You know the phrase, "The best things in life are free"? Well, the guy who said that never really played a good video game, now did he! Then again, if you got a good game for free then I guess that statement would be true. Either way, my point is that a good video game has many different extraordinary facets. The animation in video games is some of the best in the entertainment industry and, of course, is completely interactive. The programming and scripting that is involved is by far the most sophisticated, and video games require the player to engage in them like no other media in the world.

There are even studies coming out of colleges now that say things like video games enhance your reflexes, motor skills and your problem-solving abilities. If that's the case, then I should be the video game equivalent of Jackie Chan right about now. I tell ya, I might not have super crazy speed and skill and I also probably couldn't jump off of really tall buildings and through really small openings, but I bet that even Jackie would appreciate a rousing game of Smash Bros. Brawl and Army of Two. Enjoy as we venture through another episode of "Press Start"! (Oh, and Jackie, if you're watching, hit me up, man, we haven't hung out in a long time.)

Super Smash Bros. Brawl is the real reason to own a Wii.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Nintendo Wii; Publisher: Nintendo; Developer: Game Arts; Release Date: March 9, 2008; ESRB Rating: T for teen; Genre: 4-player brawler; Players: 1-4; Support: Nunchuck, Gamecube Controller, Classic Controller; Online: 1-4 player brawls and spectate

It was 3:00 in the morning. My Wii remote was covered in dirt and sweat from my hands. I was tired but I kept on playing. I was playing the same mode over and over again, but it never got old. I had to unlock another character, then another, then another. I had just unlocked Toon Link when it finally hit me... this is the real reason I own a Wii. If you remember all those great times playing Super Smash Bros. on the N64 and Super Smash Bros. Melee on the Gamecube, then you are going to pass out with sheer joy when you get a hold of Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

SSBB is, of course, a brawler game where players take control of their favorite Nintendo character and bash the duodenums out of each other! Up to four players can brawl at the same time in a match, and characters can be controlled by either human players or the CPU. Every character has a variety of regular attacks, special attacks and throws which players use to systematically wear down their opponents. The more damage you take, the more prone you will be to being launched off of the screen. Basically, the object of the game is to send everything and everyone flying off the screen except yourself. First off is the single player modes; the Classic mode makes a return, once more allowing players to play through 12 levels. Each level has you fight off computer-controlled characters in circumstances ranging from normal to just plain ridiculous. In between certain levels are "Break The Targets" sub-levels where you have to break 10 bullseyes in a limited amount of time. In the last level you have to face off against the returning Master Hand.

Although SSBB is basically a brawler game, it also features a new, story-driven adventure mode called the "Sub-Space Emissary." There is so much stuff you can do in Brawl that you might get lost in this freakin' game. © Nintendo.

Brawl also has a new, story-driven adventure mode called the "Sub-Space Emissary." In this mode, you play alone or with a friend through an adventure that involves the unique situation of each of the many, many Nintendo characters. Soon every character's circumstances intertwine to have them all fight against a common evil force. It's actually interesting to note that none of the characters speaks a single word in the "Sub-Space Emissary" adventure, so the whole story is told through character animations. That's an amazing feat. It is also simply outstanding how many characters are in Brawl. A grand total of 35 unique characters are usable and it's not just Nintendo characters! This game is so huge that SEGA and Konami have partnered with Nintendo to include staple characters such as the ever-famous Sonic the Hedgehog and the star of the Metal Gear Solid series, Solid Snake.

Multiplayer brawls are always a great way to knock out a few hours, and now players can brawl against each other online. Nintendo has allowed players to brawl with friends, or with anyone, over the Nintendo Wi-Fi service. A pretty nifty addition to being able to brawl online is the ability to spectate online matches. Now don't go saying, "Who the hell cares about spectating?" just yet; when you spectate on an online match, you get to bet coins on who will win the match. Coins can then be used in the coin launcher mini-game to unlock in-game stickers and trophies.