"People have been kind enough to praise [Smash Bros.] multiplayer, but we've never been able to create a fully fleshed out single-player game," wrote Sakurai on the game's official site. "This time, though, we've managed to create a complete side-scrolling action game. It's storyline isn't overwrought--it's hastened along by a bunch of quick movies."

While HAL Laboratory's Super Smash Bros. (N64) contained single-player gameplay--essentially multiplayer with bots--the main appeal of the title remained its multiplayer mode. The company's GameCube followup Super Smash Bros. Melee added several single-player-only stages and events, but they were quickly conquered.

"The Adventure mode also emphasizes character development," Sakurai continued. "You'll see many famous characters persevering under the weight of their personal histories, shouldering their unique burdens...It's really something you won't see anywhere else."

Coinciding with the news, several screenshots were released highlighting the gameplay and CG cutscenes of the new mode.

Other recent media reveals Fire Emblem's Ike as the newest playable character, a multi-tier Fire Emblem stage, the inclusion of Animal's Crossing potentially-hilarious Pitfall item, and Donkey Kong's Donkey Konga-inspired Final Smash.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl is slated to release in North America on December 3, 2007. For more information, be sure to check our past coverage and main image gallery.