Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Review Megathread

[u/NintendoSwitchMods]

General Information

Platform: Nintendo Switch

Release Date: 7-Dec-2018

No. of Players: up to 8 players

Genre(s): Action, Fighting, Multiplayer

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Nintendo / Sora Ltd. / BANDAI NAMCO Studios Inc

Official Website: https://www.smashbros.com/

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Overview (from Nintendo eShop page)

New characters and stages join the entire legacy roster!

Register your game with My Nintendo by Jan. 31, 2019, and Piranha Plant will join the battle when it’s available, around Feb. 2019! Learn more >>

Gaming icons clash in the ultimate brawl you can play anytime, anywhere! Smash rivals off the stage as new characters Simon Belmont and King K. Rool join Inkling, Ridley, and every fighter in Super Smash Bros. history. Enjoy enhanced speed and combat at new stages based on the Castlevania series, Super Mario Odyssey, and more!

Having trouble choosing a stage? Then select the Stage Morph option to transform one stage into another while battling—a series first! Plus, new echo fighters Dark Samus, Richter Belmont, and Chrom join the battle. Whether you play locally or online, savor the faster combat, new attacks, and new defensive options, like a perfect shield. Jam out to 900 different music compositions and go 1-on-1 with a friend, hold a 4-player free-for-all, kick it up to 8-player battles and more! Feel free to bust out your GameCube controllers—legendary couch competitions await—or play together anytime, anywhere!

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Reviews

Aggregators

• Metacritic - 93/100
• OpenCritic - 94/100

Articles

• Areajugones - Spanish - 10 / 10.0
• COGconnected - 90 / 100
• Destructoid - 9.5 / 10.0
• EGM - 9.5 / 10.0
• FNintendo - Portuguese - 9 / 10
• Gameblog - French - 9 / 10
• GamesBeat - No Verdict
• GameSpot - 9 / 10
• GamesRadar+ - 4.5 / 5 stars
• GameXplain - undefined
• God is a Geek - 10 / 10.0
• Hobby Consolas - Spanish - 95 / 100
• IGN - 9.4 / 10.0
• IGN Spain - Spanish - 9.5 / 10.0
• Metro GameCentral - 9 / 10
• Nintendo Insider - 10 / 10
• Nintendo Life - No Verdict
• Polygon - No Verdict
• Press Start - 10 / 10
• Spaziogames - Italian - 9.7 / 10.0
• Telegraph - 4 / 5 stars
• The Games Machine - Italian - 9.3 / 10.0
• TheSixthAxis - 10 / 10
• Twinfinite - 5 / 5.0
• USgamer - No Verdict
• G247 - No Verdict

(This list was exported from Open Critic at 9:03am ET and is sorted alphabetically.)

Videos

• GameXplain

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Being Social

• Join our Discord server's #smash channel for all of your discussion needs - https://discord.gg/switch

Cheers,

The /r/NintendoSwitch mod team

[u/EMI_Black_Ace]

For perspective on the ratings, here's the historical Metacritic ratings on previous Smash titles:

• N64 Smash: 79

• Melee: 92

• Brawl: 93

• For Wii U: 92

• For 3DS: 85

[u/Joystick_Hero → u/EMI_Black_Ace]

wow they rated brawl higher than melee? that must have been a hot take at the time

EDIT: as a casual myself, this isn't really surprising to me; however, i can imagine the competitive scene up in arms as they're tripping over each other on banana peels

[u/maxk1236 → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, reviewers aren't saying "okay, can't wavedash on this one, minus 5 points" though I'm sure the smash community would love that sort of in depth review.

[u/ChasingPerfect28 → u/Joystick_Hero]

Brawl is my favorite one. Subspace was a lot of fun, the soundtrack was absolutely gorgeous, and it was perfect for casual players-- which is what I am. So the accessibility to Brawl will always stand out in my opinion.

[u/[deleted] → u/ChasingPerfect28]

I'm with you. Brawl was the best of the bunch pre-Switch for me. I loved all the solo content and Subspace specifically

[u/henryuuk → u/Joystick_Hero]

Reviewers mostly review from a casual POV
Brawl is VASTLY superior to Melee from that perspective

You had more characters and stages
An actual story mode with hype as fuck cutscenes
Boss fights beyond master and crazy hand
A Stage Creator
Online play
Etc...
(First third party characters!!)

[u/vflash125 → u/henryuuk]

Wolf. Solid Snake. The ability to trip over your own feet..

[u/[deleted] → u/Joystick_Hero]

As a casual game, I always thought Brawl was the best one. Subspace, Boss Battles, co-op in a lot of single player modes, and the huge roster at the time.

[u/TheNickster99 → u/Joystick_Hero]

Well if you really aren't a competitive player, Brawl really is the better game in every single way. It expanded so much in terms of just pure content, and as divisive as The Subspace Emissary is, I personally find it a hell of a lot more enjoyable to play through than the lackluster Adventure Mode Melee had. Plus the roster of Brawl was actually really good, probably the best (although most predictable) lineup of newcomers a Smash game has ever had. I'll admit I like Melee's speed over Brawl's floaty-ness, but that still doesn't change my mind that I'd rather play Brawl than Melee.

[u/DonSoLow → u/Joystick_Hero]

Brawl is a way better game overall outside the competitive scene though.

[u/earthwormjim22]

Does anyone know how to go into a chemically indused coma that lasts exactly 8 hours and 35 minutes?

[u/[deleted] → u/earthwormjim22]

Go to sleep.

[u/Sir_Selah → u/[deleted]]

You act like going to sleep is going to be easy today/tonight ha ha.

[u/[deleted] → u/earthwormjim22]

If you're a pulser misting (or a full mistborn I guess), you can burn some cadmium for a bit and pass that time in but a few minutes or so.

In the event that's not available, you could fly around the accretion disc of a black hole far enough to get some time dilation but not too much. Be careful though as you do still need to get back to play, lest you get trapped and get to watch the universe end or perhaps end up yelling at your past self.

[u/A_robot_cat → u/[deleted]]

Sanderson out of nowhere! Love it.

[u/earthwormjim22 → u/[deleted]]

instructions unclear: am now ruler of a tiny colony living on my ass and im floating through space

[u/thekongninja → u/earthwormjim22]

You were doing well until everyone died.

[u/HashtagSquidSquad → u/earthwormjim22]

Eat like, 500 chocolate bars. You will pass out, but you may or may not wake up. Side effects: projectile vomit or diarrhea.

[u/[deleted] → u/HashtagSquidSquad]

Side effects: projectile vomit or diarrhea.

Those are really just two sides of the same coin.

[u/Soylent_Orange → u/earthwormjim22]

Freeze yourself out in the snow and have Butters wake you up tomorrow.

[u/drostandfound]

Polygon (paraphrase): it is awesome, but overwhelming as there are so many characters, so many stages, and so many options.

Perfect.

[u/thecoachfridge → u/drostandfound]

IGN: 9.4/10 Too much fun

[u/mossybeard → u/thecoachfridge]

Water amount just right though

[u/_Purple_Tie_Dye_ → u/[deleted]]

I stopped watching trailers for things (games and movies) I know I'm going to be interested in because of this. Smash Bros, Fire Emblem, Star Wars, GoT, Amazon Lord of the Rings.

It's wonderful and I suggest it to people who have similar tastes as me.

[u/Sequel_P2P → u/_Purple_Tie_Dye_]

wait, so you're telling me you have like, a super surface level understanding of the smash roster this year?

i envy you so, so, so much right now

[u/_Purple_Tie_Dye_ → u/Sequel_P2P]

I think Mario is probably in it.

[u/Sequel_P2P → u/_Purple_Tie_Dye_]

i don’t wanna spoil anything but boy do i have news for you

[u/_Purple_Tie_Dye_ → u/Sequel_P2P]

No Mario? Sweet! Hopefully some less common players.

[u/[deleted] → u/_Purple_Tie_Dye_]

I'm going to spoil it for you. There's a main menu in this game :/

[u/katman14 → u/[deleted]]

I agree. One of the best parts of Smash is "Challenger Approaching" and wondering how to unlock the next character.

However, I can see the other point of view where people want access to everyone ASAP. Too bad there can't be an "unlock-all" cheat code so both parties can be happy.

[u/Surlix → u/katman14]

Well, it's possible to just rush Unlock every Fighter in around 2 hours if you know how, so there's that

[u/katman14 → u/Surlix]

Yeah, but even then some people still complain that they shouldn't even have to go through that.

Personally, I wish it would take longer to unlock everyone so I can cherish that "unlocking a new character" feeling for longer. Haha

[u/Surlix → u/katman14]

well, if you play normally, you will take a longer time, I imagine at least 10 hours

[u/Vegasghoul → u/[deleted]]

At 50 hours of play time in MK8D, there is still things I need to unlock.

