Chapter Eight Activity #1

A Review of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (for Nintendo Switch)

By: Jordan Oglesby

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is an action-fighting game created by Masahiro Sakurai and is the fifth installment in the long running series. Compared to its several predecessors, this game comes jam packed with hours worth of content to discover and it truly earns the title of “Ultimate.”

The Characters: 

Super Smash Bros. as a whole has always been great at dishing out a large roster that many players young and old can enjoy; there’s a reason why many people in the video game community call it “the most ambitious crossover event to date.” With a roster of more than 80 playable characters, every single character that appeared in at least one previous game in the series makes an appearance, including those that are owned by entirely different studios. It can take several hours to unlock every single character (not including those that are included as paid downloadable content) which makes it all the more satisfying when you see the message “all fighters unlocked” appear on screen. With each of these characters also comes different styles of playing. Some characters, like Bowser (from the Super Mario series) are heavy and can soak up many hits while dishing them back out at an even stronger rate, while other characters like Sonic the Hedgehog (from the series by the same name) are light on their feet and deal quick damage. There truly is a character for everyone in Smash Bros. Ultimate.   

The Gameplay:

Probably the most important aspect of a game like Super Smash Bros. is the overall gameplay, and boy did Nintendo knock it out of the park this time around. The combat looks and feels great, and even though the Switch isn’t as graphically powerful as it’s Sony and Microsoft competitors, the characters and effects still look beautiful in their own right. Several new mechanics were added to the fighting experience compared to the previous games in the series including new mechanics like the “perfect dodge” and the number of times a player can consecutively grab onto a ledge without falling. The random items and assist characters appearing on stage always add a sense of excitement and can tip the battle in favor of any one player in a heartbeat. In addition to awesome gameplay, a brand new story mode has been added that lasted me more than 24 hours to complete. The basic formula hasn’t for the game hasn’t changed much since the last game in the series and you’re still trying to knock your opponent off-screen using your skills and items littered across the stage; but Nintendo clearly had the mindset of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Bonus Content:

With all the extra content Smash Bros. Ultimate contains, it truly is a love letter to long time fans of the series. In addition to the normal "smash" mode (which also contains a tournament function and mode dedicated to the use of special items) Ultimate has more than three extra game modes (see pictured right) and even a mode where you can fully create your own levels; Masahiro Sakurai really thought of everything he possibly could and packed it into one amazing game. Each of these additions come with it's own set of rules and variances that differ from the "normal" fighting mode people usually choose when wanting to get right into the game, and this really helps bring a sense of freshness to a formula that's remained relatively consistent over the years. Aside from extra game modes, other content available right from the start of the game include the ability to save replays of your favorite matches, a plethora of challenges to beat, a character creation section, and almost 900 songs (and counting) to listen to.

Audience Response: 

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has been praised with success and critical acclaim by gamers worldwide. On numerous other sites the game receives receives ratings nothing less than 4.5/5 stars or 9/10 stars. Players both commend the game towards it's marketing towards casual gamers (people who play for fun) as well as players who prefer to fight for glory in tournaments and competitions. In addition, fans loved that for the first time ever, Smash Bros. was playable in a portable format (say on a road trip, airplane or train) at an amazing and smooth 60fps (frames per second). Other user reviews go on to say things like: "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is incredibly easy to pick up and play, with enough depth and nuance to keep players engaged" and "Smash Ultimate is the heart of all gaming. It not only celebrates Nintendo but gives everyone a chance to shine, from Mario to Simon Belmont from Castlevania to King K Rool the villain of the original DK games." 

The Verdict:

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the true culmination of everything the fighting series has had to offer since all the way back in January of 1999. The graphics are outstanding on the Nintendo Switch, in both handheld and while playing it on a TV, the character roster is massive with one of the largest lineups in video game history, and the level of content packed into the game provide hours of fun and enjoyment. For anyone who is a fan of action games or really just video games in general, I strongly urge you to pick up this game as soon as possible; quite honestly, it would be a dumb decision for any Nintendo Switch owner to not buy this game.  

RATING: