A little while ago we shared news on Brawlout, a title by Angry Mob Games that isn't hesitant to affirm itself as an Indie take on the Smash Bros. style of brawling. Similar techniques are cited as key to gameplay, and you use assorted - in some cases familiar - indie characters to bash others off the screen.
Back in August it was confirmed to be due this year, and the developer has hit that target - it'll land on Switch on 19th December globally (includes Europe, North America and Japan, for example). Check out the launch trailer below.
It certainly looks enticing, and previous details around what it has to offer suggest quite a lot of modes, along with flexibility in local and online multiplayer. It costs £14.99 as an early access release in the UK on Steam, for example, and has 'Mostly Positive' reviews on the PC platform.
We're looking forward to testing this out - is it the Indie Smash Bros. alternative we've all been waiting for?
Comments 78
No thanks. I'll just wait for the real thing.
It looks fun, but is there any content at all for solo players like Smash has? If not, I'll pass
I'm pretty sure I can resist this.
If there wasn‘t literally a ton of other stuff I want to get through first, I‘d get it. Maybe with a discount or so but not right now, thank you.
Plus, my gut tells me we‘ll be getting a Deluxe port of SSB4 anyway so ...
Why the hate? The more fighters the better! Also, I really dig the guest characters. Add a few more and it could be a real indie Smash Bros...
Will be trying this once it's out, will probably make up for the lack of Super Smash Bros. for a while on Switch.
Definitely getting this one. Seriously lacking some SSB after letting the Wii U and 3DS collect dust.
This comment section is going to get interesting. I have popcorn if anyone wants one.
Nope.
I’m still holding out for the eneviatble WiiU-to-Switch Smash port. If Bayonetta can make the jump...
The Nintendo fanservice is a massive part of Smash's appeal for a lot of people. Smash games, in addition to being fun and unique fighting games, are like a celebration of Nintendo's legacy.
Lol!...let me know when SB actually comes out.
Buying this Day 1; Looks like a lot of fun, I like the character designs, and it'll be a great portable fighter to supplement ARMS while waiting a year or so for the next Smash to arrive.
Man, I love Switch!
Actually looks really cool. I could do without wavedashing; it looks just as ridiculous as it does in Melee, though they have at least simplified the required inputs, apparently. The real question, though, is does this offer enough to justify a purchase instead of just waiting for the next Smash?
Good news and yes switch more new fighters.
I love smash and trust reviews from Nintendolife, so depending on the review I may have to pick this up.
I did get to try this with my buddies, it's not bad, but I don't think it's really that good either, it just feels generic and the hits lack impact.
It's certainly no Smash that's for sure.
This looks pretty good, seems like they were able to capture quite a few nuances from SSB (even, ahem... wavedashing). I like the concept of air dashing at least-- felt like SSB could've used that, but I digress. I doubt I have the time for it, but I'd be willing to give it a go.
Nope!
If they could get some more indie characters in here this could be pretty dope. Shovel Knight, Meat Boy, Yooka Laylee, etc.
I will falcon punch my wallet on this one.
Bring brawlhalla to switch
Needs more indie characters ala Runbow, then I think it would be a great seat warmer before the main attraction.
Still enjoying the real thing now and again on the Wii U, and that's in spite of owning a Switch.
I gave up on Smash for Wii U. The trolling for 1vs1 was too much.
It would have been better to have only indie characters instead of the generic original ones.
Sash Lilac and Shantae would have been awesome.
Anything that uses the 90s Man Thing font gets my attention. But seriously what is the name of that font and who originally made it?!
Looks much more solid than I expected. However, I can barely drum up interest in Smash Bros. anymore though I loved it when I was a teen. So, this just won't do it for me. Looks great, though, and I like that it can be a home to some indie game characters.
I'm sure getting help, cooperation, and approval to use various indie characters for this would be difficult but I think it would have been worth it. A Nindie celebration of sorts with 20-30 characters would have made it more likely for me to purchase. As it stands I'll pass.
Still looks like a decent game for thise who love Smash
Needs more Shovel Knight and Yooka.
What got me into Smash back in 1999 was the familiar characters, and I love the games to this day.
Honestly though, seems like a fun alternative
I’m in! I think if smash comes it’s going to be a holiday 2017 at the earliest. This will be nice to pick up and play from time to time.
