • Yuck_Too

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 6:52 am PT

    I'm thinking this has more to do with marketing.

    Everyone knows the Wii will continue to be be sold though Christmas. So why not hold one of your biggest titles back a couple months to help spur more sales in a typically slow time of year after the rush.

  • smeghead83

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 6:11 am PT

    all i can say is....BOOOOOOO ¬_¬

  • DynamoFan

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 5:44 am PT

    In this time they have to be adding Luigi. He's been in the last two. Why nintendo why, he's my fave character. Put him in. He's a 2 time veteran put him in!

  • Gaticus

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 5:42 am PT

    Maybe they're puching it back to coincide with the release of voice chat and some type of wii headset? That would be very cool! And actually does seem likely the direction N seems to be going with the online play for this game.

  • doobs87

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 5:23 am PT

    Nooo! The original release date was my actual birthday! Oh well, if it makes the game even better, then it's ok.

  • mrsal

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 4:50 am PT

    Maybe Nintendo got some last minute offers from other companies to put their mascots in (shrugs)

  • kricri

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 4:44 am PT

    at least nintendo take time to work on ness (to make sure you don't destroy it like you did with super smash melee)....lol....if you put sora that gonna be good!!!!!!!!!

  • kricri

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 4:42 am PT

    at least nintendo take time to work on ness (to make sure you don't destroy it like you did with super smash melee)....lol....if you put sora that gonna be good!!!!!!!!!

  • ChitoKiryoku

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 4:39 am PT

    Maybe they're removing glitches, adding a new feature, or just improving stuff. Either way I'm not complaining. A delay has never made a game worse.

  • Foxhound71

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 3:32 am PT

    its done when its done guys chill out

  • papochini posted Oct 11, 2007 2:53 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    papochini

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 2:53 am PT (hide)

    Wii and Nintendo sucks, how can they make us wait so long for one of the very few worthy games they have. I'm officialy pissed

  • David_Kniffin

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 2:25 am PT

    Awww, this is sad news. But if it makes the game better, that's cool.

  • rockybob

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 1:29 am PT

    Zoard

    @shadowfox96792 *why Sonic?* why not?


    Maybe because Sonic was the biggest competitor to Mario back in the day? Sonic or Mario used to be a huge debate. Thats my guess.

  • MSG-Deathscythe

    Posted Oct 11, 2007 1:24 am PT

    sad news, but i really hope they can have it out before xmas. this is number one on my nephews wish list ... and mine too.

  • Gigadragon2005

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 11:40 pm PT

    This reminds of legend of Zelda twilight princess. I'm guessing they really serious on making it perfect.

  • TheMudora

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 11:06 pm PT

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! For once...Mudora has no comment...

  • KibaandAkamaru

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 10:55 pm PT

    Okay, to all those people who are like "Oh sure, fine by me. Let them take more time and the game better!" Okay, WE ALREADY WAITED 1+ YEARS!! How much better can they make the game?? I do want it to be the best it can be but Nintendo goes against my moral beliefs. #1- When you say you're going to do something, DO IT! Dont say Dec. 3 2007 if you dont mean it!!!

  • gamefan06

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 10:49 pm PT

    Hey, if it's delayed, maybe they'll take the time to put on some online voice chatting, or at least let you see who your fighting with the "fight anyone" mode.

  • Zoard

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 10:45 pm PT

    @shadowfox96792 *why Sonic?* why not?

  • shadowfox96792

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 10:38 pm PT

    The delay better be worth the wait...
    I just want to ask Nintendo....why Sonic?

  • Djinnator

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 10:24 pm PT

    looks like i'm getting bleach shattered blade to pass the time... but it better be beyond perfect now that you've delayed it!

  • EndlessPunisher

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 10:20 pm PT

    Well if this has anything to do with putting that stupid blue hedgehog in their, then its clearly not worth the delay, Sonic doesnt have to be in the damn game. But im just saying if thats the reason, even though its not 100% fact yet.

  • Axe_336

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 10:00 pm PT

    What the crap needs polishing? Are they trying to get the signal better for online VS. battles or something?

  • Katosepe321

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 9:43 pm PT

    omg i'd be freakin pissed!!! It better only be a couple days if at all...

  • Bloodhawk_DX

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 9:43 pm PT

    If they need the time to make the game better, than I think we should let them have their time.

  • goodyjoel

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 9:27 pm PT

    go figure add another big name game to the delay list

  • dombot

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 9:10 pm PT

    Good on them. If they think a few extra months are needed to make the game as best a product as possible, they should go right ahead and make that happen.

  • FlameAmarant

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 9:00 pm PT

    you have no choice anyways.

  • Valchieor

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 8:54 pm PT

    Aww man. The kids are going to be sad (even me). Winter Break boredom now. =/

  • pacificjohn

    Posted Oct 10, 2007 8:53 pm PT

    Who woulda thunk? Even though I'm sure people had planned this game out, how much do u really believe is the program designers and how much is Nintendo trying to stuff an already loaded game? Somewhere a program designer is ripping his (or her) hair out. LOL

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