Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Difference between revisions

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate ''}}

{{articleIcons|ultimate=y|featured=y}}{{Cquote|Everyone is here!|cite=''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' tagline}}

'''''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''''' ({{ja|大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズ SPECIAL|Dairantō Sumasshu Burazāzu Supesharu}}, ''Great Fray Smash Brothers Special''), often shortened to "'''''SSBU'''''" or "'''''Ultimate'''''", is a crossover action fighting game for the [[Nintendo Switch]]. The game was first teased at the end of a [[Nintendo Direct]] on March 8th, 2018, and fully revealed on June 12th at E3 2018. It is the fifth installment in the ''{{b|Super Smash Bros.|series}}'' series (sixth if the two versions of ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' are counted as separate titles). The game was released worldwide on December 7th, 2018.

''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' received universal acclaim from both critics and players, with some critics calling it the best installment in the series. It received praise for its large amount of content and fine-tuning of existing ''Smash'' gameplay elements, although its online mode was widely criticized. As of September 30, 2020, ''Ultimate'' had sold over 21.10 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling ''Super Smash Bros.'' game and also the best-selling fighting game of all time, beating ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' and ''{{s|wikipedia|Street Fighter II}}'', which previously held each title respectively. Its massive success has caused it to be nominated for, and win, multiple awards.

The [[opening movie]] of ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' is composed of the cutscenes from [[World of Light]] and [[gameplay]] footage from the game set to the tune of [[Lifelight]], featuring all the [[characters]] in the base game.

==Characters==

[[File:SSBU Panoramic.png|thumb|center|700px|Panoramic artwork of all announced fighters as of October 1st, 2020.]]

<!--Remember: Pokémon Trainer is counted as 3 separate fighters by the Sakurai number, when Lucina and Dark Pit are added the total becomes 65, NOT 67-->

All 63 characters (65 if counting the {{SSBU|Pokémon Trainer}} as three fighters<!--Mii FIGHTERS ARE ALWAYS COUNTED SEPARATELY. DISCUSS BEFORE CHANGING.!-->) from all previous ''Smash Bros.'' games return as playable fighters. As well as the returning cast, the game features 23 newcomers. 11 characters are available in the base game, with 12 characters (eight known and four unknown) planned as {{SSBU|downloadable content}}. In total, 74 characters (76) are playable in the base game and 86 (88) characters will be playable overall, the most for any ''Smash Bros.'' game. Each character is numbered based on the order in which they first joined the series, with the exception of [[Echo Fighters]] (who share a number with the character they are based on) and Pokémon Trainer (whose Pokémon are numbered instead).

[[File:SSBU Character Select DLC.jpeg|300px|thumb|right|The [[character selection screen]] in ''Ultimate'' with all characters unlocked and all current downloadable characters available.]]

{{SSBU|Inkling}}, with various Girl and Boy designs from the original ''{{s|inkipedia|Splatoon}}'', was the first character confirmed to appear in the game as a new playable fighter. {{SSBU|Ridley}}, a central villain from the {{uv|Metroid}} series, was confirmed to be playable during [[E3]] 2018, with [[Meta Ridley]] as an alternate costume. {{SSBU|Simon}} of the {{uv|Castlevania}} series was announced as the game's first third-party newcomer along with his echo {{SSBU|Richter}}. {{SSBU|King K. Rool}}, arch-enemy of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong from the {{uv|Donkey Kong}} series, was confirmed to be a playable newcomer as well, with his move-set drawing on his appearances as a boss in the ''Donkey Kong Country'' games onward. {{SSBU|Isabelle}} from the {{uv|Animal Crossing}} series, who previously appeared in ''Smash 4'' as an [[Assist Trophy]], makes her playable debut as the second ''Animal Crossing'' fighter. Finally, in the November Nintendo Direct, {{SSBU|Incineroar}} from ''{{s|bulbapedia|Pokémon Sun & Moon}}'' was announced as the title's last base roster newcomer.  