@Ralizah @Anti-Matter @Agramonte Thanks for being close-minded. If you genuinely just want to save money and/or your interest in smash-like games/fighters only extends to- well, smash- then I get it. But there are a lot of people who really like the fighting aspect of smash bros. I understand that the collectathon/completion part of smash in particular is important, especially for more casual players, but I admittedly am not as into that aspect anymore. I respect that element of smash, but I don't think this game deserves to be outright dismissed. Though, I don't know anything about the single player element of the game and am concerned about that as well. Whether it be a robust training mode, "arcade" mode, or the unlockables/progression system. TLDR: A smash-like game doesn't have to be Smash Bros. to be a good game.
Hmm, I don't like smash so I certainly won't like this
...but what happened to Pocket Rumble?!
I don't think I'm that desperate for Smash on Switch. In fact, I'm not desperate at all. It'll come when the time is ripe. Just like a fruit, best when not too early or late
Looks like Skylanders Smash. Actually I kind of wish it was because these characters are really bland and lack any unique appeal.
Looks ok. If it’s $20 or under, i’ll give it a whirl. Not a huge fan of these types of games
Top notch character designs!! Surprised there's not some enthusiasm for this game based on that alone.
I'll give this a go. (once I finish Zelda's DLC)
@TromboneGamer I didn't say it was or wasn't a good game. It's a clone of a very unique series that is missing a lot of the appeal and charm of the thing it's a clone of. If the combat is all that matters to you, then you should absolutely get it, but I'm not interested in a diet version of Smash.
Visually, both artistically and animation wise, this looks very good. The price is also very reasonable.
No thanks. Part of the fun of smash bros is also the iconic characters and their movesets. I don't really see much appeal to these. I do admit I like Skullgirls more but that's because it's not 3D model sprites
This looks ok but I'd rather have oh I don't know.....actually Hyper Light Drifter on Switch first actually. Otherwise I'll just pretend to not know who he is. Hmph!
Lol at all the people being brand loyal too smash.
Honestly, this looks like a great clone concept that is well executed. This should be high up on anyone's list that was ever a smash fan.
Or does gameplay suddenly not matter at all? Is it all about bashing up picachu with mario instead?
Smash is overrated. I loved brawl, really did, but come on. It needs reinventing badly as the Wii u one had no soul at all and all of its fun stuff taken out, from the spike moves to the speed smashes.
Dethrone that thing and buy this if the game is really what you cared about.
You know, I just might pick this up. Any confirmed GameCube controller support? Thanks in advance chat.
@Ralizah I didn't say that the fighting was all I cared about either. Calling the game and others like it "Diet Smash" does them a disservice as well. What makes this game in particular so interesting is that it has the chance to introduce people to some great indie games- even ones that I haven't played. Hopefully it IS a good game which would make ignoring it even more of a shame.
@McGruber
Probably a Marvel copyrighted font. The comic book companies have owned many cool fonts over the years.
Bring Hyper light drifter on Switch.
@TromboneGamer The game seems like diet Smash to me, though, a clone that only serves as a pale imitation of a unique and beloved property. If the game does something to distinguish itself and forge its own identity, I'll gladly retract this judgment, but, based on footage I've seen, this is exactly what it seems like to me.
I'm not criticizing the dev's decision to release on Switch or telling other people they shouldn't buy it. I just don't think it looks appealing.
Looks like it will be fun. At that price I'll give it a try
@Videogameguru50 I thought this was Brawlhalla when I first saw it. My kid played that on PC for a long time before we got it free on PS4 recently. I think this game looks almost too much like SSB, like they weren't even trying. Brawlhalla at least has a different look and weapons.
It looks really good.
I just wish it had more indie characters. That should have been TOP priority. I saw another Smash clone with all kinds of indie characters... and it didn't even look good at all. If that game can get 9 different studios to sign on, why can't Brawlout?
@Hikingguy the way you say that makes it sound ok for ports on other consoles, but on Nintendo it isn’t allowed.
I would love for my Wii U library to ported to switch, and add in any great games switch gets and its quite possibly the best gaming console ever.
This sounds promising, if there's enough positive reception, I'll be all over this.
Yawn. Half the fun of Brawl is making familiar characters fight each other. Who are these guys?
