Smash Run is a new game mode for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U that was revealed during the Smash Bros Nintendo Direct on 04/8/2014. It is exclusive for the 3DS version.
Basic Rules
Up to four players, they can compete in two separate instances: one where they collect power-ups and another one where they fight each other.
The first part of the mode happens in a large maze, similar to the Great Maze from the Subspace Emissary mode seen in Brawl. Players are tasked with defeating enemies and collecting power-ups, which boost the characters' stats. There are 6 types of boosts: Speed, Jump, Attack, Special, Arms and Defense. The effect of those power-ups can be stacked. The larger the power-up is when dropped by the enemy, the higher is the resulting boost. Being hit by enemies will also make the characters drop those power-ups; some enemies, such as Tac, will be able to steal the player's charged power, which can be retrieved by defeating the fleeing enemy. This match lasts for 5 minutes, and the goal is to collect as many power-ups as possible. When the time limit is up, players carry the boosts you collected into the second phase.
The second part of the mode happens in a traditional free-for-all battle, where players will fight each other with their enhanced abilities. The battle type is randomly chosen and the players battle using the power-ups they collected.
Versus Formats
In addition to standard Smash matches, players can choose different fighting modes in the second phase, such as:
- Reflect Smash, players automatically reflect all projectiles
- High-Launch Smash, where every blow will send players flying very fast and far
- Climb!, where players have to climb a vertical distance within the given time
- and many other smash varieties yet to be unfold
Events
From time to time, events will occur in the first phase. All players will be subject to similar conditions and they will use their techniques to power up and proceed.
Equippable Items
Players can carry equippable items and use them to improve your performance in Smash Run.
Enemies
In a combination of Adventure Mode from Super Smash Bros. Melee and Subspace Emissary from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, players will fight both enemies from the various franchises (including 3rd Party Characters'), as well returning original enemies from Subspace Emissary.
An ever-changing cast of enemy characters will be randomly placed. More powerful enemies drop lots of boost items. They are also more likely to drop custom parts and other rare items.
- Banzai Bill (Super Mario)
- Bulborb (Pikmin)
- Bullet Bill (Super Mario)
- Chandelure (Pokemon)
- Darknut (Legend of Zelda)
- Fire Chomp (Super Mario)
- Giant Goomba (Super Mario)
- Goomba (Super Mario)
- Gordo (Kirby)
- Hammer Bro. (Super Mario)
- Kihunter (Metroid)
- Kritter (Donkey Kong)
- Lakitu (Super Mario)
- Magikoopa (Super Mario)
- Met (Mega Man)
- Mimicutie (Kid Icarus)
- Mite (Super Smash Brothers Brawl: Subspace Emissary)
- Monoeye (Kid Icarus)
- Octorok (Legend of Zelda)
- Plasma Wisp (Kirby)
- Polar Bear (Ice Climber)
- Poppant (Super Smash Brothers Brawl: Subspace Emissary)
- Reaper (Kid Icarus)
- Roturret (Super Smash Brothers Brawl: Subspace Emissary)
- Shotzo (Kirby)
- Shy Guy (Super Mario)
- Skuttler (Kid Icarus)
- Stalfos (Legend of Zelda)
- Tac (Kirby)
- Tiki Buzz (Donkey Kong)
- Waddle Dee (Kirby)
Triva
- In the Nintendo Direct it was announced, Sakurai stated that this mode was inspired by one of his own games, Kirby Air Ride (which was the last Kirby game he worked on as a director), which featured a similar mode called City Trial. "I created that game a while ago, and thought I'd unearth a piece of it and use it in Smash Bros."