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Characters from Super Smash Bros: Complete List of Fighters and Their Gaming Franchises
The world of Super Smash Bros brings together some of the most recognizable characters in video game history. Imagine Mario battling Sonic, Pikachu facing Kirby, or Link fighting alongside characters from Minecraft and Final Fantasy. That’s exactly what makes this iconic Nintendo fighting game series so exciting.
Since its debut on the Nintendo 64, Super Smash Bros has grown into one of gaming’s most recognizable crossover franchises. It combines characters from Nintendo’s biggest gaming series with famous guest fighters from other developers, creating battles that fans could previously only imagine.
But how many characters are there in Super Smash Bros? Who are the most popular fighters? And which video game franchises have representatives in the roster?
In this guide, we’ll explore the characters from Super Smash Bros, focusing on the massive roster of Super Smash Bros Ultimate. Whether you’re a longtime player, a new Nintendo fan, or simply curious about your favourite gaming characters, here’s everything you need to know.https://tcgpokemoncards.com/
What Is Super Smash Bros?
Super Smash Bros is a crossover fighting game franchise published by Nintendo. Unlike traditional fighting games that primarily focus on reducing an opponent’s health bar, Smash Bros uses a percentage-based damage system.
Players attack opponents to increase their damage percentage. The higher the percentage, the farther characters can generally be launched when hit. The objective is to knock opponents off the stage and score eliminations.
The franchise originally launched in 1999 on the Nintendo 64. Since then, it has expanded through several major releases, introducing new fighters, stages, game modes, and gameplay mechanics.
The main games include:
| Game | Original platform | Release year |
|---|---|---|
| Super Smash Bros | Nintendo 64 | 1999 |
| Super Smash Bros Melee | Nintendo GameCube | 2001 |
| Super Smash Bros Brawl | Nintendo Wii | 2008 |
| Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U | 3DS / Wii U | 2014 |
| Super Smash Bros Ultimate | Nintendo Switch | 2018 |
Each installment introduced new characters while expanding the crossover experience.
How Many Characters Are in Super Smash Bros Ultimate?
Super Smash Bros Ultimate features an enormous roster of fighters from Nintendo and third-party gaming franchises.
Its official fighter numbering reaches 82, including DLC characters and Echo Fighters. However, the commonly quoted total can reach 89 playable character entries when individual Pokémon Trainer Pokémon and Pyra and Mythra are counted separately.
The roster includes familiar Nintendo mascots, legendary video game heroes, villains, and guest characters from franchises such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Final Fantasy, Minecraft, and Kingdom Hearts.
Some fighters are available from the beginning, while others must be unlocked through gameplay or obtained through downloadable content.
Complete List of Characters from Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Below is a categorized overview of the major playable characters in Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
1. Mario Franchise Characters
The Mario franchise contributes several recognizable fighters to Super Smash Bros.
- Mario: Nintendo’s iconic plumber and one of the most recognizable video game characters ever created.
- Luigi: Mario’s younger brother, known for his unique movement and fighting style.
- Peach: The Mushroom Kingdom princess with graceful attacks and floating abilities.
- Daisy: A spirited princess who serves as Peach’s Echo Fighter.
- Bowser: The powerful King of the Koopas and one of Mario’s most recognizable enemies.
- Dr. Mario: An alternative version of Mario with a distinctive medical-themed fighting style.
- Bowser Jr.: Bowser’s mischievous son who fights using his Junior Clown Car.
2. The Legend of Zelda Characters
The Legend of Zelda franchise brings several legendary heroes and villains into the fighting arena.
- Link: The courageous hero known for his sword, shield, and wide range of weapons.
- Young Link: A younger version of Link with a faster fighting style.
- Toon Link: A cartoon-inspired version of the famous hero.
- Zelda: The princess of Hyrule, known for her magical abilities.
- Sheik: Zelda’s mysterious alternate identity.
- Ganondorf: One of the franchise’s most powerful villains.
3. Pokémon Characters
Pokémon has a major presence in the Super Smash Bros roster, bringing several recognizable creatures into the fighting game.
- Pikachu: The famous Electric-type Pokémon and one of the franchise’s most recognizable mascots.
- Pichu: A smaller Electric-type Pokémon with a fast but risky fighting style.
