Three months after its originally scheduled release date, the Nintendo Wii’s “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” is finally available.

The third installment of the popular fighting series returns with a plethora of new content.

Fans of the series will be happy to find that all of their favorite characters from the previous installments of the game have returned with the addition of several newcomers including Solid Snake from the “Metal Gear Solid” series and everyone’s favorite blue hedgehog – Sonic.

An incredibly simple control scheme has been one of the series’ strengths since the Nintendo 64 release and nothing’s changed here. Players simply use either a general attack button or a special move button to attack and other general controls to maneuver.

This scheme is perfect for all users and includes the choice of the Wii remote with Nunchuk attachment, the Wii remote standalone, the Wii classic controller or the Gamecube controller as their weapon of choice.

Fans rejoice, the Gamecube control scheme is exactly the same as “Super Smash Bros. Melee.” This variety of controller choice is unparalleled in any other game in the genre.

One major addition to gameplay in the series is the option to unleash a devastating “final smash” after a player breaks a glowing sphere in the shape of the series logo. Once the sphere is broken you can conduct your “final smash” unique to each character. This usually results in a fanfare of color and splendor that sends everyone on the screen flying.

On its surface “Brawl” appears to be more-of-the-same from the series, but further exploration shows more.

Aside from a fully customizable multiplayer “Brawl” mode, players can play various mini games with one or more players, play through a classic single player mode, test their skills in a lengthy adventure mode, or take the mayhem online via the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection.

The all-new “The Subspace Emissary” adventure mode takes players through a surprisingly lengthy one or two player story featuring dramatic and entertaining cinematics, 2D side-scrolling action and classic “Brawl” matches.

Players now have their long awaited chance to take the fight online. Players can “Brawl,” play mini games, or share their own stage creations on the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection.

“Super Smash Bros. Brawl” has plethora of chances to customize gameplay to make this one title worth a fight to get your hands on.

Five out of five stars.

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