In many ways -- ok, ok, in every way -- "Smash Bros." has been a celebration of all things Nintendo. The brilliant idea of merging legendary characters into a frantic and fun fighting game has become a phenomenon over the years.

Originally debuting for the Nintendo 64, the franchise has surprisingly only had a few entries. This go around, however, Nintendo has chosen to give you the power to pummel your friends on the go, as this is the first time "Smash Bros." has gone portable.

So how does "Super Smash Bros. for 3DS" measure up to its bigger siblings? Pretty great, actually. Here's everything you need to know.

Small Screen, Big Brawls

As they say -- it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog. While some players might wait for the Wii U version to hit sometime this holiday, the hardcore fans will no doubt want to pick up its little brother.

"Smash Bros. for 3DS" is packing a lot heat in that slim cartridge with wonderful animations, beautifully crisp sounds, and gorgeous graphics. Of course, there will be some sacrifice to fit all of this into a portable device -- jaggies and lower resolution primarily -- but Nintendo has done a pretty great job making the best looking - and playing - game for when you're on the road.

Smashing Fun!

What's so much fun about "Smash Bros." is the genre-mashing fantasy fights between all these classic characters. It's kind of like fantasy football with an all Nintendo line-up. Like a schoolyard argument about which character could best another, you'll finally get to prove your favorite as the reigning champion. So who do you think would get the jump over between Mario and Zelda? Whose cannon has a bigger blast -- Samus or Mega Man? "Smash Bros." is here to answer that very question.

The controls are simple to pick up and you'll be smashing through foes almost immediately. Veterans might know all the ins and outs, but the game is also welcoming to newcomers. Within a few moments you'll experience the joy of bashing Link with Pikachu.

Instead of having an health bar, your character has a percentage that determines how far they'll fly after getting hit. The idea is that you weaken your opponent with a series of attacks and then attempt to knock them out of the level. There's a variety of game modes to chose, but the core mechanics remains intact.

Arenas also add a twist to the game, providing a number of hazards that affect all players. In a way, the levels are characters in themselves, and you'll have your favorite stomping ground. There's also a bunch to chose from, so that you won't get bored fighting on the same field over and over.

A New Challenger Appears!

The roster for "Smash Bros." is truly staggering. There are so many characters to choose from that it'll take you a while to master them all. The usual suspects from Nintendo's vast legacy -- such as Mario, Peach, Link, and Samus -- return to knock each other into oblivion. Jumping into the fray are newcomers from the big N's rogues gallery like Wii Fit Trainer and Little Mac, as well as many amazing characters from the annals of video game history including Mega Man and Pac-Man!

Digital Downsizing

Longtime fans will certainly get their share out of this version and we can confidently say that, overall, "Smash Bros. for 3DS" is a fine and fun game. However, as the main feast of the game is the intense multiplayer battles, something feels a bit shorthanded from the last entry.

There are still a bunch of extras and collectibles to occupy your time when you're not beating the snot outta of your friends, yet there's no big story mode. While, the SubSpace Emissary missions from the Wii version was ultimately ambitious but slightly flawed, it at least attempted to wrap up some kind of greater narrative to the series. Nothing like this really exists for this version, and we're a bit sad to see it go.

Additionally, we've experienced a bit of connectivity issues while playing online. Nothing too major, but you'll have some lag more times than you'd wish. Along with this sentiment comes the fact that most of your playing may be against a faceless player. A massive part of the the charm of the game is lost, as one of the great things about "Smash Bros." comes with the lighthearted ribbing friends next to you on the couch.

Final Thoughts

If you've wanted a way to brawl on the bus, then Nintendo's got your back with "Smash Bros. for 3DS." Fights feel big on the small screen and there's quite a lot for diehard and newbie gamers to really get into. It's a shame that the online isn't as robust as it could maybe be, it still provides an adequate venue to get your smash on.

The ease of sliding into a four way melee is super fun for gamers of all types with tons of unlockables and bonuses that round out those chaotic matches.

"Super Smash Bros. for 3DS" is available now.