Smash Weekly: August 19, 2007

This is a weekly news feature you may find useful, informing you of the latest additions to the Smash Bros Brawl website and the juiciest info on this highly anticipated game.

Monday

Pokemon Trainer
The newest challenger in Brawl’s roster is the Pokemon Trainer, a non-descript male character from Nintendo’s monster-catching series. Rather than taking on the likes of Bowser and Samus himself – and, let’s face it, he wouldn’t stand a chance – he stands in the background and calls upon Pokemon to fight for him.

Hailing back to the glory days of Red and Blue, this trainer’s three Pokemon are Squirtle, Ivysaur and Charizard, and a tap of a button activates the Pokemon Change special move to cycle through them in this order. You then control the Pokemon directly.

It’s an interesting take on the character, and wrapping your head around how it will work is reminiscent of Melee’s Ice Climber announcement. Whether or not it’ll prove to be effective against other characters is yet to be seen, but fans of the ‘Mon will lap this up.

It would also be a good way of improving the dire Pokemon Battle Revolution!
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Tuesday

Demon
The ever-expanding collection of Assist Trophies grows once more, with Demon from the NES title, Devil World, joining the ranks. This grisly-looking chap simply points to the side of the screen, promptly causing the entire arena to move off screen. Since leaving the screen by the side is essentially the same as plummeting to your death, fighters must leap into thin air to stay alive, praying the arena returns before they fall.

Another Assist Trophy that could potentially turn the tables in a heated match.
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Wednesday

Stickers
Either replacing or complementing Melee’s trophies, stickers are now available for players to collect. Gracing these stickers will be a wealth of Nintendo characters and icons, and you can even arrange them to make single-frame comics.

Whoop-de-doo, Nintendo!
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Thursday

Tether Recovery
Those complaining that Kirby’s ability to fly back into the arena will be silenced as Brawl introduces the Tether Recovery. Using Zero Suit Samus as an example, the site promises that characters falling to their doom will be able to lash out and attach a tether to the closest ledge – in Samus’ case, her plasma whip. They can then climb up to safety and continue brawling.

Each character will undoubtedly have specific recoveries. While some are obvious, such as Link’s hookshot or Samus’ grapple beam, the rest is open to speculation. Perhaps Fox will call in an Arwing and the Pokemon Trainer will unleash Pidgeotto.

This will even out the playing field in terms of recovering from certain death, and should ensure that Kirby-lovers are in for a world of hurt.

Muhahaha, etc.
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Friday

Peach
Fairly self-explanatory. Mario’s cake-baking, kidnap-prone bit of crumpet is back. Once again, she’s overdressed for the occasion, shamelessly voluptuous, wielding an umbrella, and able to pluck a terrified Toad from her knickers. Why is he even there?!

Expect few surprises from her.
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And that’s it for this week. Check back next Sunday for the newest info.