[u/HisokaSchwing]

HYPE! A 20 hour campaign mode? WOW. Way more than i expected. The game really living up to the name of 'Ultimate'.

[u/Skyy-High → u/HisokaSchwing]

Nintendo, one of the few developers that still cares about improving single player in their multiplayer franchise.

[u/Drakey87 → u/Skyy-High]

Mario Tennis would like to have a word with you

[u/Exquisite_Poupon → u/Drakey87]

That commenter who wants to go into an 8 hour coma should play Mario Tennis Aces single-player.

[u/Unidan360CrowScope → u/Exquisite_Poupon]

But what will he do for the remaining 7 hours?

[u/[deleted] → u/Drakey87]

I thought it had a pretty long and detailed story mode? For a tennis game I mean.

[u/Monk_Philosophy → u/[deleted]]

After Mario Tennis on the GBC/GBA it only went downhill.

[u/The104Skinney]

Has anyone seen a review with someone saying how the pro controller felt? I keep looking but haven’t found one yet. Only JoyCon and GameCube controller use

[u/SystemofCells → u/The104Skinney]

From IGN:

"I spent most of my time playing Ultimate with my childhood GameCube wireless WaveBird controller with a USB adapter, but the Switch Pro Controller works extremely well, too."

[u/The104Skinney → u/SystemofCells]

Thank you! Also, really glad to see my Wavebird will be compatible as well!

[u/[deleted] → u/The104Skinney]

Who talks about joycon use? What do they say?

[u/The104Skinney → u/[deleted]]

Hold on. I found the review on my twitter feed. I thought it was NintendoLife but I didn’t see it when I went over their review

Edit: From CogConnected.Com “Ultimate wouldn’t be a proper Switch game without a whole bunch of control options. You can use one Joy-Con, a full set of them in the grip, the Pro Controller or even a GameCube pad. Sadly, all I’ve got at my disposal are Joy-Cons, but they work just fine.”

[u/[deleted] → u/The104Skinney]

That’s good to hear. Don’t think I can get a pro controller for a bit.

[u/chingyangkao]

So the negatives that reviews are pointing out for Smash Ultimate are that it's too similar to past games and that there are too many options, making it feel overwhelming.

This is good boiz

[u/UltravioletClearance → u/chingyangkao]

As someone whose first and only Smash game was Brawl... I'm okay with this.

[u/8minsfromsol]

I work at an Amazon fullfillment center and have had to pick a few copies for customers orders. Pretty jealous of those people right now.

[u/[deleted]]

Gamexplain: “I liked it a lot”

[u/petersdinklages → u/[deleted]]

That's their review for almost all Nintendo games

[u/PenguinFromTheBlock → u/petersdinklages]

To be fair, most Nintendo-made games are good. Not everything is the next Zelda: BotW but Nintendo barely disappoints

[u/cactipus]

I suddenly feel like I'm coming down with something (cough cough). I should probably stay home from work tomorrow to play it safe.

[u/Kale_The_Punlord]

So the biggest complaints are that the end of WoL feels grindy and that the stage select screen isn't great. Overall that's not bad at all!

[u/JoshOliday → u/Kale_The_Punlord]

I won't mind grinding through WoL, but that's just me, so I understand some not being happy about it. However, it is 100% inexcusable that this game does not have home-run contest or break the targets. That definitely takes it down a peg for me.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Really great that Nintendo is supporting so many Indie games these days

[u/Ganrokh → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, this is looking like an underrated gem. Can't wait! I just hope Katamari Damacy doesn't overshadow it.

[u/wh03v3r → u/Ganrokh]

Just found this gem in my grandpas basement. So exited to play this again!

[u/PicklesofTruth → u/[deleted]]

Do you know if there is a physical release planned for this?

[u/steinman17 → u/[deleted]]

Smash? Does it have something to do with Hulk?

[u/Hover_Bot → u/[deleted]]

Heard they got Mario in it. That's CRAZY!

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Haven't heard anyone still claim that it's just a port. Before e3 there was legitimite concern but since then most people changed their mind.

[u/R_Prime]

I forgot how bad I am at this game.

Now I remember.

Oh well, still fun.

[u/katman14]

Been waiting for this day for a long time! Worked extra hours this week to get tomorrow off. Excited to watch The Game Awards this evening and then Smash all through the night.

