Author's Ditty - Smash Bros. Direct

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So! Yesterday, we got a 40-minute Nintendo Direct dedicated to in-depth explanation of Super Smash Bros. 4. And I've listed all that Sakurai has talked about:

-= RELEASE DATE =-
- Super Smash Bros. for 3DS comes out in the summer.
- Super Smash Bros. for Wii U comes out in the holiday season.

-= TECHNICAL BITS =-
- Most elements in the 3DS version will run at 60 FPS, even with 3D on.
- Some elements, like Poké Ball summons and Assist Trophies, will run at 30 FPS.

-= DIFFERENCES =-
- Both versions have the exact same roster. However, stages will be completely different.
- 3DS stages each have two songs, while Wii U stages will have many songs to gauge likelihood with via My Music.
- There will be features that link the 3DS and Wii U versions, but that'll be explained another time.

-= STAGES =-
- Reset Bomb Forest (Kid Icarus Uprising): When the Reset Bomb falls, the stage becomes a side-scrolling one, with various platforms and Force of Nature enemies.
- 3D Land (Super Mario 3D Land): A sidescrolling stage that includes bricks, Prize Blocks, Donut Lifts, revolving platforms, spike pillars, and more.
- Spirit Train (Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks): A constantly-moving train with variable back cars. Bomb Cars sometimes appear in front.
- Gerudo Valley (Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time): The bridge in the center is breakable. Kotake and Koume sometimes appear to cast fire and ice on the stage.
- Arena Ferox (Fire Emblem: Awakening): The layout changes periodically, just like the Pokémon Stadium stages of old.
- Tortimer Island (Animal Crossing: New Leaf): There are two islands - Kapp'n's is more plain, while Tortimer's has many tree platforms. Likely a ferry takes the fight to different islands.
- Living Room (Nintendogs): The stage sometimes changes with different platforms forming. A beagle puppy is seen in the background.
- Prism Tower (Pokémon X/Y): Starts at the base of the tower, then flies around the stage (much like Delfino Plaza).
- Rainbow Road (Mario Kart 7): Zoom along the track on a platform and stops now and then. Shy Guy racers often zoom through.
- Find Mii (StreetPass Plaza): An uneven terrain consisting of two platforms. Dark Lord sometimes shows up.
- Balloon Fight (Balloon Fight): A direct port of the 8-bit Balloon Fight arena, with fish, flippers, and bouncing sparks. Characters loop around from the sides, so KOs only seem possible at the top and bottom edges.
- Jungle Japes (Donkey Kong Country): An old stage from Super Smash Bros. Melee.

- Mario Galaxy (Super Mario Galaxy): A stage with a curved ground.
- Pyrosphere (Metroid: Other M): An arena with several uneven platforms above it.
- Town and City (Animal Crossing): Much like Smashville, but with two platforms above.
- Boxing Ring (Punch-Out!!): A stage with sloped entry walkways, bouncing ropes, and a hanging score marker above.
- Pilot Wings (Pilotwings): Takes place atop a plane, eventually switching with another. Flies over an SNES Pilotwings course and Wuhu Island.
- Skyloft (Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword): Ride a platform to various spots in Skyloft, much like Delfino Plaza.
- Windy Hill (Sonic Lost World): A large curved chunk of land with a windmill and bounce pad to the right.
- Garden of Hope (Pikmin 3): A wide stage with a porcelain bridge and a stick acting as a wall.
- Wii Fit Studio (Wii Fit): Has several platforms that float away at times.
- Palutena's Temple (Kid Icarus): A wide-open stage with three different areas - the dungeon to the bottom-left, a waterfall and assorted platforms to the right, and a small arena up in the upper-left. The bridge in the center is breakable.
- Wily Castle (Mega Man): Features several conveyor platforms that sometimes tip over. Yellow Devil sometimes jumps in.
- Pokémon League (Pokémon X/Y): Not much is known on this stage.
- Halberd (Kirby Super Star): An old stage from Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

- Final Destination: A mechanical/craggy platform overlooking a unison between the Earth and the sun. Many fiery meteors fly past.
- Many stages have a Final Destination version - a single platform and no gimmicks.

