Nintendo delivers another knockout
Every few years, Nintendo rounds up its most popular characters and has them beat the daylights out of one another. It's not exactly blood sport — only Nintendo could make bare-knuckle brawling cute. "Super Smash Bros. for Wii U" continues that bizarre balancing act. Like most fighting games, it's a snooze to play alone but a delight to play with friends. The initial 49-character roster includes familiar challengers such as Link and Kirby, new fighters such as the "Wii Fit" trainer and even a few ringers such as Pac-Man and Sonic the Hedgehog. The core brawling is simple enough that anyone can pick up a controller and join in. Nintendo has built in plenty of variations. You can even build your own battle arenas. You can compete online, but you'll miss out on all the laughter that results from gathering friends for virtual fisticuffs in your living room. Nintendo, $60
LOU KESTEN, Associated Press
