2 Cents: If you've ever played a Super Smash game before, you'll like this one, especially if the multi-player was your favorite part.
Pros and Tips:
- It's fun!
- There are more characters!
- All characters are full (no changelings like Brawl's Pokemon Trainer) which means they have B Down attacks.
- You can now play 8 players locally on larger maps, which is awesome and crazy. This means you can now have 1v7, 3v4, 2v2v2v2, or whatever other combination of up to 8 players you like on a team which is a lot of fun. I liked playing with 6 players the best. 3v3 was the perfect blend of crazy, but not overwhelming crazy like 8 solo players was.
- They added a timer that prevents accidental exits from the Smash or Stage selection screens.
- Amiibo can learn from you and shortly become much more advanced than default CPUs because their learned tactics carry over between matches. They become reflections of you as a player and that's pretty cool.
- Graphics are excellent!
- Online services were rock solid on day one. If individual opponents have poor connections, you'll see that, but it's nothing to do with Nintendo.
- The Wii U Pro Controller, Wii U Gamepad and Wii U Classic Controller are all great control options for the game. I almost don't miss the Gamecube controllers (which you can use if you buy the adapter). I wanted to see if I could get used to the new controllers for the game and I did. As with Brawl, the Wiimote and Wiimote + Nunchuk combos are not pro-level options though they are available. There was no discernible lag from one control scheme vs another.
- Online matchmaking is much easier with Nintendo Ids and the Friend List rather than the Friend Codes from Brawl.
Cons:
- I found myself looking at the Wii U Gamepad when I used that control option rather than the TV which put some unnecessary stress on my neck. When sitting at a less than ideal viewing angle from your TV, it's really nice option though. The Wii U gamepad could be used in lieu of a TV, but it's really too small to crowd many people around and it is not HD.
- I feel like I should buy all the Amiibo figures now. I got two initially (Kirby and Samus), but I don't always want to fight against (or fight with) the same ones so for variety's sake I want some more.
- A lot of my gamer friends are indifferent to the console and will miss out on this game. I feel like if you haven't got one at this point, there's enough of a catalog to justify the price.
Other Thoughts:
I've unlocked all the characters and still have a lot of game modes to explore. You can spend a fortune on the Amiibo and controllers to fully outfit your console for 8 player gaming. I recommend a b.y.o.c(ontroller). policy beyond 4 unless you happen to have bought a bunch already. There doesn't seem to be a need to be sitting on $300+ of controllers unless you're regularly hosting that many people.
Happy Smashing!