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It's the biggest brawl in gaming! And it's finally touching down on the 3DS - but does Super Smash Bros. actually work on a small screen? In a word, yes; this handheld version offers the full-fat fighting experience of its console forefathers but one that now fits into your back pocket. And while veterans will already know why this is such a big deal, noobs might be left wondering what all the fuss is about.

First thing you need to know is that this is a beat ‘em up with a difference; several of them in fact. The most obvious is the nearly 50-strong roster of very familiar characters - Super Smash Bros. features a mass of characters not only from Nintendo's own back catalogue but from other heavyweight developers too.

From Mario and Link to Mega Man and Pac-Man, all are hellbent on beating seven shades of Sonic out of each other. Nintendo has even managed to shoe-horn in the Wii Fit Trainer who offers up her useful, life-enriching Yoga tips, all while punching you repeatedly in the face. Outstanding.

You'll be beating up this eclectic posse of videogaming superstars across dozens of locations plucked from some of Nintendo's most memorable games too. Each stage is typically made up of platforms and elevated areas with empty, life-ending spaces on each side. And instead of grinding down life bars over the course of a match, your goal is to batter your opponent so hard that they end up being pummelled off the screen. Bout won, job done.

All this though would be for nought if Super Smash Bros. didn't have the gameplay to back up the fan service. Thankfully, the game isn't found wanting - you've got a mass of modes to bash your way through including the single-player Classic Mode and the game's ace card, its epic multiplayer that lets you punch it out with up to three other players onscreen at the same time.

On top of that - and exclusive to this 3DS version - is ‘Smash Run' that sees four players racing through dungeons, fighting foe and amassing as many power-ups as possible over five minutes before entering a battle arena for a final showdown between each other.

And it doesn't end there. Super Smash Bros. offers so much more - sometimes a bewildering amount more. Create a custom character! Watch other players' online bouts! Learn how to master a character by following them on their own dedicated channel! Punch your way through the history of the game series itself!

And it's this bedazzling generosity that really sets Super Smash Bros. apart from its competitors - the game's got the breadth, the depth and of course, all the kick-ass action you'd expect from the classic franchise. In other words, it's the ultimate in pocket fighting.