Over the years,Super Smash Bros.has been called many things. Its games are platform fighters, competitive fighting games, party games, and a celebration of the gaming industry. Now, in the era ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, the series is still the name to beat when it comes to industry-wide appeal. The platform fighter genre is seeing more big-name releases than ever, but it’s an unspoken guarantee thatSuper Smash Bros. MeleeandSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatewill still get the most play.
Super Smash Bros. Meleeis set in stone as a gaming cultural icon, andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate’s roster has accomplished impressive featsthat may never be seen again. While the reality of the situation may be discouraging, other fighting games should still look toSuper Smash Bros.for guidance. This series has been getting a lot of things right since its inception, and while each entry has different strengths,Ultimatemay be the most condensed example of all thatSmashhas done well.
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Emulating Smash Ultimate’s Character Additions
Not every game can manageUltimate’s “Everyone is Here” slogan.Super Smash Bros. Ultimatewas built upon every entry that came before it, and its gimmick of bringing back every character was a big ask. Fighting game franchises often build new installments from the ground-up, so keeping all old content around isn’t necessarily an option. Several titles have emulated this, like theTekken Tag Tournamentgames, while others likeGuilty Gear XXand theBlazBluefranchise behave more like single games with years of updates. Carrying on the roster momentum it has had since the N64 with legendary additions coming through Fighters Passes, there’s no toppingSmash Ultimatein this regard.
However, that doesn’t mean other fighting games shouldn’t try. The largest ones should keep in mind whatSuper Smash Bros.discovered back in theBrawldays: guest characters are exciting. Not every game can afford them, but just having one show up can be a major marketing move. ConsoleTekken 7launching withStreet Fighter’s Akumain its base roster contributed to the game getting a solid start, allowing it to become a runaway success later on. Fighting games do seem to be more receptive to this practice, but asSmash Ultimatehas shown, there’s always room for more.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Offers Plenty To Do
The same can be said for the rest of Nintendo’s package. Having modes that keep players engaged is important, and an issue that the fighting game genre has traditionally struggled with.Super Smash Bros.is a notable exception, even if there have been some losses in single-player content over the years. AlthoughSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatelacks Target Smashand didn’t launch with Home-Run Contest or a Stage Builder, it still managed to include an assortment of modes, including a tightly designed Classic mode with bespoke challenges for every character and the World of Light narrative.
World of Light and the Spirit Board come off as cheaper thanMelee’s Adventure mode andBrawl’s Subspace Emissary, but they are a good example for other fighting games to make engaging single-player content without many new assets. They’re close toSoulcalibur 3’s Chronicles of the Sword modein this regard, and have a similar effect of keeping fans coming back, regardless of whether they unlock anything affecting the core experience. Combined with tight gameplay that is easy to learn but hard to master, most fighting games should be set. Since there’s a good chance they’ll also come out with better netcode thanSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, following its example is a solid road to success.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimateis available now on Nintendo Switch.
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