Super Smash Bros. Wii U, Amiibo confirmed for November 21 release

By Adam Rosenberg October 7, 2014

Mega Man and Mario fight in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U, — Nintendo

It’s been a long wait for the fans, but Nintendo finally confirmed it: Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is coming to North America on November 21, 2014. The 3DS version of the game launched on October 3, and many assumed the Wii U confirmation would come after the handheld game’s release. They were right.

Nintendo used the occasion of the release date announcement to trumpet the fact that Super Smash Bros for 3DS exceeded a global sales total of 2.8 million units in the Americas, Europe, and Australia. It’s the game’s first appearance on any handheld platform, and it’s been a big success both commercially and critically.

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November 21 is also the day that Nintendo’s Amiibo figures launch. These toys interact with the Wii U GamePad’s near-field communication technology to enhance an assortment of games in various ways. The first wave includes 12 characters: Mario, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Link, Fox, Samus, Wii Fit Trainer, Villager, Pikachu, Kirby, and Marth. The second wave, coming in December 2014, adds another six characters: Zelda, Diddy Kong, Luigi, Little Mac, Pit, and Captain Falcon.

Related: Super Smash Bros. for 3DS brings the fun fighting series to a handheld device

But wait! There’s more! Also coming on November 21 is the Wii U controller adapter that allows players to plug in and use GameCube controllers with the console. It’s tied to the release of Smash Bros., as many fans of the series prefer the earlier console’s controllers. In addition to the adapter, Nintendo will also release a Smash-branded GameCube controller.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will retail for $60, with a $100 bundle that also adds in the new, branded GameCube controller and controller adapter. Separately, the adapter is priced at $20 and the controller at $30. Amiibo figures are priced at $13 apiece. Eagle-eyed shoppers that intend to grab the game and one or more figures may want to check individual retail listings for bundles, as there’s no official game-plus-Amiibo bundle currently announced for North America.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Previously, Adam worked in the games press as a freelance writer and critic for a range of outlets, including Digital Trends…

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Nintendo introduces a new Super Smash Bros. Switch OLED for Black Friday

Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Switch OLED.

Nintendo unveiled all of the Black Friday deals and bundles it plans to offer in the coming weeks. These offerings are headlined by a brand new Nintendo Switch bundle with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate that has never been available before.
The Nintendo Switch -- OLED Model: Super Smash Bros. Ulitmate Bundle costs $350 and comes with a code for the fantastic 2018 crossover fighting game as well as three months of a Nintendo Switch Online Membership. The bundle's Joy-Cons feature a design based on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Unfortunately, this deal includes neither Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Fighter Passes nor the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. Nintendo says this bundle will be released on November 19, although they've already been spotted in some stores.
The other big new offering from Nintendo this holiday season is the Super Mario Party + Red & Blue Joy-Con Bundle. It costs $100 and includes a download code for Super Mario Party in addition to Red and Blue Joy-Con controllers. Keep in mind that this bundle includes 2018's Super Mario Party, not 2021's Mario Party Superstars, which remastered a lot of content from the series' older games.
https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1721527869355049300
Nintendo also plans to offer bundles that have been available before, like the Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle and Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch Lite.
Various game discounts for Switch games will also go into effect on November 19. In terms of Nintendo-published games, people can expect Everybody 1-2-Switch! and Nintendo Switch Sports to be discounted by $10, titles like Luigi's Mansion 3, Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3 to have $20 discounts, and for Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze, Mario Strikers: Battle League, and Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes to all be available $30 cheaper than usual. Sadly, it does not look like Nintendo itself will offer any major deals surrounding this year's The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
All of these bundles and deals will become available on November 19.

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Our 10 favorite Wonder Effects in Super Mario Bros. Wonder

Wonder Flower in Super Mario Bros. Wonder.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder's defining gimmick is its series of Wonder Effects. A Wonder Flower is hidden somewhere on almost every level and, once found, radically switches up what is going on within that stage. Some expand on ideas the stage was already exploring, while others are wildly unpredictable, giving players something they were not expecting at all.

There are over 69 stages with Wonder Effects that players can see while playing through the story of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, but 10 of those Wonder Effects effects stood out the most during my playthrough. By order of appearance, these are my 10 favorite Wonder Effects in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which showcase just how inventive and unpredictable the platformer is.
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It’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s subtle changes that make it special

The flagpole is knocked away in Super Mario Bros. Wonder

While I’m only partway through Super Mario Bros. Wonder, I’m already utterly in love with the game.

As our glowing review outlined, it’s a highly polished 2D platformer that’s approachable for anyone to play and elicits a joyous and vibrant sense of wonder. But for me, what makes Super Mario Bros. Wonder special aren't so much the wild Wonder effects or elephant transformations. It's the subtle touches. These elements might not be immediately noticeable or relevant to most, but they all work together to create an experience that’s a step above most other platformers.
Changes enhance enjoyment
Super Mario Bros. Wonder isn’t afraid to show that it’s different from previous Mario games through small moments and changes. One instance that illustrates this early on is in one of the first Bowser Jr. fights. It starts like all his New Super Mario Bros. boss fights do, with him getting in his shell and spinning toward Mario. At first, I was disappointed that Nintendo was just doing the same thing again, but after the first hit, that changed. Bowser Jr. activates a Wonder effect and changes in size for the following two stages of his fight. It's a moment of surprise that subverts my expectations, which are based on decades of Mario games. This is a small moment and reference that many Super Mario Bros. Wonder players probably won’t even internalize. Still, it is a smart way to show how the platformer differs from what came before.