Super Smash Bros.#Gameplay
{{Short description|Series of crossover fighting games}}
{{About|the video game series|its first entry|Super Smash Bros. (video game){{!}}Super Smash Bros. (video game)|other uses|Smash Brothers (disambiguation)}}
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{{Use American English|date=June 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox video game series
|title=Super Smash Bros.
|image=Super Smash Bros. logo 2018.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert
|genre=Platform fighting
|developer={{Unbulleted list|HAL Laboratory (1999–2008)|Sora Ltd. (2008–present)|Bandai Namco Studios (2014–present)}}
|publisher=Nintendo
|creator=Masahiro Sakurai
|platforms={{Unbulleted list|Nintendo 64|GameCube|Wii|Nintendo 3DS|Wii U|Nintendo Switch}}
|first release version=Super Smash Bros.
|first release date=January 21, 1999
|latest release version=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
|latest release date=December 7, 2018}}
{{Nihongo foot|Super Smash Bros.|大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズ|Dai Rantō Sumasshu Burazāzu|group=lower-alpha|lead=yes|extra=; commonly shortened to Smash Bros. or Smash.}} is a series of platform fighting video games published by Nintendo. Created by Masahiro Sakurai, the Super Smash Bros. series is a crossover featuring many characters from other video game series created by Nintendo and other developers. Its gameplay is distinct from traditional fighting games, with players aiming to knock each other off of stages after accumulating damage with numerous attacks. The games have also featured a variety of side modes, including single-player story modes.
Sakurai conceived the idea of Super Smash Bros. while working at HAL Laboratory in 1998 with the help of Satoru Iwata. The series's first game, Super Smash Bros. (1999), was released for the Nintendo 64 and used characters from Nintendo franchises including Mario, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, Kirby, and Pokémon. The game was a success, and Sakurai was asked to make a sequel for the then-upcoming GameCube, Super Smash Bros. Melee, which was developed in 13 months and released in 2001.
After Sakurai left HAL Laboratory, Iwata, who had become Nintendo's president, convinced him to continue directing the series. Sakurai directed Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008) for the Wii and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U (2014) for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. The series's most recent game, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, was released in 2018 for the Nintendo Switch, with Sakurai again returning as director and Bandai Namco Studios aiding Sora Ltd., Sakurai's own company, in the game's development.
The Super Smash Bros. games have received critical acclaim and commercial success, with the series selling over 77{{Nbsp}}million units combined {{As of|2025|lc=y}} and multiple of its games being considered among the best of all time. The series has also attracted a dedicated community of competitive players who compete in esports tournaments, and Super Smash Bros. has inspired numerous other platform fighting games and has been credited for bringing popularity to several of the franchises whose characters it features.
History and development
= 1996–1999: Conception and first game =
{{Further|Super Smash Bros. (video game)|label1=Super Smash Bros. (video game)}}
File:Masahiro_Sakurai_2021.jpg, the creator of the Super Smash Bros. series, in 2021]]
After developing Kirby Super Star (1996), Masahiro Sakurai, a game developer at HAL Laboratory, wished to experiment with 3D graphics and animation following the release of the Nintendo 64 video game console.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3IOWaVDbx0 |title=Super Smash Bros. [Game Concepts] |date=2022-10-20 |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |author-link=Masahiro Sakurai |type=Video |access-date=2025-02-18 |via=YouTube}} Sakurai proposed two games to Nintendo for release on the system: a four-player free-for-all fighting game and a RC robot stealth exploration game where the player progressed through levels by hacking into security cameras.{{Cite web |last=Egan |first=Toussaint |date=2022-10-20 |title=Smash Bros. creator shows off never-before-seen prototype footage of the series' origins |url=https://www.polygon.com/23414732/super-smash-bros-prototype-behind-the-scenes-video |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} While both proposals were praised by Nintendo, HAL Laboratory was currently developing several other games for the Nintendo 64, including Mother 3, and was unable begin full development on either prototype. After HAL's other projects were cancelled, however, the company needed to produce a finished game as soon as possible. The fighting game prototype was chosen as the studio's next project after Sakurai determined it would take less time to complete than the RC game.
The fighting game prototype, titled Dragon King: The Fighting Game,{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Max |date=2018-12-07 |title=The Legacy and History of Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/the-history-of-super-smash-bros/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=DualShockers |language=en}} was developed by three people: Sakurai was responsible for the game's planning, design, graphics, modeling, and animation, while his coworker Satoru Iwata handled the programming and a third developer was responsible for the game's audio.{{Cite interview |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |subject-link=Masahiro Sakurai |interviewer=Satoru Iwata |title=Iwata Asks: Super Smash Bros. Brawl / Volume 7: Once in a Lifetime Experience |url=http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/ssbb/vol7_page1.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409211613/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/ssbb/vol7_page1.jsp |archive-date=2008-04-09 |url-status=dead |work=Iwata Asks |publisher=Nintendo |date=2008}} Because he was leading another project at the time, Iwata created Dragon King
File:N64-Console-Set.png (1999) was made for the Nintendo 64, whose capacity for 3D graphics and joystick heavily influenced the game's design.]]
Sakurai had developed the idea for a new type of fighting game in 1996, because he felt that existing fighting games had become too complex, with gameplay over-reliant on combos that reduced the importance of player strategy. He sought to create a game that allowed for more player improvisation and interplay, creating a system of accumulated damage to force players to react differently to each attack instead of making the depletion of the other player's life bar the only goal. He created "smash attacks" that could be triggered with a more aggressive "flick" of the joystick while searching for ways to best integrate the Nintendo 64 controller's joystick into the prototype's gameplay.
While Dragon King had largely the same gameplay as what would become Super Smash Bros., it lacked any crossover elements. Sakurai had reservations about including a cast of original characters, saying that existing fighting games had too many "main characters" competing to be the focus of marketing, making it more difficult for players to care compared to games that have fewer protagonists and several side characters. While Sakurai said that would be acceptable in fighting games released for arcades, the transition to home consoles meant that it was important to establish the game world's "atmosphere" as soon as possible, and he did not want new players to encounter a large roster of unfamiliar characters. Therefore, he asked Nintendo's permission to use various characters from its other games. The proposal to use pre-existing characters was controversial, and Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto rejected the idea. In response, Sakurai and Iwata created a demo of the game featuring Mario, Fox McCloud, Samus Aran, and Donkey Kong, and ensured that it was well-balanced before presenting it again. Upon seeing the revised demo, Miyamoto gave permission for the game to use Nintendo characters.
After the game's completion, it was met with mixed reception internally; many other developers reacted positively, while Nintendo's sales team did not want the company's characters to fight each other. The game was ultimately titled "Super Smash Bros." after Iwata suggested the inclusion of the word "brothers" to indicate that the characters "weren't simply fighting" but "were friends who were settling a little disagreement."{{cite web |last=Gerblick |first=Jordan |date=2024-10-11 |title=After 25 years, we finally know why it's called Super Smash "Bros" – Nintendo icon Satoru Iwata wanted the fighters to be "friends who were settling a little disagreement" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fighting/after-25-years-we-finally-know-why-its-called-super-smash-bros-nintendo-icon-satoru-iwata-wanted-the-fighters-to-be-friends-who-were-settling-a-little-disagreement/ |accessdate=2025-02-18 |work=GamesRadar+}} Super Smash Bros. was released for the Nintendo 64 in Japan on January 21, 1999, and in North America on April 26, 1999. To help appeal to players used to the gameplay of traditional fighting games, Sakurai created the "Smash Bros. Dojo!!", a website intended to teach players strategies and techniques for the game.
= 1999–2001: ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' =
{{Further|Super Smash Bros. Melee|label1=Super Smash Bros. Melee}}
File:GameCube-Set.jpg (2001) became the best-selling game released for the Nintendo GameCube.]]
In May 1999, at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Sakurai privately revealed that he was developing a sequel to Super Smash Bros. for the then-upcoming Nintendo GameCube, and the design plan for the game was completed on July 5, 1999.{{Cite web |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |author-link=Masahiro Sakurai |date=2001-05-17 |title=速報スマブラ拳!! |trans-title=Super Smash Bros. Melee Breaking News!! |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0517/index.html |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Nintendo |language=ja}} HAL Laboratory returned to develop the game,{{cite web |last=IGN staff |date=2001-08-31 |title=Smash Bros. FMV Explained |url=http://uk.cube.ign.com/articles/097/097950p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207184903/http://uk.cube.ign.com/articles/097/097950p1.html |archive-date=2008-12-07 |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=IGN}} and was assisted by other studios, including Creatures Inc.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLRRNsAVl-8 |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee [Game Concepts] |date=2022-11-21 |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |author-link=Masahiro Sakurai |type=Video |access-date=2025-02-18 |via=YouTube}} By May 2001, over 50 people were actively working on the game, while over 100 had been involved with the project at some point in time. The game was officially revealed as Super Smash Bros. Melee at E3 2001, seven months ahead of its release in North America. Because the GameCube was both more powerful and easier to develop games for than the Nintendo 64, Melee was able to include much more content than its predecessor, including 14 new characters and many multiplayer options and modes.
