Follow Up: When Can I See Master Chief Throw A Plasma Grenade at Marcus Fenix?

Super Smash Bros. is one of my favorite game franchises EVER and since I've never owned a Wii, I've only actually put real time into playing the first two games. Nintendo hit a huge home run when they decided to pit their best characters against each other.

Sony has followed in Nintendo's footsteps with the release of PlayStation All-Atars Battle Royale. The game definitely is not a carbon-copy of Super Smash Bros., but clearly was inspired by it. Why has Microsoft failed to produce a similar franchise?

When this question is brought up (which is rare), people tend to point out that Microsoft does not have as many exclusive characters as its Japanese competitors. These people fail to recognize the fact that that does not really matter. Super Smash Bros. Brawl features Solid Snake from the Metal Gear Solid franchise. These games have been on Nintendo consoles, but are actually better known for being featured on the various PlayStations. Also, while no characters from Assassin's Creed are actually in PlayStation All-Stars, some have hoped that Connor from ACIII would make it into the game at some point.

Microsoft, I beg of you, make this happen. Your version can have a significantly different feel than the other two franchises. It will sell, I guarantee it (as long as you DO NOT make it a Kinect game).

I'm Excited, But Should I Be?: Wii U

Nintendo's new console, the Wii U, launches within the next month. Due to my finances, I likely either won't ever own one or at least won't pick one up for a couple of years. The system has its critics (including myself), but I'm still hyped up about its release.

Maybe I'm just being nostalgic, but some of my all-time favorite gaming experiences have occurred while playing a Nintendo system. The first Pikmen game, Pokemon Red, Super Smash Bros., most Super Mario games; they're all Nintendo and they're all great.

The Wii U will bring new IP's with tons of potential (like The Wonderful 101) along with epic sequels of fan favorites (i.e. Pikmen 3). With time, there'll be new Zelda, Metroid, and Super Smash Bros. games. 

While it may not be as powerful as future Sony or Microsoft consoles (we don't know yet), it is certainly a step above the current generation of consoles. As long as the Wii U gamepad doesn't become a gimmick (like the Kinect), it has a chance of becoming something great. Currently, the Wii U can only support one gamepad per console (but you can still use Wii controllers, the Wii U pro controller, and others), but eventually that number will grow. 

WiiTV will finally bring a great media center to a Nintendo system. Nintendo is also finally fully embracing online gaming. Despite my excitement, I do still REALLY wish that the Wii U was called basically anything else, but I won't allow such a minute criticism bring me down.

When Can I See Master Chief Throw A Plasma Grenade at Marcus Fenix?

Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. series has been hugely successful. There have been three games in the series thus far and it looks like there will be more in the future. Recently, rumors were confirmed that Sony is finally making their own Supper Smash Bros. style game for the PS3. Naturally, people are creating their own wish lists for characters to feature in the game and everyone is taking guesses as to who will make this final cut. Still, I haven't heard anyone ask this question: what about Microsoft?

I love gaming, but it's expensive. This means that I can only afford to have one console and I decided on an Xbox 360. Why not create a game where Master Chief (Halo), Marcus Fenix (Gears of War), and Commander Shepard (Mass Effect) get to beat up on each other? The knock on the PS3 is that it does not have a lot of great PS3-exclusive games, but the 360 does, meaning it has great 360-exclusive characters as well.

I would totally buy this game if it ever came to exist; I'd even pre-order it. The original Super Smash Bros. was one of the first games that I played when I first had my Nintendo 64 (N64) as a kid. I would go crazy for a modern day, 360 equivalent. Hey, Bill Gates. Make this happen.