Smashing Entries Volume 4: Did we expect too much out of Super Smash Bros. Brawl?

[Deleted member]

Link to original post: [drupal=3194]Smashing Entries Volume 4: Did we expect too much out of Super Smash Bros. Brawl?[/drupal]



This is Smash World Forums, home to the largest community of the Super Smash Bros. Series, which has three games in it's belt. They are the Original Super Smash Bros., Super Smash Bros. Melee, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

We are fans of the series. We might have started on the original Super Smash Bros. Super Smash Bros. Melee, or even Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Me, I started on the original. I used to play it every time I had the chance (When it was in my house or in my dad's house, ahh memories, nice that it's on the Virtual Console). I started gaming in 1998 in my moms house, got a Nintendo 64 for Christmas at my grandparents house in 1999 (I was living there by the time), and I believe I got Super Smash Bros. in 2000.

I also got Super Smash Bros. Melee in Christmas, 2005 (With my Gamecube, which replaced my broken PS2). That was also tons of fun and became my favorite game for that system.

However, the main point of this is Super Smash Bros. Brawl and if we expected too much of it to be delievered.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl started development in October, 2005 and was reveiled at E3 2006. In there, it reveil new characters such as Meta Knight, Zero Suit Samus, and Wario.

The big surprise of the conference was Solid Snake, a third-party character not owned by Nintendo. We were surprised and excited at the same time. How was this possible? Why was it put into the game? How would the character play? All this would be reveiled at Smash Bros. DOJO!! which was created sometimes in July, 2007, promising daily contents until around the games release.

Around this time, I finally started to go on the Internet and I first heard of the game around that time. I was instantly hyped. A sequel to two of my cherished games was being made. This became my most anticapated game at that time. I check online every day for information regarding the game. I basically thought it would be the holy grail of Wii gaming as we know it.

The delays for the game really did suck thought.

The game was released on January 31, 20008 in Japan and March 9, 2008 in North America.

I got the game during Spring Break of that year as an early birthday present (I was intending on renting it, but they were out of it).

However, after playing it for a long while, I felt disappointed. So many things felt left out in the game. The character roster, the story, the amount of modes, etc. Something was wrong with the game. Sure it was great, but it didn't feel like it lived up to expectations.

Online didn't help much, since it was atrocious (I'm not even going into details on this).

Soon after, I put up the game and I barely played it anymore until I started to become active in this forum. I even had times when I even considered selling it.

However, hundreads of thousands of fans were also disappointed in it, so I'm not alone in this. They also expected a lot more to happen with the game.

But, what if we hyped the game too much? What if we expected way too much out of a game for it to possibly deliever?

I started wondering this earlier this month because I know there are a ton of disappointed fans out there. While Nintendo can be partly responsible for getting our hopes up too much, the rest of the blame is ours because Nintendo might not have been able to meet most people's expectation.

This has given the fanbase a bad reputation for wanting too much stuff in one game. There are even false rumors of DLC because people are so disappointed in a game. There were people who even sold there Wii's because of this game. Was it really a deciding factor if a console was good or not? If so, it proves that we expected way too much out of the game.

I want to get an discussion going regarding if we think we overhyped Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It would be interesting to hear what you say about the subject.

Personally, I think we have expected too much out of the game and should have contained our hype better. That's just me thought.

If and when a Super Smash Bros. 4 is announced, we need to make sure our hype does not go insanely high to the point that we'll be disappointed again. That would be an good suggestion.

What do you think of this situation?

 

[Falconv1.0]

I don't think expecting the third sequel to a series that was very good to be at least decent was too much hype. We don't hate the game due to hype, we hate it because it was the lead designer intentionally screwed us over.

