Nintendo Direct Sheds Light On Upcoming Smash Bros.

Yesterday, Nintendo lifted the curtain on some exciting new elements of the current-gen revision of one of their hottest titles; no doubt hoping to bolster the struggling WiiU. Game Director Masahiro Sakurai walks through the latest Direct which you can see in it’s entirety here. Though no specific launch date is set, Sakurai does inform that the 3DS version will be launching first some time this summer, followed by a winter launch (presumably before the holiday season).

Masahiro delves first into some details of the 3DS version:

• The entire roster from the console version will also be made available on the 3DS.
• The engine is built as efficiently as possible to render players at 60fps to provide a smooth fighting experience for the flagship fighting title.
• There will be some sort of system link elements between the two systems, though no specifics were mentioned.
• Smash Run is a new game mode exclusively on the 3DS
• Multiple copies of the game will be required for local multiplayer — no shared play

The console version comes with a slew of new elements too:

• Online multiplayer in similar fashion to Brawl’s, but now with a ranked mode called “For Glory” (vs. “For Fun” for unranked matches)
• Customizable move-sets where players will be able to change their attacks (only available in local multiplayer and unranked online)
• No more character changes mid-match. Sheik and Zero Suit Samus are now independent characters from Zelda and Samus, respectively.
• Conditional damage output from certain characters based on damage dealt/received and location on the level.

It’s shaping up to look like a polished release where Nintendo has clearly taken some tips from the fans and seemingly also some elements from community-made mod Project M. Perhaps with the recently flourishing growth of e-sports in mind, Nintendo seems to be putting stock into the clearly growing interest in a balanced and competitive game.