Did Mr. Game & Watch Get Nerfed? A Deep Dive into the Flat Icon’s Evolution
Yes, in the transition from Super Smash Bros. Brawl to Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS (commonly referred to as Smash 4), Mr. Game & Watch did experience a significant nerf. While he retained some of his unique strengths, several key changes diminished his overall effectiveness compared to his Brawl iteration. This article will explore those changes, analyze his strengths and weaknesses, and answer some frequently asked questions surrounding the enigmatic, flat-bodied fighter.
The Nerfs in Detail: A Step Back for the Flat Icon
Several factors contributed to the perceived weakening of Mr. Game & Watch in Smash 4. Firstly, the physics engine was significantly altered from Brawl, which directly impacted his survivability. In Brawl, Mr. Game & Watch benefited from the physics changes that made him less vulnerable to combos. The reduced hitstun allowed him to escape combo strings more easily, making him a surprisingly resilient character despite his light weight. However, in Smash 4, hitstun was increased, leaving him more susceptible to being combo’d. This, coupled with his low weight (tied with Squirtle as the third-lightest character), made him a prime target for early KOs.
Secondly, his edge-guarding abilities were hampered. While his back aerial remains a potent tool, its utility was diminished due to changes in hitlag, making it less effective for edge guarding compared to Brawl. In Brawl, the increased hitlag on his back aerial was a significant boost, allowing him to more reliably punish opponents attempting to recover. This is a very notable distinction, as edge-guarding is a crucial aspect of Mr. Game & Watch’s game plan.
Additionally, while his smash attacks and other moves still boast strong KO potential, it can be said that his overall kit didn’t see the same increase in viability as many of the other fighters in the transition between Brawl and Smash 4. Characters that had weaknesses in Brawl were buffed, while Mr. Game & Watch stayed in a similar place, which effectively makes him weaker in comparison.
Strengths that Remain: The Flat Advantage
Despite the nerfs, Mr. Game & Watch still possesses some key strengths that make him a viable character in both Smash 4 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. His unique moveset, drawn from various Game & Watch titles, allows for a diverse and unpredictable playstyle. He remains an excellent character for a defensive approach, using his strong aerials and disjointed hitboxes to keep opponents at bay. His Bucket move allows him to absorb projectiles and then unleash them at higher power, making him a dangerous character against certain match ups.
Weaknesses: Light as a Feather
However, his weaknesses can be just as prevalent. As already mentioned, his light weight makes him easy to KO, and the increased hitstun in Smash 4 exacerbated this vulnerability, leaving him susceptible to combos and early KOs. Moreover, while his moves can pack a punch, his approach options are rather weak, making it difficult to initiate attacks against defensive opponents. His recovery is also relatively poor, making him easy to edge guard if he is forced off the stage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mr. Game & Watch
Here are some commonly asked questions about Mr. Game & Watch, offering a comprehensive look at his characteristics and his role in the Super Smash Bros. series:
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How strong is Mr. Game & Watch overall?
Mr. Game & Watch possesses a strong arsenal of smash attacks and moves with good KO potential. His moves are mostly disjointed, giving him a good neutral game. -
Was Mr. Game & Watch good in Super Smash Bros. Brawl?
Yes, Mr. Game & Watch benefited from the Brawl‘s physics changes, which made him less vulnerable to combos, and his back aerial became more useful due to hitlag. This, along with his defensive playstyle, made him strong in Brawl. -
Can Mr. Game & Watch get a ’10’ with his Judge move?
No, the Judge move displays a random number from 1 to 9. There is no ’10’ in his Judge moveset. In Melee and Brawl, he cannot get a number that was used in either of the two previous uses of the move, meaning each valid number had a 1 in 7 chance of appearing. In Ultimate it is a 1 in 9 chance, with every number being a possibility. -
What is the gender of Mr. Game & Watch?
Mr. Game & Watch is canonically male in the Super Smash Bros. series, and this is further reinforced in media such as OTA, where he is depicted as male. -
Should Nintendo nerf Mr. Game & Watch?
That is a subjective question, but in certain games, he is considered to be strong and some players feel he should be nerfed. However, he has several weaknesses that even out his strengths. -
Who is the oldest Smash character?
Technically, Mr. Game & Watch is the oldest playable character, having debuted in April 1980, a month before Pac-Man. -
What is Mr. Game & Watch’s biggest weakness?
His extremely poor endurance is his biggest weakness. He is the third-lightest character in the game, making him very easy to KO and combo. -
Is Mr. Game & Watch married in Super Smash Bros. Lore?
Mr. Game & Watch had a short in-game marriage with Chansey, but they divorced soon after. There is no strong canonical reason for his relationship. -
What are the odds of getting a ‘9’ with Mr. Game & Watch’s Judge move?
In Ultimate the odds of getting a 9 are 1 in 9, while in Melee and Brawl the odds were 1 in 5 (20%) when accounting for the previous two numbers not being available. -
How old is Mr. Game & Watch?
Mr. Game & Watch is a composite representation of various generic characters featured in Nintendo’s Game & Watch products, first created in 1980. So, he is a character based on designs from 1980. -
Why was Mr. Game & Watch considered bad in Super Smash Bros. Melee?
His flaws were due to his slow overall speed, bad approach options, and his susceptibility to combos due to his high hitstun and frailty. -
Is Mr. Game & Watch older than Mario?
Yes, as a character representing the Game & Watch series, which debuted in 1980, he is older than Mario. -
How light is Mr. Game & Watch in Smash?
He is tied with Squirtle as the third-lightest character, making him very easy to KO early. -
Is the hammer attack used by Mr. Game & Watch random?
Yes, when Mr. Game & Watch uses the hammer, a random number from 1 to 9 is displayed. This number determines the attack’s effect, and each number has an equal chance of appearing (1 in 9) each time he swings. -
Does Mr. Game & Watch speak?
No, Mr. Game & Watch doesn’t speak. He communicates only through beeps, like the sound effects of the Game & Watch series.
Conclusion: A Complex Character with a Unique Legacy
In conclusion, while Mr. Game & Watch did get nerfed in the transition from Brawl to Smash 4, he remains a complex and unique character with a devoted fanbase. His unique mechanics, combined with his interesting strengths and notable weaknesses, make him a constant source of discussion and experimentation within the Super Smash Bros. community. While his overall effectiveness may have diminished compared to his Brawl iteration, the flat icon still brings a unique flavor to the battle. Understanding the changes and his strengths and weaknesses is crucial to maximizing the potential of this beloved veteran.