- Jigglypuff: A cute Pokémon with powerful aerial and recovery abilities.
- Mewtwo: A legendary Psychic-type Pokémon with powerful ranged attacks.
- Pokémon Trainer: A fighter who commands three Pokémon during battle:
- Squirtle
- Ivysaur
- Charizard
- Lucario: A Fighting/Steel-type Pokémon with Aura-based abilities.
- Greninja: A Water/Dark-type Pokémon inspired by a ninja.
- Incineroar: A powerful Fire/Dark-type Pokémon with wrestling-inspired attacks.
Pokémon fans particularly enjoy this crossover because it allows familiar creatures to battle characters from completely different gaming universes.
4. Donkey Kong and Yoshi Characters
These classic Nintendo franchises also contribute memorable fighters.
Donkey Kong series
- Donkey Kong
- Diddy Kong
- King K. Rool
Yoshi series
- Yoshi
Donkey Kong offers powerful physical attacks, while Diddy Kong uses speed and mobility. King K. Rool adds heavy attacks and defensive options to the roster.
5. Kirby Characters
The Kirby franchise contributes some of Nintendo’s most recognizable characters.
- Kirby: The pink hero known for copying opponents’ abilities.
- Meta Knight: A mysterious masked swordsman with fast attacks.
- King Dedede: Kirby’s hammer-wielding rival with powerful heavy attacks.
6. Metroid Characters
The Metroid series introduces several science-fiction-inspired fighters.
- Samus: A legendary bounty hunter equipped with advanced weapons and armor.
- Dark Samus: A mysterious alternative version of Samus with a similar fighting foundation.
- Zero Suit Samus: Samus without her Power Suit, offering a more agile fighting style.
- Ridley: A dangerous space pirate and one of the franchise’s iconic antagonists.
7. Star Fox Characters
The Star Fox franchise brings its space-fighting heroes into the Smash universe.
- Fox: A fast and agile fighter known for his blaster and quick movement.
- Falco: A member of Star Fox with a distinctive fighting style.
- Wolf: A rival pilot with powerful attacks and a more aggressive approach.
8. Other Nintendo Franchise Characters
Super Smash Bros Ultimate includes fighters from several other Nintendo properties.
| Franchise | Characters |
|---|---|
| F-Zero | Captain Falcon |
| EarthBound | Ness, Lucas |
| Ice Climber | Ice Climbers |
| Fire Emblem | Marth, Roy, Ike, Robin, Lucina, Chrom, Corrin, Byleth |
| Kid Icarus | Pit, Dark Pit, Palutena |
| Wario | Wario |
| Pikmin | Olimar |
| Animal Crossing | Villager, Isabelle |
| Wii Fit | Wii Fit Trainer |
| Punch-Out!! | Little Mac |
| ARMS | Min Min |
| Xenoblade Chronicles | Shulk, Pyra, Mythra |
| Splatoon | Inkling |
| Nintendo Entertainment System | R.O.B. |
| Duck Hunt | Duck Hunt Duo |
| Game & Watch | Mr. Game & Watch |
| Mii | Mii Brawler, Mii Swordfighter, Mii Gunner |
| Super Mario | Piranha Plant |
Third-Party Characters in Super Smash Bros
One of the biggest reasons Super Smash Bros Ultimate attracts so much attention is its collection of guest characters.
These fighters originally appeared in games developed or published by companies outside Nintendo.
Here are some of the most recognizable third-party characters.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic is SEGA’s famous blue hedgehog. Known for his incredible speed, he brings fast movement and aggressive attacks to Smash Bros.
Solid Snake
Solid Snake comes from Konami’s Metal Gear franchise. His tactical equipment, explosives, and unconventional attacks make him a distinctive fighter.
Mega Man
Capcom’s legendary robotic hero brings his iconic weapons and projectile-based combat style into the game.
Pac-Man
The classic arcade character from Bandai Namco uses familiar abilities inspired by his original arcade adventures.
Ryu and Ken
Both fighters come from Capcom’s Street Fighter series. Their moves include familiar techniques such as Hadouken and Shoryuken.
Cloud and Sephiroth
Final Fantasy VII contributes two particularly memorable characters.
- Cloud Strife: The legendary swordsman who fights with his enormous Buster Sword.
