Super Smash Bros Really Needs to Bring Back the Series’ Best Feature

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The Super Smash Bros. series has always been a fantastic tribute to the world of gaming, and that feeling really took off with *Super Smash Bros. Brawl*. Brawl wasn’t just great because it added characters from other franchises like Solid Snake from *Metal Gear* and Sonic the Hedgehog; it also introduced a standout feature that no other Smash game has been able to top. Even *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate* doesn’t quite measure up to the original Wii version, and many fans still consider *Brawl* to be the best game in the entire series.

I’ll never forget how special Smash used to be. It wasn’t just about crazy multiplayer battles, but a really engaging story mode called the Subspace Emissary in *Brawl*. As a huge Nintendo fan, it was amazing to see all my favorite characters teaming up and interacting in ways I hadn’t even dreamed of. Honestly, nothing since has quite captured that same magic, and I’ve been a little let down by the single-player experiences in later Smash games.

Brawl’s Subspace Emissary Gave Smash a Soul

When *Super Smash Bros. Brawl* came out on the Wii in 2008, I didn’t expect to enjoy the Subspace Emissary so much. The series hadn’t really had a proper story mode before – I was used to simpler modes like Classic and Adventure, which I didn’t play often. But *Brawl*’s expansive campaign, with its platforming, boss battles, cinematic scenes, and surprisingly touching story, immediately made it stand out as something special.

Honestly, the coolest thing about Subspace Emissary wasn’t even the fighting. It was seeing all these characters I grew up with actually *interact*. Like, Mario and Kirby teaming up? Link and Mario having a sword fight? Samus and Pikachu fighting as a team? That stuff felt like something I’d always imagined as a kid. It was seriously magical, and that kind of crossover is so hard to pull off. For the first time, Smash didn’t just feel like a bunch of famous faces thrown together. It felt like a real, living world where all these universes were colliding.

The game’s story mode really changed things. Instead of just fighting friends for fun, there was now a real purpose: saving the entire Nintendo world! The interconnected map and intriguing villain made it feel like a true adventure. Combined with the amazing characters and beautiful music, it became the best part of the series and remains a favorite of mine.

Smash’s Single-Player Content Hasn’t Felt Epic Since the Wii

With *Super Smash Bros. Brawl*, I started to really enjoy the game’s single-player mode. So, I was excited for *Super Smash Bros. for 3DS* and *Wii U*, hoping for an improved version of the story mode, Subspace Emissary. But when I started playing, I was disappointed to find that the heart of the game seemed to be missing. The Subspace Emissary wasn’t there; instead, there was *Smash Run*, *Smash Tour*, and other modes we’d seen before. It lacked a strong story, and was just a collection of battles with some new elements added.

When *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate* first showed off its World of Light mode, I was hopeful it would recapture the magic of past story modes. While it was large in scope, it lacked the emotional impact and cinematic quality of *Subspace Emissary*. Instead of engaging cutscenes and character development, the story unfolded through static images and collectible stickers, making it feel more like a requirement than a genuine creative effort for the fans.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl felt special, and later games haven’t quite captured that same magic. Unlocking characters was an enjoyable adventure, and the game let fans see fun interactions between characters from totally different worlds. The story mode, Subspace Emissary, was full of surprises and emotional moments, even without characters speaking. That sense of wonder and connection is what’s been missing from the series since.

Ultimate’s Roster Could Have Had the Best Campaign Mode

As a huge Smash Bros. fan, what really hurts about not getting another story mode like Subspace Emissary in *Super Smash Bros. Ultimate* is that the game already has *everyone* in it! Seriously, the character roster is the best in video game history – all my favorites are there. It’s just… imagine how amazing a new story mode could have been with all those characters interacting. The potential for awesome storytelling and legendary moments was right there, and it’s a shame we didn’t get it. The “Everyone is here” slogan feels a little less complete without it, you know?

Imagine Cloud and Link fighting, then teaming up against Sephiroth and Ganondorf. Picture Mario and Sonic finally settling their legendary rivalry. Or Ryu, Terry, and Kazuya engaging in an all-out brawl – these are just a few of the amazing battles Nintendo *could* have included. The game’s reveal trailers hinted at these kinds of epic encounters, and they only suggest the vast potential that was never fully explored.

As a huge Smash fan, I always felt like a proper story mode could have really set *Ultimate* – and the whole series – apart, giving it something more than just its awesome competitive scene. The Subspace Emissary was great, but a similar mode on the Switch could have been incredible! It makes me wonder about the future – will we even *get* another Smash game, and if we do, will it have the same massive roster? Honestly, I’d be okay with a slightly smaller cast, but I really hope we get another adventure mode someday.

While many love the Smash series for its multiplayer battles, single-player modes are also a big draw for fighting game fans. The Subspace Emissary delivered an amazing experience that combined both, and it remains a standout in the series’ history. It uniquely brought different game worlds together in a way no other Smash game has, and it’s hard to imagine any future installment topping it.

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2025-10-19 19:11