Topic: IGN exclusive screen further hints at the removal of the bubble guard?

[Mashiro]

There has been a lot of speculation going on lately as to if the class "bubble" guard system would make a return.

Well IGN has a few (See: 3) exclusive screen shots from the game. The only one of real interest is this:

Link fighting Pit.

It would seem like Link is blocking the attack in a more traditional fighting fashion.

Now this could also be Link charging for his forward + A smash move but the white "movement" graphic on his foot may suggest other wise. (When characters in Melee used the dodge function they created a similar effect, IIRC).

[Shecky]

There were lots of little effects near characters feet when they were charging a move.  It was everywhere in SSBM.  I suspect this is the same.

Guarding isn't entertaining... nor is it that great for screen shots.  I think the marketers realize this and hence we won't see promotional material with anyone guarding.

Show me an official screen shot of SSBM that has a character with their guard up...

[Ceric]

I think he's charging.  I mean the bubble could be gone but I really hope they don't go to traditional blocking animations.  I hope they keep something like the bubble even if its no the bubble itself.

[Shecky]

He's also got the same light on his blade that charging provided in Twilight Princess.

[Spak-Spang]

I hope he is just charging...because the Bubble was the best representation of a block for this series...and it helped players understand they are blocking attacks from every angle and means of attack.  

[UltimatePartyBear]

That doesn't look like Link's blocking.  I remind you that Link has a shield that he'd use for that.

[Mashiro]

I'm glad to see my first attempt at a jokingly serious thread was taken so seriously <3

[UltimatePartyBear]

You're going to have to point out where the "jokingly" is for those of us with actual senses of humor.

[Ceric]

This is not the Funhouse.  THIS>>>>>IS>>>>>>SMAAAAASSSSSSHHHHH!!!!

[Mashiro]

Quote
Originally posted by: PartyBear
You're going to have to point out where the "jokingly" is for those of us with actual senses of humor.

The last paragraph was actually a play on all those going insane over ridiculously non-sensical small details with other things in screenshots. Such as the blue monitor or the clouds in the intro FMV sequence.

[nickmitch]

Weak.

[Mashiro]

Quote
Originally posted by: TVman
Weak.

Sorry.

I'll do better next time I promise.

[Smash_Brother]

I don't see anything in the first post that indicates you were joking.

However, the picture in question is intentionally deceiving: I'm guessing it's a picture of Pit and Link each charging smash attacks (indicated by the sparks on each of their weapons) but Sora has placed them in such a way that it looks as though they're engaged in an epic sword battle.

They did a lot of this with Melee, making the fights seem more "epic" than they truly are.

And by the way, stick with your theory, don't try to pass it off as a joke because people are being antagonistic towards it. You had the guts to speculate and that still makes you better than the people who ridicule you for it.

Besides, when I first looked at the screenshot, I thought it might have been a new means of blocking as well, but I think the truth is, the bubble will stay not because it's tradition but because the bubble is the most "casual friendly" blocking system and we all know how big Nintendo is on making everything more casual friendly right now.  

[nickmitch]

Quote
Originally posted by: Mashiro

Quote
Originally posted by: TVman
Weak.

Sorry.

I'll do better next time I promise.

It's ok, we've all made bad threads before.

[Mashiro]

It really wasn't a theory lol they are both clearly doing the Forward + A smash attack to one another.

I shouldn't have posted this so early in the morning, things seem better than they actually are with lack of sleep.

In all seriousness though removing the bubble would completely change how Smash plays and they probably won't be getting rid of it.

[UltimatePartyBear]

Quote
Originally posted by: Smash_Brother
And by the way, stick with your theory, don't try to pass it off as a joke because people are being antagonistic towards it. You had the guts to speculate and that still makes you better than the people who ridicule you for it.

Hold on.  Nobody's ridiculing anyone for speculation here.  TVman and I were both a little harsh about the supposed joke, but that's different, and I wouldn't say it reached a level worthy of the word "ridicule."

Quote
Besides, when I first looked at the screenshot, I thought it might have been a new means of blocking as well, but I think the truth is, the bubble will stay not because it's tradition but because the bubble is the most "casual friendly" blocking system and we all know how big Nintendo is on making everything more casual friendly right now.

I hope the bubble stays (although I could live without power shielding, which is so hard to time it just seems random).  I think that if the picture of Ike that started this speculation is really depicting a block, then it's possible that the picture was taken the moment the bubble disappeared while Ike was still in a defensive stance.  

[anubis6789]

Quote
Originally posted by: PartyBear
I hope the bubble stays (although I could live without power shielding, which is so hard to time it just seems random).  I think that if the picture of Ike that started this speculation is really depicting a block, then it's possible that the picture was taken the moment the bubble disappeared while Ike was still in a defensive stance.

I have also resigned myself to the same idea, that the screen cap was taken after the shield had disappeared. That still does not explain the fact that not a single piece of media on the game has shown a bubble shield at all.

[Smash_Brother]

Quote
Originally posted by: PartyBear
I hope the bubble stays (although I could live without power shielding, which is so hard to time it just seems random).  I think that if the picture of Ike that started this speculation is really depicting a block, then it's possible that the picture was taken the moment the bubble disappeared while Ike was still in a defensive stance.

Honestly, I think the bubble was there but it was removed because, yes, they never showed the shield bubble in any of the promotional Melee shots unless the update was about the shield bubble.