-= YELLOW DEVIL =-
- Occasionally, the Yellow Devil will jump into the battle at Wily Castle, interfering with the fighters. However, the fighters can defeat it.
- It attacks by reassembling on the other side of the stage and firing eye beams.
- You can only damage it by attacking the eye.
- When defeated, the Yellow Devil explodes. Whoever finished it off won't be hurt by this.
- There are other boss hazards in other stages.
- A shadow of Ridley is shown in Pyrosphere...

-= ONLINE PLAY =-
- Just as in Brawl, the Wii U version can play online "With Friends" or "With Anyone".
- The 3DS version also has online, but if connections aren't good, it will slow down.
- When playing With Anyone, you have two modes to choose from:
- For Fun: Random stage (not Final Destination), all items, Smash battle only, only wins recorded
- For Glory: Final Destination stages only, no items, 1-on-1 allowed, wins and losses recorded
- Playing With Friends will let you pick any rules.
- Matches will not be anonymous, and a code of conduct is set in. Any players that start and don't play, target someone relentlessly, constantly self-destruct, frequently drop out, cheat, or give baseless reports will receive temporary bans. The worse the offense(s), the longer the ban.
- Global Smash Power is used instead of a ranking system. This uses scores from Solo Mode games.
- Though rankings aren't used in online play, there will be matchmaking based on skill.

-= ITEMS =-
- Beam Sword (Super Smash Bros.): A simple battering item that extends with certain attacks.
- Bumper (Super Smash Bros.): A pinball bumper that sends fighters that touch it flying. Can be set in midair or on the ground.
- Smart Bomb (Star Fox): Throw this and it will let out a big explosion. It drifts through the air this time.
- Motion Sensor Bomb (Super Smash Bros.): A landmine that clings to a surface and explodes when anyone steps on it.
- POW Block (Mario Bros.): A three-use block that sets off a shockwave when it hits the ground.
- Beetle (Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword): A throwing item that grabs a foe and flies upward with them.
- Fire Bar (Super Mario Bros.): A battering item consisting of five fireballs. Can only land up to five hits.
- Back Shield (Kid Icarus Uprising): An item that protects the fighter's backside.
- Bombchu (Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time): Travels along surfaces and explodes on contact with a foe.
- Fairy Bottle (Legend of Zelda): Grab it and the fairy inside will heal you.
- Ore Club (Kid Icarus Uprising): A bulky battering item that greatly slows down the user. Smash attacks launch tornadoes.
- X Bomb (Kid Icarus Uprising): A bomb that lets out a cross-shaped explosion.
- Hocotate Bomb (Pikmin): A bomb-rigged model of the Hocotate Ship. Flies upward, then crashes back down later.
- Rocket Belt (Pilotwings): Allows for extra lift in midair.
- Steel Diver (Steel Diver): Fires small homing torpedoes that start slow.

-= ASSIST TROPHIES =-
- Samurai Goroh (F-Zero): Rushes about, swinging his katana.
- Andross (Star Fox): Flies the the back and spews debris tiles at foes.
- Devil (Devil World): Shifts the screen in different directions.
- Knuckle Joe (Kirby's Dreamland): Hops about, attacking with Vulcan Jab. Finishes with Rising Break or Smash Punch.
- Saki Amamiya (Sin & Punishment): Runs about, attacking with slashes and shots from his beam sword.
- Lyn (Fire Emblem): Focuses, then instantly slashes a foe in a cross-slash.
- Nintendog (Nintendogs): A French bulldog puppy appears and obscures the camera for a while.
- Waluigi (Mario series): Runs about, rapidly stomping foes into the dirt. Finishes with a hard kick or a strike from his tennis racket.
- Dr. Wright (Sim City): Makes a set of buildings appear in front or behind.
- Skull Kid (Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask): Uses dark magic to flip the stage around.
- Mother Brain (Metroid): Charges, then fires a Hyper Beam at any foes within her midst.
- Midna (Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess): Warps around, striking foes with her ponytail.
- Ashley (WarioWare): Casts a zone around herself that slows all foes within it.
- Dark Samus (Metroid Prime): Rapid-fires and creates Phazon tentacles around herself.
- Chain Chomp (Super Mario Bros. 3): Stays affixed to a stake. Occasionally lunges at any nearby foes.
- Isabelle (Animal Crossing: New Leaf): Tosses Food items around herself.
- Elec Man (Mega Man): Runs about, firing his trademark Thunder Beam, which goes in three directions.
- Color TV-Game 15 (Pong): Two Pong paddles appear to the sides of the screen, bouncing a ball between them.

