It may still be a while before anyone can pick up their very own copy of Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U but, for those looking to visit Best Buy in the next month, you’ll at least be able to get your hands on the game via specially hosted demos at select locations.
I remember the first time I saw the original Smash Bros. commercial for the Nintendo 64 version of the game. It featured Mario, Donkey Kong and Co. strolling through some flowers all lovey-dovey before turning on each other in a frenzy of kicks and punches.
Up until that point, Nintendo’s iconic characters had basically been the equivalent of Disney legends: Pure, kind-hearted heroes who fight against evil. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would see the day when these guiding lights of morality would dive into an all-out brawl with one another. It felt so wrong and so right all at the same time.
Now, several iterations into the series and we no longer bat an eye at throwdowns between Kirby and Link. The game’s unique breed of melee combat has been finely honed over the years, too, turning what many initially assumed would be one-off side project into one of the most beloved fighting series of all time.
This year, that legacy will continue with a brand new version of Smash Bros. for the Wii U. Sure, there’s a 3DS version coming out, too (and most likely quite a bit earlier than the home console version), but today’s news specifically relates to the upcoming fisticuffs set to take place on Nintendo’s living room machine.
The publisher has partnered with Best Buy this summer to give players a chance to take the latest Smash Bros. for a test drive long before it’s available in stores.
“On June 11, from 4 to 9 p.m., and June 14, from 12 to 5 p.m., more than 100 Best Buy stores around the US will host ‘Super Smash Bros.’ Smash-Fest @ Best But,” reads a statement from Nintendo. “An event that features the same demo version of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U that people will get to play at the e# 2014 video game trade show in Los Angeles.”
Nintendo hosted a similar event out of Best Buy last year, letting visitors to the store play games that were otherwise only available on the showroom floor at E3. For Smash Bros., battles will be open to four players with characters coming from your favorites Nintendo licenses, as well as characters like Mega Man and Sonic the Hedgehog.
As an added bonus, the first 70 folks to visit the event and pre-order either the Wii U or 3DS version of the game will also receive a commemorative gold coin.
To find out with Best Buy locations nearest you will be hosting events, simply visit the Smash-Fest official website. Then, all you have to do is show up during one of the scheduled events and get to playing.
