It's worth the wait: Smash Bros. Brawl scores 40/40 from Famitsu

by Scott Jon Siegel { Jan 16th 2008 at 6:00AM }

The good citizens over at NeoGAF have picked up the latest issue of Famitsu, and revealed that Super Smash Bros. Brawl has garnered a perfect score from the Japanese magazine. Well, at least we now know it'll be worth all the delays.

Brawl is only the seventh game in Famitsu history to receive a 40/40. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was the first back in 1998, followed by Soul Calibur, Vagrant Story, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Nintendogs, and Final Fantasy XII. Of course, Famitsu's score just represents the opinions of four reviewers, so we'll have to wait for more reviews to come out before we decide whether or not this is worth the purchase (yeah right).

[Via Game|Life]

Tags: brawl, famitsu, smash-bros, smash-bros-brawl, smashbros, smashbrosbrawl, ssbb

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Double Diz @ Jan 16th 2008 6:07AM

Any hints at more playable characters?

Tino @ Jan 16th 2008 6:33AM

Sheik / Zelda
http://darkzero.co.uk/v4/games/news/13279/wii-famitsu-confirm-sheikzelda-for-brawl

Fatass of Kickassness @ Jan 16th 2008 6:58AM

Or you could have just checked the Smash Dojo and saw actual pics/info of the recently confirmed Shiek.

ZenGaijin @ Jan 16th 2008 6:16AM

Although this delay sucks it gives me a chance to work out my rent for the next month. I would still like to see a playable Simon Belmont or Megaman.

Co @ Jan 16th 2008 8:38AM

lol I don't know about you, but when I'm juggling the same monies in my possession between paying the rent and buying a video game, I'm probably not in a good position to be buying video games.

B1gC72 @ Jan 16th 2008 2:54PM

lol i hear that Co. ive been in that position before (ima poor college student) and i can tell you that if i barely have enough money for rent or a video game then i probably need to save the money in case something happens lol. never a good idea to spend money on games when your struggling man. trust me, ive been there.

Jouten @ Jan 16th 2008 6:25AM

As much as I like to see Nintendo products get high reviews, I think that with each and every perfect score that Famitsu hands out, it's another blemish on their credibility.

Congratulations to Nintendo for another high quality product.

JRM @ Jan 16th 2008 6:30AM

You prefer to see nothing but 8's over and over like gamespot and IGN have done over the years? To me that is just as bad, and just as lacking of credibility.

the point is that the content of the review should matter more than the score.

Jouten @ Jan 16th 2008 6:39AM

Perfection is just a matter of perception.

I have never said, "... You [I] prefer to see nothing but 8's over and over like gamespot and IGN have done over the years?..."

There are plenty of arguments and debates over what is meant by 'perfect' for reviewing purposes. It just so happens that mine leans more to the actual definition of the word than an idealogy of terms.

bm @ Jan 16th 2008 6:50AM

Look, the 10 is there to be used. It's just a review score. It means someone really really really -really- liked a game, alright? Stop trying to be all philosophical about it.

FOXHOUND @ Jan 16th 2008 7:17AM

I have to agree with Jouten -- only if he means that if Famitsu scored it perfectly, then I expect the game to be nigh-flawless. No lag, graphical/gameplay flaws, easy accessibility, no control issues, etc.

The game has Solid Snake(among other MGS goodies)in it.
What could possibly go wrong? ;]

Hunting_phoenix @ Jan 16th 2008 8:00AM

Zelda: OoT was perfect some of you say? Did you play the water temple?!?!

I'll take WW's sailing over the water temple any day.

E.J. @ Jan 16th 2008 8:34AM

Yeah, well, if it's Mario, Zelda, Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest-related, it probably won't be scored below a 36 in Famitsu.

dan stabbingworth @ Jan 16th 2008 8:42AM

You can compare your philosophy of what is perfect, or 40/40 all you want. But the fact of the matter is that it's pretty much an industry standard that 40/40 or 100% or whatever grade that is the full amount does NOT equal perfect. Philosophically that may be stupid, but this is how game rankings are done, and while you, one random internet guy, thinks it should be done another way, that's not how it is.

I'm not attacking you or anything, but I think it's pointless to debate something that is pretty much a standard at this point. I mean, look at metacritic and see how many games get 100/100.

Although I agree with the idea that Famitsu's ranking blows. I mean, Vagrant Story, 40/40? Please.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jan 16th 2008 9:55AM

@dan

Fucking thank you!! I do not understand why people can't understand that simple concept. All 40/40 or the 100% means is that it's as good as it gets and if there are any problems, the good overwhelmingly covers those problems. Besides it's one person(s) opinion on the game. That doesn't mean everyone is going to agree with it.