In addition, most full [[clones]] are now labelled as "Echo Fighters" and are marked with an epsilon (ε) next to their [[fighter number]]s, which they share with the character they are based on. Returning characters {{SSBU|Lucina}} and {{SSBU|Dark Pit}} have been given this title (as they are Echo Fighters of {{SSBU|Marth}} and {{SSBU|Pit}}, respectively), while new characters {{SSBU|Daisy}}, {{SSBU|Richter}}, {{SSBU|Chrom}}, {{SSBU|Dark Samus}}, and {{SSBU|Ken}} are Echo Fighters of {{SSBU|Peach}}, {{SSBU|Simon}}, {{SSBU|Roy}}, {{SSBU|Samus}}, and {{SSBU|Ryu}}, respectively. Aside from an option allowing these characters to be displayed on the same slot as their counterpart on the [[character select screen]] exclusively during [[Vs. Mode]], [[Tourney]], [[Custom Smash]], [[Super Sudden Death]], and [[Quickplay]], there is no special distinction between most of them in-game, and the name is used mostly for marketing purposes.

{{SSBU|Piranha Plant}} from the {{uv|Mario}} series touches new ground as the first mob character in ''Smash'', and as an early purchase bonus DLC character, released on January 29, 2019. It was also confirmed that five more unique newcomers would be added as DLC by January 2020. With the exception of Piranha Plant, all of these DLC characters can be bought together as part of a [[Fighters Pass]]. For Fighters Pass Vol. 1, {{uv|Persona}}'s {{SSBU|Joker}} is part of Challenger Pack 1 (announced on December 6, 2018, one day before ''Ultimate''{{'}}s release; released on April 17, 2019), the {{SSBU|Hero}} from {{uv|Dragon Quest}} is part of Challenger Pack 2 (announced on June 11, 2019; released on July 30, 2019), {{SSBU|Banjo & Kazooie}} from their namesake series {{uv|Banjo-Kazooie}} are part of Challenger Pack 3 (announced on June 11, 2019; released on September 4, 2019), {{uv|Fatal Fury}}’s {{SSBU|Terry}} is part of Challenger Pack 4 (announced on September 4, 2019; released on November 6, 2019), and {{SSBU|Byleth}} from {{uv|Fire Emblem}} as part of Challenger Pack 5 (announced on January 16, 2020; released on January 28, 2020), finishing Fighters Pass Vol. 1.  

During the September 4, 2019 Nintendo Direct, after revealing Terry, it was announced that even more DLC Fighters beyond the five in the Fighters Pass Vol. 1 are in development, as Fighters Pass Vol. 2 will include 6 more playable characters. This number of newcomers was announced during the January 16, 2020 Presentation revealing Byleth. Challenger Pack 6 includes {{SSBU|Min Min}} from {{uv|ARMS}} (announced on March 26, 2020; revealed on June 22, 2020; released on June 29, 2020). Challenger Pack 7 includes {{SSBU|Steve}} from {{uv|Minecraft}} (announced on October 1, 2020; released on October 13th, 2020). The rest of the characters from the Fighters Pass Vol. 2 remain unannounced and are set to be released by the end of 2021, though their specific release dates are unknown.

As in ''Smash 4'', further "characters" exist as alternate costumes for preexisting characters. In this game, fourteen characters have such costumes: [[Alph]] is accessible as a playable character via {{SSBU|Olimar}}'s [[alternate costume]]s; the seven [[Koopalings]] are available as playable characters via {{SSBU|Bowser Jr.}}'s alternate costumes; one of {{SSBU|Pichu}}'s costumes depicts the specific "spiky-eared" Pichu variant; [[Alex]], a [[Zombie]] and an [[Enderman]] appear as [[Steve]]'s alternate costumes; {{SSBU|Pokémon Trainer}}, {{SSBU|Wii Fit Trainer}}, {{SSBU|Robin}}, {{SSBU|Corrin}}, and {{SSBU|Byleth}} each have opposite-gendered variants as alternate costumes; {{SSBU|Pikachu}} possesses both an opposite-gendered variant and a costume depicting the specific "Cosplay" Pikachu variant; each of {{SSBU|Villager}} and {{SSBU|Inkling}}'s costumes represent different customization options for the character, including gender; the [[Hero]] has three other protagonists from across the ''Dragon Quest'' series as palette swaps and the {{SSBU|Ice Climbers}} swap the playable Ice Climber from Popo to Nana in half of their alternate costumes. Additionally, the {{SSBU|Mii Brawler}}, {{SSBU|Mii Swordfighter}} and {{SSBU|Mii Gunner}} also have alternate gender options depending on the created Mii used for them. However, these characters are not treated as separate characters in-game.