 

[INSANE CARZY GUY]

I hoped it would improve it didn't that simple but I remember waking up everyday to read the updates and was the only reason we got a wii, I was overhyped but it still failed to be better than melee in many books and everyone expected at least that much of this new game, it flopped on the hard core people who sleep with their controllers

 

[lordvaati]

the problem was that the game was designed to please too many people at once. it was made to praise the classic fans by archiving bits of Nintendo's history, the newer generation ofg nintendofans consisting of retired gamers and young newcomers, and fans who considered the series as a deep fightiong game. too much was expected, and the game mostly spent it's time focusing on the first two- the Nintendo old timers who enjoy the companies history(like moi), and the next generation, unfortunately with the last group getting the least of the fill.

 

[Falconv1.0]

the problem was that the game was designed to please too many people at once. it was made to praise the classic fans by archiving bits of Nintendo's history, the newer generation ofg nintendofans consisting of retired gamers and young newcomers, and fans who considered the series as a deep fightiong game. too much was expected, and the game mostly spent it's time focusing on the first two- the Nintendo old timers who enjoy the companies history(like moi), and the next generation, unfortunately with the last group getting the least of the fill.

How on Earth was it designed to please people who considered it a deep fighting game, he explicitly said he didn't like competition like that in games, he wanted a game where anyone could win. And I'd be ASHAMED to design a game so unbalanced if it was meant to please hardcore players.

 

[lordvaati]

How on Earth was it designed to please people who considered it a deep fighting game, he explicitly said he didn't like competition like that in games, he wanted a game where anyone could win. And I'd be ASHAMED to design a game so unbalanced if it was meant to please hardcore players.

that's kind of what I said in the comment. there were 3 people going into brawl:

a) new gen Nintendo fans
b)Nintendo fans who loved the history of Nintendo
c) fans of the previous games who were strongly supporting Smash as a fighter

groups a and b got the most of the fill, and c got the least. and you would be ashamed because you play competitive Smash. I would be ashamed(though maybe not as much) since I play competetive Smash. Sakurai doesn't play competitive Smash. Sakurai knows nothing of the balance issues. Metaknight was a character who was more powerful then intended, just like Sheik in Melee. **** happens.

 

[finalark]

I know I'm going to get flamed to hell and back, but guess what?

Brawl is a really, really good game. Everyone is just *****ing because "it isn't as good on a compeitive level!" GET OVER IT! God, this is why if you want to know what games are seriously good you just ignore the fanbase. Fans are so **** unpleaseable, it makes me want to cry. Nintendo put forth a lot of effort into making Brawl as good as it can be, hell, a NEW STUDIO was opened just for this game. The game has a lot to do in it, solid game play and is a ton of fun. But no, you just have to ***** and complain about how it isn't compeititive. THIS GAME WAS NOT MADE TO BE COMPETITIVE, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THAT A BUTTERKNIFE IS THE WORST THING EVER BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO EAT SOUP WITH IT.

(Please note that I myself am a fan of Smash Brothers, that's why I post on a Smash Brother community site)

 

[Deleted member]

There's one thing you people need to realize.

The games were never meant to be compeaitive in any form. This is suppose to be more accessible then most fighters but with a lot of substance and focus on what is important, gameplay and fun. This is why the Super Smash Bros. series is one of my my all-time favorite video game series.

@Finalark: This. While I might have been disappointed in the game, I realize that they have put forth a lot of effort on the game. No wonder why it's my most played Wii game to date.

 

[finalark]

There's one thing you people need to realize.

The games were never meant to be compeaitive in any form. This is suppose to be more accessible then most fighters but with a lot of substance and focus on what is important, gameplay and fun. This is why the Super Smash Bros. series is one of my my all-time favorite video game series.

Didn't kind of just say that?

@Finalark: This. While I might have been disappointed in the game, I realize that they have put forth a lot of effort on the game. No wonder why it's my most played Wii game to date.

I once said that effort does not always = quality, however, Brawl is a quality game. I can understand being disapointed in it (although I wasn't), but it's still a great game. Seriously, guys, get over the whole "it isn't competitive!" fanboy whining and just play the **** game and appreciated it.

 

[REL38]

I know I'm going to get flamed to hell and back, but guess what?

