Smash Both Versions

Data mining and hacking can reveal many interesting things about games; viewing unused assets, textures, models, or whatever else may be found can give insight into the process and development of any game. For example, models were recently revealed in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U of the viruses from Dr. Mario; more information suggests that there was, at one point, a Dr. Mario themed stage in process. Now, hackers have found more to intrigue fans of the fighting game.

It was mooted in one of Masahiro Sakurai's many articles prior to release that there were plans for sixteen custom moves for each character, as opposed to the twelve that made it into the final release. Those digging around in code have found some of these in the game; most were never given hitboxes or attack animations, so what they would've been will most likely forever remain a mystery. From the movement animations, however, it seems like these moves would've been a bit more than just variants of the base attack; an example is that Mario's fireball move may have been an iceball. Whatever the reasons that they missed the cut - such as limited development resources or design decisions based on balancing move-sets - videos of the incomplete moves can be seen below.

It is a bit of a shame these never made the final cut, but Sakurai-san likely had good reasons for leaving them out. What do you think of this footage? Would you have liked more moves to customize a fighter?

Thanks to Jake B. for the tip!

[source smashboards.com]