Only the [[Original 8]] characters from ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' are available from the start. Like in ''Smash 4'', the {{SSBU|Mii Fighter}}s are also available from the start via customization, but are otherwise locked upon initial startup of the game. The rest of the cast must be unlocked; however, the unlocking process and conditions are much simpler than in past games. Fighters will challenge the player in ten minute intervals or by clearing {{SSBU|Classic Mode}} with a prerequisite character, and can also be unlocked by being rescued in [[World of Light]].

===Bosses===

All [[Light Realm]] and [[Dark Realm]] bosses, except for Galeem and Dharkon, are also featured as {{SSBU|Classic Mode}} bosses. The stage bosses listed above are found in [[Gaur Plain]], [[Wily Castle]], and [[Find Mii]] respectively.

[[File:Stage Select Ultimate Normal.jpg|thumb|300px|The stage selection screen in ''Ultimate'' with all current downloadable stages available.]]

With the exception of the ''Super Smash Bros.''-original stages, all stages are ordered in chronological appearance and for the first time ever, all stages are available immediately from the start. Additionally, all stages can be played with up to 8 players, rather than just a select few as in ''SSB4''. All stages have both a [[Battlefield form]] and [[Ω form]]. ''Ultimate'' features 103 stages (306 if counting Battlefield forms and Ω forms separately) at base game.

96 stages from previous games have returned overall: 7 from ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'', 19 from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', 26 from ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', and 44 from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' (18 from the 3DS version, 18 from the Wii U version, 8 from both versions), adding 7 completely new stages. In update 3.0.0, ''Ultimate'' gained the option to create custom stages with the [[Stage Builder]] and can be selected from the "Custom" tab. In update 8.1.0, a free downloadable stage was added, [[Small Battlefield]], which resembles Battlefield with the middle platform removed and the side platforms slightly closer to one another. The same update also allows any ''Super Smash Bros.''-original stages to play music from any series, instead of just the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series.

Five additional stages were added to the game as part of the Fighter Pass Vol. 1 DLC alongside the respective fighters, which brought the number of stages up to 109 (321 if counting Battlefield forms and Ω forms separately) with an additional six more to be released as part of Vol. 2 bringing the number up to 115 (339 if Battlefield and Ω forms were to be counted). The seven DLC stages that have been released so far are [[Mementos]], [[Yggdrasil's Altar]], [[Spiral Mountain]], [[King of Fighters Stadium]], [[Garreg Mach Monastery]], [[Spring Stadium]], and [[Minecraft World]] which released alongside {{SSBU|Joker}}, {{SSBU|Hero}}, {{SSBU|Banjo & Kazooie}}, {{SSBU|Terry}}, {{SSBU|Byleth}}, {{SSBU|Min Min}}, and {{SSBU|Steve}} respectively.  

Only 15 stages featured in previous games are not available in ''Ultimate'' (excluding single player-only stages or previous forms of Battlefield and Final Destination). These stages are: [[Planet Zebes]] and [[Sector Z]] from ''Smash 64''; [[Icicle Mountain]], {{SSBM|Mushroom Kingdom}}, [[Poké Floats]] and {{SSBM|Mute City}} from ''Melee''; [[Rumble Falls]] and [[PictoChat]] from ''Brawl''; [[Rainbow Road]] and [[Pac-Maze]] from {{for3ds}}; and [[Jungle Hijinxs]], [[Pyrosphere]], [[Woolly World]], [[Orbital Gate Assault]] and [[Miiverse]] from {{forwiiu}}. While [[Flat Zone]] and [[Flat Zone 2]] are also absent, [[Flat Zone X]] incorporates all elements of both of those stages. The {{iw|mariowiki|World 1-2|Super Mario Bros.}} version of [[Mushroomy Kingdom]] is also absent.