The development of Melee lasted only 13 months, during which Sakurai described his lifestyle as "destructive". He said the game was the "biggest project [he] had ever led up to that point", and during development he took no holidays and only short breaks on weekends.{{Cite web |last=George |first=Richard |date=2010-12-09 |title=Super Smash Bros Creator: "Melee The Sharpest" |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/12/09/super-smash-bros-creator-melee-the-sharpest |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=IGN |language=en}} Development was held back by technical limitations, with the GameCube not being powerful enough to allow features such as eight-player multiplayer. Collectible "trophies" were introduced, allowing players to collect 3D models of various Nintendo characters as a way to include more characters than could be developed as fighters. Sakurai designed Melee to appeal to people who were "well-versed in video games", compared to the more casual audience targeted by the first Super Smash Bros. game, and Melee
= 2005–2008: ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' =
{{Further|Super Smash Bros. Brawl|label1=Super Smash Bros. Brawl}}
File:Satoru_Iwata_-_Game_Developers_Conference_2011_-_Day_2_(1).jpg, Nintendo's president, asked Sakurai to create Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008) for the Wii.]]
In May 2005, at a press conference prior to E3 2005, Iwata—who had become the president of Nintendo—said that a new Super Smash Bros. game was in development for the Wii and would launch alongside the system the next year, featuring online multiplayer using the system's Wi-Fi capabilities.{{cite web |last=Casamassina |first=Matt |author-link=Matt Casamassina |date=2005-05-17 |title=E3 2005: Smash Bros. For Revolution |url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/670/670552p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060615230201/http://wii.ign.com/articles/670/670552p1.html |archive-date=2006-06-15 |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=IGN}} The announcement came as a surprise to Sakurai, who had left HAL Laboratory in 2003 and had not heard about an upcoming Smash Bros. game.{{Cite web |last=IGN staff |date=2005-11-16 |title=Smash Bros. Revolution Director Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/16/smash-bros-revolution-director-revealed |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=IGN |language=en}} Iwata had made the announcement after many people polled by Nintendo showed a desire for a new Smash Bros. game with online play, despite planning on the next game in the series having not yet begun.{{Cite interview |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |subject-link=Masahiro Sakurai |interviewer=Satoru Iwata |title=Iwata Asks: Super Smash Bros. Brawl |url=http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/ssbb/vol1_page1.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409213556/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/ssbb/vol1_page1.jsp |archive-date=2008-04-09 |url-status=dead |work=Iwata Asks |date=2008}} After the announcement, Iwata met with Sakurai and asked him to create a new Smash Bros. game for the Wii, saying that Nintendo would simply port Melee to the system with online functionality if he refused. Sakurai accepted, and completed the planning document for the next Super Smash Bros. game in July 2005.
The former Super Smash Bros. team at HAL Laboratory was busy with another project, so Sakurai assembled a team including staff from Game Arts, another studio. Sora Ltd., Sakurai's own company, was also involved. The game's development team included over 100 full-time staff,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXpFTHtlmCo |title=Super Smash Bros. Brawl [Game Concepts] |date=2023-05-19 |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |author-link=Masahiro Sakurai |type=Video |access-date=2025-02-18 |via=YouTube}} with over 700 people involved altogether. One year after its announcement, the trailer revealing the game as Super Smash Bros. Brawl aired at E3 2006.
Brawl was designed with a focus on creating online multiplayer as well as a lengthy single-player story mode intended to flesh out the game's characters and give them more time in the spotlight. Sakurai had wanted the single-player mode to be developed by a separate team, though all except for its animated cutscenes were created by Brawl
File:Wii-console.jpg led Sakurai to slow down the gameplay of Brawl.]]
Brawl was the first game in the Super Smash Bros. to feature characters from third-party developers, with Solid Snake from Konami's Metal Gear and Sonic from Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog being playable fighters. Snake was revealed in the E3 2006 trailer, while Sonic was announced in October 2007 on the Smash Bros. Dojo!! website. Sakurai designed both Snake and Sonic to have a "distinct feel" from the other characters, though said he did not consciously try to treat Nintendo characters differently from non-Nintendo characters in terms of design. Both Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima and Sonic the Hedgehog co-creator Yuji Naka had asked Sakurai to include their respective characters in Melee, though time constraints meant that neither character would be added to that game.{{Cite web |last1=Casamassina |first1=Matt |author-link1=Matt Casamassina |last2=Schneider |first2=Peer |author-link2=Peer Schneider |date=2006-05-11 |title=E3 2006: Super Smash Bros. Brawl |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/05/11/e3-2006-super-smash-bros-brawl |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{cite AV media |url=https://www.twitch.tv/videos/55380496 |title=SXSW Gaming: March 17 - 19, 2016 in Austin, Texas |date=2016-03-19 |last=SXSW Gaming |author-link=South by Southwest |type=Livestream |time=03:48:30 |access-date=2025-02-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109062257/https://www.twitch.tv/videos/55380496 |archive-date=2019-01-09 |url-status=live |quote= |via=Twitch}} Brawl
Super Smash Bros. Brawl was released for the Wii on January 31, 2008, in Japan, and March 9, 2008, in North America. The game's release followed a delay; Nintendo had said the game would release in December 2007, but pushed its release date back to early 2008 two months ahead of its scheduled launch.
= 2011–2016: Nintendo 3DS and Wii U games =
{{Further|Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U|label1=Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U}}
{{Multiple image
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| footer = The fourth Super Smash Bros. game (2014) was released for both the Nintendo 3DS (left) and Wii U (right).
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At E3 2011 in June 2011, Iwata announced that Sakurai would be developing a new Super Smash Bros. game that would release on both the handheld Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U, a home console, with the two versions having connectivity with each other.{{Cite web |last=Tanner |first=Nicole |date=2011-06-07 |title=E3 2011: Smash Bros. Coming to 3DS and Wii U |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/06/07/e3-2011-smash-bros-coming-to-3ds-and-wii-u |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=IGN |language=en}} However, Sakurai was developing Kid Icarus Uprising for the Nintendo 3DS at the time, and work on the next Smash Bros. game did not begin until after Uprising
Sakurai felt that the cutscenes developed for Brawl
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS released in Japan on September 13, 2014, and in North America on October 3, 2014. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U released later that year: it first launched in North America on November 21, 2014, and released in Japan on December 6, 2014. Smash 4 became the first game in the Super Smash Bros. series to receive paid downloadable content (DLC); Nintendo released additional characters, stages, and Mii fighter outfits able to be purchased individually for both versions of the game.{{Cite web |last=Hillier |first=Brenna |date=2015-04-28 |title=Super Smash Bros. DLC is not cut from core game but "authentic", says Sakurai |url=https://www.vg247.com/super-smash-bros-dlc-wii-u-3ds |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=VG247 |language=en}} The final DLC characters for Smash 4, Corrin from Fire Emblem Fates and Bayonetta from Bayonetta, were released on February 3, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Mejia |first=Ozzie |date=2016-02-03 |title=PSA: Bayonetta and Corrin officially wrap up Super Smash Bros. DLC at 6:30PM PT tonight |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/93052/psa-bayonetta-and-corrin-officially-wrap-up-super-smash-bros-dlc-at-630pm-pt-tonight |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Shacknews |language=en}} Including DLC, Smash 4
= 2015–2024: ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' =
{{Further|Super Smash Bros. Ultimate|label1=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate}}
File:Nintendo-Switch-wJoyCons-BlRd-Standing-FL.jpg (2018) was made for the Nintendo Switch, a hybrid system able to act as both a handheld and home console.]]
Iwata asked Sakurai to direct a new Super Smash Bros. game for the Nintendo Switch before the system was publicly announced.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDrNWAHaKfI |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate [Game Concepts] |date=2023-10-30 |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |author-link=Masahiro Sakurai |type=Video |access-date=2025-02-18 |via=YouTube}} Sakurai said it was the last request he received from Iwata before his death in July 2015.{{Cite web |last=Ivan |first=Tom |date=2019-09-13 |title=Sakurai acknowledges Iwata in Japan Game Awards speech |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sakurai-acknowledges-iwata-in-japan-game-awards-speech/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Video Games Chronicle |language=en-US}} Sakurai began planning the Smash Bros. game for the Switch while DLC for Smash 4 was still in progress, and finished the game's proposal document on December 16, 2015. Active development on the next game in the series began in February 2016, after all DLC had been released for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U games.{{Cite interview |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |subject-link=Masahiro Sakurai |interviewer=Famitsu staff |title=『スマブラSP』ディレクター桜井政博氏にインタビュー！「全員参戦は本当に奇跡だと思います」 |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201812/17169087.html |access-date=2025-02-18 |work=Famitsu |date=2018-12-17 |language=ja |trans-title=An interview with Sakurai Masahiro, director of Super Smash Bros. SP! "I think it's a real miracle that everyone will join"}} Bandai Namco Studios returned to assist Sora Ltd. in developing the next Smash game, and the similarity between Wii U and Nintendo Switch's hardware made development easier than past games,{{Cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=2018-06-12 |title=Why Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was such a daunting game for its creators to build |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/12/17453214/super-smash-bros-ultimate-nintendo-switch-masahiro-sakurai-e3 |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}} which were developed by teams assembled from scratch.
