Skel1ingt0n
I can't *believe* these lazy developers keep making file sizes so damn large. Btw, how does technology work?
I just got done playing Smash Bros with about 9 people from 6pm until 1 in the morning. It was an absolutely phenomenal experience - one of the best video game memories I've made in years.
Little back story - always been a Nintendo fan, but none of their games really "yank" me in outside of a couple classics. I've always bought the new Smash Bros, and I play casually, but I've never been more than an amateur at best. But for some reason, the new Smash game really captivated me over the last year. I think it's a combination of finally having a 1080p/60fps version that feels "definitive," and having a very worthwhile handheld version that you can play on the go as - at the very least - practice.
When I got Smash Bros for 3DS, I fell in love. It's so much fun - it's the epitome of "one more round" gameplay. The controls are tight, the graphics solid, but most importantly... it's just fun.
I don't know how, but I managed to convince a large handful of co-workers to buy 3DS systems of their own (yes, they know about the upcoming new model), and a copy of the game. Over the last couple months, we've mad little mini-tournaments: four or five of us will get together over lunch, or steal a conference room after hours or even hang out for a few hours and play. We can play if we travel together. It's fun on the airplane. And, it's just fun to compare stats and whatnot.
Tonight I organized for a large group to come together at my apartment.
My best friend
Six great co-workers
Two of my cousins
I invited a couple others, too, that unfortunately couldn't make it. But I bought a bunch of Gamecube controllers, splurged on an extra adapter, and bought a bunch of pizza and chips. Told everyone to just bring a small case of beer with them, and we'd call it even.
What unfolded was seven hours of non-stop fun.
Just... non-stop.
We did 8-player Smash. We did teams. We did un-even teams to respect the Master Chief Collection. We did 4-player. We did 1 on 1. We did a tournament. We did another tournament. We did free-for all for 5 minutes, for 1 minute, with items and without.
***
But here's the kicker: the variety of people we had there, and the skill levels that were playing together are so incredibly varied. My best friend and I play games all the time - but not Smash. My cousins play a bit less, but probably more Smash. My co-workers hadn't TOUCHED a video game outside of FIFA in years, with only one or two playing games like Call of Duty, too. A few had good memories of Smash on '64. One guy hasn't touched a video game that isn't Mario Kart in a decade (fun fact, he bought a 3DS yesterday, too, after playing mine).
The point is - is that Nintendo has crafted a game that almost anyone can like, feel good at, and have fun with. There were a couple of guys who lost almost every match, and yeah - they talked shit - but they didn't get pissed off. It was fun! More fun was the rare upset. Those of that kicked ass didn't get bored. We were enthralled. Everyone has a favorite character. Everyone has good memories of playing games when they were younger, and it's fun to get to play a character from your childhood.
Here's the deal: Smash was so much FUN tonight. It felt fair and exciting and enthralling. It brought a bunch of us together and allowed us to experience comfy-couch-gaming like no games really do now. EIGHT PLAYERS on one TV. Pure chaos. And so much fun.
This isn't to say that Nintendo is the only company doing this. That's absurd. There are a lot of pure, fun multiplayer games out there. There are a lot of games that do a lot of things better, and lot of capable studios. But, my best friend and I took Nov 11th off for MCC, and didn't get to play but 2 or 3 matches all day. It's still broken. I love TF2, but I'm at a desk by myself in my room. Drive club is GREAT, but the multi is still partially broken and I'm not enjoying Splitscreen. Yeah, CoD LAN is great, but it's hard to setup and get enough TVs and systems. And no matter what, most the time you're playing with people who already play the game. But this is different. With Smash, it's just as much fun to play with people who are just picking up the controller for the first time. It's easy enough to have fun, and it's deep enough to get incredibly skillful. And even more importantly, there's something that's just inherently lost when you're not next to the people you're playing with and/or against. Convincing someone to buy a console, a subscription, a game, and hop online to play with you is tough if they're not "into it." Asking them to come over, drink some beer, eat some pizza, and enjoy some video games with a bunch of friends is a lot, lot easier.
***
TL;DR If you have a chance to put together a local Smash Bros get together - I implore you to do it. I assure you - if you like video games, you'll have an amazing time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfNCPtshiQc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDxUHLj20-4
(Yeah, we all sound a little "bro," but I promise we're not. That's just what several hours of drinking will do to you)