{{clrr}}

Towards the end of ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'''s post-launch development, [[Masahiro Sakurai]] announced that his next project had been finalized, unbeknownst as the next ''Super Smash Bros.'' game, and that he would be taking a small vacation following the completion of ''Smash 4''{{'}}s DLC content.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://sourcegaming.info/2016/01/06/famitsu-news-sakurai-catching-a-breather/|title="Famitsu News — “Sakurai Catching a Breather”" - Source Gaming}}</ref> Sakurai had been inspired to work on the next ''Smash Bros.'' game as a request from Iwata before he passed away.<ref>https://twitter.com/PushDustIn/status/1121075766169522176</ref>

Unlike previous ''Smash'' titles, which had their development studios built from the ground up, [[Bandai Namco]] returned to help game development. Before starting development, the team had a choice between completely overhauling the game's system and feel or working off of what was established in the last game. The team ultimately went with the latter. Had the team gone with the former, the game would have likely only had a third of its characters.<ref name="special">{{citeweb|url=https://sourcegaming.info/2018/07/02/smash_special_complete/|title="“Smash is Special” COMPLETE Translation" - Source Gaming}}</ref> Despite deciding to base the game off of the previous installment, Sakurai still increased the overall speed of the game, but only by an amount that wouldn't be too alienating to people unfamiliar with the series.<ref name="special" /> Sakurai notes that he had wanted to make these changes in previous titles, but was unable to because it was easy for one to lose track of their character's position on screen, especially on the [[Nintendo 3DS]].<ref name="special" /> When Sakurai had revealed to his development team that he intended to bring back every previously playable character, he was met with silence.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/12/17453214/super-smash-bros-ultimate-nintendo-switch-masahiro-sakurai-e3|title="Why Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was such a daunting game for its creators to build" - The Verge}}</ref> The project plan was later finished by December 16, 2015,<ref>https://twitter.com/AllSourceGaming/status/1062725619270762496</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/PushDustIn/status/1121079749550297088</ref> and development officially began in February 2016, immediately after DLC wrapped up for ''SSB4''.<ref>https://www.sourcegaming.info/2018/12/12/sakurai-tells-more-details-about-smash-ultimates-development/</ref> As Sakurai revealed in volume 542 of his Famitsu article, his work schedule had been cut down significantly, citing strict regulations regarding work hours.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://sourcegaming.info/2018/05/02/compliance-and-labor-vol-542/|title="“Compliance and Labor” – Sakurai’s Famitsu Column, Vol. 542" - Source Gaming}}</ref>

Various characters had been considered to be added to the roster. Alucard was originally considered to be a playable character for {{uv|Castlevania}} before Sakurai decided to choose [[Simon]] and [[Richter]] instead.<ref>https://twitter.com/AllSourceGaming/status/1074578854134439936/</ref> {{pkmn|Decidueye}} was also considered to be a playable character from Generation VII of Pokémon, but Sakurai picked [[Incineroar]] instead.<ref>https://twitter.com/PushDustIn/status/1087124581867958273/</ref> Due to the timing of the finalized plans for ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', fighters from {{uv|ARMS}} or ''Xenoblade Chronicles 2'' had failed to arrive to the base game. In compensation, [[Rex]], [[Nia]], [[Spring Man]], and [[Ribbon Girl]] would be made as [[Alternate costume (SSBU)/Mii Fighter|Mii Fighter costumes]], with Rex's Mii costume being bundled as part of the first Fighters Pass, and various ''ARMS'' and ''Xenoblade Chronicles 2'' character would be represented by spirits.<ref>http://www.japanesenintendo.com/post/182181277319</ref> ''ARMS'' would eventually get a playable character with {{SSBU|Min Min}} as DLC, who was a request from ''ARMS'' director Kosuke Yabuki, after Sakurai had to decide to choose either Min Min or Ninjara.

''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' was later officially teased on March 8, 2018 via a [[Nintendo Direct]], albeit the name would not be revealed until [[E3]] of that year. Without explicitly confirming the playable status of any characters, the teaser trailer hinted the [[Inklings]] would be debuting in the game as newcomers, while also suggesting that [[Mario]], [[Link]], and several other series veterans would be returning. Shortly after the reveal, Sakurai explained in a tweet that he had been working on the game "in silence, day after day".<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://twitter.com/Sora_Sakurai/status/971885028245307392|title=Sakurai announces that he has been working on ''Smash for Switch''}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb|url=https://twitter.com/AllSourceGaming/status/971901365826940928|title=Translation of Sakurai's ''Smash for Switch'' tweet}}</ref>