Because the transition to the newest entry in the series seemed easier than normal, Sakurai proposed that the Smash game for the Nintendo Switch feature all previous playable characters from throughout the series. Managing to include all past characters became a major goal of the game's development.{{cite magazine |last1=Shea |first1=Brian |date=2018-11-21 |title=Masahiro Sakurai Talks Piranha Plant, Spirits, And 20 Years Of Super Smash Bros. |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2018/11/21/masahiro-sakurai-talks-piranha-plant-spirits-and-20-years-of-super-smash-bros |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224023828/https://www.gameinformer.com/interview/2018/11/21/masahiro-sakurai-talks-piranha-plant-spirits-and-20-years-of-super-smash-bros |archive-date=2018-12-24 |access-date=2025-02-18 |magazine=Game Informer}} Sakurai scrapped plans to differ gameplay between the Switch's TV and handheld modes, because he found that the system's screen in handheld was good enough to make it not worthwhile to change the game for it.{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Alistair |date=2018-12-16 |title=Smash Bros. Ultimate Director Sakurai Talks About How The Game Isn't Just "Nintendo All-Stars" Anymore |url=https://www.siliconera.com/smash-bros-ultimate-director-sakurai-talks-about-how-the-game-isnt-just-nintendo-all-stars-anymore/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}} He decided to raise the gameplay speed again past Smash 4, though still decided that he did not want Ultimate to be as fast as Melee. Time constraints meant that the team could create neither a story mode similar to Brawl
A Super Smash Bros. game for the Nintendo Switch was teased in a March 2018 Nintendo Direct,{{Cite magazine |last=Eadicicco |first=Lisa |date=2018-03-09 |title=Nintendo Just Teased a New Super Smash Bros. for the Switch |url=https://time.com/5192389/nintendo-direct-super-smash-bros-switch/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |magazine=Time |language=en}} and the game was fully revealed as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at E3 2018 three months later.{{Cite web |last=D'Anastasio |first=Cecilia |date=2018-06-12 |title=Everything We Know About Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |url=https://kotaku.com/everything-we-know-about-super-smash-bros-ultimate-1826763007 |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Kotaku |language=en}} Super Smash Bros. Ultimate released worldwide on the Nintendo Switch on December 7, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=2018-06-12 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate brings back every Smash fighter ever |url=https://www.polygon.com/e3/2018/6/12/17452068/super-smash-bros-ultimate-fighters-roster-nintendo-switch |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} After launch, Ultimate received continuous updates that added DLC characters, with a "Fighters Pass" containing five additional characters having been announced prior to the game's release.{{Cite web |last=Fanelli |first=Jason |date=2021-11-10 |title=From Splatoon To Sora: The Life And Times Of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/from-splatoon-to-sora-the-life-and-times-of-super-smash-bros-ultimate/1100-6497857/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} In January 2020, alongside the reveal of Byleth from Fire Emblem: Three Houses as the final DLC character in the Fighters Pass, Nintendo announced a second Fighters Pass, containing six additional characters.{{Cite web |last=Mercante |first=Alyssa |date=2020-01-16 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is getting a second Fighters Pass with six new characters |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-is-getting-a-second-fighters-pass-with-six-new-characters/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}} The final character added to Ultimate was Sora of Kingdom Hearts in October 2021;{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2021-10-05 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's final character is Sora from Kingdom Hearts |url=https://www.polygon.com/22710459/super-smash-bros-ultimate-character-final-dlc-sora-kingdom-hearts-release-date |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} Ultimate continued receiving balance patches until December 2021{{Cite web |last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |date=2021-12-02 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Gets Final Buffs And Nerfs In Update |url=https://kotaku.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-gets-final-buffs-and-nerfs-i-1848148309 |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Kotaku |language=en}} and minor updates until 2024.{{Cite web |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=2024-02-16 |title=Sakurai Acknowledges End Of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Development |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/02/sakurai-acknowledges-end-of-super-smash-bros-ultimate-development |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}
Gameplay
File:Super Smash Bros. Ultimate gameplay.jpg gameplay, shown in a match of Ultimate (2018) with Ganondorf, Link, Mario, and Mega Man.]]
As a platform fighter,{{Cite web |last=Gerblick |first=Jordan |date=2024-09-11 |title=Super Smash Bros owns the platform fighter scene, so this indie has a new angle: 40-player "Smash battle royale," an idea so wild "we might not actually ship it" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/battle-royale/super-smash-bros-owns-the-platform-fighter-scene-so-this-indie-has-a-new-angle-40-player-smash-battle-royale-an-idea-so-wild-we-might-not-actually-ship-it/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}} Super Smash Bros.
Controls are simpler than other fighting games, with one button used for standard attacks and a second used for special attacks.{{Cite web |last=Marks |first=Tom |date=2018-12-06 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/06/super-smash-bros-ultimate-review |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=IGN |language=en}} Each character has a unique moveset; players can use different moves by attacking while inputting a certain direction on the analog stick or while their character is in a certain state, such as midair.{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Jake |date=2019-01-08 |title=Super Smash Bros Ultimate Controls - Smash Attacks, How to Use Final Smash |url=https://www.vg247.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-controls-smash-attacks-how-to-use-final-smash |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=VG247 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Cabrera |first=David |date=2018-12-11 |title=Smash Bros. Ultimate basics: Movement and attacks guide |url=https://www.polygon.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-guide/2018/12/11/18135306/movement-attacks-directions-buttons-walk-run-dodge-special |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} Powerful "smash attacks" can be used by quickly moving the analog stick and pressing the attack button,{{Cite web |last=Mejia |first=Ozzie |date=2018-12-06 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: How to play |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/108850/super-smash-bros-ultimate-how-to-play |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Shacknews |language=en}} and can become even stronger if charged by holding down the button.{{Cite web |last=Sklens |first=Mike |date=2001-12-18 |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee Review |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/3834/super-smash-bros-melee-gamecube |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Nintendo World Report}} Each character has four smash attacks—one for each direction—and five standard, special, and aerial attacks, with four corresponding to directions and the other initiated by pressing the button without any directional input.
When characters are hit by attacks, they undergo brief hitstun that leaves them vulnerable to further attacks and combos.{{Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |date=2023-03-03 |title=Super Smash Bros Ultimate players fear Minecraft Steve has completely broken the game |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-players-fear-minecraft-steve-has-completely-broken-the-game/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}} Players can block attacks with a shield, and can dodge in different directions to become briefly invulnerable. Dodges can also be performed in midair,{{Cite web |last=Tucker |first=Kevin |date=2019-01-04 |title=How to air dodge in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/109206/how-to-air-dodge-in-super-smash-bros-ultimate |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Shacknews |language=en}} and some games allow directional air dodges{{Cite web |last=Donaldson |first=Alex |date=2018-06-14 |title=Yes, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is rather like an enhanced port - but it's amazing, so who cares? |url=https://www.vg247.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-hands-on-preview-e3-2018 |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=VG247 |language=en}} that can be used while landing to initiate a "wavedash".{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |date=2014-07-03 |title=Throwback: How To Wavedash In Super Smash Bros. |url=https://kotaku.com/throwback-how-to-wavedash-in-super-smash-bros-melee-1599881043 |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bishop |first=Dylan |date=2018-11-29 |title=We dive deep into how Smash Bros. moves. |url=https://www.redbull.com/us-en/smash-bros-movement-evolution-history |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Red Bull |language=en-us}} Dodges leave characters exposed after they end,{{Cite web |last=Cabrera |first=David |date=2018-12-19 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate basics: Defense guide |url=https://www.polygon.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-guide/2018/12/19/18144515/defense-block-shield-break-roll-parry-dodge-grab |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} while shields weaken over time and break if they absorb too much damage, leaving their user vulnerable for a time. By shielding with correct timing, players can parry attacks.{{Cite web |last=Tucker |first=Kevin |date=2018-12-19 |title=How to parry attacks in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/109119/how-to-parry-attacks-in-super-smash-bros-ultimate |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Shacknews |language=en}} Characters using shields remain vulnerable to grabs, allowing opponents can grab and throw them in any one of four directions, creating a rock–paper–scissors dynamic between attacking, shielding, and grabbing.{{Cite web |last=Gee |first=Robby |date=2016-07-07 |title=Why 'Super Smash Bros. Melee' Is the Game to Watch at Evo 2016 |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-super-smash-bros-melee-is-the-game-to-watch-at-evo-2016/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Vice |language=en-US}} Starting with Brawl, characters can also use "Final Smashes", extremely powerful ultimate attacks unlocked after a character breaks a floating "Smash Ball" that has appeared or fills a charge meter over time.
A common element of Smash is items, which randomly spawn onstage if enabled. Items have various effects often based on other games;{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |date=2014-09-25 |title=Learning To Love Items In The New Smash Bros. |url=https://kotaku.com/learning-to-love-items-in-the-new-smash-bros-1639211593 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Kotaku |language=en}} for example, the Super Mario series's Super Mushroom allows characters to grow in size,{{Cite web |last=Labella |first=Anthony |date=2014-10-16 |title=Super Smash Bros. (3DS) Item List |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/guides/65728-super-smash-bros-3ds-item-list |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=GameRevolution |language=en-US}} while the Super Scope—based on an accessory for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System—can be used as a weapon to launch projectiles.{{Cite web |last=McFerran |first=Damien |date=2016-01-16 |title=Hardware Classics: Nintendo Super Scope |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/01/hardware_classics_nintendo_super_scope |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}} Other items, meanwhile, allow characters to recover damage they have taken. Items also exist that allow players to summon allies to fight alongside them and affect the environment:{{Cite web |last=Lada |first=Jenni |date=2018-06-14 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Goes Over More New Assist Trophies And Items |url=https://www.siliconera.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-goes-new-assist-trophies-items/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}} Poké Balls can be thrown to summon various Pokémon species, while Brawl introduced "Assist Trophies" that summon characters from other franchises.
