Master Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Essential Guide to Controls, Characters, and Modes

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate presents a paradox for newcomers: the game welcomes button-mashing newcomers with open arms, yet demands genuine understanding if you want to play it well. The fighting game is built for people who don't normally play fighting games, but that accessibility masks a deeper layer of strategy and technique that separates casual play from competent play.

The foundation is the control scheme, which has remained largely unchanged since the Melee era and even supports GameCube controllers for veterans comfortable with that layout. Most actions flow from a single button press, optionally combined with stick movement to unlock special moves. The basic goal is straightforward: eliminate more opponents than they eliminate you. As you land hits, a damage percentage climbs above your opponent's character icon. The higher that number, the easier they fly off the stage when you land a powerful attack. Matches can run on stock rules, where everyone has a set number of lives, or on time, where your final score subtracts deaths from kills.

Three attack types form the backbone of combat. Neutral attacks come from pressing the A button without moving the stick, while directional inputs on the stick combined with A produce different standard attacks. These are quick, useful for chipping away at slower opponents. Fox, for example, unleashes a flurry of kicks by mashing A repeatedly, racking up damage fast. Special attacks, triggered with the B button, are character-specific moves that often deal significantly more damage but move slower. Mario can spin opponents with his cape, deflect projectiles, and launch them skyward while collecting coins. Like standard attacks, directional inputs change the special—every character has neutral, up, side, and down specials, though not all deal damage. Pokémon Trainer's down-special, for instance, swaps out the three available monsters rather than attacking. Smash attacks are perhaps the most important tool in the game, the moves you'll typically use to knock someone off the stage. They're slower than standard attacks but faster than most specials, making them ideal for finishing sequences. You can perform a quick version using the right stick, or charge a more powerful version by holding the stick in one direction while pressing A, then releasing for maximum impact.

Movement and defense round out the core mechanics. The left stick handles walking, ducking, and platform navigation. Slamming it left or right triggers a run, useful for closing distance on a stunned opponent. Jumping works via stick-up or the X and Y buttons. Shields, activated with ZL or ZR on Switch or the triggers on GameCube, absorb damage but degrade over time—let them break and you're stunned and vulnerable. Grabs, performed with L or R, bypass shields entirely and let you throw opponents, though grabbing during an attack leaves you taking damage. Dodges, triggered by pressing shield and a direction, work on ground and in air and are crucial for avoiding big attacks. Recovery moves, particularly up-specials, help you return to the stage after being knocked away, though some characters like Ness require more finesse, firing a lightning bolt you must manually guide back.

Character selection matters enormously at the start. Balanced, straightforward fighters like Mario, Pikachu, Kirby, Donkey Kong, Link, Fox, and Marth teach the game's pace and mechanics without punishing you for learning. Incineroar and Ness are fun once you understand the game, but their recovery moves and damage output make them frustrating for beginners. Link and Fox lean on projectiles, while Donkey Kong moves slowly but hits hard. If you enjoy Donkey Kong, Charizard and Bowser offer similar weight with different movesets. Build comfort with multiple characters—fast ones excel in one-on-one fights, while heavy hitters like Ganondorf and Ike thrive in chaotic free-for-alls. Learn all of a character's moves before judging them. Simon has several projectile attacks that seem weak alone but become vicious in combination with his whip. Mario's F.L.U.D.D. blaster doesn't damage on its own but sends opponents flying when used after a smash attack.

The game offers several entry points. Smash mode handles traditional battles against computers or local players, plus Squad Strike elimination matches with three or five characters, tournaments, and Special Smash with custom rules or Smashdown, which forces both players to use new characters each round. Games & More houses Classic mode, where you battle through challenges with a single character before facing a boss; Training, where you practice against customizable opponents; and Mob Smash variants like Century Smash against 100 enemies or Cruel Smash for veterans. Online multiplayer lets you jump into quickplay or join a Battle Arena where players take turns fighting while others spectate. Spirits mode unlocks the World of Light campaign, a long story mode where you battle possessed versions of fighters and unlock characters. Equipping spirits grants boosts, and a rock-paper-scissors advantage system—grab beats shield, shield beats sword, sword beats grab—adds tactical depth. Leveling primary spirits with snacks maximizes fighter power, and support spirits provide specific benefits like poison immunity or starting items. The skill tree, unlocked through battle progression, lets you restore damage, boost running speed, strengthen shields, and more.

The advice from experienced players is consistent: don't jump in trying every button combination. Take time learning one character's strengths and weaknesses. Every player needs an adjustment period—that's normal and expected. Once you find your rhythm, you can pull off powerful moves and enjoy the game without frustration, even if you haven't mastered everything yet. The game rewards patience and deliberate practice far more than it rewards button mashing.