1. Fan
Sometimes, the best game mechanics are also the most infuriating. Consider the Fan, a fast hitting weapon with low stun. Although appearing in all three Smash Bros. games, the Fan is particularly deadly in Brawl. In fact, you can trap your enemies in a flurry of Fan combos and deal up to 999% damage with zero resistance from your enemies. This threat brings out the core game play element in a fighting game: zoning. In a game like Melee, one small attack can lead to a deadly combo. For a game like Brawl, the Fan brings back that possibility. Instead of the usual slow-paced poke game play, the Fan wielder is actively looking to hit his opponent just once, since that is all that is needed. On the other hand, the player without the Fan has to really innovate to win. He has to avoid getting hit by the Fan even once while using long ranged attack to keep the Fan wielder away.
These two different roles drive some of the most intense matches I have had. Remember how I said landing a home-run attack is unbelievably satisfying? Well, stealing away my opponent’s Fan after he dealt hundreds of damage to me and dealing all that damage right back was probably more so.
Well, there you have it, our Top Ten Smash Bros. Items! What items do you think belong in the Top Ten? Let us know in the comments!