File:Smash_Ball.svg aspect, with the circle's four sections representing its four-player gameplay.{{cite web |last=Santangelo |first=Nick |date=2018-12-14 |title=Masahiro Sakurai Explains What The Super Smash Bros. Logo Symbolizes |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/14/masahiro-sakurai-explains-what-the-super-smash-bros-logo-symbolizes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214221045/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/14/masahiro-sakurai-explains-what-the-super-smash-bros-logo-symbolizes |archive-date=2018-12-14 |access-date=2025-02-20 |work=IGN}}]]
Matches consist of multiple players: initially up to four could play at once; in Smash for Wii U and Ultimate, the limit is eight.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=2014-10-23 |title=Smash Bros. for Wii U includes eight-player battles |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/smash-bros-for-wii-u-includes-8-player-battles |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Eurogamer |language=en}} Artificial intelligence-controlled computer players can substitute for human players.{{Cite web |last=Ng |first=Alfred |date=2018-12-06 |title=Super Smash Brothers Ultimate review: Everyone is here, and balanced |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/super-smash-bros-ultimate-review-it-makes-me-feel-like-a-kid-again/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=CNET |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Power |first=Tom |date=2018-12-13 |title=How to Change the Smash Ultimate CPU Level in Training Mode |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/guides/469995-smash-ultimate-cpu-level-training-mode-super-smash-bros |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=GameRevolution |language=en-US}} Matches can be either free-for-alls or between teams, and players can choose the rules by which the winner is determined. The most common modes are "Time" and "Stock";{{Cite web |last=Gerblick |first=Jordan |date=2019-11-07 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's new tournament doesn't mess around |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/super-smash-bros-ultimates-new-tournament-doesnt-mess-around/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}} in "Time", matches have a fixed time limit and players compete to have the most points by the end, gaining by knocking out others and losing them when knocked out themselves. "Stock" matches, by contrast, give players a finite number of lives, with the winner being the last player remaining. A less common mode is "Stamina", where players have a finite number of health and are eliminated when it reaches zero.
Players also have a variety of stages to choose from.{{Cite web |last=Tran |first=Edmond |date=2018-12-16 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Review - Me And You And Everyone We Know |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-smash-bros-ultimate-review-me-and-you-and-ev/1900-6417051/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} The majority are based on other video games, but some, such as "Final Destination" and "Battlefield", are original to the Smash series.{{Cite web |last=Mejia |first=Ozzie |date=2018-08-08 |title=Here are all of the playable stages for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/106629/here-are-all-of-the-playable-stages-for-super-smash-bros-ultimate |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Shacknews |language=en}} Stages have varying layouts of platforms and other obstacles, with some being flat planes without edges.{{Cite web |last1=Bozon |first1=Mark |last2=Casamassina |first2=Matt |author-link2=Matt Casamassina |last3=Harris |first3=Craig |date=2007-10-11 |title=Smash Bros. Brawl Hands-on |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/10/11/smash-bros-brawl-hands-on |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Andy |date=2019-11-06 |title=Smash Bros. Terry Bogard DLC features significant SNK content |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/smash-bros-terry-bogard-dlc-will-feature-significant-snk-content/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Video Games Chronicle |language=en-US}} Some stages have hazards{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Leigh |date=2024-08-17 |title=Review: Cat Quest 3 is a Purr-Fect Pirate Adventure |url=https://www.siliconera.com/review-cat-quest-3-is-a-purr-fect-pirate-adventure/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}} such as boss fights with the Yellow Devil from the Mega Man series or Ridley from Metroid.{{Cite web |last=Peeples |first=Jeremy |date=2014-04-08 |title=Yellow Devil Coming to Super Smash Bros. |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/news/yellow-devil-coming-to-super-smash-bros/80882/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Hardcore Gamer |language=en}}
= Side modes =
In addition to multiplayer battles, the Smash series features various single-player side modes and minigames,{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=2018-11-19 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's single-player modes are complicated, but better for it |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/19/18101889/super-smash-bros-ultimate-single-player-modes-spirits-mode |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} many of which contain options for two-player co-operative gameplay.{{Cite web |last=Myers |first=Maddy |date=2014-11-19 |title=Super Smash Bros. for Wii U: Stimulation Overload |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/wii/super-smash-bros-for-wii-u-stimulation-overload |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Paste |language=en-US}} In "Home-Run Contest", for instance, players use the Home-Run Bat item to damage a sandbag and attempt to launch it as far as possible.{{Cite web |last=Nintendo World Report staff |date=2002-03-01 |title=Super Smash Bros. Melee 101: Home-Run Contest |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/guide/1986/super-smash-bros-melee-101-home-run-contest |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Nintendo World Report}}{{Cite web |last=Gilliam |first=Ryan |date=2019-09-04 |title=Home Run Contest finally comes to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/9/4/20850195/home-run-contest-super-smash-bros-ultimate-nintendo-direct |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} In "Break the Targets", players use their character's abilities to navigate a course and destroy targets within it;{{Cite web |last=Machkovech |first=Sam |date=2018-12-06 |title=Smash Bros. Ultimate review: The best fighting game on any Nintendo system |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/12/smash-bros-ultimate-review-the-best-fighting-game-on-any-nintendo-system/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-US}} courses are character-specific in Melee{{Cite web |last=D'Anastasio |first=Cecilia |date=2018-04-18 |title=Smash Bros. Melee Player Goes Wild After Beating 14-Year-Old Target Record |url=https://kotaku.com/smash-bros-melee-player-goes-wild-after-beating-14-yea-1825355591 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Kotaku |language=en}} but available to all characters in Brawl.{{Cite web |last=Kuchera |first=Ben |date=2008-03-12 |title=Work it harder, make it better? Super Smash Bros Brawl review |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2008/03/super-smash-bros-review/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-US}} Smash 4 contains "Target Blast", where players launch a single bomb into an area to destroy as many targets within the area as possible.{{Cite web |last=Schulenberg |first=Thomas |date=2014-08-02 |title=Target Blast minigame racks up points in Smash Bros. 3DS |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014-08-02-target-blast-minigame-racks-up-points-in-smash-bros-3ds.html |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}} The first Smash game featured "Board the Platforms", where players were tasked with landing on several floating platforms as fast as possible on a character-specific platforming course.{{Cite web |last=Alexandra |first=Heather |date=2019-07-30 |title=Nintendo 64 Super Smash Bros. Challenge Record Broken After 14 Years |url=https://kotaku.com/nintendo-64-super-smash-bros-challenge-record-broken-a-1836830821 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}
The games have also included "Multi-Man Smash", which consists of several sub-modes where players battle multiple opponents at once,{{Cite web |last=Lada |first=Jenni |date=2018-12-20 |title=Super Smash Bros Ultimate Modes That Aren't As Prominent Deserve More Kudos |url=https://www.siliconera.com/super-smash-bros-ultimate-modes-that-arent-as-prominent-deserve-more-kudos/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}} such as "100-Man Smash", where they must defeat 100 opponents; and "Cruel Smash", where they try to defeat as many extremely strong enemies as possible. Since Brawl, players can create custom stages to use in multiplayer matches and share online with other players.{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=2019-04-10 |title=Nintendo accidentally confirms Smash Bros. Ultimate stage builder |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-accidentally-confirms-smash-bros-ultimate-stage-builder |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=Eurogamer |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Busby |first=James |date=2019-04-30 |title=Check out the best Smash Bros Ultimate custom stages you can play right now |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/smash-bros-ultimate-custom-stages-best-stage-builder-levels/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=2019-04-17 |title=Smash Bros. Ultimate's New Stage Builder And Video Editor Explained |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/smash-bros-ultimates-new-stage-builder-and-video-e/1100-6466313/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} In Smash 4, the Wii U version featured the board game mode "Smash Tour", while the 3DS version featured "Smash Run", where players explore a large map to collect power-ups before a final battle.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Garrett |date=2014-10-03 |title=Super Smash Bros for the Nintendo 3DS: Big Game, Small Screen |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/nintendo/super-smash-bros-for-the-nintendo-3ds-review-big-g |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Paste |language=en-US}} Ultimate introduced "Squad Strike", allowing matches where players change characters after each life.
Melee introduced "trophies",{{Cite web |last=Watts |first=Martin |date=2014-08-28 |title=The History of Super Smash Bros. |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/08/feature_the_history_of_super_smash_bros |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Minotti |first=Mike |date=2021-12-03 |title=The RetroBeat: Super Smash Bros. Melee is still special 20 years later |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/the-retrobeat-super-smash-bros-melee-is-still-special-20-years-later/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}} collectible 3D models of various characters and elements from Smash and other game series{{Cite web |last=Karmali |first=Luke |date=2014-07-14 |title=Super Smash Bros. Features Rayman Trophy |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/07/14/super-smash-bros-features-rayman-trophy |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=IGN |language=en}} obtained within various modes and special minigames.{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Brian |date=2014-09-28 |title=Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS Review |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/38599/super-smash-bros-for-nintendo-3ds-review |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Nintendo World Report}} Ultimate replaced trophies with "Spirits" that use 2D images instead of 3D models and require the player to complete a battle that combines elements to reference the Spirit's character.{{Cite web |last=Gill |first=Patrick |date=2018-12-05 |title=Understanding spirits in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |url=https://www.polygon.com/videos/2018/11/19/18102137/super-smash-bros-ultimate-what-are-spirits-spirits-mode |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} Collected Spirits can be attached to a character to buff their attributes or give them special abilities such as an additional midair jump.{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Kevin |date=2019-01-16 |title=Here are the 10 must-have Spirits in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |url=https://www.redbull.com/ca-en/super-smash-bros-ultimate-spirits |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Red Bull |language=en-ca}}
Games across the series have included "Classic Mode", which consists of a series of battles against opponents either based on the player's character, pre-determined, or randomly generated, depending on the game.{{Cite web |last=IGN staff |date=2001 |title=Guides: Super Smash Bros. Melee—Classic Mode |url=http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_44.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209012106/http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_44.html |archive-date=2006-12-09 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=IGN}}{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Ollie |date=2024-01-20 |title=Which Feature From Each Smash Bros. Game Should Make A Return? |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/features/talking-point-which-feature-from-each-smash-bros-game-should-make-a-return |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}} Classic Mode also contains within it minigames such as Break the Targets, a platforming challenge, or a bonus stage, and ends with a boss fight against Master Hand or another enemy. Smash games have also featured "All-Star Mode", where players must defeat every character in that game, and "Event Matches", where they face a series of themed battles. Several Smash games included single-player campaigns. Melee
The series has included online multiplayer since Brawl; in Smash 4, it was split into two modes, "For Fun" and "For Glory", that contained differing rulesets aimed at casual and competitive players, respectively.{{Cite web |last=Donaldson |first=Alex |date=2018-12-11 |title=Online play in Smash Bros. Ultimate is a bit of a mess |url=https://www.vg247.com/smash-bros-ultimate-online-play-mess |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=VG247 |language=en}} In Ultimate, players can play ranked battles to accrue "Global Smash Power", unlocking the "Elite Smash" mode once they pass a certain threshold.{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |date=2018-11-01 |title=Here's how matchmaking will work in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/1/18051868/super-smash-bros-ultimate-matchmaking-online-play-nintendo-switch |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Newell |first=Adam |date=2018-12-25 |title=What are Elite Smash Battles in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and how to unlock them |url=https://dotesports.com/fgc/news/what-are-elite-smash-battles-in-super-smash-bros-ultimate-and-how-to-unlock-them |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}
Characters
{{Main|Characters in the Super Smash Bros. series|l1 = Characters in the Super Smash Bros. series}}
Each game in the series has a number of playable characters (referred in the games as "fighters") taken from various gaming franchises, with over 80 in total across the series. Starting with Super Smash Bros. Brawl, characters from non-Nintendo franchises began to make playable appearances. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, players were able to customize existing fighters with altered movesets and abilities, as well as making their own Mii fighters that can be given three different fighting styles. There are also other non-playable characters that take the form of enemies, bosses, and summonable power-up items.