At E3 2018, an extended look into the game [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L93H7YC-83o was livestreamed], with Masahiro Sakurai directing the presentation. The presentation revealed that every character from the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, even characters that have previously been previous cut such as the [[Ice Climbers]] and [[Snake]] or were DLC fighters like [[Cloud]] and [[Bayonetta]], would return to the roster as playable fighters. The presentation also highlighted several changes made to the ''Smash Bros.'' roster, such as [[Zelda]] having her look based off her ''A Link to the Past'' and ''A Link Between Worlds'' design, or certain clone characters now being designated as [[Echo Fighters]], with a new clone fighter [[Daisy]] joining the battle under this label. The presentation ended with the reveal of [[Ridley]] from [[Metroid (universe)|''Metroid'' series]] - long requested by fans for inclusion in the series but rebuffed by Sakurai due to his large size - being confirmed as a playable character. The following Nintendo Treehouse also included additional info about the game that was not mentioned during the presentation, such as the stage hazard toggle. Following the Nintendo Treehouse, the {{Trn|Super Smash Bros. Invitational 2018}} took place on June 12th where invited professional players like {{Sm|MkLeo}} and {{Sm|ZeRo}} played ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' for the first time. Immediately following the presentation, the [[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Official Site|official ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' website]] was published, and would serve as the primary source for new details about the game.

The following months saw Simon, Richter, [[Chrom]], [[Dark Samus]], and [[King K. Rool]], the latter being a very popular request, being revealed during an [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-kQWJrjRV4 ''Smash Ultimate''-focused Nintendo Direct] presentation on August 8, 2018. The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRuHg1dv8MI Nintendo Direct of September 13, 2018] revealed [[Isabelle]] from ''Animal Crossing'' would be joining the roster, and in a [https://youtu.be/fccgHnBQ0YM November 1, 2018 Direct], [[Ken]] and Incineroar had been formally revealed, including the new [[Spirits (menu)|Spirits mode]] and [[Adventure Mode: World of Light]]. The direct also announced the first Fighters Pass, featuring five fighters that had been selected by Nintendo that would be added to the game with their own stage, music tracks, and spirits.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Sora_Sakurai/status/1059958604818657282?s=19]</ref> This would soon be followed by Fighters Pass Vol. 2, with six additional fighters, each with their own stage, music, and spirits.

During development on downloadable content for ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', there were considerations to include [[Slime]] from {{uv|Dragon Quest}} had [[Square Enix]] not allowed the team to use [[Hero]].<ref>https://www.siliconera.com/2019/09/26/masahiro-sakurai-and-yuji-horii-discuss-smash-ultimates-hero-dlc-director-philosophy-and-more/</ref> Due to time constraints, only four of the ''Dragon Quest'' heroes were finalized for the game.<ref>https://www.siliconera.com/2019/09/26/masahiro-sakurai-and-yuji-horii-discuss-smash-ultimates-hero-dlc-director-philosophy-and-more/</ref> In addition, one character that was not realized until Fighter Pass Vol. 2 was [[Steve]] from the popular video game {{uv|Minecraft}}. Negotiations between [[Mojang Studios]] and the team working on ''Smash Bros.'' had begun somewhere during 2014/2015, during the period when ''SSB4'' post-content development was ongoing<ref>https://twitter.com/Kappische/status/1311756854847041543</ref><ref>https://twitter.com/Kappische/status/1311774160650199043</ref>, however said negotiations went nowhere until 2020, as {{SSBU|Steve}} would join the roster as DLC. As Sakurai explained, developing Steve required immense work, having to readjust every stage to allow Steve to use his [[Mine / Craft / Create Block|Create Block]] move.<ref>https://youtu.be/TaDhtEcX1TM?t=250</ref>

As of October 2020, DLC content so far has included the Fighters Pass, with [[Joker]] from the {{uv|Persona}} series, [[Hero]] from the {{uv|Dragon Quest}} series, [[Banjo]] & [[Kazooie]] from {{uv|Banjo-Kazooie}}, [[Terry Bogard]] from {{uv|Fatal Fury}}, and [[Byleth]] from {{uv|Fire Emblem}}; the ongoing Fighters Pass Vol. 2, with [[Min Min]] from {{uv|ARMS}}, [[Steve]] from {{uv|Minecraft}}, and four other unrevealed fighters; and [[Piranha Plant]] from the {{uv|Super Mario}} series being a bonus DLC character and offered for free for a limited time. In addition, modes like [[Stage Builder]] and [[Home-Run Contest]] were brought back in the game by post-content updates. New modes like [[Video Editor]] and [[Rematch]] and a new stage called [[Small Battlefield]] were also implemented.