-= POKÉMON =-
- Among Poké Balls, there are now Master Balls, which are your only source of legendary and other rare Pokémon.

- Arceus: Uses Judgment to cast powerful pulses around itself periodically. Capable of meteor smashes.
- Meowth: Uses Pay Day to rapidly scatter koban in front.
- Electrode: Charges up to use Explosion, blowing up on anyone nearby.
- Eevee: Occasionally leaps forth with Tackle.
- Staryu: Flies in front of a foe, then uses Swift to rapid-fire star beams forward.
- Metagross: Uses Earthquake to stomp the ground around itself, even burying foes.
- Fennekin: Uses Ember to create a fire pillar on contact with a foe.
- Meloetta: Uses Relic Song to send forth bouncing music note orbs.
- Gogoat: Uses Take Down to rush forth. You can ride on its back.
- Entei: Uses Fire Spin to create a tall pillar of fire around iteself.
- Deoxys: Flies upward, then fires a Hyper Beam downward.
- Palkia: Uses Spatial Rend to slash vertically. The screen then flips upside down.
- Kyurem: Uses Glaciate to freeze everyone around it.
- Victini: Probably uses its ability, Victory Star.
- Keldeo: Runs about, using Secret Sword.
- Xerneas: Uses Geomancy, probably to power up its summoner.

-= SAMUS =-
- Her Final Smash is still the Zero Laser, but this time, she doesn't lose her Power Suit. This is because form-changing is cut from gameplay.

-= ZERO SUIT SAMUS =-
- Now appears as a separate character, also in the Other M style.
- Along with her Paralyzer and plasma whip, Zero Suit Samus also uses jet boots to deliver fast, powerful kicks.

-= ZELDA =-
- Since she doesn't transform anymore, her down special is now Phantom Slash. The Phantom summoned can either attack, or block an incoming attack.
- Be careful - since the Phantom is a projectile, it can be deflected.

-= SHEIK =-
- Now separate from Zelda, Sheik is also getting some new moves.
- The side special is now Burst Grenade, a bomb on a wire that, when pulled, makes the bomb explode.
- The down special is now Bouncing Fish, an acrobatic flip kick.

-= KIRBY =-
- His side special is officially called Hammer Flip. It charges up much like King Dedede's Jet Hammer.
- His new Final Smash is Ultra Sword, slashing forth to catch foes for a barrage of strikes.

-= KING DEDEDE =-
- His side special only uses Gordos. He can repeatedly volley it to foes, but they can also be struck back.

-= LUCARIO =-
- Aura power has been increased.
- If his Aura power is too high, his Extreme Speed may be uncontrollable.
- When Lucario is Mega Evolved, his Aura attacks are always at max power. Method for Mega Evolution is still unknown.

-= OLIMAR =-
- This time, Olimar uses three Pikmin at a time, and plucks them in a set order - Red, Yellow, Blue, White, Purple, etc.
- His up special uses Winged Pikmin to tote him upward while he hangs onto his Pikmin. So, the more Pikmin he has, the less effective his recovery will be.