Brawl is a really, really good game. Everyone is just *****ing because "it isn't as good on a compeitive level!" GET OVER IT! God, this is why if you want to know what games are seriously good you just ignore the fanbase. Fans are so **** unpleaseable, it makes me want to cry. Nintendo put forth a lot of effort into making Brawl as good as it can be, hell, a NEW STUDIO was opened just for this game. The game has a lot to do in it, solid game play and is a ton of fun. But no, you just have to ***** and complain about how it isn't compeititive. THIS GAME WAS NOT MADE TO BE COMPETITIVE, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THAT A BUTTERKNIFE IS THE WORST THING EVER BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO EAT SOUP WITH IT.

(Please note that I myself am a fan of Smash Brothers, that's why I post on a Smash Brother community site)

Trufax

Seems to me players forcefully made Brawl competitive when there was a lot less to work with

Content-wise, Brawl is a marvelous game
But to those who followed the DOJO, spoilers abounded and built hype for a game that plays dramatically different than that of Melee

I feel that I, personally, lost some appreciation for the game because a lot less was really "new"
I was already told of what "this" and "that" was
Losing that "surprise!" feeling when it came to characters, stages and modes

 

[Deleted member]

@REL38: Maybe that's why so many people were disappointed.

I think I have an idea for them to prevent this magnitude of disappointement. They should reveil the characters from the past games, starting newcomers, and leave us guessing who are the unlockable newcomers are. Same with stages, modes, etc. That way, the hype can be somewhat contained.

 

[finalark]

Trufax

Seems to me players forcefully made Brawl competitive when there was a lot less to work with

Content-wise, Brawl is a marvelous game
But to those who followed the DOJO, spoilers abounded and built hype for a game that plays dramatically different than that of Melee

I feel that I, personally, lost some appreciation for the game because a lot less was really "new"
I was already told of what "this" and "that" was
Losing that "surprise!" feeling when it came to characters, stages and modes

I was one of the people who followed the Dojo, and when I say "followed" I mean "religously got up early every weakday morning just to see what astonishing news was posted." Honest, I wasn't expecting it to feel really new, seeing how if it's a Nintendo franchise, you can bet that a majority of the games in it are going to be very, very similar. Sure, the feeling of suprise was gone but when the game came out I temporarily stoped going to Smashboards and the dojo so that way the secret characters and stages would be a suprise. Although I do see where you're comming from, but I guess that's what happens when we try to learn all we can about a game before it comes out.

I personally wasn't disapointed at all in SSBB, interestingly enough, I got exactly what I was expecting from it.

 

[Falconv1.0]

that's kind of what I said in the comment. there were 3 people going into brawl:

My comment was on the fact that you said it was DESIGNED to please too many people broham.

I've said this many times, the more you suck at it, the cooler and more fun Brawl is.

 

[Mota]

I enjoy Brawl, but where the **** was 'Board the Platforms'?

 

[_Keno_]

Brawl is a really, really good game. Everyone is just *****ing because "it isn't as good on a compeitive level!" GET OVER IT! God, this is why if you want to know what games are seriously good you just ignore the fanbase. Fans are so **** unpleaseable, it makes me want to cry. Nintendo put forth a lot of effort into making Brawl as good as it can be, hell, a NEW STUDIO was opened just for this game. The game has a lot to do in it, solid game play and is a ton of fun.

I mean, the game was fun for casual players for a little while, I'd even heard people talking about small casual smashfests at school. Six months after the game release, every casual player I know had put brawl in a closet somewhere to never be played again. Maybe its just where I live, but brawl didnt please the casual level for very long. And as far as I can tell, they put a lot of time into graphics, but not gameplay. So I disagree with your effort comment. They should know that graphics < gameplay.

Where the **** was 'Board the Platforms'?

I know, right? That was the ****.

 

[Deleted member]

I enjoy Brawl, but where the **** was 'Board the Platforms'?

Too bad it's gone. I loved it in Super Smash Bros.