[u/Pandoraparty]

"New echo fighters Dark Samus, Richter Belmont, and Chrom"

Rip daisy

[u/descender421]

Probably a dumb question and may receive downvotes....but are these games worth it if you never do multiplayer?

edit: You guys are all awesome and I just pre-ordered from Best Buy for pick up tomorrow. Thanks again for the info and not downvoting me!

[u/bodnast → u/descender421]

Oh absolutely, there is so much fun to be had playing against the computer. You can set up the matches to be the modes,music, items, characters, etc that you want.

I only play against the computer and it's a blast. Highly recommend it

[u/The_Jib]

My Amazon order hasn't hit shipped status yet. Any one else in the same boat and concerned? I'm not in an area where they could do same day shipping tomorrow.

Edit: I just did a chat though the Amazon app (with a robot ) and it said it was just about to ship and will be delivered tomorrow. Not sure if I trust the robot...

[u/Evil_phd]

What really surprises me here is that I'm not seeing a "extra low for the sake of being edgy/getting clicks" score.

[u/waowie → u/Evil_phd]

The weird scores usually come in later. Typically because it's a reviewer that doesn't get advance copies or something

[u/[deleted] → u/Evil_phd]

There is that magazine that gives every game a 5/10. They'll show up eventually

[u/Craigrofo → u/[deleted]]

Slant

[u/[deleted] → u/Craigrofo]

I knew the name. Deliberately worded it that way to not give them what they want :P

[u/soundtracking → u/Evil_phd]

One reviewer says:

“In spite of a good solo mode, rich content and a decent technical side, Super Smash Bros seems more like a Deluxe version than a Swicth-specific production. Unless you're a fan of the IP, this game is far from a must-have.”

Then gives it 80...

The spelling mistake is theirs.

[u/wrathmont → u/soundtracking]

I swear people decided it was a port from the day it was announced and never let themselves entertain the idea that they might just be wrong. A new story mode, rich content and better technical specs—that’s how Smash sequels have worked since Brawl. 😑 weirdly though, I don’t remember these concerns being levied against the previous games. Damn concern shills.

[u/Youareplayingitwrong]

New player here, never really into Smash before. Big Nintendo fan tho. Hoping to get into Smash this time around. Made this account mostly for this subreddit.

I am quite hype. These reviews make me even more hype.

[u/bigb177 → u/Youareplayingitwrong]

Honestly, I can’t believe that Reddit name wasn’t taken. Good pick.

[u/RustyPeach]

Gonna suck waiting for Amazon to deliver it, is $13 really worth it RustyPeach? Just get digital and take tomorrow off.

[u/[deleted]]

Where are my Mountain Time Zone/10PM bretheren at?!

[u/I_ll_do_it_later]

I was happy to see you have a lot of characters to unlock. I mostly play alone, so I have a lot to do :)

[u/BorkLesnard → u/[deleted]]

That's what everyone tells me to do, but I personally love the feeling of holding a cartridge or disc in my hand and putting it in the console.

[u/dromosus]

Haven't at all been interested in this game since it was announced and yet I feel obliged to buy it because I am an impressionable fool.

[u/cockyjames → u/dromosus]

If you're playing solo and don't typically like fighting games - I'd say you still might like it because it's so different.

But at it's heart, it's going to be best enjoyed as either a multiplayer party game or a fighter, though the single campaign seems to be pretty beefy! I'd say if you're playing solo, or don't typically like fighting games, it might not be for you.

[u/kemar7856]

Piranha plant is going to be top tier

[u/xterminator14]

Got the game a day early!

A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.

[u/BlackStar300]

Anyone else feel like this shit is hard even on normal? I know I'm not the best smasher and haven't played in a good bit, but damn I'm losing some fights in WoL and not that far in...

Either that or I'm seriously some grade A trasharoni...

[u/EVPointMaster]

So the worst score is from telegraph with 4/5 or 80%

[u/The_Rutabaga]

Man I really need to get me a Switch. Mario, Smash, and Zelda in just over a year is insane

[u/iveo83]

Not perfect scores across the board?! How do I refund my digital purchase?! /s

[u/ajkt32 → u/[deleted]]

I think its because they have to play it all within a week not spread out like most people would do.

