Chose your favorite Nintendo character and fight other characters on different stages either in-console or online in a variety of different modes. Characters each have special moves and fighting abilities, making it fun to play a new one each time. There's very little background information or storyline to this game, but that certainly does not detract from its appeal. The fighting style is "cartoon violence" (think old Looney Tunes) without blood or gore, and brawls are won when one player knocks his or her opponent off the screen. Nintendo fans will appreciate the wide variety of characters to choose from, including Sonic and a few others that weren't used in the previous two installments of SSB. The ability to adjust the time length of each brawl lends itself to including many people at once; SSB is a great party game. Even beginning gamers will enjoy playing, as there are no complicated button maneuvers to master, though some skill is necessary as players rise through the levels. The Wii controller is only used at the beginning to select the game from the Wii menu; players must use regular controllers to actually play the game, which may require additional purchase. Recommended for ages 9 and up. ( )