Nepedia
Back to Discover
Fluent Reader
🎨

Super Smash Bros.

arts Maturity 5-7 Next article →

Super Smash Bros. is a famous series of platform fighting video games.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate gameplay
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate gameplay

Unlike traditional fighting games, players do not just try to empty a life bar. Instead, you use many attacks to build up damage on your rivals. Once they have enough damage, you try to knock them off the stage. This system makes the gameplay feel very different and exciting. It allows players to react to every single hit. This unique way of playing is why many people love the series.

Making these games is a huge job that requires many steps.

Smash Ball
Smash Ball

The creator, Masahiro Sakurai, wanted a game that focused on strategy and improvisation. He created special "smash attacks" that players can trigger with a quick flick of the joystick. In later games, new things were added to make the action even better. For example, players can find a "Smash Ball" to use a powerful "Final Smash" attack. There are also "Assist Trophies" that let you call in other characters to help you fight. These tools add many layers to the way the games work.

Masahiro Sakurai 2021
Masahiro Sakurai 2021

The history of the series began at a studio called HAL Laboratory. In 1998, Sakurai worked with Satoru Iwata to develop the first game. They originally had a different idea called "Dragon King: The Fighting Game." This prototype used 3D graphics and a four-player setup. Sakurai wanted to use characters people already knew, like Mario and Donkey Kong. At first, Nintendo was not sure about this idea. However, after seeing a demo with Mario, Fox McCloud, Samus Aran, and Donkey Kong, they gave permission. The first game was released in 1999 for the Nintendo 64.

N64-Console-Set
N64-Console-Set

The series has grown very large over many years. The second game, Super Smash Bros. Melee, came out in 2001 for the GameCube. It was developed in just 13 months and became a huge success. Later, Super Smash Bros. Brawl was released for the Wii in 2008. This game featured a long story mode and characters from other companies, like Sonic the Hedgehog. The most recent main game, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, arrived in 2018 for the Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Smash Bros
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Smash Bros

So far, the series has sold over 77 million units combined.

Satoru Iwata - Game Developers Conference 2011 - Day 2 (1)
Satoru Iwata - Game Developers Conference 2011 - Day 2 (1)

Today, Super Smash Bros. is more than just a game. It brings together many different worlds and characters in one place. This "crossover" style has helped make many other game characters very popular. A dedicated community of players even holds large esports tournaments to compete. These players show off incredible skill in front of many people. The series has also inspired many other fighting games around the world. It remains a special way for fans to see their favorite heroes interact.

444 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Masahiro_Sakurai_2021.jpg
Masahiro_Sakurai_2021.jpg
File:N64-Console-Set.png
N64-Console-Set.png
File:GameCube-Set.jpg
GameCube-Set.jpg
File:Satoru_Iwata_-_Game_Developers_Conference_2011_-_Day_2_(1).jpg
Satoru_Iwata_-_Game_Developers_Conference_...
File:Wii-console.jpg
Wii-console.jpg
File:Nintendo-Switch-wJoyCons-BlRd-Standing-FL.jpg
Nintendo-Switch-wJoyCons-BlRd-Standing-FL.jpg
File:Super Smash Bros. Ultimate gameplay.jpg
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate gameplay.jpg
File:Smash_Ball.svg
Smash_Ball.svg
File:Nintendo_Switch_Pro_Controller_Smash_Bros.jpg
Nintendo_Switch_Pro_Controller_Smash_Bros.jpg
File:Mango_(cropped).jpg
Mango_(cropped).jpg
More to explore

🔬 Go deeper

More advanced topics to explore

🪜 Step back

Simpler topics to build understanding

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.