Imagine the Subspace Emissary concentrated into one bite-sized, chaotic dose.
A new arcade-style adventure mode called Smash Run was revealed as an exclusive feature in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS during today's Nintendo Direct presentation.
Supporting up to four-player multiplayer, the mode consists of a large, non-linear dungeon spliced together with environments and enemies from a smorgasbord of Nintendo franchises. Players are given five minutes to explore this level, along the way fighting foes, platforming and collecting power-ups for attributes such as damage, speed and defence.
In addition, special-use items can be collected and activated via the Touch Screen - according to game director Masahiro Sakurai, this was inspired by and functions similarly to Nintendo GameCube racing title Kirby's Air Ride. While exploring, players may also occasionally instigate unique stage events, such as having to survive a wave of Bullet Bills entering the screen.
After the five-minute time limit has elapsed, players will be placed into a standard battle with all of their obtained power-ups in effect, encouraging competition to find the best powers during the exploration phase.
The Smash Run mode will not feature in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, with no word on a comparable mode appearing in this version of the game.