Music
Super Smash Bros. features music from some of Nintendo's popular gaming franchises. While many are newly arranged for the game, some songs are taken directly from their sources. The music for the Nintendo 64 game was composed by Hirokazu Ando, who later returned as sound and music director in Melee. Melee also features tracks composed by Tadashi Ikegami, Shougo Sakai, and Takuto Kitsuta.{{cite web |date=January 18, 2002 |title=Discussions music staff |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0118/index.html |access-date=January 10, 2008 |publisher=Nintendo |language=ja |archive-date=January 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105005755/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0118/index.html |url-status=live }} Brawl featured the collaboration of 38 contracted composers,{{cite web |date=May 22, 2007 |title=The Musicians |url=http://www.smashbros.com/wii/en_us/music/music01.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706222000/http://www.smashbros.com/wii/en_us/music/music01.html |archive-date=July 6, 2013 |access-date=April 15, 2008 |publisher=Smash Bros Dojo!!}} including Final Fantasy series composer Nobuo Uematsu, who composed the main theme.{{cite web |date=September 7, 2007 |title=Super Smash Bros. Brawl: Main Theme |url=http://www.smashbros.com/wii/en_us/music/music10.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130808070301/http://www.smashbros.com/wii/en_us/music/music10.html |archive-date=August 8, 2013 |access-date=April 15, 2008 |publisher=Smash Bros Dojo!!}} Like in Brawl, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U featured many original and re-arranged tracks from various different gaming franchises from a variety of different composers and arrangers. Both versions have multiple musical tracks that can be selected and listened to using the returning "My Music" feature, including pieces taken directly from earlier Super Smash Bros. games. The 3DS and Switch games allow players to listen to their music from the sound menu while the system is in sleep/handheld mode.{{cite web |date=August 22, 2014 |title=Super Smash Bros. For 3DS Lets You Listen To Music In Sleep Mode |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2014/08/22/super-smash-bros-3ds-lets-listen-music-sleep-mode/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120424/http://www.siliconera.com/2014/08/22/super-smash-bros-3ds-lets-listen-music-sleep-mode/ |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |access-date=August 22, 2014 |publisher=Siliconera}}{{cite web |last1=Hussain |first1=Tamoor |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Soundtrack Has Over 800 Songs |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/super-smash-bros-ultimate-soundtrack-has-over-800-/1100-6461025/ |access-date=September 19, 2018 |website=GameSpot |archive-date=August 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808182144/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/super-smash-bros-ultimate-soundtrack-has-over-800-/1100-6461025/ |url-status=live }} Ultimate continued the trend of multiple composers and arrangers working on remixed tracks, having over 800 in total.{{cite web |title=Music |url=https://www.smashbros.com/en_US/sound/index.html |access-date=June 12, 2020 |website=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - Nintendo |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612175059/https://www.smashbros.com/en_US/sound/index.html |url-status=live }}
Three soundtrack albums for the series have been released. An album with the original music for Super Smash Bros. was released in Japan by Teichiku Records in 2000.{{cite web |date=January 17, 2002 |title=Nintendo All-Star! Dairanto Smash Brothers Original Soundtrack |url=http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/cds/supersmashbrothers_ost.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011102047/http://soundtrackcentral.com/cds/supersmashbrothers_ost.htm |archive-date=October 11, 2008 |access-date=April 16, 2008 |publisher=Soundtrack Central}} In 2003, Nintendo released Smashing...Live!, a live orchestrated performance of various pieces featured in Melee by the New Japan Philharmonic.{{cite web |last=Wachman |first=Dylan |date=August 21, 2005 |title=Smashing...Live! Review |url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=3288 |access-date=March 15, 2008 |publisher=Sputnik Music}} A two-disc promotional soundtrack titled A Smashing Soundtrack was available for Club Nintendo members who registered both the 3DS and Wii U games between November 21, 2014, and January 13, 2015.{{cite web |title=Super Smash Bros. Soundtrack Offer |url=http://club2.nintendo.com/smash-promo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012015859/http://club2.nintendo.com/smash-promo/ |archive-date=October 12, 2014 |access-date=October 12, 2014 |publisher=Club Nintendo}}
Merchandising
File:Nintendo_Switch_Pro_Controller_Smash_Bros.jpg released with Ultimate]]
Releasing merchandise for Super Smash Bros. of any kind is generally prohibited, with only free giveaways and limited edition items allowed.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeLrIXCOUw0&feature=youtu.be |title=Super Smash Bros. for 3DS / Wii U [Game Concepts] |date=2023-08-08 |last=Sakurai |first=Masahiro |author-link=Masahiro Sakurai |type=Video |access-date=2025-02-21 |via=YouTube}} Practically the only exceptions to the merchandise ban are Amiibo figures, a toys-to-life platform created by Nintendo.{{Cite magazine |last=Luckerson |first=Victor |date=2014-11-21 |title=Nintendo Wants to Cash In on the Toy Industry's New Billion-Dollar Craze |url=https://time.com/3596054/nintendo-amibo-toys/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |magazine=Time |language=en}} Amiibo debuted alongside Super Smash Bros. for Wii U,{{Cite web |last=Karmali |first=Luke |date=2014-10-07 |title=First Two Waves of Amiibo Detailed With Release Dates |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/07/first-two-waves-of-amiibo-detailed-with-release-dates |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=IGN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=2014-10-07 |title=Super Smash Bros. Wii U and Amiibo release dates announced |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/super-smash-bros-wii-u-and-amiibo-release-dates-announced |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Eurogamer |language=en}} and Nintendo released Amiibo figures for Smash 4 and Ultimate of all characters present in the games,{{Cite web |last=Norman |first=Jim |date=2024-02-16 |title=Nintendo Showcases All 94 Smash Bros. Ultimate amiibo In New Graphic |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/02/nintendo-showcases-all-94-smash-bros-ultimate-amiibo-in-new-graphic |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}} and the Smash line concluded in February 2024 with the release of the Sora figure.{{Cite web |last=Bishop |first=Rollin |date=2024-02-16 |title=Nearly 10 years after it first began, my unreasonable obsession with Nintendo's amiibo can finally stop |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/nearly-10-years-after-it-first-began-my-unreasonable-obsession-with-nintendos-amiibo-can-finally-stop/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=GamesRadar+ |language=en}} Amiibo figures from the Smash line as well as figures of Smash characters from other lines can interact with Smash 4 and Ultimate using near-field communication,{{Cite web |last=Molen |first=Brad |date=2014-06-11 |title=Here are Nintendo's new 'Super Smash Bros.' Amiibo toys for Wii U |url=https://www.engadget.com/2014-06-11-nintendo-amiibo-toys.html |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Saunders |first=Toby |date=2018-12-10 |title=Smash Ultimate amiibo Functionality Guide |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/guides/468047-smash-ultimate-amiibo-functionality-guide |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=GameRevolution |language=en-US}} and players can train a computer player based on their Amiibo figure in-game, with the Amiibo player gaining experience points and leveling up as it fights in battles.{{Cite web |last=Siliconera staff |date=2014-10-25 |title=How Your Amiibo Levels Up In Super Smash Bros. For Wii U |url=https://www.siliconera.com/amiibo-levels-super-smash-bros-wii-u/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}}
To coincide with the releases of Smash 4 and Ultimate, Nintendo released new versions of the GameCube controller,{{Cite web |last=Garst |first=Aron |date=2018-07-18 |title=Inside the smashing history of the Nintendo GameCube controller |url=https://www.redbull.com/us-en/nintendo-gamecube-controller-smash-bros-interview |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Red Bull |language=en-us}} as well as adapters allowing the controller to be used with the Wii U and Switch.{{Cite web |last=Tach |first=Dave |date=2014-05-29 |title=Nintendo GameCube controller adapter coming to Wii U for Smash Bros. |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/5/29/5761960/wii-u-gamecube-controller-adapter-smash-bros |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Mejia |first=Ozzie |date=2018-12-06 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: How do I connect my GameCube controller? |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/108822/super-smash-bros-ultimate-how-do-i-connect-my-gamecube-controller |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Shacknews |language=en}} Ahead of Ultimate
Competitive play
{{Main|Super Smash Bros. in esports}}
While some tournaments and competitive events were held for the first Smash game around its release,{{Cite web |last=Garst |first=Aron |date=2019-10-02 |title=The Smash Bros. community: An oral history |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/2/20887994/the-smash-bros-community-an-oral-history |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} a significant competitive Super Smash Bros. community began to emerge in 2002, after the release of Melee.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Wynton |date=2016-01-15 |title=The genesis of Smash Bros.: From basements to ballrooms |url=https://www.espn.com/gaming/story/_/id/14572208/basements-ballrooms |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=ESPN |language=en}} The community largely emerged through decentralized grassroots efforts,{{Cite web |last=Cozens |first=William |date=2017-08-22 |title=No Nintendo, no problem -- how Smash Bros. continues to thrive |url=https://www.espn.com/gaming/story/_/id/20421406/no-nintendo-no-problem-how-smash-bros-continues-thrive |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=ESPN |language=en}} without official support from Nintendo. The competitive Melee community gradually united through websites like Smashboards, an online forum created to discuss the Smash series prior to Melee
File:Mango_(cropped).jpg, known as "Mang0", won the Melee tournament at EVO 2013.]]