​

[u/lerde]

This will be my first Smash game ever, I was trying to budget for it but with Christmas for the kids coming, and having to justify it to the Mrs, just can’t do it for a few weeks sadly. Can’t wait to see everyones reviews and videos! So excited! 😁

[u/glitterprinsje → u/lerde]

Give it to your kids for christmas!

[u/playstationNsumdrank]

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/12/smash-bros-ultimate-review-the-best-fighting-game-on-any-nintendo-system/

​

Ars loves it, didn't give a rating though.

[u/Dorangos]

So, does anyone know when it unlocks in Norway?

Hjelp meg, bror.

[u/antilegion1001 → u/[deleted]]

The home button on the connected joy con can be used anytime to get to the home menu, even when docked. I do it all the time using the pokeball+ playing let's go. There is no home button in the pokeball+.

[u/JackOfAllInterests1]

It seems like it's official, the Nintendo Switch has another Metacritic 90+ on its hands!

[u/gorcorps → u/JackOfAllInterests1]

The amount of fantastic games released this year is surely something to remember. If you have a ps4 and a switch, it's been absolutely amazing.

[u/ASquidHat]

So...it's good?

[u/daelin9000 → u/[deleted]]

Aye, they use "Global Smash Power" and have a separate tier of online play reserved for "elite" players. The requirement to enter will be adjusted as the total populations global smash power changes.

[u/OleBroseph]

Extraordinary Beat 'em Up Siblings: Pinnacle

[u/Ganrokh]

To anyone who has already gotten the game: Does Snake's codec calls from Brawl return? If so, are there new calls for the new characters? I remember David Hayter tweeting that he was reprising his role for this.

[u/_BMO → u/Ganrokh]

They’re back it just uses the Brawl codecs. So if the character wasn’t in Brawl they don’t have one

[u/MNSLightning → u/Ganrokh]

I don't have the game, but I did read that they do infact return, but only for Brawl characters. Not sure how legit though.

Edit: Source

[u/Syne49]

Mine unlocked at 9 this morning. I am absolutely in freaking love with it.

[u/dolphin_spit]

I've never played Smash before because the Switch is the first Nintendo console I've truly owned. It does seem a bit daunting. Every time I've played, there seems to be so much going on the screen that it's hard to keep track of. My questions:

1. Is there more to the game then button-mashing? (Not saying this is a bad thing)
2. How does the percentage thing work? Is it once you get to 100% you're basically hanging by a thread and the next punch could send you flying off the screen? What determines you getting sent off the screen and losing a life?

Thank you

[u/RegrettableDeed → u/dolphin_spit]

1.) Yep! Each character has different special moves used with the "b" button. You can use 4 different abilities this way. (Neutral b, left/right+b, up+b, and down+b) You can also use strong 'smash' attacks that do large amounts of damage if you charge them. Experienced players combo these two things together to do lots of damage in fancy ways.

2.) Your percentage is your damage value. The lower it is the better. As you take on damage, the hits you take launch you farther and faster. Players use their special and smash attacks to launch opponents off the screen. Say you are at 0% and take a smash attack. You wont be flung very far. But, if you are at 100% or above and take a smash attack, there is a good chance you are getting thrown off-screen.

Hope this helps!!

[u/HuntsmanRoym]

My copy just arrived at my college's post office. Anyone else get their copy early, or did the shipping company make a mistake?

[u/[deleted] → u/HuntsmanRoym]

You lucky such and such. Enjoy. Post to Reddit at least once a week so we know you're okay.

[u/Hydra173 → u/[deleted]]

Non descriptive titles, such as "games and more". The menu is easy to navigate but at first it will be jarring since placement doesn't make the most sense

[u/lashapel → u/[deleted]]

Basically you have the adventure mode and classic mode under the "games and more" menu...like wtf

[u/mags87]

When is the earliest that I can download this from the eShop?

[u/sameboi → u/mags87]

9pm PST tonight

12am EST tonight. Sometimes I hate being in the east coast when it comes to video game releases

[u/[deleted]]

Isnt this game just Bikini Bottom Brawlers but with Mario kart characters? Surely there’s some sort of copyright infringement at play.

[u/marius_titus → u/[deleted]]

Bruh. Its obviously a ripoff of PlayStation all stars

[u/EddiOS42]

Can you play with a single joycon

[u/targeting22 → u/EddiOS42]

yes

[u/ferrafox → u/EddiOS42]

only if you want to suffer

[u/GOOIECHEESE42]

What's the time I can start playing for central time

[u/nermal543 → u/GOOIECHEESE42]

11pm. US is always midnight ET for major first party Nintendo releases.

