As of yesterday, you can download the newest version of a mod called Project M for Super Smash Bros. Brawl that improves the game so much, it practically seems new. But how do you get it to actually run on your Wii? Good question.


Thankfully, you don't have to actually mod the Wii itself to play Project M. All you need is a 2GB (or less) SD card. Here's the process, as detailed by the modders:

Delete any custom Brawl stage files on your Wii and SD Card! Don't assume that because you haven't made any there aren't any; 3 custom stages are included with a new savefile of Brawl. Delete any previous version of Project M from your SD Card and make sure the card itself is not named "Project M" or any derivative thereof. Unzip the file Move the contents of that folder to your SD Card. Boot up Brawl and go to the Stage Builder. Gecko OS will launch; select Launch Game. You will see a straploader saying Project M 3.0. Additionally, if your menu image looks like the image below, then go ahead and play and enjoy Project M!


Adding to this—"the file" you'll need to make for most of you will be the first one, under "installer." That is, unless you if you want WiFI or replays, then you'll want the WiFi-safe download.

And in case you're debating whether or not to try this mod out, maybe it's worth talking about what it contains. Basically, the game has been tweaked to make it faster and more technical—a bit more like Melee in terms of values.

Much of the cast has also been reconfigured for balance—you can check out all the character-related changes here. Actually, some of the cast is new too: it adds characters like Roy and Mewtwo, which previously weren't in Brawl. And everyone has a number of new costumes, which you can try out on new stages, too. There's also a new turbo mode, which lets you chain attacks in new ways. All in all, a ton of changes that might make waiting for the new Smash game more bearable.

It's worth noting that, should you choose to download this, the game experiences a bit of lag if you play as the new characters or wear alternate costumes while in matches that feature more than two players. They're hoping to fix this soon, but it kind of sounds like this is something to try if you're interested in one-on-one battles against friends.


You can download Project M here, or read more about it here. And remember, Nintendo's upcoming Smash Bros. for the 3DS and Wii U drops sometime in 2014.