MLG ended its Melee circuit in 2007 due to the release of Brawl, and much of the attention given to Melee was diverted to its sequel. Gameplay changes in Brawl aimed at appealing to casual players, however, made it less popular among competitive players, and in the competitive community gradually returned to Melee. In 2013, members of the Melee community rallied for the game's inclusion at the 2013 edition of the Evolution Championship Series (EVO), an annual fighting game tournament. Nintendo intervened, seeking to cancel the Melee tournament,{{Cite web |last=Pitcher |first=Jenna |date=2013-07-11 |title=Nintendo wanted to shut down Super Smash Bros. Melee Evo event, not just stream |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/7/11/4513294/nintendo-were-trying-to-shut-down-evo-not-just-super-smash-bros-melee |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} but allowed the event to proceed after significant backlash.{{Cite web |last=Gee |first=Robby |date=2016-07-07 |title=Why 'Super Smash Bros. Melee' Is the Game to Watch at Evo 2016 |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/why-super-smash-bros-melee-is-the-game-to-watch-at-evo-2016/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Vice |language=en-US}} The tournament was won by Joseph "Mang0" Marquez, who had made his breakout Melee performance at EVO 2007—the last time a Smash game was featured—where he placed third.
Melee
Melee was included again at EVO 2014 the next year, though Brawl was excluded from the final tournament despite its appearance alongside Melee in qualifying events. Attempting to capitalize on the Smash series's renewed competitive popularity, Nintendo hosted an invitational tournament for the then-upcoming Super Smash Bros. for Wii U at E3 2014, featuring top players of both Melee and Brawl. The tournament was won by Gonzalo "ZeRo" Barrios, who was then among the best competitive Brawl players. Barrios went on to dominate the first year of competitive Smash 4, winning 55 consecutive tournaments from the game's release until October 2015, when he lost to Nairoby "Nairo" Quezada.{{Cite web |last=Hoadley |first=Chris |date=2015-12-27 |title=2015's best fighting game stories |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/2015s-best-fighting-game-stories/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Demers |first=Matt |date=2016-04-04 |title=Pound 2016 recap - Abadango and Hungrybox prevail |url=https://www.espn.com/gaming/story/_/id/15133324/pound-2016-recap-abadango-hungrybox-prevail |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=ESPN |language=en}} The release of Smash 4 brought further growth to the competitive Smash community, and in 2016 the tournaments Genesis 3 and EVO 2016 had more entrants than any other Smash competitions until that point.
In 2016, players like William "Leffen" Hjelte began to challenge the Five Gods' dominance of Melee. In 2018, Justin "Plup" McGrath won the Melee tournament at Genesis 5, which Hjelte proclaimed marked the end of the Five Gods era.{{Cite web |last=Weber |first=Zach Marx |date=2018-02-23 |title=Breaking Down the Aftermath of Plup's Surprise Genesis Win |url=https://www.redbull.com/us-en/plup-wins-genesis-melee-aftermath-conclusions |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Red Bull |language=en-us}} Earlier that year, Barrios retired from competitive Smash 4 to focus on livestreaming,{{Cite web |last=Newell |first=Adam |date=2018-01-13 |title=ZeRo retires from competitive Super Smash Bros. for Wii U |url=https://dotesports.com/fgc/news/zero-smash-bros-retirement-20164 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Ian |date=2018-12-31 |title=Retired Super Smash Bros. champion finds reason to return in Ultimate |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/31/18156723/super-smash-bros-ultimate-zero-interview |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} and Leonardo "MKLeo" López Pérez was Smash 4
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Smash competition, leading to the cancellation of many tournaments.{{Cite magazine |last=D'Anastasio |first=Cecilia |date=2020-07-10 |title=The 'Super Smash Bros.' Community Reckons With Sexual Misconduct Allegations |url=https://www.wired.com/story/super-smash-bros-sexual-misconduct/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}} Ultimate was cut from EVO 2020,{{Cite web |last=Zawodniak |first=Melanie |date=2020-05-12 |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Dropped from EVO 2020 Lineup, New Games Added to EVO Online |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/53694/super-smash-bros-ultimate-dropped-from-evo-2020-lineup-new-games-added-to-evo-online |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Nintendo World Report}} and Nintendo later opted for Smash not to return to EVO.{{Cite web |last=Middler |first=Jordan |date=2022-02-27 |title=EVO 2022 confirms 'Nintendo has chosen' Smash Bros. will not return |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/evo-2022-confirms-smash-bros-will-not-return/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Video Games Chronicle |language=en-US}} During the #MeToo movement in mid-2020, competitive Smash players, including Quezada and Barrios, faced a wave of sexual misconduct allegations. Nintendo called the alleged acts "absolutely impermissible",{{Cite news |last=BBC News staff |date=2020-07-06 |title=Nintendo condemns alleged abuse in Smash Bros community |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-53308579 |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} furthering rifts between the company and the Smash community.{{Cite web |last=Plant |first=Logan |date=2021-11-18 |title=New Super Smash Bros. Tournaments Could Heal Rift Between Pros and Nintendo |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-official-smash-bros-tournament-series |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=IGN |language=en}} Tensions escalated later in 2020, when Nintendo ordered The Big House to cancel their Melee tournament for its use of Slippi, an unofficial mod that adds online multiplayer to the game,{{Cite web |last=Donaldson |first=Alex |date=2020-11-24 |title=As Nintendo shuts down a tournament, Smash fans unite under the #FreeMelee hashtag in futility |url=https://www.vg247.com/nintendo-smash-bros-melee-free-melee-fans-tournament-hashtag |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=VG247 |language=en}} and Smash fans began the #FreeMelee movement on social media to protest Nintendo's decision.{{Cite web |last1=Doolan |first1=Liam |last2=McFerran |first2=Damien |date=2020-11-24 |title="Free Melee" Becomes "Save Smash" Following Nintendo's Legal Action Against Competitive Smash Bros. Event |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/11/free_melee_becomes_save_smash_following_nintendos_legal_action_against_competitive_smash_bros_event |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}} Nintendo had provided little support to the Smash community even as it began hosting esports events for its other games, including Splatoon and Arms (2017); as a result, Smash tournaments have much lower prize pools than other major esports.{{Cite web |last=Newell |first=Adam |date=2019-10-08 |title=ZeRo only made $45,000 from his 56 Tournament Wins in Smash Bros. Wii U |url=https://dotesports.com/fgc/news/zero-only-made-45000-from-his-legendary-56-tournament-win-streak-in-smash-bros |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Bhansali |first=Zane |date=2020-03-12 |title=The Smash World Tour, boasting a $250,000 prize pool, wants to make Smash a tier one esport |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2020/03/12/smash-world-tour/ |access-date=2025-02-21 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}
In late 2021, Nintendo partnered with esports organization Panda Global to produce the Panda Cup, a tournament circuit for both Ultimate and Melee in 2022,{{Cite web |last=Rousseau |first=Jeffrey |date=2021-11-19 |title=Nintendo partners with Panda Global to launch Super Smash Bros. circuit |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/nintendo-partners-with-panda-global-to-launch-super-smash-bros-circuit |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}} which was seen as a sign of Nintendo's willingness to engage further with the Smash community.{{Cite web |last=Gach |first=Ethan |date=2021-11-18 |title=In A Twist, Nintendo Is Actually Supporting Smash Bros. Melee Now |url=https://kotaku.com/in-a-twist-nintendo-is-actually-supporting-smash-bros-1848084513 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Kotaku |language=en}} In December 2022, the Smash World Tour (SWT), a competing Smash circuit, said it would cancel its 2022 finale and 2023 circuit because of a request from Nintendo.{{Cite web |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |date=2022-11-30 |title=Nintendo Shuts Down Smash World Tour, Organizers 'Losing Hundreds Of Thousands Of Dollars' [Updates] |url=https://kotaku.com/nintendo-smash-world-tour-fgc-shut-down-panda-esports-1849833867 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Kotaku |language=en}} Nintendo denied requesting the SWT's cancellation and rejected the SWT's claims that Panda had sought to undermine the SWT.{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Matt |date=2022-12-02 |title=Nintendo Issues Full Statement Over Smash World Tour Cancellation |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-issues-full-statement-over-smash-world-tour-cancellation |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=IGN |language=en}} In the aftermath, Panda removed Alan Bunney as its CEO and indefinitely postponed the Panda Cup finale,{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=2022-12-05 |title=Panda Global CEO removed, cup final postponed after Smash Bros esports controversy |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/panda-global-ceo-removed-cup-final-postponed-after-smash-bros-esports-controversy |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}} while all affiliated professional Smash players left the organization.{{Cite web |last=Denzer |first=TJ |date=2023-01-17 |title=ESAM & Marss leave Panda Global, marking last Smash pro players to exit organization |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/133712/marss-esam-super-smash-bros-exit-panda-global |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Shacknews |language=en}}
Reception
{{Video game series reviews
| updated = March 31, 2025
| sales = yes
| sales_title = Sales
{{Small|(in millions)}}
| mc =yes
| mc_title = Metacritic
{{Small|(out of 100)}}
| game1 = Super Smash Bros.