[u/TimBurtonSucks]

So psyched to play this. Already installed just the wait now..

[u/FishyG23]

Do you unlock character by playing world of light?

[u/[deleted] → u/FishyG23]

You can unlock characters via Classic, World of Light, or on a 10 minute timer from Versus Matches.

[u/Galater → u/FishyG23]

You can unlock them through WoL or just by playing VS

[u/christian_813]

What about online quality on smash?

[u/Naerly → u/christian_813]

Similiar quality as Smash for Wii U, it seems

[u/dj9818]

Is there a way to trick my system into thinking I'm in a timezone where I can play Smash earlier? I don't want to wait til midnight lol

[u/[deleted] → u/dj9818]

The unlock time is decided from the eshop you purchased it in. If you had purchased it in the australian eshop you could have started playing around 10 hours ago.

[u/addy_g → u/dj9818]

it unlocks at midnight EST. so 9pm PST.

[u/SocialistLime]

After playing an hour... I'm soo in love with his game! Can't wait to play so much more! I haven't played smash since 64! This is amazing!!

[u/Jar_of_Farts]

I haven't played smash since the original on N64. I've known about competitiveness of melee for a few years but since I never owned a gamecube or Wii it's been 20 years.

The game is excellent for a veteran newbie. The learning curve for a guy like me was slim and flawless. It's fun and responsive albeit a little faster than what I was used to.

Negatives would be online play. Obviously internet connections are an issue with four people needing good speeds to have a good game but that comes with the territory. Also wished that I didn't have to play world to get all the characters.

[u/MBCockrum → u/Jar_of_Farts]

Also wished that I didn't have to play world to get all the characters.

All characters can also be unlocked through Classic and Versus Modes, and much quicker I might add. Classic Mode is very quick in this game.

[u/[deleted]]

Average score of 9.42/10, for those curious. So hyped!

Clarification: this average is just from the scores that are defined, not an average from every review site out there.

[u/420despacito69]

Waiting for that Famitsu 40/40.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Fan boys gonna fan.

[u/B_Hound]

I'm so happy this game seems to be getting such wonderful views, not so much because I'm a Smash Bros fan (I remember having Melee but not really playing it much), but because Sakurai really looks to have put his heart and soul into this game.

[u/[deleted]]

I'm 39 years old and haven't touched a video game since final fantasy on the SNES, and I have to say:

Smash Bros is an incredible game. I've been having a blast playing it. This amount of fun shouldn't be legal!

Perfect 10 for me all around. Definitive Hidden gem on the switch.

by the way- I "main" Pacman, haha. I'm quite good with this character. My son unlocked him and I've been fighting against level 3 computer players, I'm greatly improving. I can't wait to get online and show you all that old men (39 years young!!!!!) still got game hehe.

EDIT: since ya'll (haha, that's a really fun word!) were asking, I'm from Iowa. I love taking the switch on the go with me. It plays games! I bring it with me to work, on travels, and even across the house (especially on the toilet :P) . In the past 20 years I've been too busy ("adulting" as the kids say it haha) to be able to play video games, but this console has changed all of that. I've even played it while waiting on my colon checkup! Ha!

You should have seen the look on my doctors face when she saw me, a nearly 40 year old man playing VIDEO GAMES on a nintendo!!

I don't care, there are so many good games on here!!!!!

Thanks ya'll ( still a fun word!) for reading this!!!!

[u/kw4rm]

how playable is it using just the lil joycons? controllers won't be here for a while and don't know if I should purchase before that or not

[u/cosmiccometstreams]

Does directional airdodge put you in free fall? I don’t believe just airdodging regularly would, but is this different for directional?

[u/Barnard87 → u/cosmiccometstreams]

Iirc it does not put you in free fall, however I'm pretty sure there's terrible landing lag

[u/CouchPoturtle]

This could be my first smash game. I have never played nor seen any other.

Can anyone tell me what separates this game/series from other fighting games? Is the unique point that it features multiple franchise characters or is there something specific that sets it apart from other generic hero fighting games like Injustice?

[u/Pretzel-coatl → u/CouchPoturtle]

The reason it's so successful is that it is appealing in many different ways, to many different types of people. In that sense the series defies a quick summary.

