Cross-platform comparison of Super Smash Bros. 4

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This page lists noteworthy similarities and differences between the Wii U and 3DS versions of Super Smash Bros. 4.

Similarities

The two versions have the same characters.^[1] The characters have identical physics and movesets across both versions.
- However, four characters that are available as starter characters in the Wii U version must be unlocked in the 3DS version (Bowser Jr., Jigglypuff, Ganondorf, and Ness).
Both versions share 13 stages (7 of which are DLC stages): Battlefield, Final Destination, Boxing Ring, Duck Hunt, Gaur Plain, Wily Castle, Suzaku Castle (DLC), Dream Land (64) (DLC), Hyrule Castle (DLC), Peach's Castle (DLC), Super Mario Maker (DLC), Midgar (DLC), and Umbra Clock Tower (DLC).
- However, the Wii U version of Gaur Plain is larger, with more platforms. Also, Metal Face does not appear in the 3DS version of Gaur Plain, while he does in the Wii U version.
- Additionally, Duck Hunt was not available on the 3DS version upon its release. Instead, it was included with the 1.1.1 patch released on September 30th, 2015.
  - The score counter is also different between the two versions, as it follows the camera in the 3DS version, but stays in place in the Wii U version and both versions' Ω form. This stage and Super Mario Maker also feature Star KOs and Screen KOs in the 3DS version, which are disabled on the Wii U version for unknown reasons.
- Furthermore, the time of day for Wily Castle depends on the version with the 3DS version set in the day while the Wii U version is set at night.
- Finally, the giant screen in the Wii U version of Boxing Ring can display special titles for the fighters.
- Even Suzaku Castle, Super Mario Maker and Midgar have differences between consoles; for Suzaku Castle, in the Wii U version, the background is a shade of orange, but the 3DS version uses a magenta color. For Super Mario Maker, the 3DS version will only switch between two styles instead of Wii U's four (all of them). For Midgar, in the Wii U version, the background is a dark shade of teal, but the 3DS version uses a much greener shade.
Both versions have Classic Mode.
- However, the mode is vastly different between versions.
Both versions have All Star Mode.
- However, the order the characters are faced is reversed between versions.
Both versions have Target Blast.
- However in the Wii U version, the second bomb is bigger and there are three different stages.
Both versions have Home Run Contest.
Both versions have Multi-Man Smash.
Both versions have the Vault including the Trophy Shop and Trophy Rush, and some of the trophies exist in both versions.
Both versions feature character customization, with the same Custom Parts appearing in both versions.
Most music in the 3DS version also appears in the Wii U version.

Differences

Stages

Main article: Super Smash Bros. 4#Stages

A majority of the stages are exclusive to one version or the other. The 3DS version features more stages from handheld games, while the Wii U version features more stages from console games as well as more stages in general. Even the two games' versions of Battlefield, while identical in physics, are different in aesthetics.^[2] The Wii U version also has larger stages such as Big Battlefield to allow for 8-Player Smash.

In the 3DS version, much like in Melee, no stage has more than two songs tied to it, with the exceptions of Dream Land and Super Mario Maker; on the Wii U, this number is higher, and the music on each stage can be set through My Music, a returning feature from Brawl.

Graphics

One of the more notable differences between the two, the distinct dark outline around characters in the 3DS version.

Aside from the Wii U version's graphics being technically superior due to having stronger hardware and higher resolution, the two games have distinct graphical styles. The 3DS version has flatter shading and a dark outline around its characters in order to make them more visible on the 3DS's smaller screen (the outline's thickness can be adjusted or disabled^[3]). The Wii U, unrestricted by screen size and able to run at up to 1080p resolution, has smoother edges around the characters and more complex shading.

The 3DS version uses low-fidelity models during gameplay, but switches to more detailed ones while paused.

The Wii U version also has all elements running at 60 frames-per-second at all times. In the 3DS version, the characters and environments generally run at 60fps, but some secondary elements such as certain items (including Assist Trophies and summoned Pokémon) and Olimar's Pikmin will run at 30fps in order to not affect the framerate. The 3DS version's character models also have two different levels of detail; during gameplay, where framerate is more important than model detail and characters are generally shown at a distance, lower-fidelity models are used to keep the game running smoothly, switching seamlessly to higher-quality models during moments where players can view the characters more closely, such as when pausing the game or during the results screen. Players can observe the difference directly by freezing time in Training Mode while zoomed in.

Game modes

Unique to Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
- Smash Run: A multiplayer dungeon crawler based around gathering stat boosts to compete in stadium matches
- StreetSmash: A token-battling minigame that relies on the Nintendo 3DS system's StreetPass feature
Unique to Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
- Smash Tour: A board game based around collecting fighters and stat boosts for use in quick, randomized battles
- Event matches: A progression of pre-scripted battle scenarios returning from Melee and Brawl
- Special Smash: A set of customization options for versus matches, first introduced in Melee and appearing here based on its upgraded design from Brawl
- Stage Builder: A tool that allows players to create their own multiplayer stages, which has been overhauled since its introduction in Brawl
- Special Orders: A pair of modes based around challenging randomly-generated, single-attempt event matches for in-game prizes
- 8-Player Smash: A versus option that allows up to eight players to battle simultaneously, replacing the more primitive Rotation mode from Melee and Brawl
- Tournament Mode: A competitive elimination mode returning from Melee and Brawl, which is set to receive an upgrade for hosting online tournament events. This mode was removed when the Miiverse service shut down.
- Masterpieces: A free time-limited trial of classic games on past Nintendo consoles such as Super Mario Bros. or The Legend of Zelda

Miscellaneous

There is no possibility for cross-platform play, due to the two games not sharing stages. However, they are able to interact with each other in various ways, including transferring the character customization from the 3DS to the Wii U as explained above.^[4]
- However, the 3DS can be used as a controller for the Wii U version, but the actual match is not visible on the 3DS.
The 3DS version has no movies besides the How-to-Play video. Because of this, it lacks an intro video, a first for the series, as well as character trailers and other videos.
Some of the trophies appear in one version and not the other. As with stages, the 3DS version has an emphasis of trophies based on games made for handheld consoles, while the Wii U version has an emphasis on home consoles.
The Wii U version contains a much larger library of music and has the My Music feature to take advantage of this. There are still a small number of songs that appear only in the 3DS version.
The Challenges are different between versions. The 3DS version is easier to complete, while the more difficult Wii U version awards 2 million Gold upon completion of its Challenge grid.