Smash Bros. has been out for nearly a week, and I still don’t have a copy. I have yet to punch the Duck Hunt dog, try out Shulk’s Final Smash, or hurl a Cucco at someone’s head.
And I’m completely okay with that.
I’m not what you would call a social gamer. I play MMOs all by myself, and I generally avoid other players as much as I can. I’m an extreme introvert, and gaming alongside other people is generally more than I can handle.
But for whatever some reason, I can’t get into Smash Bros. without a few people by my side. It’s not that Smash‘s single-player mode is lacking; it gives you plenty to do on your own. I should be able to have a blast unlocking content, taking on baddies, and experimenting with characters without getting anyone else involved.
It’s just that when it comes to Smash, going solo feels wrong.
I’m not sure why Smash brings out my extroverted side. I play fighting games alone all the time, and my solitude has never been an issue. It doesn’t matter if other players are integral to the experience; I can always find a way to enjoy a game by myself.
But I got into Smash Bros. during the most social period of my entire life. All my warm fuzzy memories of the game involve other people. When I unlocked Ness and took on Master Hand, there were others there to share in the excitement. For me, Smash Bros. will always be a communal experience, and it doesn’t feel right to play it any other way.
By all accounts, Smash Bros. 3DS is fantastic. It looks like Nintendo’s done a great job transitioning the game to handhelds, and I can completely understand why so many players decided to play the game now.
But I just can’t enjoy Smash Bros. unless I have someone to play it with. The 3DS version does look tempting, but I’m more than willing to wait.
