User blog:Matt Hadick/New Smash Bros. Characters and Lots More from Nintendo Direct

Nintendo premiered another one of its ever-informative Nintendo Direct videos this afternoon, this one dedicated entirely to filling fans in on the upcoming Super Smash Bros. titles for 3DS and Wii U. It was presented by the game's director, the esteemed Masahiro Sakurai.

Release Date
Nintendo announced that, contrary to expectations, the games will be releasing at separately times. The game will land first for 3DS in Summer 2014, with the Wii U version slated for a Winter 2014 release. Both versions will feature the same characters, but each will have its own set of dedicated levels. Sakurai also confirmed that there will be interesting ways to connect the two versions, but didn't go into any detail.

Online Mode
The online mode will be very similar on both 3DS and Wii U. Nintendo has divided its online mode in two modes -- For Fun and For Glory. For Fun is a casual mode that allows players to engage in smash skirmishes of a less serious nature. All items will be turned on, only player wins will be recorded.

For Glory mode, as you might imagine, is more competitive in nature. Players will only be able to play on Final Destination (or the Final Destination mode of others -- more on that down the page). Items will be turned off, one on one battles will be possible, and all wins and losses will be recorded. This is definitely the mode hardcore brawlers are going to want to participate in.

Level Bosses
Some stages include Level Bosses. The example shown was the Yellow Devil in the Megaman 2 stage. The boss attacks characters but also counts as a smash. Players work together to take the boss down, but ultimately vie for the final smash. The boss encounter, Sakurai pointed out, is also the perfect opportunity to attack your now-preoccupied opponents.

Confirmed Characters
Nintendo also confirmed and profiled a number of new and veteran fighters.

NEWCOMERS Little Mac Mega Man Rosalina & Luma Villager Wii Fit Trainer

VETERANS Bowser Diddy Kong Donkey Kong Fox King Dedede Kirby Link Lucario Luigi Mario Marth Peach Pikachu Pikmin & Olimar Yoshi Pit Samus Sonic Toon Link Zelda

Items
Items:
 * Beam Sword
 * Bumbper
 * Smart Bomb
 * Motion-sensor Bomb
 * POW Block
 * Beetle
 * Fire Bar
 * Back Shield
 * Bombchu
 * Fairy Bottle
 * Ore Club
 * X Bomb
 * Hocotate Bomb
 * Rocket Belt
 * Steel Diver

Assist Trophies

 * Andross
 * Devil
 * Knuckle Joe from Kirby
 * SakiAmamiya
 * Lyn
 * Nintendog
 * Waluigi
 * Dr. Wright
 * Skull Kid
 * Mother Brain
 * Midna
 * Ashley
 * Dark Samus
 * Chain Chomp
 * Isabelle
 * Elec Man
 * Color TV-Game15 (Pong)

Pokemon
In addition to announcing the addition of the Pokemon Charizard and Greninja as playable characters, Nintendo also introduced the new game's Master Balls, uncommon items that only elicit rare and powerful Pokemon. Sakura showed off Arceus, a rare Pokemon with a powerful meteor smash power.

They also confirmed the inclusion of the following Pokemon:


 * Meowth
 * Electrode
 * Eevee
 * Staryu
 * Metagross
 * Fennekin
 * Meloetta
 * Gogoat
 * Entei
 * Deoxys
 * Palkia
 * Kuyrem
 * Victini
 * Keldeo
 * Xerneas