Four of the greatest icons in video game history are coming together for the first time in one incredible game. At the E3 video game trade show in Los Angeles, Nintendo revealed that PAC-MAN would be joining the cast of the upcoming Super Smash Bros. games for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems. The addition of the NAMCO BANDAI icon brings together video game legends Mario, Mega Man, Sonic the Hedgehog and PAC-MAN in one game for the first time. The foursome joins dozens of other characters in the game, which will launch for Nintendo 3DS on Oct. 3, and on Wii U during the 2014 holiday season.
In the Super Smash Bros. games, PAC-MAN will generally maintain his humanoid shape, but when using specific attack moves, PAC-MAN transforms into the iconic yellow round shape he had in his arcade debut in 1980. He also has trademark actions, such as throwing fruit or eating power pellets.
Super Smash Bros. developer Masahiro Sakurai also provided additional details on game features that were first introduced in the Nintendo Digital Event. Players can customize each character with 12 unique attacks and three kinds of equipment that have various offensive, defensive and speed-enhancing skills. Mii characters can be customized with martial arts, shooting or swordplay skills. Players can essentially create and customize any Mii character they want and set them fighting against classic video game characters or even one another.
Mr. Sakurai also discussed how players can engage in battle against their amiibo figures, team up with them in battles and customize their fighting characteristics. The figures learn from each encounter, adopting more sophisticated tactics with each level they gain – making them the next best thing to human opponents.
Other highlights from Nintendo at E3 include:
- Super Smash Bros. Invitational tournament: Sixteen of the best Super Smash Bros. players from around the world battled one another in the first-ever public competition using Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Gonzalo Barrios, 19, of Chillán, Chile, took home top honors by defeating all opponents using Zero Suit Samus.
- Nintendo Treehouse: Live @ E3: Members of Nintendo’s Treehouse team showcased a variety of upcoming Nintendo games during their all-day live broadcast. Developer Shigeru Miyamoto dropped by to talk about some of the games he has in development that use the Wii U GamePad controller in different and interesting ways. Viewers also got an exclusive look at the upcoming Wii U exclusive Hyrule Warriors game, including a stage based on The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. The show also offered in-depth looks at Splatoon, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Mario Maker and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.