| year1 = 1999
| mc1 = 79{{cite web|title=Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 64 Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-smash-bros/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-64|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=January 2, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140712061235/http://www.metacritic.com/game/nintendo-64/super-smash-bros|archive-date=July 12, 2014}}
| game2 = Melee
| year2 = 2001
| sales2 = 7.09{{cite web|date=March 10, 2008|url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/1u0FthaPxTSSeJelWm4Jt8TI0VJlTt5j|title=At Long Last, Nintendo Proclaims: Let the Brawls Begin on Wii!|publisher=Nintendo|access-date=March 15, 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513182616/http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/1u0FthaPxTSSeJelWm4Jt8TI0VJlTt5j|archive-date=May 13, 2008}}
| mc2 = 92{{cite web|title=Super Smash Bros. Melee for GameCube Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-smash-bros-melee/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=January 2, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926054520/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/super-smash-bros-melee|archive-date=September 26, 2014}}
| game3 = Brawl
| year3 = 2008
| sales3 = 13.32{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wii.html|title=Top Selling Software Sales Units|access-date=April 26, 2018|date=March 31, 2018|website=Nintendo|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219181140/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/wii.html|archive-date=December 19, 2017}}
| mc3 = 93{{cite web|title=Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-smash-bros-brawl/critic-reviews/?platform=wii|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=January 2, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819074907/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/super-smash-bros-brawl|archive-date=August 19, 2010}}
| game4 = for Nintendo 3DS
| year4 = 2014
| mc4 = 85{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-smash-bros-for-nintendo-3ds-wii-u/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds |title=Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS for 3DS Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=October 2, 2014 |access-date=January 2, 2019|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128125858/http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/super-smash-bros-for-nintendo-3ds |archive-date=November 28, 2015 }}
| game5 = for Wii U
| year5 = 2014
| mc5 = 92{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-smash-bros-for-nintendo-3ds-wii-u/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u|title=Super Smash Bros. for Wii U for Wii U Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=January 2, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151110052613/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii-u/super-smash-bros-for-wii-u|archive-date=November 10, 2015}}
| game6 = Ultimate
| year6 = 2018
| mc6 = 93{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-smash-bros-ultimate/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Switch Reviews|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=January 17, 2019|archive-date=January 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109041136/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/super-smash-bros-ultimate|url-status=live}}
}}
Reviews for the Super Smash Bros. series are usually positive. The multiplayer mode in every game is usually highly praised; however, single-player modes have not always been viewed as highly.
Super Smash Bros. received praise for its multiplayer mode. Nintendo Power listed the series as being one of the greatest multiplayer experiences in Nintendo history, describing it as infinitely replayable due to its special moves and close-quarters combat.{{cite book |title=Nintendo Power 250th issue! |year=2010 |publisher=Future US |location=South San Francisco, California |page= 47 }} There were criticisms, however, such as the game's scoring being difficult to follow.{{cite web|url= http://www.gamecritics.com/review/smashbros/main.php|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120225111748/http://www.gamecritics.com/review/smashbros/main.php|archive-date= February 25, 2012 |title=Game Critics Review|publisher=gamecritics.com}} In addition, the single-player mode was criticized for its perceived difficulty and lack of features.
Super Smash Bros. Melee generally received a positive reception from reviewers, most of whom credited Melee{{'s}} expansion of gameplay features from Super Smash Bros. Focusing on the additional features, GameSpy commented that "Melee really scores big in the 'we've added tons of great extra stuff' department." Reviewers compared the game favorably to Super Smash Bros. IGN{{'}}s Fran Mirabella III stated that it was "in an entirely different league than the N64 version"; GameSpot{{'}}s Miguel Lopez praised the game for offering an advanced "classic-mode" compared to its predecessor, while detailing the Adventure Mode as "really a hit-or-miss experience." Despite a mixed response to the single-player modes, most reviewers expressed the game's multiplayer mode as a strong component of the game. In their review of the game, GameSpy stated that "you'll have a pretty hard time finding a more enjoyable multiplayer experience on any other console."
Brawl received a perfect score from the Japanese magazine Famitsu. The reviewers praised the variety and depth of the single-player content,{{cite web | url=http://wii.ign.com/articles/845/845816p1.html | title=Perfect Score for Smash Bros. | access-date=January 29, 2008 | date=January 16, 2008 | publisher=IGN | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119132348/http://wii.ign.com/articles/845/845816p1.html | archive-date=January 19, 2008 | df=mdy-all }} the unpredictability of Final Smashes, and the dynamic fighting styles of the characters. Thunderbolt Games gave the game 10 out of 10, calling it "a vastly improved entry into the venerable series". Chris Slate of Nintendo Power also awarded Brawl a perfect score in its March 2008 issue, calling it "one of the very best games that Nintendo has ever produced". IGN critic Matt Casamassina, in his February 11 Wii-k in Review podcast, noted that although Brawl is a "solid fighter", it does have "some issues that need to be acknowledged", including "long loading times" and repetition in The Subspace Emissary.
Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U both garnered critical praise and were commercially successful, holding ratings of 85/100 and 92/100 on Metacritic and 86.10% and 92.39% on GameRankings.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/3ds/632937-super-smash-bros-for-nintendo-3ds/index.html|title=Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS for 3DS|website=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive|date=October 2, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115075216/http://www.gamerankings.com/3ds/632937-super-smash-bros-for-nintendo-3ds/index.html|archive-date=November 15, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/wii-u/633202-super-smash-bros-for-wii-u/index.html|title=Super Smash Bros. for Wii U for Wii U|work=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102070610/http://www.gamerankings.com/wii-u/633202-super-smash-bros-for-wii-u/index.html|archive-date=November 2, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-smash-bros-for-nintendo-3ds-wii-u/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u|title=Super Smash Bros. for Wii U for Wii U Reviews|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151110052613/http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii-u/super-smash-bros-for-wii-u|archive-date=November 10, 2015}} Reviewers have particularly noted the large, diverse character roster, the improvements to game mechanics, and the variety of multiplayer options. Some criticisms in the 3DS version include a lack of single-player modes and issues concerning the 3DS hardware, such as the size of characters on the smaller screen when zoomed out and latency issues during both local and online multiplayer.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/super-smash-bros-3ds-review/|title=Super Smash Bros. 3DS review|work=GamesRadar|access-date=September 26, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927052556/http://www.gamesradar.com/super-smash-bros-3ds-review/|archive-date=September 27, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/super-smash-bros-3ds-review/|title=Super Smash Bros. for 3DS review (JP version)|date=September 17, 2014|access-date=September 19, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913023911/http://www.gamesradar.com/super-smash-bros-3ds-review/|archive-date=September 13, 2014}} There were also reports of players damaging their 3DS Circle Pads while playing the game excessively.{{cite web|last1=Hernandez|first1=Patricia|title=24 Hours in, Playing Smash Bros. on My 3DS is Wrecking My Circlepad|date=October 9, 2014 |url=http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2014/10/09/24-hours-playing-smash-bros-3ds-wrecking-circlepad|publisher=Kotaku|access-date=October 12, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011151713/http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2014/10/09/24-hours-playing-smash-bros-3ds-wrecking-circlepad|archive-date=October 11, 2014}}{{cite web|last1=Ashcraft|first1=Brian|title=Super Smash Bros. is Wrecking Some People's 3DS Handhelds|url=http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2014/09/14/super-smash-bros-wrecking-peoples-3ds-handhelds|publisher=Kotaku|access-date=October 12, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012045517/http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2014/09/14/super-smash-bros-wrecking-peoples-3ds-handhelds|archive-date=October 12, 2014}} The Wii U version's online play quality was mildly criticized for some inconsistency, but has overall been critically acclaimed. Daniel Dischoff of GameRevolution stated "It's true that Super Smash Bros. evolves every time with regard to new features, items, and characters to choose from. While your favorite character may not return or a few annoying pickups may force you to turn off items altogether, this represents the biggest leap forward Smashers have seen yet." Daniel Starky at GameSpot criticized the inconsistent online performance in the game, but still called it an "incredible game", noting "With the Wii U release, Smash Bros. has fully realized its goals." Jose Otero from IGN, praising the replayability of the game, states "Nearly every aspect of Smash Wii U seems fine-tuned not only to appeal to the nostalgia of long-time Nintendo fans, but also to be accessible to new players."
