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WiiU

Smash Bros. Best Buy Demo Event Detailed

by Clay Johnson - May 27, 2014, 5:35 pm EDT
Total comments: 27 Source: Nintendo

Smash-Fest brings the masses the same 4-player Wii U demo E3 attendees will play, along with a chance to score a collectible coin.

Nintendo has fleshed out its plans to bring fans a slice of E3 by making the Wii U Super Smash Bros. demo available at Best Buy locations across the United States during the week of the Expo.

The event, now known as Super Smash Bros. Smash-Fest @ Best Buy, will feature the exact same Wii U version demo available to E3 attendees, including the option for matches with up to four players.

Fans will get two chances to check out the game that week: Wednesday, June 11, from 4 to 9 p.m. or Saturday, June 14, from noon to 5 p.m. All times are local. Over 100 Best Buy stores will take part in the event, with the list of participating locations available here.

Fans who show up to Smash-Fest will have a chance at some additional perks, as well. The first seventy people at each event to pre-order Super Smash Bros. for either Wii U or 3DS will get a collectible Smash Bros. gold coin, with a maximum of one per customer. Moreover, those who pre-order while there are eligible to receive a $5 Best Buy Rewards Zone certificate when they come in and pick the up the game.

Unlike last year’s Best Buy E3 event, at which a handful of demos were playable, no plans have been announced regarding any other games to be shown at Smash-Fest--not even the 3DS version of the game.

Talkback

broodwarsMay 27, 2014

It appears that once again Nintendo is deathly afraid of stepping foot in the Orlando, FL area. My nearest Best Buy is 40 minutes away in Daytona Beach. Granted, that's better than last year, where they avoided the entire Central FL area, but it's still way too far away for me to waste so much time on.  Oh well.

Last year when the demo events were announced, the best buy nearest to us was originally listed as one of the stores being used, but when re-checking the week of the event, they had de-listed my location, so the closest one was then 3 hours away.


Just a word of warning to those considering planning to go to one, make sure you double check the listing as the dates approach. 


I said this last year, but I really, REALLY wish they'd just offer a temporary demo for those with systems to download and play during the time period, just slap a giant disclaimer at the beginning stating the game is in an unfinished state, and potentially not indicative of the final gameplay.  I don't understand those who say Nintendo wants to control the environment people play this in, because I imagine the environment waiting in line at an overcrowded Best Buy to play the game for a 3 minute match is complete garbage.

Triforce HermitMay 27, 2014

I have one close by. Not sure it is worth dealing with all the crowds, but I might go there to see it.

@lolmonade- Thanks for the heads up

ShyGuyMay 27, 2014

Tacoma? Really Nintendo? REALLY?

AdrockMay 27, 2014

I'm tempted because, like last year (though I didn't attended), one of the locations is in the town I grew up in which is a 20 to 25 minute drive. I'm trying to decide if that collectible coin is worth the unavoidable invasion of my personal space.

TriponMay 27, 2014

Probably going to the Costa Mesa one. Sucks to be you guys.

MythtendoMay 27, 2014

Once again Nintendo is useless with their Best Buy plays. Their closest location to me is about a 5 hour drive, and I live within 1 hour of 3 major cities (each over 100K people).

CaterkillerMatthew Osborne, Contributing WriterMay 28, 2014

I wonder if Nintendo wants to avoid really high populated areas and/or some Best Buys just don't want to deal with gamer traffic it could potentially bring. Seems like all the biggest locations of the big cities get the shaft.

Canadian list is out. It's a 40 minute bus ride for me, but I'm a little more willing to make the trip I guess. (It'd be 15 if I sped, probably.)

Will definitely be there Saturday. I was 2nd in line for Mario Kart.

TurdFurgyMay 28, 2014

I'd have to travel out of state to attend. Booo.

CericMay 28, 2014

The Closest one to me is the Ghetto that is Memphis.  Considering that I live near the STATE CAPITAL and one of the LARGEST POPULATION AREAs with oh about 4 Best Buys easy you think that I have one.  Good job on Dropping the ball again Nintendo and Best Buy.  If its like last time than mostly Best Buy.