[[File:StockCounter1-on-1.jpg|thumb|The stock counter in a one-on-one stock match.]]

*In Vs. mode, the stage selection screen now appears before the character selection menu, making players select a stage before selecting fighters.  

*On the character select screen, the number of player slots can be adjusted with the + and - buttons on the right side. [[8-Player Smash]] had been merged with Standard Vs. Mode, with matches having 2 to 8 slots, while other game modes have different limits.

*[[Alternate costume]]s are now shown at the bottom of the player's portrait, with eight small stock icons representing each palette swap. Additionally, each color is now listed with a name from the numbers 1-8 (e.g. Color 7).

*While a Smash Mode match is loading, an intense [[versus splash screen]] will appear, showing the combatants. [[Tips]] still appear regularly on loading screens in other modes, and can appear on the splash screen when loading takes long enough.

*In one-on-one stock fights, the stock count of both fighters will be briefly displayed on-screen whenever a stock is lost (With the exception of the final stock).

*The character select screen is now similar in appearance to the original ''Super Smash Bros.'' menu when starting the game, with the other fighters unlocked later on.

**Instead of being roughly organized by series, the character select screen now organizes characters (with the exception of Echo Fighters and Mii Fighters) by when they were first officially announced for a ''Super Smash Bros.'' game.

*While a fighter is knocked off the stage, a minimap which shows the character locations, [[blast zone]], and camera zoom will appear on the corner of the screen.

*Like {{SSB4|Little Mac}}'s [[Power Meter]] and {{SSB4|Shulk}}'s [[Monado Arts]] in ''Smash 4'', several characters now sport additional UI elements next to their damage meter, such as {{SSBU|Villager}} and {{SSBU|Isabelle}}'s [[Pocket]]ed item, {{SSBU|Robin}}'s Durability Counters, {{SSBU|Inkling}}'s Ink Tank gauge, {{SSBU|Cloud}}'s [[Limit Gauge]], {{SSBU|Joker}}'s [[Rebellion Gauge]], {{SSBU|Hero}}'s [[MP Gauge]], {{SSBU|Terry}}'s GO symbol, and {{SSBU|Steve}}'s resources.

*Smash Attacks can be charged significantly longer. Once the fighter stops moving, the damage output will cease scaling. However, knockback will continue to increase until the charge is completed.

*Opponents no longer take more knockback when hit while charging a [[smash attack]].

**This change significantly lessen the use of [[hitstun canceling]], as most hitstun and launch speed now wear off as soon as they are able to perform an [[air dodge]] or [[aerial attack]]s.

**If a character is struck with enough knockback by either a [[meteor smash]] or stage spike, they will be KO'd as soon as they are off-screen, rather than reaching the bottom blast line. This makes [[sacrificial KO]]s that rely on meteor smashes more reliable.<ref>https://twitter.com/notty_jirachi/status/1073305289519116289</ref>

*[[Fall speed]]s and [[gravity]] are now temporarily homogenized during hitstun from knockback which launches at angles 70-110 degrees. This prevents fast fallers from being disproportionately susceptible to ladder combos but also prevents them from having improved vertical survivability while floatier characters have improved vertical survivability.

*[[Rage]] has had its knockback increase reduced to a maximum 10% boost, down from 15%. Additionally, it no longer applies to hits that use [[set knockback]], preventing linking moves with high set knockback from KOing at disproportionately early percentages.

*Shield dropping incurs 11 frames of lag, up from 7 in ''SSB4'', making the game less defense-focused.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/8rgc3i/did_a_framebyframe_breakdown_of_the_invitational/?st=jii2wdxz&sh=4cc5fc06</ref> However, the minimum time the shield must be held for before it can be dropped has been reduced from 11 frames to 3, assisting in the new perfect shield mechanic.

*"Magnet hands", a controversial element in ''Brawl'' and ''Smash 4'' that allowed some characters to evade [[Edgeguarding|edgeguarders]] while [[recovery|recovering]] much easier, have been toned down. [[Edge sweet spot]]s have become smaller, and recovery moves take longer to snap on ledges in general. This makes recovering overall more difficult.  