-= PIT =-
- No longer glides. In return, his up special, now called Power of Flight, is powered up.
- His Final Smash now uses the Three Sacred Treasures. Different attack inputs will create different kinds of shots - split homing shots, regular shots, power shots, fanned shots, and raining shots.

-= YOSHI =-
- Now stands more upright, getting other buffs as well.
- Egg Throw leaves a rainbow-colored trail.

-= ROSALINA & LUMA =-
- Her neutral special, Luma Shot, sends the Luma forth (or recalls it). This allows Luma to space out for certain attacks.
- The side special, Star Bits, lets the Luma toss several Star Bits forth. This is especially useful when separate.
- The up special, Launch Star, is a long-distance recovery attack.
- The down special, Gravitational Pull, draws items to her. It also fends off incoming projectiles.
- Her Final Smash, Power Star, sets one in place as it fires fast bouncing star shots in random directions.

-= LITTLE MAC =-
- His ground attacks are much stronger than average, and some ground attacks give him super armor. His smash attacks are also super-powerful.
- His air attacks are incredibly weak, and his recovery is barely even sub-par.
- The neutral special, Straight Lunge, is a charging rush punch.
- The power meter builds by charging with Straight Lunge, connecting attacks, and taking hits. When it's full, it changes to a "KO" icon. This changes his Straight Lunge to the one-time-use KO Uppercut, which will decimate any foe it hits.
- His side special, Jolt Haymaker, is a leaping attack, allowing him to hop over even projectiles.
- His up special, Rising Uppercut, isn't good with recovery, but is still very powerful.
- His down special, Slip Counter, lets him retaliate by dodging and striking with a hard hook.
- His Final Smash changes him into Giga Mac, who is bigger, harder, and stronger.
- Little Mac's alternate costume, Wireframe Mac, gives him the appearance from the old arcade Punch-Out!!.

-= VILLAGER =-
- His neutral special, Pocket, lets him store a projectile or item for later use.
- His side special, Lloid Rocket, sends forth Lloid the Gyroid in a straight path. Alternatively, Villager can ride atop Lloid for a stronger direct attack.
- His up special, Balloon Trip, lets him fly around with two balloons. If they pop, it ends instantly.
- His down special, Timber, starts by planting a sapling. Next use waters the plant, making it become a big tree. Using it next to the tree again lets Villager chop it down, turning it into a powerful projectile.
- His Final Smash, Dream Home, snags nearby foes as Tom Nook and his nephews create a house around them. It then explodes, sending the caught foes into a helpless state as they fall.

-= MEGA MAN =-
- Down attack is the Slide Kick.
- Dash attack is the Top Spin.
- Up attack is the Mega Upper from the Marvel vs. Capcom series.
- Side smash is the Charge Shot.
- Up smash is the Spark Shock.
- Down smash is the Flame Blast.
- Air forward attack is the Flame Sword.
- Air back attack is the Slash Claw.
- Air up attack is the Air Shooter.
- Air down attack is the Hard Knuckle.
- Grab is the Guts Arm.
- Neutral special is Metal Blade, which can be thrown in any of eight directions. Foes can pick up and throw these as well.
- Side special is Crash Bomber, a time bomb that affixes to the foe.
- Down special is Leaf Shield, a four-leaf barrier that blocks projectiles. He can launch this afterward.
- Up special is Rush Coil, using Rush's spring to bounce upward.
- Mega Man's Final Smash is a cinematic that teams him up with X, Mega Man Volnutt, Megaman.exe, and Geo Stelar to fire upon foes.

-= WII FIT TRAINER =-
- The down special, Deep Breathing, requires precise timing. If pulled off, she gains a power buff.
- The neutral special, Sun Salutation, charges up a solar projectile. If at full charge, she'll hold it for later use, much like Samus's Charge Beam.
- Deep Breathing and Sun Salutation is a recommended combo.
- Male Wii Fit Trainer appears as an alternate costume. Besides appearance and voice, he's exactly the same as the female Trainer.

