Nintendo overhauling Pikachu's iconic thunder attack for new Super Smash Bros. on Wii U and 3DS

Pikachu's iconic thunder attack is getting a major overhaul for the upcoming Super Smash Bros. game for Wii U and 3DS. Game director Masahiro Sakurai published a screenshot of Pikachu's new move today on Miiverse and explained how it's different from the last time we saw it in 2008's Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii.

"Pikachu's Thunder now starts off with a thundercloud that deals a Meteor Smash! From left to right, you can see this combo starting with Pikachu throwing the opponent upward, Meteor Smashing with the lightning strike, and then directly attacking," Sakurai said. "Foes can dodge, of course, so the attack won't hit consistently, but when it does, it sure feels good!"

Pikachu's well-known thunder attack was fairly straightforward, and deadly, in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Upon performing the B Down attack, lightning came forth from the top of the screen to inflict damage on anyone caught in the path. It was a quick and relatively easy move to pull off, but it now seems substantially more involved; we'll have to wait and see to learn how it affects balance and gameplay.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS launches sometime in 2014, though Nintendo has not announced a more specific release date yet.