Trev @ Jan 16th 2008 10:30AM

When your scale is 40, or worse yet 100/100, a "perfect" score implies MORE perfect than if you had a /4 or /5 scale. If you give it a 98/100 or 39/40 we know it's really really good, but there's that little point missing so we know that maybe they could have added a better friends list or that the graphics might be a little jaggy or something. The more points you use, the less each is worth and the easier they should be to take away for little things.

5/5 gives the evaluation room for interpretation, but if you say 100/100 then there was nothing in there that would have made you want to take off even one point. Anything over 10 is bad and a 10 scale using decimals might as well just be out of 100.

Brawl is definitely a 5/5, but is it really a 40/40 even with it's weak ass online that might just have you play against bots because it isn't going to tell you?

tl;dr: The more points you're using for a total, the more 100% implies perfect instead of "as good as this game could be". 40/40 implies a better game than 5/5 does.

FOXHOUND @ Jan 16th 2008 10:45AM

@ Vegeta

It's not that 40/40 or 100% rating implies perfection, but as a gamer & consumer alike; I'm sure you expect damn near close to it. According to this so-called reviewer(or network of such), they gave it their best rank possible; which *should* imply that:
- Barely, if any, flaws... and those flaws found were more of "nitpicking" than anything else(similar to what you aforementioned)
- This game worth every cent to purchase
- It will be a title that easily will be remembered & sought-after, if not legendary
- Expect it in GOTY listings

I *don't* have any doubts that 'BRAWL will be as great as hyped, but it's easy to be skeptical of all of these perfect scores being tossed around; especially given the load of shovelware unfortunately thrown onto this seventh generation of consoles.

Ben @ Jan 16th 2008 11:17AM

@Trev
While I agree with your comment, I'd like to point out that Famitsu uses the combined score of FOUR reviewers. That means each reviewer gave it a 10/10, so Brawl isn't a 40/40 really, it's a 10/10 x 4 (which really makes it a 40/10, so maybe (10 + 10 + 10 +10)/40 would be better).

upz @ Jan 16th 2008 11:18AM

I think Trev's nailed the interpretation of a perfect score. 5/5 and 100/100 are both perfect scores, but the difference in the number of points in the grading scales give them vastly different meanings. In essence 100/100 is "more perfect" than 5/5. Does this make sites like Metacritic and GameRankings less valid? Everything is translated to a 100 point scale for their averages, but should Gamepro's 5/5 really be counted as a 100, when if the site worked on a different scale, the reviewer would've scored the game 95/100? How's that for nitpicky?

On topic, Brawl looks pretty damn entertaining and I'm not surprised Famitsu's enjoyed it.

A Pissed-off English Gamer @ Jan 16th 2008 1:05PM

Well, to review a game is to look at what it tries and whether it acheives it. If it acheives what it's trying to perfection then it deserves a perfect score. It's about looking at what's there, not what could have been there.

WhatIsThatThing @ Jan 16th 2008 3:12PM

I think games should be dynamically reviewed. Think about it: give it a point for everything you like and take off a point for everything you hate. The final score is opinion-based, but catered to the individual game. Hmmm...

Superstar90 @ Jan 16th 2008 11:11PM

It's not that it's a perfect game, it's just the closest to perfect.

bm @ Jan 18th 2008 1:21AM

"Zelda: OoT was perfect some of you say? Did you play the water temple?!?!"

Wow, I really don't get what the fuck people keep whining about with the damn water temple. Yeah it was difficult. Yeah, so it made you fucking THINK for a change. THIS IS A GOOD THING!

It'a people like you that are turning the industry to fucking shit. Look at all the simple first person shooter crap we're getting that you can play with your fucking eyes closed. Look at all the "minigame collections" that are so popular. Then look at the sales numbers of Zack & Wiki.

Stop fucking crying and learn to enjoy a challenge.

Purple Haze @ Jan 16th 2008 6:30AM

Ok now I just need it to get some kind of release date for the pal territories.

eldee @ Jan 16th 2008 8:06AM

i read that as 'pal terrorists'

it's way too early :|

Kangstarr @ Jan 16th 2008 12:57PM

This is why I hate video game review scoring systems. It's similiar to a new Harry Potter book comes and book reviewer X gives the book an 33/40. It makes no f'ing sense.

Let's keep it to a simple 5-star system where users will get a general idea of how great the game may be and they'll actually spare 5 minutes to read the review instead of trying to evaluate what a 33/40 or even a 40/40 really means.

I mean really if a game is score 31 or 36 will it sway you either way???

willie @ Jan 16th 2008 6:39AM

Oh wow

I'm surprised they didn't post all the characters, so we stil have to wait for dojo posts until the official japan release

BananaBoat @ Jan 16th 2008 6:48AM

Their standards have really laxed. Ocarina of Time is understandable, but everything after that is hilarious. Soul Calibur was good, but perfect? Lol. Nintendogs? Double lol. Final Fantasy 12? Someone is being payed off.

