What is Super Smash Bros? It’s the crossover fighting game that lets players pit Mario against Pikachu, Link against Kirby, and dozens of other beloved characters against each other. Since 1999, this Nintendo franchise has sold over 70 million copies worldwide and become one of the most recognizable fighting games ever made.
Super Smash Bros stands apart from traditional fighting games. Instead of depleting health bars, players knock opponents off the stage. The higher the damage percentage, the farther characters fly. This simple twist created a party game phenomenon that appeals to casual players and competitive fighters alike.
Key Takeaways
- Super Smash Bros is a crossover fighting game where players knock opponents off stages instead of depleting health bars, making it accessible to both casual and competitive players.
- The franchise features 89 playable characters in Super Smash Bros Ultimate, including icons from Nintendo and third-party franchises like Sonic, Mega Man, and Minecraft’s Steve.
- Simple controls using directional inputs plus attack buttons make Super Smash Bros easier to learn than traditional fighting games with complex combo inputs.
- Super Smash Bros Ultimate is the best-selling fighting game ever, with over 34 million copies sold since its 2018 release.
- The competitive Super Smash Bros scene thrives through major tournaments like EVO and Genesis, with professional players achieving esports celebrity status.
- Character reveal announcements have become major cultural events, with trailers like Sora’s addition generating over 20 million YouTube views within days.
The Core Concept Behind Super Smash Bros
Super Smash Bros brings together characters from different video game franchises into one arena. Nintendo developed this crossover concept in 1999 for the Nintendo 64. The idea was bold: take mascots from separate universes and let them fight.
The game’s creator, Masahiro Sakurai, wanted something different from standard fighting games. Traditional fighters like Street Fighter require memorizing long combo inputs. Super Smash Bros uses simple button combinations instead. Players press a direction plus an attack button to execute moves. This accessibility opened the genre to millions of new players.
The core goal remains consistent across every Super Smash Bros title. Players must knock opponents beyond the stage boundaries. Each hit adds to a damage percentage counter. At 0%, characters barely move when struck. At 150% or higher, a solid hit sends them flying off-screen. This percentage system creates tension throughout each match. No lead feels safe until the final knockout lands.
How the Gameplay Works
Super Smash Bros matches take place on floating platforms called stages. Each stage features unique layouts, hazards, and visual themes pulled from Nintendo games. Players start with a set number of lives (called stocks) or compete for points within a time limit.
The control scheme prioritizes accessibility. Every character shares the same basic inputs:
- Standard attacks: Press the A button alone or with directional inputs
- Special attacks: Press the B button with directional inputs for unique moves
- Smash attacks: Flick the control stick while pressing A for powerful knockout moves
- Shield and dodge: Block incoming attacks or roll away from danger
- Grab: Seize opponents and throw them in any direction
Items spawn randomly across stages during casual play. Hammers deal massive damage. Poké Balls summon Pokémon to assist. The Smash Ball grants devastating Final Smash attacks unique to each character. Competitive players often disable items for a purer test of skill.
Super Smash Bros rewards adaptability. Players must read their opponents, punish mistakes, and recover when launched off-stage. The edge-guarding game, attacking opponents trying to return to the stage, adds another strategic layer.
Characters and Franchises Featured
The roster defines what is Super Smash Bros for many fans. The original game featured 12 fighters from Nintendo properties. Super Smash Bros Ultimate, released in 2018, expanded that number to 89 playable characters.
Nintendo franchises form the foundation. Mario, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Kirby, Star Fox, and Pokémon all contribute fighters. Each character brings signature moves from their home games. Mario throws fireballs. Link swings his Master Sword. Samus fires her arm cannon.
Third-party characters joined starting with Super Smash Bros Brawl in 2008. Sonic the Hedgehog was the first non-Nintendo fighter. Since then, the roster has welcomed:
- Mega Man from Capcom
- Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII
- Steve from Minecraft
- Sora from Kingdom Hearts
- Pac-Man from Bandai Namco
This variety transforms Super Smash Bros into a celebration of gaming history. Players can settle debates about which character would win in a fight. The crossover appeal drives much of the franchise’s popularity.
The Evolution of the Series
Super Smash Bros has grown significantly across six main entries. Each version added features that expanded the experience.
Super Smash Bros (1999) launched on Nintendo 64 with 12 characters and 9 stages. It established the core formula and sold nearly 5 million copies.
Super Smash Bros Melee (2001) arrived on GameCube. The faster gameplay, 25 characters, and technical depth made it a competitive favorite. Melee tournaments still run today, over two decades later.
Super Smash Bros Brawl (2008) introduced online play for Wii owners. It added the Subspace Emissary adventure mode and brought third-party fighters into the mix.
Super Smash Bros for 3DS/Wii U (2014) split across handheld and console platforms. It offered 58 characters and downloadable content for the first time.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate (2018) lives up to its name. Every fighter from previous games returned. The roster reached 89 characters with all DLC included. It became the best-selling fighting game ever, moving over 34 million copies.
Each entry refined what Super Smash Bros could be while keeping the accessible knockout-based combat at its heart.
Competitive Scene and Cultural Impact
Super Smash Bros built one of gaming’s most passionate competitive communities. Major tournaments attract thousands of participants and hundreds of thousands of viewers online. Events like EVO, Genesis, and The Big House showcase top-level play.
Melee and Ultimate dominate the competitive circuit. Melee players appreciate the game’s technical demands and fast pace. Ultimate draws larger crowds due to its recent release and massive roster. Professional players like MKLeo, Hungrybox, and Mang0 have become esports celebrities.
The grassroots nature of Super Smash Bros competition sets it apart. Fans organized tournaments for years before Nintendo offered official support. This community-driven growth created loyal player bases that sustain the scene.
Cultural impact extends beyond competition. Super Smash Bros character reveals generate massive online reactions. When Sora from Kingdom Hearts joined Ultimate, the announcement trailer received over 20 million YouTube views within days. These moments become shared experiences for gaming fans worldwide.
The franchise also introduced many players to characters they’d never encountered. Someone might try Fire Emblem games after enjoying Marth in Super Smash Bros. This cross-promotion benefits Nintendo and third-party publishers alike.
