Super Smash Bros. For 3DS & Wii U Gets A Release Window & Loads Of New Stages!

Nintendo's recent Super Smash Bros. focused Nintendo Direct gave fans a boatload of new info with some of the biggest news being the seperate release schedule for the 3DS & Wii U versions. It has been revealed that the 3DS version will be launching during Summer 2014 with the Wii U version hitting homes during Winter 2014. While some see this as an odd move, the actual logic behind the decision makes sense when you consider that the games are not identical.

Both games will share the same roster of fighters and basic features but each game will have a variety of unique (and exclusive) features. Stages are the biggest change with most of the levels being different and reflective of each consoles heirtage. For example, the 3DS game will have a stage based on the DS game The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks while the Wii U will have a stage based on Mario Galaxy. A lot of recent gameplay footage also seems to show that the Wii U will have stages more in line with competitive play while the 3DS levels reflect more chaotic play with changing stage elements. In addition, both games will see returning stages from past Smash Bros. games but they will be split between the 2 versions. Here is a breakdown of the levels featured on the Nintendo Direct and what version they will appear on.

3DS Stages

• Battlefield (Super Smash Bros. Series)
• Reset Bomb Forest (Kid Icarus Uprising)
• 3D Land (Super Mario 3D Land)
• Spirit Train (The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks)
• Gerudo Valley (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D)
• Arena Ferox (Fire Emblem: Awakening)
• Tortimer Island (Animal Crossing: New Leaf)
• Living Room (Nintendogs)
• Prism Tower (Pokemon X & Y)
• Rainbow Road (Mario Kart)
• Find Mii (StreetPass Mii Plaza)
• Balloon Fight (Balloon Fight Series)
• Jungle Japes (Donkey Kong Country/Super Smash Bros. Melee)

Wii U Stages

• Mario Galaxy (Super Mario Galaxy)
• Pyrosphere (Metroid: Other M)
• Town and City (Animal Crossing: City Folk)
• Boxing Ring (Punch-Out!!)
• Pilot Wings (Pilotwings Resort)
• Skyloft (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword)
• Windy Hill (Sonic Lost World)
• Garden of Hope (Pikmin 3)
• Wii Fit Studio (Wii Fit Series)
• Palutena's Temple (Kid Icarus Series)
• Halberd (Kirby Series/Super Smash Bros. Brawl)
• Battlefield (Super Smash Bros. Series)

It's an impressive selection of levels that will effectively make both games very different experiences. The smart move of releasing the 3DS version first will act as a bit of bait to bring in the larger 3DS audience to the Wii U. Which version will you choose or will you go for both?