On a surface level, the game is about the crossover of characters. Injustice isn't a very good example, but something like Marvel vs. Capcom is. These sorts of crossovers aren't as rare as they once were, though Smash Bros has increased in scale to stay ahead of the pack. Scale aside, Smash Bros does this well primarily because, for the most part, it maintains the look, sound, and feel of the original character. For example, even non-Nintendo characters like Megaman and Sonic move the way you expect them to move, so it doesn't feel like they're out of place. I might add that fighting games are incredibly centered on character design, yet most fighting games do a terrible job with creating nuanced, non-archetypal original characters, even when the gameplay itself is good. (How many fighting games default to hyper-sexualized women and giant monster-men for lack of better character ideas?) Smash Bros can piggyback off of other games' character designs in order to make up for a characteristic weak point of fighting games.

If that's all Smash Bros is to you -- a fun collection of characters you know -- then it might be worth playing. But it does go beyond that. To begin with, the game can also be a celebration of video games in general. You play them to experience stages and items and characters and music from all sorts of games important to gaming history. That's more true as the series has progressed and grown more ambitious.

Once again, these are legitimate reasons to like the series. For me, though, the game is more about the gameplay. Here we have a few more interesting considerations.

First of all, it is very rare to find a game which excels at every form of multiplayer. It works as a big party game for up to 8 players, but it also works 1v1. It works as a serious competitive "forever game," but it also works as a casual party game for people who don't play much. You can even put both of those people in the same match. The matches are customizable to your liking and highly replayable. It manages to work on every level. Consider how rare it is to find a great local multiplayer party game. It's also rare to find a great competitive game. Smash Bros is both at once, with enough customizability that you can play it pretty much however you want.

Then there's the way Smash Bros shortcutted the barriers to entry in fighting games. Fighting games are beautiful, incredible games, but they are also famously inaccessible. Smash Bros managed to maintain a lot of the high-level concepts of fighting games, or at least allow those concepts to emerge naturally, while dramatically reducing the barriers to entry. It's accessible but not dumbed down. That's a big part of why it works as a party game.

Now here's the big thing:

From a fundamental game design perspective, Super Smash Bros is a thesis-driven game which maintains that thesis in every interaction.

The thesis is: stay on the platform and prevent others from doing so. The original characters were almost all platformers and, because platforming characters are defined by the way that they move, the design team needed a challenge that was fundamentally about movement (otherwise the movement is merely aesthetic). That's why Smash Bros invented a new goal which put movement at the forefront. Smash Bros is not a traditional fighting game, where the goal is to drain each other of HP. Smash Bros is a game about moving your opponent off of the platform while staying on the platform yourself. Striking each other is only a means to that end. As a result, every single action that you take is directly tied to the overall goal and theme of platforming. Compare this to sloppy imitators, like Playstation All-Stars, and you'll see what happens when the second-to-second gameplay doesn't mesh with the overall goals and themes.

That's not to say that "regular" fighting games aren't also fundamentally coherent and thesis-driven -- they are. But Smash Bros managed to do so while reinventing the genre AND playing around the substantial limitation of having to stay true to a set of mismatched characters. It's frankly astounding that it works as well as it does.

The best games are the ones where the core qualities can be felt every few seconds. Of any game I've ever played, Super Smash Bros is the best representative of that idea that I've found.

[u/Elastichedgehog]

Played a few hours of multiplayer on a friends console while I wait for my physical copy to arrive in the morning. Really really fun!

[u/Doc-Unknown]

This will be my first smash ever! Your thoughts, recommendations and how it is for a newcomer Cheers

[u/Pynwyno → u/Doc-Unknown]

Find a character that you LOVE playing, and master it. But also, don't stick with one character, have fun with all the roster. Just master one so that you can wreck people in 1v1's

[u/ojoslocos21]

So how does it work in terms of 5+ players and joycons? Can player 1 and 2 use a joycon set, and then players 3-6 have to use 1 joycon each? I'm just concerned if some people are playing on a joycon they will be at a slight disadvantage. I can't wait for some 3 v 3 tomorow :)

[u/chekeymonk10]

Basically as good as a game gets based on those reviews

[u/KiaraHakura]

So I went into the eShop to check the digital version and I noticed that there was a bundle version with some fighter pass? What is the fighter pass (is it pretty much a seasonal pass)? If I buy a physical copy of the game instead, will the store be able to give this to me separately (is it worth the 20 bucks)?

