When it was first released in 1999 on the Nintendo ‘64, Super Smash Bros. captured our hearts! Now in 2018, Nintendo is set to release their next game in the Super Smash Bros. series, and just in time for the holiday season. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the series’ latest edition, and it’s already set out to be one of the company’s greatest hits.
Back then, the original game was only made up of 12 characters, all from Nintendo’s classics. However, the amount of characters on Super Smash Bros Ultimate’s roster is five times more than the original, and players can experience a ton of new features, as well as some classics that were seen in previously games.
Here is everything you need to know about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
The Super Smash Roster
So, who exactly is on the latest roster in Super Smash Bros.? Pretty much everyone that has been in the previous Super Smash Bros. games. Some characters that will be featured in this game are “echo fighters” like Dark Pit, characters that were originally DLC like Final Fantasy 7’s Cloud, and other characters that weren’t featured in Super Smash Bros. for the 3DS and WiiU, like the Solid Snake and Ice Climbers.
Characters will also have a wide range of outfits to choose from, especially with the Mii Fighters. Mii Fighters’ outfits are inspired by other games, like Breath of the Wild and Splatoon 2. Also, characters like Pikachu and Pókemon Trainer come in a female version, and Pókemon Trainer can freely switch between their Pókemon without being penalized.
Some of the new characters that will be joining the roster are Daisy, the Inklings from Splatoon 2, Ridley, King K. Rool (otherwise known as Donkey Kong’s most popular villain), Castlevania’s Simon Belmont, Isabelle from Animal Crossing: A New Leaf, and Ken from Street Fighter. This doesn’t include the characters that are DLC. After the game’s initial release, there are going to be at least five DLC packages that will include a new character, stage, and music.
There will be over 103 stages
Players can expect over 103 stages in the game! These include favorites like Peach’s Castle, Green Hill Zone, Frigate Orphan, Mortimer Island, and the notorious Big Blue. The new stages that will be featured in this edition include Moray Towers from Splatoon, Dracula’s castle from Castlevania, the Great Plateau Tower from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and New Donk City, which is inspired by the Super Mario Odyssey. Some of the older stages have been redesigned, but Nintendo has also managed to make them look similar to the original Nintendo ‘64 versions.
The stage selection is also a little different. Players can now choose the stage the battle is in right before they choose their characters. This makes it possible to choose your character based on where the battle will take place. There are also options to let the losing player pick the next stage, to choose the stages in a certain order, to randomize them, or to have a selection be a free-for-all. With each stage, players can also choose the music to play during their fight, whereas before each stage had its own music already set.
Another fun new feature is “stage morph”. Stage morph allows players to play in a battle that spans over multiple stages. Players would start in the first stage that they choose, and then, after a shimmering effect, they would continue the fight in a totally different stage.
The style of fighting is similar to Super Smash Bros. Melee
The fighting style featured in the game is very similar to the fighting mechanisms that were featured in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Directional Air Dodges are just one move that’s coming back to Super Smash, which will help players effectively dodge attacks mid air.
In this new game, short hops are even shorter than the usual Smash jumps. This will come in handy when players would want to use an aerial attack on their opponent. Another new technique is charging attacks while being midair. However, this will leave your character vulnerable and slow you down.
Super Smash Bros. will feature brand new game modes
While players can still enjoy Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Classic Mode, there will also be six other modes that they can look forward to: Squad Strike Battle Mode, Tourney Mode, Smashdown Mode, Training Mode, Spirits Mode, and Adventure Mode. In Squad Strike Battle Mode, players will have a line-up of 3 to 5 characters that will battle each other. There can be only one winner in this mode, as it is an elimination-style game play.
Tourney Mode is exactly how it sounds, where players will be in a tournament with up to 32 characters. In Smashdown Mode, players won’t be able to pick characters that have won in previous battles. So, you are forced to use other characters that you aren’t experienced with. Training Mode will allow you to experiment with your different attacks. With a special stage that features a grid, players will be able to measure each of their attacks’ launches and trajectories.
Spirits Mode will allow players to use the “spirits” from other games as power-ups. These characters are from the Smash World, but they’re turned into spirits, and you will be able to use them to boost your own abilities while fighting. Adventure Mode will actually give some explanation to the existence of Spirits Mode. Players will follow Kirby as he sets out on a journey to save his friends. In addition to these modes, there will be shorter game modes, like Century Smash and All-Star Smash.
The Switch’s Joy-Cons will be vital for Super Smash Bros. gameplay
What players really enjoy about the Nintendo Switch is the Joy Cons, and motion controls will be essential for playing the newest game in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Because, let’s face it, while the handheld mode of the console has its own benefits, the detachable Joy Cons will allow the players to fully immerse themselves into the game. With the new characters, fighting mechanisms, and game modes, you are going to want to fully experience everything you can.
However, even when you are using the Joy Cons, you might be at a disadvantage. While playing, you might be stuck looking up at your TV, standing, while fighting other characters, or you could be using your portable screen and run-of-the-mill stand, hunching your back forward while playing with the Joy Cons. When playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, you are going to need a reliable stand that will help you comfortably experience the game.
The SQWID will do just that. This stand is hands-free and can wrap around your neck or waist to bring the game right to your eye-level. This will give players the opportunity to have their own unique experience in their game, as the screen will be the players’ primary focus. The hands-free feature of the SQWID will allow players to perform their character’s attacks and dodges with ease, without worrying about their hands cramping or hurting their back.
This December, Nintendo’s latest edition of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will combine our favorite characters, battle stages and modes, while also introducing new characters, stages, and even music. With the Switch’s motion controllers, Super Smash is expected to be one of Nintendo’s classics!