Brawl brings new characters new battlegrounds and better graphics but the Story Mode in this game is boring and tedious
Though new Characters are introduced, some older ones are taken out. Mewtwo and Pichu have bit the dust, though I'm sad to see Mewtwo go I was glad Pichu is out. I also wish they would stop cloning characters. Falco (Starfox) Wolf (Starfox) Lucas (Nes) Toon Link from Windwaker (Link) etc.
There is a classic mode, like in the older games and the events make thier way back again. You collect trophies again as well.
Some new gameplay elements include some new attacks for veteran characters. Mario now shoots from a water cannon from his Super Mario Sunshine game. There is now a "Smash Ball" which unleashes a power move for each character, some are over powered some are usless..There are also "assist trophies" which are like pokeballs. Instead of a pokemon and given random character can come to help you for a certain amount of time, such as Grayfox (Metal Gear Solid) and more.
As for the battle stages, there are even more now. A stage from Mario World 2 (the game with baby Mario) makes its way in and even Shadow Moses Island from Metal Gear Solid 1 and 4. Sonics Green Hill Zone is also a stage in this game.
The story mode in this game is so long and tedious, very boring and seems pointless and redundant, this is the only gripe I have with this game.
All in all this is the best SSB to date and a must have for any fan of the series