=Sales=
Super Smash Bros. sold 1.4 million copies in Japan,{{cite web|url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/topten2.htm|title=Japan Platinum Game Chart|publisher=MagicBox.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213230402/http://www.the-magicbox.com/topten2.htm|archive-date=December 13, 2007}} and 2.3 million in the U.S.,{{cite web|url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |title=US Platinum Game Chart |publisher=MagicBox.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070421003854/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml |archive-date=April 21, 2007 }} with a total of 5.55 million units worldwide. Melee sold over 7 million units worldwide, becoming the best-selling GameCube game.
Brawl sold 1.524 million units in Japan {{as of|2008|03|30|lc=y|df=US}},{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/375738/simple-2000-the-japanese-software-chart |publisher=Kotaku |title=Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |date=April 3, 2008 |access-date=April 4, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406160143/http://kotaku.com/375738/simple-2000-the-japanese-software-chart |archive-date=April 6, 2008 }} and sold 1.4 million units in its first week in the United States, becoming Nintendo of America's fastest selling game.{{cite press release |url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/AU8xLess7wISKbSMpYCj_HThii8UiBzG |title=Super Smash Bros. Brawl Smashes Nintendo Sales Records |publisher=Nintendo |date=March 17, 2008 |access-date=July 17, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915093943/http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/AU8xLess7wISKbSMpYCj_HThii8UiBzG |archive-date=September 15, 2008 }} The 3DS version sold over a million copies in its first weekend on sale in Japan,{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2014/09/16/super-smash-bros-3ds-sells-a-million-copies-opening-weekend-in-japan/|title=Super Smash Bros. 3DS Sells A Million Copies Opening Weekend In Japan|work=Forbes|access-date=September 16, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917173001/http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2014/09/16/super-smash-bros-3ds-sells-a-million-copies-opening-weekend-in-japan/|archive-date=September 17, 2014}} and has sold more than 9.63 million copies worldwide {{as of|2021|9|lc=y}}. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U became the fastest-selling Wii U game to date, selling 3.39 million units worldwide within just two months of availability, beating the record previously held by Mario Kart 8.{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/481700/smash-bros-becomes-fastest-selling-wii-u-game-in-the-us/ |title=Super Smash Bros becomes fastest-selling Wii U game in the US|first=Tom |last=Ivan|work=Computer and Video Games|date=November 25, 2014 |access-date=November 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128183304/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/481700/smash-bros-becomes-fastest-selling-wii-u-game-in-the-us/ |archive-date=November 28, 2014}} As of September 2021, it has sold 5.38 million copies worldwide. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on Nintendo Switch has set new record highs for the series and for the system.{{cite news |last1=Kuchera |first1=Ben |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the fastest-selling game in the series on the fastest-selling system this generation |url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/18/18146266/super-smash-bros-ultimate-sales-nintendo-switch |access-date=January 3, 2019 |work=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media, Inc. |date=December 18, 2018 |archive-date=January 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104124001/https://www.polygon.com/2018/12/18/18146266/super-smash-bros-ultimate-sales-nintendo-switch |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Crecente |first1=Brian |title='Super Smash Bros. Ultimate' Fastest Selling Nintendo Switch Game |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/super-smash-bros-ultimate-sales-1203092096/ |access-date=January 3, 2019 |work=Variety (magazine) |publisher=Penske Business Media, LLC. |date=December 18, 2018 |archive-date=December 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218160252/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/super-smash-bros-ultimate-sales-1203092096/ |url-status=live }} It sold an estimate of 5.6 million copies in global sales during its first week of launch, beating out records previously held by games such as Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Super Mario Odyssey, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.{{cite web |last=Kerr |first=Chris |title=Smash Bros. Ultimate worldwide sales topped 5M in first week |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/333375/Smash_Bros_Ultimate_worldwide_sales_topped_5M_in_first_week.php |website=Gamasutra |date=December 20, 2018 |access-date=December 28, 2018 |archive-date=December 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228223153/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/333375/Smash_Bros_Ultimate_worldwide_sales_topped_5M_in_first_week.php |url-status=dead }} In Japan, Ultimate outsold the records held by Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS with 2.6 million copies sold in five weeks.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/01/smash_bros_ultimate_has_already_outsold_smash_3ds_in_japan_after_just_five_weeks|title=Smash Bros. Ultimate Has Already Outsold Smash 3DS In Japan After Just Five Weeks|last=Ryan|first=Craddock|date=January 14, 2019|website=Nintendo Life|language=en-GB|access-date=January 16, 2019|archive-date=January 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117070003/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/01/smash_bros_ultimate_has_already_outsold_smash_3ds_in_japan_after_just_five_weeks|url-status=live}} It is also the third best-selling game for the Nintendo Switch and the best-selling fighting game of all time, with 36.24 million copies sold worldwide as of March 31, 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html|title=IR Information : Sales Data - Top Selling Title Sales Units (Nintendo Switch Software)|date=2022-06-30|access-date=2025-06-03|website=Nintendo|archive-date=January 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130072006/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html|url-status=live}}
Legacy
Super Smash Bros. is often credited with popularizing the platform fighter subgenre, notably by defining core mechanics such as an emphasis on ground movement and knocking characters into blast zones by accumulating damage percentages as opposed to traditional knockouts, which would subsequently be iterated on by games that would follow its release.{{Cite web |title=Super Smash Bros. Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-smash-bros-review/1900-2543713/ |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} Beginning in the mid-2010s, numerous independent developers took inspiration from the Smash series when creating their own variations of platform fighting games, notably including Rivals of Aether (2017), which according to lead designer and former competitive Smash Bros. player Dan Fornace, took specific inspiration from the faster, skill-based pacing of Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001).{{Cite web |last=Farokhmanesh |first=Megan |date=2015-06-18 |title=Rivals of Aether is like a beautiful, indie version of Super Smash Bros. |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/6/18/8808415/rivals-of-aether-xbox-one-pc-super-smash-bros |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}} Other indie titles such as Brawlhalla and Brawlout (both 2017) have also been favorably compared to Super Smash Bros. by multiple gaming news outlets, with the latter being remarked upon for its focus on more aggressive mechanics reminiscent of traditional fighting games within the Smash Bros. template,{{Cite web |date=2017-12-18 |title='Brawlout' wants to beat 'Super Smash Bros.' at its own game |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017-12-18-brawlout-wants-to-beat-super-smash-bros-at-its-own-game.html |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}} while Brawhalla was praised for incorporating stronger weapon-based gameplay systems, leading to a more functionally diverse character roster.{{Cite web |date=2018-11-22 |title=Review: Brawlhalla (Switch) - A Free-To-Play Smash Bros. Rival That Just Might Surprise You |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/brawlhalla |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}
Given its nature as a crossover for various gaming properties, the Super Smash Bros. series has inspired numerous other crossover fighters involving licensed franchises, that employ similar gameplay and presentation.{{Cite web |title=Platform Fighters and Smash-Likes: The Playlist - an IGN Playlist by Playlist Team |url=https://www.ign.com/playlist/igneditorial/lists/platform-fighters-and-smash-likes-the-complete-playlist |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=IGN |language=en}} In 2012, Sony Computer Entertainment published PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita, which was a conceptually similar platform fighter incorporating various PlayStation and third-party franchises in four-player timed and stock-based battles, set across 2D arenas with stage hazards.{{Cite magazine |date=2012-11-22 |title=Sony's Heavy Hitters Face Off - Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale - PlayStation 3 - www.gameinformer.com |magazine=Game Informer |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/playstation_all-stars_battle_royale/b/ps3/archive/2012/11/20/all-stars-battle-royale-review.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122021221/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/playstation_all-stars_battle_royale/b/ps3/archive/2012/11/20/all-stars-battle-royale-review.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=2012-11-22 |access-date=2025-03-22 }} Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, a series of console fighting games by Ludiosity and Fair Play Labs, which spun out of the Nickelodeon Super Brawl line of browser and mobile games, features various characters from Nickelodeon animated series and follows similar gameplay conventions to Super Smash Bros., with the addition of differentiated light and heavy attacks similar to traditional fighting games being a notable distinction between All-Star Brawl and Smash.{{Cite web |last=Goslin |first=Austen |date=2021-07-13 |title=SpongeBob will smash in Nickelodeon's All-Star Brawl, which is exactly what you think it is |url=https://www.polygon.com/22575456/nickelodeon-all-star-brawl-spongebob-ninja-turtles-fighting-game |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Skrebels |first=Joe |date=2021-07-13 |title=Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl Is a Smash Bros-alike Featuring SpongeBob, TMNT and More |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/nickelodeon-all-star-brawl-spongebob-rugrats-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-smash-bros |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=IGN |language=en}} MultiVersus, which went into early access in 2022 ahead of a wide release in 2024, adopts the broader mechanics and presentation of Super Smash Bros. while utilizing various Warner Bros. film and television franchises, and includes features unique to its systems such as granting characters passive abilities in combat and having dedicated PvE modes.{{Cite web |title=Batman can fight Arya Stark and Bugs Bunny in Warner Bros.' MultiVersus |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/batman-can-fight-arya-stark-and-bugs-bunny-in-warner-bros-multiversus/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=CNET |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2021-11-18 |title=Warner Bros. crossover fighter Multiversus officially announced |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/warner-bros-crossover-fighter-multiversus-officially-announced |access-date=2025-03-23 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Warner Bros. Games Reveals MultiVersus, Makes Ultra Instinct Shaggy Real |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/wb-multiversus-fighting-game-confirmed-after-teasers/1100-6498143/ |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} Outside general crossover fighting games modeled after Super Smash Bros., indie fighting games such as Brawlhalla and Rivals of Aether have routinely collaborated with third-party publishers to include their characters as guest fighters in a similar manner to Smash
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline}}
- {{Official website}}
{{Super Smash Bros.}}
{{Competitive Super Smash Bros.}}
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