Plenty of news came out of Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Direct last night. Most significant was the announcement of a brand new 8 player mode (local only) that will feature special large stages in order to house the increased player count.
Your controller options for this new mode is as follows:
Wii U GamePad (Max 1)
Wii Remote or Wii Remote Plus (Max 7)
Wii U Pro Controller (Max 7)
Nintendo GameCube controller (Max 8)
Nintendo 3DS series system (Max 8)
The latter is available to those who own the 3DS version of the game.
Nintendo also talked about the cross-platform features between the Nintendo 3DS version of the game and its big brother on Wii U. Players will be able to import their customised fighterers from the 3DS version to the Wii U version. Additionally those who register both versions of the game with Club Nintendo will receive a downloadable Mewtwo to fight with in the spring of 2015.
It was also confirmed that the Wii U version comes with "40 characters plus Mii Fighters" from day one.
Watch the full Nintendo Direct video below:
And here's a video that's focused on the Amiibo features:
A full rundown of the game modes on offer in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U:
Smash Tour: A fighting party game that looks like a board game. Players use items, spin a wheel and advance around the map. Up to four players can compete at once as they navigate the board and gain fighters and power-ups they can use in a final battle.
Special Orders: In Master Orders, the more difficult the order from Master Hand you undertake, the higher your reward - but you only get to try once. In Crazy Orders, you pay to enter and battles get harder the longer you survive. Will you know when to stop and reap your rewards?
Special Smash Mode: Players can customise battles and play any way they like.
Coin Battles: Players compete to collect coins from other players.
Stamina Matches: Players fight until their hit points reach zero.
Classic Mode: One or two players fight through a series of battles and advance as long as they survive. Many random events can shake things up, and players can adjust the intensity settings. The more difficult the game, the greater the rewards.
All-Star Mode: Unlike in the Nintendo 3DS version, opponents appear in reverse chronological order, and two players can battle through this mode together.
Event Mode: One or two players take on set character and theme-based battles. Clearing stages helps players see the way forward.
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is due out on December 5 and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS is available in stores now.