 

[_Keno_]

Too bad it's gone. I loved it in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee.

It wasn't in melee lol. You should edit.

 

[finalark]

I mean, the game was fun for casual players for a little while, I'd even heard people talking about small casual smashfests at school. Six months after the game release, every casual player I know had put brawl in a closet somewhere to never be played again. Maybe its just where I live, but brawl didnt please the casual level for very long. And as far as I can tell, they put a lot of time into graphics, but not gameplay. So I disagree with your effort comment. They should know that graphics < gameplay.

... I wasn't talking about casuals. So what if the casuals didn't enjoy it for to long? In my experiance, casual games have the attention span of a lab rat. Besides, we're not casual gamers, and while yes the game did have nice graphics they did put focus on gameplay, but whatever. My point is this: Brawl isn't not a game to be played competitively, so stop whining about it and just enjoy the game.

 

[urdailywater]

the only that really disappointed me at first in brawl was the lack of character specific break the targets and the lack of pichu, my favorite melee character.

i could list some more but those are the only ones that really annoyed me a whole lot at first. it's a legit game other than that.

too bad it's competitive side gets stale / boring. i might have still been playing it. i still take it out when friends come over and stuff though.

 

[_Keno_]

... I wasn't talking about casuals. So what if the casuals didn't enjoy it for to long? In my experiance, casual games have the attention span of a lab rat. Besides, we're not casual gamers, and while yes the game did have nice graphics they did put focus on gameplay, but whatever. My point is this: Brawl isn't not a game to be played competitively, so stop whining about it and just enjoy the game.

I'm just using the word casual in replacement for non-competitive. Maybe my vocab's a bit off, but you should still get the point. You were saying in your first post that the game wasn't meant to please competitive fans, only the casual fanbase. I'm saying that it didnt do either. (I'm still using casual as a substitute for non-comp).

 

[finalark]

I'm just using the word casual in replacement for non-competitive. Maybe my vocab's a bit off, but you should still get the point. You were saying in your first post that the game wasn't meant to please competitive fans, only the casual fanbase. I'm saying that it didnt do either. (I'm still using casual as a substitute for non-comp).

I see what you mean, it's just that a casual gamer =/= someone who doesn't play games competitively. So yeah, that's why I missed it. Either way, I get what you're saying, but I disagree. Brawl is still pretty popular where I'm from, it might just be where you live.

 

[Teran]

How on Earth was it designed to please people who considered it a deep fighting game, he explicitly said he didn't like competition like that in games, he wanted a game where anyone could win. And I'd be ASHAMED to design a game so unbalanced if it was meant to please hardcore players.

There is a difference between a hardcore gamer and a competitive gamer.

Sakurai intentionally tried to take away the competitive gameplay elements of Melee/64 because he did not like the direction of the competitive scene, it was not in tune with how he envisioned the game.

Considering he created the game and all, we can't really give him the finger since like, he did give us everything Smash related.

A lot of people who consider themselves hardcore gamers play Brawl just fine as an enjoyable and unique Nintendo beat 'em up.

 

[Super_Sonic8677]

I know I'm going to get flamed to hell and back, but guess what?

Brawl is a really, really good game. Everyone is just *****ing because "it isn't as good on a compeitive level!" GET OVER IT! God, this is why if you want to know what games are seriously good you just ignore the fanbase. Fans are so **** unpleaseable, it makes me want to cry. Nintendo put forth a lot of effort into making Brawl as good as it can be, hell, a NEW STUDIO was opened just for this game. The game has a lot to do in it, solid game play and is a ton of fun. But no, you just have to ***** and complain about how it isn't compeititive. THIS GAME WAS NOT MADE TO BE COMPETITIVE, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THAT A BUTTERKNIFE IS THE WORST THING EVER BECAUSE IT'S HARD TO EAT SOUP WITH IT.

(Please note that I myself am a fan of Smash Brothers, that's why I post on a Smash Brother community site)

I stopped reading at this post because it's all that needs saying.