Bibliographic Information


Game: Super Smash Bros for Wii U

Developer: Nintendo

Developer Website: http://www.nintendo.com

Game Website: http://www.smashbros.com/us/

Platform: Nintendo 64, GameCube, iQue Player, Virtual Console, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U

Date: November 21, 2014

 

Content Summary

The game is multiplayer fighting game that allows players to be any character from the Nintendo universe. Players can be popular characters such as Pikachu, Zelda, Donkey Kong, Mario, and the list goes on. Players can play against each other in the game or against the game itself. There are tournaments that players can compete in to unlock other battle arenas and win trophies. The game provides players with a “For Fun” or “For Glory” option before battling. If they choose “For Fun” they will be able to play in randomly chosen arenas without it affecting their rank or battles won. The gaming devise can be connected online for players to play against people from all over the world or can be left offline. Teens can play as part of a four-team multiplayer option or can play on his or her own as a single player against the game. The more matches that players win the more characters that are unlocked and new arenas open up.

 

Critical Evaluation


The game is interactive and inclusive to all teens that may want to play a game with their friends or with other teens at the library. It is a popular game for players, because they can also play as any of their favorite Nintendo characters. The game is available on almost any Nintendo platform, but I personally like the Wii U version. The remote is motion sensitive so it gets teens up and moving as they swing their arms during arena matches. It would be a great game to have in the library as a competition with prizes for winning players and/or winning teams. I think as an educational tool it requires teamwork and strategy skills from players. Teens learn to think critically about their next moves in the games and rely on their teammates to win matches. The graphics in the game are very clear and visually appealing. The different arenas are neat because they usually incorporate other Nintendo universes. I liked that I could battle as the character Link in the Donkey Kong arena. Gameblog describes the game as a “Meticulous and generous game, technically stunning and with an indestructible replay value” and “If entertainment is a science, Smash Bros. for Wii U deserves the Nobel” (http://www.metacritic.com).

 

Reader’s Annotation


Come play as your favorite Nintendo characters and battle opponents to win trophies and move up the ranks!

 

Developer Information

The following information was taken from http://www.nintendo.com/corp/history.jsp.

 

“Nintendo Entertainment System: Introduced in 1985, the NES was an instant hit. Over the course of the next two years, it almost single-handedly revitalized the video game industry. Selling over 60 million units, people brought games like Mario and Zelda into their homes for the first time on the NES.

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The screen was four-colors-of-gray but the device defined portable gaming and was enormous fun. Game Boy, which came out in 1989, was closely associated with the classic game Tetris when it debuted. Game Boy is the most successful video game system ever released. Since its introduction in 1989, Game Boy has sold well over 150 million systems worldwide. Originally bundled with the game, Tetris, this little handheld became an instant phenomenon."

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Genre

Game, Action & Adventure

 

Curriculum Ties


• N/A

 

Booktalking Ideas


• N/A

 

Reading Level/ Interest Age


Grades 6-12

 

Challenge Issues


• Video games don’t belong in the library, Violence  

 

Challenge Issue Resources (for usage in a challenge situation)

• Active Listening

• Explanation of why it was chosen for the collection (Rational)

• Awards

• Reader Advisory Reviews (Students, Parents, Educators)

• Positive and Negative Reviews

• National Council of Teachers “Right to Read”

• ALA Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials

• ALA Bill of Rights on Intellectual Freedom

• Library Selection Policy & Library District Reconsideration Form

 

Why I choose it

I choose this game because I wanted a multiplayer game that would be inclusive to more than one player. My brother suggested it to me, because he thought it would be fun if they had it at his own school library.