**Meteor smash attacks can no longer be teched when grounded regardless of their properties, much like in previous ''Smash Bros.'' titles minus ''Smash 4'', making them more reliable for starting combos.

*[[Sudden Death]] consists of the screen slowly zooming in, making the blast zones gradually shrink. It also appears to have a fixed camera angle, and the screen progressively gets covered in aesthetic flames, starting with the corners. This is presumably to balance the gameplay speed of Sudden Death across all stages, especially with large (such as [[Temple]] or [[New Pork City]]), autoscrolling (such as [[Mushroomy Kingdom]]), or [[Stage Builder]] stages. Raining [[Bob-omb]]s from ''Melee'', ''Brawl'' and ''SSB4'' is still present if the screen has finished zooming in and no one is KO'd.

**All characters participating in Sudden Death are ranked based on what time they are KO'd rather all KO'd characters being automatically ranked 2nd, much like in previous ''Smash Bros.'' titles minus ''Smash 4''.

*[[Self-destruct]]ing in online matches with stocks can take away two stocks instead of one (unless it's one on one)

*The [[jumpsquat]] timing of every character has been standardized to 3 frames. This is most easily noticeable with {{SSBU|Bowser}} and {{SSBU|Snake}}, as both characters used to have highest jumpsquat frames in ''Smash 4'' and ''Brawl'' respectively.

**[[Wavedashing]] has made a return from ''Melee'', alongside techniques associated with it like wave landing. However, it is significantly weaker due to the new mechanics added to directional air dodges, compounded further by their higher landing lag, as well as the cast's increased traction. Furthermore, the universal buffs to dashing in general eliminates the need of this technique.

*[[Up smash]]es and [[up special]]s can be used [[out of shield]] without jumping.

*If two [[grab]]s collide, both characters take minimal damage and act as if their [[grab release]]d. This event is known as "grab parrying" by the in-game tips and removes the effect of [[port priority]] in determining who gets the grab.

**However, hair and fur textures tend to use less complex shading and modeling techniques, resulting in a flatter appearance similar to ''Brawl'' and ''for 3DS''.

*After using up their [[midair jump]](s), characters leave behind a subtle, transparent trail when moving through the air and until they regain their jumps. This aesthetic effect is difficult to notice unless the camera is zoomed onto a character or the scenery behind them is particularly bright.

*A character's KO voice clip no longer plays when a blast KO occurs and the current match ends.

**On the [[results screen]], the announcer now says "(Character name/Team color) wins!" ("(Character name/Team color) win!" in the Japanese version), instead of saying "The winner is... (character name/team color)!" (''Brawl''/''Smash 4'') or "This game's winner is... (character name/team color)!" (''Smash 64''/''Melee''). Additionally, after Team Battles, all teammates will perform their complete victory animation instead of only the player with the highest score/stock count, much like the first three installments. As a result, all victory poses now "freeze" at the same time point during their animations.

***However, the Spanish, French, Italian and German versions still say the winner's name at end like in ''Smash 4'', such as "¡La victoria es para... (character name/team color)!" in Spanish; this also extends to the Dutch version, newly recorded for this game, which says "De winnaar is... (character name/team color)!"

*[[Name]]s now override some instances of character names, such as underneath the damage meter.

|MC = 93% (99 reviews)<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/super-smash-bros-ultimate|title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Reviews|accessdate=2019-12-10|publisher=Metacritic}}</ref>

|award3 = Game of the Year<ref name="joystickgoty"> {{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/Super-Smash-Bros-Ultimate-Nintendo-Golden-Joystick-2019/|title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate wins Nintendo Game of the Year at the 2019 Golden Joystick Awards|publisher=GamesRadar|accessdate=2019-12-10}}</ref>

The game has sold 12.08 million units as of December 31st, 2018, marking it as the fastest-selling Nintendo game in history (at the time).<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.vg247.com/2019/01/31/super-smash-bros-ultimate-is-the-fastest-selling-nintendo-game-ever/|title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the fastest-selling Nintendo game ever}}</ref> In March 2019, that number reached 13.81 million, surpassing the total number of sales for the Wii U console in just 4 months. Since then, that number has reached 18.84 million units as of March 31st, 2020, making it the best selling game in the series, and also making it the best selling fighting game of all time (previously held by ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' with 13.30 million copies).