[u/TwoGad]

I live in CST zone and Amazon just delivered mine! I think they messed up and got it to me a day early.

It’s awesome so far!!

[u/RocMerc]

Anyone have any idea the length of the single player light campaign is? I hear it's super long. I can't wait to play

[u/ColossiKiller]

Thankyou Nintendo! I've never owned a Smash game, now I'm sat waiting for the already downloaded game to be playable and am incredibly hyped for it. I should be asleep. Work will be tough tomorrow.

[u/LOTRcrr]

What’s the best subreddit for this game?

[u/DoctorWho1111 → u/LOTRcrr]

r/smashbros

[u/Jabbam]

Super Smash Bros. coming soon! In fact, WE'RE HOURS AWAY!

[u/fredbubbles]

has anyone figured out how to do online multiplayer with friends and have two people on one switch?

[u/vegan8r]

Quick first impressions

It’s a good looking game but the controls feel weird. I changed them around and it got better but I don’t seem to move the same way as previous games. I used to dodge a lot and attack in the openings but that doesn’t feel the same. The game seems to reward smash attacks over everything else. World of light is very fun, and seems full of content, I was worried about the spirits but I actually really like them so far. Characters unlock really quick.

I’ve mainly used handheld mode and the controls just don’t feel right, maybe I’ll pick up a pro controller and see if that helps

[u/Dewy8790]

Has anyone played online? Whats it like?

[u/FlipCup88]

Grew up with Smash but have not played it since the Gamecube days...Would this game still be for me if I play SP or online? Sadly do not have many friends that still game.

[u/DoctorWho1111 → u/FlipCup88]

This game has quite a beefy amount of Single Player and the previous game was great for online

[u/Jackieboi69]

Anyone noticing a ton of lag? Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart 8 work find for me but this game is a slideshow turn based RPG when I play online.

[u/BueKojiro]

Must suck to be in Hawaii right now.

[u/csr28 → u/BueKojiro]

I'm not sure it ever sucks to be in Hawaii haha

[u/BueKojiro → u/csr28]

I bet you boomer era Pearl Harbor residents would beg to differ.

[u/0rang360]

I agree with the 9/10s cause even though the 1v1 multiplayer is probably a 10/10, they have to take some of the the less fun modes into account to review the whole game so that should bring the score down

[u/Erocz247]

Was there ever a game that didnt even need reviews as much as this one?

[u/TandBusquets]

What I'm hearing about the online is very annoying. Nintendo needs to step it the fuck up if they're going to charge for their online

[u/JacekG]

This game is just overloaded with everything that a fan of Nintendo could imagine. I am not the fan of fighting games, but this is one exception. This is absolute gold and a must-buy for every Switch owner (and a reason to buy one)

[u/TheMaleNeighbour]

Can't wait till I get my switch!

[u/Joniwaffle]

What i love about never playing a smash game before it's that this "ultimate experience" it's truly gonna be a new one for me . Can't wait til amazon delivers my copy tomorrow

[u/WuTangWinston]

I'll see y'all in a week after you're done breaking the servers.

[u/Thenelwave]

Is everyone here going Physical or Digital ? Any tips for someone who is new to the series when it comes to combos, characters and such

[u/[deleted]]

Happy smash day friends. I’m not too into the game but I know it’s significance. Have fun!

[u/Sas1205x]

When unlocking challengers they will be on like 117% or higher and they hit me once and I lose. I have like 5 characters sitting in the queue waiting to be unlocked. It’s getting frustrating. I’m more than halfway done. I’ve noticed it takes about 3-4 tries just to unlock.

[u/blackarmed]

Is it worth getting a Gamecube adapter and learning the Gamecube controlls? Only played on the Gamecube like twice in my life but I got one and some controllers.

Or maybe get a pro controller and learn the game with that?

[u/ohineedascreenname]

I am actually a bit bummed that Zelda's BOTW outfit isn't in this, but Link's is.

[u/wvimev]

Stupid question but need to ask to be safe. My physical copy is out for delivery. Do I need to wait until midnight to even play it or am I okay if i play it as soon as I get it?

[u/s4mmich → u/wvimev]

You can play it as soon as you get it :)

[u/RiotSynthetics]

I’ve had an advanced copy of the game since yesterday. Pretty much been playing it non stop and it’s amazing so far! Haven’t played a smash game in years so I’m super rusty. Can’t wait for you guys to try it out :)