Fatass of Kickassness @ Jan 16th 2008 7:04AM

Nintendogs might not be perfect for you, a core gamer, but shits like crack to casuals. Completely deserving of a 10 or at least a 9 due to its polish and accessability.

Soul Calibur is, in my opinion, the first great 3d fighter, and one of the last at that. I agree to that 10 too.

FF12? Hated it with every inch of my soul.

error2k2 @ Jan 16th 2008 7:39AM

Totally agree, Final Fantasy XII and Wind Waker got 40/40. FF XII was chore for me to play and finish, Wind Waker should have lost some points with all that sailing.

I'm torn about Soul Calibur being "perfect", I guess I can accept it with a grain of salt.

Zelda OoT definitely deserves the perfect score though.

spoo @ Jan 16th 2008 9:13AM

The sailing I can tolerate it was the lack of any challenge is what I would score it down for. FFXII I loved...but I have been a FF fanboy since I first played FF1 on my NES back in 1990 (I still would have only gave it a 9). Dare I say the only FF that disappointed me was FFVII for the total lack of exploration?

Back on topic Famitsu scores mean nothing on high profile games.

WiNG @ Jan 16th 2008 11:42AM

Considering Soul Calibur:

1. Sold 1/2 the Dreamcasts out there
2. Is the only game to have a 40 from Famitsu AND a 10 from IGN
3. Is fucking amazing

I think dissing it is incredibly stupid.

Atomicwaist @ Jan 16th 2008 12:02PM

@ Spoo

I totally agree with you on FF VII, but be careful the fanboy trolls may start throwing a fit...especially since I replied

Crono (NDF - Knight of the Old School) @ Jan 16th 2008 2:42PM

I was disappointed about FF7's lack of exploration too. But then, on my second play through, I actually, you know, explored. And there was lots of cool stuff to find.

FF10 gets zero's from me due to its linearity up until right before you fight the last boss/dungeon. Sidequests should be scattered throughout, and paths should branch. FF10 was an excercise in holding forward and pressing circle.

James @ Jan 16th 2008 7:11AM

It was never going to score less than that. For once a developer has come along and done exactly what we want and thrown enough surprises and new features in that we didn't even realise we wanted.

beans @ Jan 16th 2008 7:27AM

What's all this talk about perfection? You guys should know much better... a 10 doesn't indicate infallibility; nothing is perfect. It merely indicates extreme originality and mastery in game design. The games listed are such, in their own Japanese-centric standards.

Gosh.

ThornedVenom @ Jan 16th 2008 7:34AM

An A+ is not equivalent to 40/40.

baby sea tuna @ Jan 16th 2008 7:35AM

While I suppose this counts as good news, I take every Famitsu score with a grain of salt.

FidliousWong @ Jan 16th 2008 9:25AM

Probably a good thing since there has been talks of "buying scores" amongst the Japanese hardcore from that magazine for a long time now. Then again, this could also be the equivelant of "ZOMG! JoystiQ be all Ninja Bias!"

Regardless, I'm excited about this game but I'm not prepared to declare it the greatest thing ever.

ThornedVenom @ Jan 16th 2008 7:37AM

Although I highly anticipate this game as promising to be phenomenal, I have to admit Famitsu's legendary standards are dropping with these perfect scores.

Perfect scores were special because they were almost inaccessible. I'm not saying that Super Smash doesn't deserve it, it's just criticism against Famitsu.

samfish @ Jan 16th 2008 9:18AM

They've only given out a few, though. I think Famitsu's standards are still a lot higher than most other reviewers. It feels like nearly everybody else is willing to give out a perfect score far too easily these days.

DP @ Jan 17th 2008 1:30AM

Fact is this game will be simply perfect.

DelSource @ Jan 16th 2008 7:40AM

Since when did anyone trust Fami scores when it comes to Nintendo games? Why not just ask Nintendo employees to vote....

James @ Jan 16th 2008 8:02AM

Thing is they look at it from a design and quality perspective, which is why Nintendo games get such high scores with them.

FidliousWong @ Jan 16th 2008 9:28AM

But you're also talking about a magazine named "Famicom Magazine." That's the point of delsource.

But I do love this switchswatch Nintendophiles do. They rate Lair high and it's because they are a bunch of sony biased, review selling hacks trying desperately to regain some of the integrity they once had. They review a Nintendo game high, obviously they are a pillar of wisdom.

Chase @ Jan 16th 2008 7:41AM

For a perfect score, it better sexually arouse me. I'm not particular. Have Pikachu doing Cammy's win pose, and wham, I'll attest to the game's greatness. Other ways to justify a perfect score: Rambo, Indiana Jones, and/or a Sunset Rider end up being hidden characters; Weighted Companion Cube is an assist character, or Blast Corps HD is bundled with the game.

Anything else? Imperfect!