Nintendo just stop...  Partner with Walmart of Something...

TheBigKMay 28, 2014

Saw the Canadian list last night. I got lucky! They're doing it in Halifax and it's a 10 minute walk from my apartment. Not sure if there will be any crowds or not. The line for the Mario Kart 8 demo was practically non-existent when it opened. Oh well, we'll see.

Ian SaneMay 28, 2014

The closest to me would be in Surrey which is not that bad.  Probably about 45 minutes away.  But I don't feel like dealing with crowds.  If it was the Best Buy that's five minutes from my house, sure.  It isn't that far from my work so I could in theory try going the evening of June 11 but it will probably be packed.  The one friend I have with a Wii U doesn't have a driver's licence and I know he's going to suggest we all go to this (ie: "Ian, can you drive me?") and I really don't feel like it, mostly because stopping by his place to pick him up would turn the 45 minute trip into well over an hour.

A timed demo would be such a better way to do this.  I understand the complications of having a non-buggy demo but it really seems like if they want to try something like this out, that's the way to do it.  This Best Buy concept is like something from 15 years ago.

KhushrenadaMay 28, 2014

Ha ha. I actually am literally 5 minutes away from a participating Best Buy. And yet, I'm not planning to go. Oh, the irony.

nickmitchMay 28, 2014

They're doing the one near my apartment again, so I know I'll be there. :)

Although my friend might not be able to join me this time. :(

SarailMay 28, 2014

Quote from: Ceric

The Closest one to me is the Ghetto that is Memphis.  Considering that I live near the STATE CAPITAL and one of the LARGEST POPULATION AREAs with oh about 4 Best Buys easy you think that I have one.  Good job on Dropping the ball again Nintendo and Best Buy.  If its like last time than mostly Best Buy.

Nintendo just stop...  Partner with Walmart of Something...

That's the one I'd have to go to as well, Ceric. No thanks. Don't like Memphis one bit (driving in it is fairly easy), and I don't plan on visiting it soon either.

EasyCureMay 28, 2014

The closest one to me is about 45 mins out, which isn't bad since I used to commute that way last year, but I don't feel like paying the toll on the way back home.

Way to go Nintendo.. way to go.

Quote from: Khushrenada

Ha ha. I actually am literally 5 minutes away from a participating Best Buy. And yet, I'm not planning to go. Oh, the irony.

I'm in the exact same boat. It's such a limited amount of content and there are likely to be a ton of people there which I don't want to have to deal with.

azekeMay 28, 2014

This is the most horrible thing Nintendo ever did.
Criminal and henious.

ask_thedoctorMay 29, 2014

I'm in Tallahassee, and the nearest one is 2 ½ hours away in Jacksonville. I don't see why they couldn't just send a demo to all of the consoles, and leave the special events to the Best Buys listed. The fact that Nashville doesn't have one either is unacceptable though.

yoshi1001May 29, 2014

I feel pretty lucky to have gotten one here in Madison (three in Wisconsin-amazing!). Of course, I would have driven to the Chicago area if I had to.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorJune 14, 2014

I drove 2½ hours and waited in line nearly 3 hours to play two minutes of Smash Bros.

A big "**** You" to anyone who doubts my devotion to all things Nintendo. You know who you are. :D

You seem like you're trying too hard to make it look like you like Nintendo. That's pretty suspicious.

Myxtika1 AznJune 15, 2014

I just came back from one in my area. Was able to pick up some swag from them. I got myself a Mario Kart 8 flag, a pack of Bravely Default AR cards, a pack of Kirby erasers, and a Smash Bros. button.

It was fun, but I couldn't get used to the controls because all they had for us to use were the CPP and I was trying to play it as if I was using a GC controller :-(

Myxtika1 AznJune 15, 2014

*Double post*

Wii U Pro Controller*

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorJune 15, 2014

Aw, they only let us snag two items.  And to make things worse, there was Kid Icarus cards, but they were gone by the time I got through the line. :(

nickmitchJune 15, 2014

I got a button.  I wanted a flag, but didn't grab one in time.

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