Actually looks like it could be really good. And with no Smash announcement for Switch . . .
@TromboneGamer
Um...
I was not closed minded.
I have no interest with Smash Bros games.
But, i HAVE interest with K-1 games.
I prefer Kickboxing games than Smash Bros.
You can see i put my avatar with Chibi Boxer / Kickboxer because i love those sports.
Here are some video about my favorite sports.
K-1 Pocket GP GBA Japan
K-1 World GP 2005 PS2 Japan
Animal Boxing NDS
@Hikingguy Thanks, I was curios about that. Surprisingly I'm not upset about it. Typically I am when I pay for things and can't play them but this actually makes sense for the story. And good luck w/ the last Divine Beast, if you're heading south I think that's by far my most hated part of the game.
I’m gonna tear up the battleground as that stars-and-bars eagle. Check it out!
Smash Bros or nothing!
It might not be SB but that doesn't mean it can't be fun until Nintendo releases the real deal.
The art style is very cool too. All in all is cheap and looks like a lot of fun. I don't get all the undeserved hate. Specially when almost nobody hasn't tried it yet.
Genuinely confused looking at the comments - was expecting huge joy - got loads of people saying they either don’t like smash at all to start with or don’t like fighting games... I have no idea who is on these sites.
If it reviews well I’ll get it. I just need to know how single player is and what the controls are like. I’ve always enjoyed fighting games but now the controls always get so convoluted and difficult. Smash kept it simple.
I got it on PC because it was on sale, and it's... Not the woooorst? The art style really puts me off though.
Rivals of Aether is like 10x better and has a more alive and consistent art style to it.
@Hikingguy a huge wall of text and you missed the point of what I said. My PS4 was a port machine for the first year. Xbox1 biggest feature is backwards compatibility with 360. But when Nintendo ports a last gen game to current, its called milking. I’m sure you feel that way with Nintendo going to start charging for online. They milking us. Even though ps and Xbox have been milking gamers for years.
Ports will always be a part of gaming. Pac-Man was ported to the nes. Not every gamer plays every game. Doom and skyrim are both great games I never played. But now that it’s portable, it doubles the opportunities that I have to play a game.
Uninspired boring characters and it doesn't even try to differentiate from the one and only Smash Bros, think I'll pass
No thanks. It looks like great fun, but my 3DS isn't packed away yet and it may never be, so access to Smash will always be nearby. If I want an alternative to Smash that actually has a unique identity and doesn't shamelessly copy the mechanics, I'll wait for Indie Pogo.
@Donutman So because everyone else is doing it, Nintendo should too? Do you also feel that way about lootboxes?
If Rivals (Another Smash like fighter) was coming, I'd pick that up, but not really at all interested in this Brawlout game, when Smash eventually comes out I want to have a way to differentiate the 2 games rather than just shove Brawlout to the back of my library.
@Tedikuma that's the way I look at it...doesn't bother me that it's not EXACTLY Smash. For that reason, I enjoyed the Ninja Turtles Smash up on Wii as well as CN Punchtime Explosion. Also, Playstation AllStars and Kung Fu Panda 3
Good move to release this while the Switch has no Smash Bros game.
I’m calling it now. NL will rate it a 7/10.
Eh.
...Looks boring...
I care only about the game play, not which character's face is on it, so I see nothing in the trailer that looks bad. It's too bad there isn't a demo though. I'm still hoping for Rivals of Aether to come to Switch. I'd be more excited about that than a new Smash.
Maybe this would be more enticing if there were more familiar/popular indie characters included. Like Shovel Knight, Shantae, Rusty, Max (Mutant Mudds). It would probably be very diffocult to get so many IP together under one roof, but it would definitely be a game worth buying then.
@Xurkey Switch already support gamecube controller via adapter from wii u. It works like other controllers, like pro, in all games. I mean button mapping is same.
You can't put Smash Bros. and Switch in the same sentence to promote a knockoff
MY POOR HEART, I MEAN!
For whoever reads this,
A majority of the people are terribly wrong here. The game is great and is similar to Smash Bros melee when it comes to physics and such. The characters lack of "iconic-ness" is great for the fact that you don't see Mario's face plastered everywhere along with Link.
On a serious note, play it if you enjoy smash. These people legitimately had no idea what they were talking about.
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