Super Smash Bros. – Part 1
To say that automaton and I used to play a lot of Super Smash Bros. would be as accurate as saying an ocean is deep; it doesn’t properly convey the sheer volume of time our group dedicated to that game. We’ll get there.
For those unaware Smash Bros. is a Nintendo-based, fighting game for up to four players. Unlike other fighters, instead of having health power reduced with each hit, each blow you deal your opponent increases their percentage rating. The higher your percentage hits, the further you fly when attacked. The goal is to increase your opponent’s percentage high enough to knock them out of the stage boundary. Additionally, similar to the MarioKart series, Smash Bros. also has items to help unbalance an otherwise balanced game, like bombs, fire flowers, and yes … those hammers from the first Super Mario for NES that put you in an invincible trance of unstoppable smashing.
This comic is a part one of a three-part arc about our time with Super Smash Bros.. Each comic will reveal another small layer of our story.
That we recently learned from the E3 Nintendo Press Conference there will be a new Smash Bros. game is a happy coincidence for the strip. I can’t say I’m excited about the game, or the news that it will “somehow” use the Wii U and the 3DS together. But whenever someone mentions Smash Bros. my fighter’s pride bristles.
Because we played the game so much we often engaged in meta gaming; usually tyrannical in nature. There was this one game (as the comic suggests) where we would turn items on high and make sure they were only hammers. Then everyone would get a hammer except me and I would have to try to avoid them.
That tells you something about our group dynamic.
The other part of the strip references the New Years where we had a “world” tournament in my basement. Because we played so much Smash Bros. we were convinced that we were the best in the world. So on that New Years we played for money, and a trophy. Automaton has that trophy.
But it doesn’t matter, because in my heart I know I’m the best.
This is a video of a high ranking Smash Bros. player named Isai. We can definitely compete at his level. Maybe we should.
they’re pretty good. but i’m better.
All I have to say about this is that while 2D and automaton are having their lover’s quarrel over who’s the best Smash Bros. player (whether owner of a trophy or only in his heart), I am LOVING Sophy’s artwork on this one. :D
Thanks Stacie, I’m actually surprised as this comic was the most rushed one I’ve done so far. It would be so easy to just do the line art, then slap on some shades of grey–but that would be a disservice to readers like you!
I lacked skill, patience and timing it took to play fighting games, let alone Smash Bros. I was always the one mashing buttons only to realize I’d fallen off the map like 7 times and was finally dead for good.
I highly recommend you go try SF4 3DS version: you can assign your special moves to the touchscreen. Need to do a super-ultra-combo? Tap the screen and it’s done. Your fingers will smile.
Maan… when I was a kid, I was a complete beast with Kirby and Yoshi, especially Kirby. I used to play Smash Bros. for hours every day like my life depended on it. But then I stopped playing because I was getting into other games.
I remember after a while, I decided to sign-up in a Smash tournament at school. I actually made it to second place, but my playing was atrocious, sheer dumb luck breezed me through while people were easily kicking my butt and then lost due to some random and bizarre stuff in the game. The guy who won the tournament was the guy running the tournament, so he got to keep all of the money made to himself.
Still, it was a pretty awesome experience. And even though I was the only girl, those guys did not go easy on me one bit. They were VICIOUS. But I think losing to a player as bad as me took their pride down a notch, and I still had a lot of people cheering for me, so it was a good day :)
That’s a great story! There’s a warmth to everyone’s tournament stories. I wonder if there’s a place that collects stories like these?
Now there’s an idea …