''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'' currently holds an aggregate review score of 93% on Metacritic,<ref name=metacritic></ref> tying it with ''[[Brawl]]'' as the highest-rated game in the series on the website, and held a score of 92.17% on GameRankings prior to its shutdown.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/switch/234547-super-smash-bros-ultimate/index.html|title=GameRankings}}</ref>

===Characters===

Fire Emblem Heroes Smash.png|Official illustration of all playable {{uv|Fire Emblem}} characters and [[Assist Trophies]].

Fire Emblem Smash Bros.png|Official image of all playable ''Fire Emblem'' characters on [[Arena Ferox]].

*This is the first ''Super Smash Bros.'' game to:

**Not feature the involvement of [[Satoru Iwata]], as he passed away on July 11, 2015.

**Be released in the same year it was announced since ''Melee''.

**Feature the same starting roster as a previous ''Smash'' game (being the same as the original ''Super Smash Bros.'').

**Not introduce a newcomer who held the title of longest time period between the character's debut in ''Smash'' and last appearance in their home series. The {{SSBM|Ice Climbers}} had this title in ''Melee'' at 16 years and eight months. {{SSBB|R.O.B.}} took the title from them having taken 22 years and five months to debut in ''Brawl'', before {{SSB4|Duck Hunt}} took the title with 30 years and five months in ''Smash 3DS''.

**Have both the English [[announcer]] and voice actor of {{SSBU|Master Hand}} and {{SSBU|Crazy Hand}} unchanged, with Xander Mobus reprising his role from ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', as well as having the announcer use recycled voice clips from the previous game.

**Allow [[Master Hand (SSBU)|a boss]] to be playable without hacks or [[Master Hand glitch|glitches]].

**Have all of its veterans announced prior to launch and at the same time.

**Not have a minigame featuring [[target]]s, such as [[Target Smash!]] and [[Target Blast]].

****Counting both versions of SSB4 as one game, this is also the first game since the [[Super Smash Bros.|original]] to not introduce a new stage from the {{uv|EarthBound}} and {{uv|F-Zero}} universes.

**Feature Assist Trophies from third-party universes without playable characters, namely {{uv|Bomberman}}, {{uv|Shovel Knight}}, {{uv|Monster Hunter}}, and {{uv|Virtua Fighter}}.

**Feature universes owned by a current console rival to Nintendo ({{uv|Banjo-Kazooie}} and {{uv|Minecraft}}, both owned by [[Microsoft]]).

***However, ''Banjo-Kazooie'' was originally a second-party Nintendo property prior to Rare's acquisition by Microsoft in 2002.

**Have more Assist Trophies than Poké Ball Pokémon.

**Announce [[Min Min (SSBU)|a newcomer]] without revealing their identity, but [[ARMS (universe)|the series they represent]].

**Feature stages that can play any music from any series, being all four {{uv|Super Smash Bros.}} stages.

*This is the second ''Super Smash Bros.'' game to:

**Sub-modes for Mob Smash at 3.

*Because of the size of the USK icon on the game's box art, [[:File:Super Smash Bros Ultimate German boxart.png|the German version]] has a slightly different variation of the said box art: [[Pikachu]] is moved upwards, [[Yoshi]] is completely missing, and the logo is off-centered.

*Discounting ports of older games, this game marks the only appearances of [[King K. Rool]], all ''Metroid'' characters (except [[Samus]]),  both ''Earthbound'' characters (being [[Ness]] and [[Lucas]]), [[Ice Climbers]], [[Roy]], [[Ike]], all three ''Kid Icarus'' characters (being [[Pit]], [[Dark Pit]], and [[Palutena]]), [[R.O.B.]], [[Wii Fit Trainer]], [[Little Mac]], [[Duck Hunt]], [[Richter Belmont]], [[Banjo]] and [[Kazooie]] on the Nintendo Switch as of 2020.

**It also marks the first, but not last, appearances of Samus, [[Pichu]], [[Greninja]], [[Incineroar]], [[Olimar]], [[Joker]] and [[Hero]] on the Nintendo Switch.