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Is Smash Bros 3DS's earlier release a bad idea for Nintendo? [roundtable]
 
One of the biggest pieces of news from the recent SSB Direct--and one I think warrants some discussion--is that the 3DS version of SSB is hitting stores this summer, while the Wii U version is slated to arrive at the end of the year. Which is kind of the opposite of what many people were expecting and hoping for.

This is a pretty strange move to me, for a couple reasons. For starters, there's no doubt in my mind that the 3DS's early release will hurt Wii U sales. I've already heard people ask why they should get the Wii U version if it's got the same roster and just has different modes and such. The Wii U desperately needs killer apps--each one is an oasis in a desert, and it's bizarre to me that even Nintendo's own series can't be exclusive on their home consoles anymore! The 3DS, on the other hand, is doing fine and dandy; even if Smash never arrived, it'd probably go down in history as the best-selling system ever.

In terms of my own enjoyment of the series, a SSB game's release is an event like little else. I spend months, or years, speculating on the roster, absorbing every bit of media that releases, and generally getting caught up in the hype. Knowing that the 3DS version is the one where I'll be first introduced to Smash's takes on Mega Man, Villager, Wii Fit Trainer, Little Mac etc is a weird feeling. It's like, I know I'll love it, but it'll be somewhat off-putting knowing there's a better, "cleaner" version of the game coming a few months later. Almost like I can't enjoy it to its absolute fullest.

And speaking of which, what of when the Wii U version hits? It won't have that completely fresh, I'm-so-overwhelmed-by-all-these-characters punch that SSB64, Melee, and Brawl all shared. I'll have already mastered several characters, unlocked everyone, become very familiar with the way they control and interact, etc. It'd almost be like buying an HD remake or something…very strange.

On the plus side, playing SSB by this Summer almost sounds too good to be true. And for what it's worth, both versions are shaping up to be amazing (among the best on their systems, easily). I just really wish the releases were switched a bit, even if it meant a big delay for the 3DS.

What do you think of the whole 3DS first, Wii U later thing?

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04/09/14, 09:06  
 
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@TheOldManFromZelda

Wii U??? Is that something you plug into your Wiimote? Like a Wii Wheel?
04/16/14, 07:06   
@kriswright

Absolutely. That's what I'd want. Obscure but awesome characters as different characters in each.
04/16/14, 14:00   
@DrFinkelstein You mean like Tatanga?
04/17/14, 03:21   
@Mop it up

I'm not sure if he'd work as a playable character...but as an Assist Trophy? Absolutely!
04/17/14, 06:04   
@Mop it up

Ooh, that'd be an interesting choice! We had this discussion on the podcast just now as we finished recording and one of my picks was Bub and Bob as like an Ice Climbers replacement for the Wii U. They could flesh them out a bit more. There were a ton of good ideas on the show, but I'll let them exist on the show. Give it a listen when it releases to see what we all had to say about the Wii U and 3DS exclusives we'd be happy to see. There's quite a variety.
04/17/14, 06:05   
@DrFinkelstein

Speaking of which, I forgot to mention a third-party character I'd love to see in Smash Bros. just because he'd fit so well with the aesthetic: Sparkster, from Rocket Knight Adventures.

Of course, it'd make more sense to have Snake or Simon Belmont in the game if Konami was to be represented at all.
04/17/14, 06:07   
pokepal148 said:
@deathly_hallows

The 3DS at 1.5 years still had a decent stream of games coming, in september of 2012 if i recall correctly nsmb2 had just come out, paper mario was coming out(this was before we knew it sucked,) rythm theif came around that time, kingdom hearts had come out, thaterythm was around that time,

The wii u has had Mario and DK come out in the past few months.
I was talking about 1st party support. I will agree that the 3DS definitely had better 3rd Party support from the beginning.
04/17/14, 07:27   
Edited: 04/17/14, 07:28
Here I have a list of 1st party wii u games

nsmbu (maybe someday they'll realize it isn't new if you've done it 16 times already,)
Nintendo land (featuring a better metroid game then other m)
(Funded) lego city undercover (lego game number 386,)
game and wario (60$ for this, god)
Pikmin 3 (hey, get back here with my keyboard you little creeps)
(funded) W101 (a new IP releasing next to a highly anticipated sequel of a very similar gameplay type, what could possibly go wrong)
Wind Waker HD (we kinda added this weird fog effect tining that just messes up the games artstyle)
Mario 3d world (not quite the kind of catsuit mario wanted on the princess but you know.)
DKC: tropical brainfreeze (a story about a bunch of hairy apes from retro studios who think 4 years developing the 6th 2d platformer on the wii u is a good use of their time)
04/17/14, 08:03   
Edited: 04/17/14, 08:10
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