-= MYSTERIOUS SPECIAL MOVES =-
- In any mode besides With Anyone, you can customize how certain special moves come out.
- Mario's Fireball can be made slow and large, or fast and straight.
- Pit's Palutena Arrow can have more control given to it.
- Marth's Shield Breaker can fly further forth.
- Mario's Super Jump Punch can be set ablaze.
- Kirby's Inhale can be replaced with Ice Breath.
- Donkey Kong's Headbutt can become slower, stronger, and armored.

-= SMASH RUN =-
- A new game mode for the 3DS version. Players start in a vast dungeon, fighting various enemies to collect power-ups for five minutes. After time runs out, the fighters are brought to a random stage to duke it out with their newly-gotten buffs.
- Speed power-up (a green shoe) boosts movement speed.
- Jump power-up (a yellow wing) boosts jump height.
- Attack power-up (an orange glove) boosts normal attacks.
- Special power-up (a red starburst) boosts special moves.
- Arms power-up (a purple hammer) boosts projectiles, item usage, and throws.
- Defense power-up (a blue shield) boosts launch resistance.
- Random events may occur. For instance, stats may be temporarily maxed, strong winds may push players, Bullet Bills may fly in, etc.
- You can also use different items from the Touch Screen, like Warp, Super Armor, Laser Beam, etc.
- Many enemies from different Nintendo games appear in Smash Run:
- Goomba (Super Mario Bros.)
- Stalfos (Legend of Zelda)
- Tac (Kirby)
- Kihunter (Metroid)
- Reaper (Kid Icarus)
- Mettaur (Mega Man)
- Poppant (Subspace Emissary)
- Tiki Buzz (Donkey Kong)
- Roturret (Subspace Emissary)
- Bulborb (Pikmin)
- Chandelure (Pokémon)
- Mimicutie (Kid Icarus)
- Kremling (Donkey Kong)
- Monoeye (Kid Icarus)
- Shy Guy (Super Mario Bros./Yoshi's Island)
- Magikoopa (Super Mario Bros.)
- Parasol Waddle Dee (Kirby)
- Mite (Subspace Emissary)

-= CHARIZARD =-
- Since form-changing is gone, Charizard stands alone this time.
- Able to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X. How he does so is still unknown.

-= GRENINJA =-
- Greninja is a fast-footed fighter, attacking with hands, feet, tongue, and water.
- Can dash in multiple directions.
- Generates Water Shuriken to throw at foes. A full-charged one hits multiple times.
- Uses Substitute as a counter move.
- Final Smash is a cinematic, rapidly striking caught foes in front of a bright moon.


Personally? I'm quite happy for Zero Suit Samus, Sheik, Charizard, and Greninja, and I'm looking forward to trying out the new modes. Of course, since form-changing is out, that means Charizard will be going without a Pokémon Trainer, our first-confirmed cut. But, do not grieve long. We must look to the future, after all.

Now then, I've got some rumor lists to distrust...

(EDIT) Also, I found a whole bunch of screenshots that show even more items. New ones include...

- Super Leaf (Super Mario 3D Land): This item gives the user the ears and tail of the Raccoon/Tanooki power-up.
- Treasure Chest: Not sure what its function is...
- Drill Arm (Kid Icarus Uprising): Launches the drill forth a distance.
- Special Flag (Rally-X): It's unknown what its function is. It's appeared in several titles developed by Bandai-Namco.
- Bullet Bill (Super Mario Bros.): Likely to fly straight and go BOOM.
- Killer Eye (Kid Icarus Uprising): Probably going to act as a turret, firing at foes that come near.
- Spiny Shell (Super Mario Kart): Hovers above a foe for a while, then slams straight down. Can be dodged.
- Beehive (Animal Crossing): Toss it, and BEES COME OUT.
- Boomerang (Super Mario 3D Land): Throw it, and it comes right back. Easy enough.

There's also another Assist Trophy in - the Galaga, capturing a foe and holding him/her hostage. Another Namco treat. What other Namco goods might we see in the game?