Frequently Asked Questions
The most-asked questions about super smash bros. fighters.
What is Super Smash Bros. and what does 'fighters' refer to?
Super Smash Bros. is a series of arena brawlers developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo in which players control characters from across gaming history in team or free-for-all combat. The term 'fighters' refers to the playable roster, spanning Nintendo staples like Mario and Link to licensed guests such as Sonic, Pikachu, and even non-gaming figures like Mr. Game & Watch.
Who is the central creative force behind the series?
Masahiro Sakurai has directed and led design on every entry since the original 2001 GameCube title and is widely regarded as the public face of the franchise. He personally oversees character selection, balance tuning, and the overall creative vision for each game.
How many fighters are in the current roster?
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018) launched with 74 playable characters and later expanded to 89 through downloadable content, making it the largest roster the series has ever featured.
Which fighters are considered the most iconic?
Mario, Link, and Samus are frequently cited as the series' original trio and its most recognizable faces. Pikachu, Kirby, and Fox have also become cultural touchstones, regularly appearing in merchandise, trailers, and fan art.
How does the damage-and-stock system work?
Rather than depleting a health bar, each fighter accumulates a damage percentage that increases how far they are launched when hit. Knocking a fighter off-screen costs them one stock (life), and the match ends when a team loses all of its stocks.
What's the difference between a main-roster fighter and a DLC fighter?
Main-roster fighters ship with the base game at launch, while DLC fighters are added afterward as paid or free updates. In Ultimate every character—regardless of release order—has the same full set of moves and mechanics; the distinction is purely about when they became available.
Which Smash Bros. game should a newcomer start with?
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the most accessible entry point because it includes every previous fighter, runs on the Nintendo Switch, and offers a streamlined online mode. Melee (2001) and Brawl (2008) still maintain passionate competitive communities and are worth exploring once a player is comfortable with the basics.
What does it mean when a fighter is described as 'finalized'?
A 'finalized' fighter is one whose model, moveset, and in-game data are complete and locked for release, as opposed to an early placeholder seen during development. The term is most commonly used when discussing post-launch DLC announcements for Ultimate.
What are 'spirits' in Ultimate and how do they relate to fighters?
Spirits are collectible entities representing characters, items, or concepts from across Nintendo and partner franchises, and they serve as AI opponents in Adventure Mode or as passive buffs in multiplayer. They are not themselves playable fighters but function as a way to experience or support a character's essence.
How active is the competitive Smash scene?
The competitive community is deeply entrenched, with major events like EVO, The Big House, and Smash World drawing thousands of players each year. Melee and Ultimate each maintain separate competitive metas, and top players often specialize in a single character for years.