Frenetic, perhaps the only word that adequately describes the new Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Damage is what it’s about. Hit your opponents as hard as possible with the goal of dispatching them from the fighting arena.

It’s a gaming icon death match. Sonic dukes it out with Mario, Zelda and Pikachu try to hand each other their backsides, while Kirby eats anyone in sight. The game’s multi-player mode is its greatest feature. Challenge up to four players offline or go online for a smack-down bonanza. The character list is globular with some 35 to choose from – 14 of which need to be unlocked. The fun lies in discovering each character’s signature moves.

The solo mode, while a great bonus, is not the game’s defining feature. Entitled ‘The Subspace Emissary’ this mode requires that all the Nintendo characters join forces to defeat an evil invading army of space creatures.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl is a champ of a game and will keep you enthralled for hours.