The thing is that while Smash will indeed pwn with a vengence, its still not a big change from the Smash formula (which is good). But SSBB's biggest problem with reviews and such will be that its not quite as fresh as it once was. I have a feeling that reviews will say something like "Nintendo has matured the Smash Bros. formula to perfection, the online adds replay value to an already awesome multiplayer experience but at the same time its still very similar to the previous installments and isn't quite as awe inspiring as a result". Where as IGN has said that Mario Galaxy not only looks amazing, plays amazing, but because of the new worlds, gravity and the like, feels as fresh as Mario 64 did all those years ago. Thats why I think Galaxy has an edge on Smash when it comes to being a GOTY. Just my opinion though.
Well Nintendo has to SERIOUSLY beef up and perfect online play for the Wii for it to make a significant impact. Also, I don't think online is enough for Smash to make GOTY in the eyes of most reviews since online is old news for the other consoles...its just not that major of a thing now so I don't think that online is going to be the push that it needs to make GOTY. Galaxy on the other hand sports gameplay that has been called "platforming perfection" and "as fresh as Mario 64" and just recently "better then Mario 64" by IGN. Not to mention Galaxy is seemingly the best graphically rich Wii game by a landslide. I just don't think that Smash will be significantly different enough from the previous installments for major reviewers like Gamespot and IGN to give it Wii GOTY/ Overall GOTY. However, the gaming public will adore it (as will I) and it it will be immensely popular.
I know I'll have a cocaine high, until I get beaten sober. Mario looks great(one of the few games that proves wii isn't a ps2 with a wiimote), and they increased the difficulty, which can only make it better. After seeing Mario,Metroid,and Smash Bros. and full wii glory I can't help but to wonder what Zelda would have looked like if they took advantage of Wii graphics.
Yes, it is bigger, but the gaming public are not the ones who decide who gets the Game of the Year awards unfortunately. I could see Smash. getting "readers choice" on many of the major reviewer sites/ publications. As I said, I and everyone else will love it but I don't see it getting GOTY (Wii or Overall) from any publications even with online play. It just wont be different enough. Mario Galaxy is the front runner for Wii GOTY at the moment with Metroid Prime 3 close behind it. However Galaxy is the only one that seemingly has a shot at overall GOTY this year, which is a big feat considering whats coming out.
Gender: Male Location: waiting for Floyd to tour....:(
and i just read that the Z button is going to be used in the same way as SUper Mario 64, which means the backflip is back and (my favorite) the long jump.
__________________
thanks LifeInSepia, sig is AWESOME