- Sephiroth: A powerful antagonist known for his extraordinary swordsmanship and dramatic attacks.
Bayonetta
The stylish witch from PlatinumGames’ Bayonetta series brings a combination of gunplay, aerial combos, and magical attacks.
Joker
Joker comes from Persona 5 and fights using his Phantom Thief abilities and Persona Arsène.
Banjo & Kazooie
The beloved duo from the Banjo-Kazooie series brings nostalgic platforming-inspired moves into the fighting game.
Steve and Alex
Minecraft joins the Smash universe through Steve and Alex. Their unique mechanics include building, mining, and using familiar Minecraft equipment.
Sora
Sora from Kingdom Hearts was the final DLC fighter for Super Smash Bros Ultimate. His addition was particularly exciting for fans of Disney and Square Enix’s crossover RPG franchise.
Complete Super Smash Bros Ultimate DLC Character List
Downloadable content introduced additional fighters after the original game’s release.
The two Fighters Pass collections expanded the roster with several popular gaming icons.
| Fighter | Original gaming franchise |
|---|---|
| Piranha Plant | Super Mario |
| Joker | Persona |
| Hero | Dragon Quest |
| Banjo & Kazooie | Banjo-Kazooie |
| Terry Bogard | Fatal Fury |
| Byleth | Fire Emblem |
| Min Min | ARMS |
| Steve / Alex | Minecraft |
| Sephiroth | Final Fantasy |
| Pyra / Mythra | Xenoblade Chronicles |
| Kazuya | Tekken |
| Sora | Kingdom Hearts |
These additions helped make Ultimate a remarkable celebration of gaming history.
What Are Echo Fighters in Super Smash Bros?
Echo Fighters are characters who share many of their moves and gameplay characteristics with another fighter.
They are visually distinct but have similar underlying fighting styles.
Examples include:
| Echo Fighter | Original fighter |
|---|---|
| Dark Samus | Samus |
| Daisy | Peach |
| Lucina | Marth |
| Chrom | Roy |
| Dark Pit | Pit |
| Ken | Ryu |
| Richter | Simon |
Echo Fighters provide additional character variety without requiring every fighter to have an entirely separate moveset.
Who Are the Most Popular Super Smash Bros Characters?
Character popularity depends on individual preferences, competitive performance, and nostalgia.
However, several fighters are especially recognizable because of their importance in gaming history.
Mario
Mario is arguably the most recognizable Nintendo character. His appearance in the Smash franchise makes him an obvious favourite among longtime Nintendo fans.
Pikachu
Pikachu represents one of the world’s most successful entertainment franchises. Its fast movement and recognizable design make it a memorable fighter.
Kirby
Kirby’s ability to copy opponents’ powers makes the character particularly interesting for casual players.
Sonic
Sonic represents SEGA’s gaming history and brings a different franchise identity to Nintendo’s crossover fighting game.
Link
Link is one of Nintendo’s most iconic heroes, making him a favourite among The Legend of Zelda fans.
Sora
Sora’s inclusion brought Kingdom Hearts fans into the Smash community and demonstrated how far the crossover concept could reach.
Why Does Super Smash Bros Have So Many Different Characters?
The appeal of Super Smash Bros comes from its crossover concept.
Instead of focusing on one gaming universe, Nintendo brings together characters from different franchises and gives players the opportunity to experience unexpected battles.
There are several reasons this approach works so well:
- Gaming nostalgia: Players can revisit characters they grew up playing.
- Franchise diversity: Nintendo combines platforming heroes, RPG characters, fighting game legends, and adventure icons.
- Different playstyles: Each fighter offers different movement, attacks, strengths, and weaknesses.
- Crossover excitement: Fans enjoy seeing characters from unrelated gaming universes interact.
- Competitive depth: The variety of fighters creates opportunities for different strategies and matchups.
This combination has helped establish Super Smash Bros as a major crossover gaming franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions About Characters from Super Smash Bros
How many characters are in Super Smash Bros Ultimate?
Super Smash Bros Ultimate has 82 official fighter numbers. The commonly quoted total is 89 playable character entries when separately playable Pokémon Trainer Pokémon and Pyra/Mythra are counted individually.
Who is the first character in Super Smash Bros?
Mario is Fighter No. 01 in Super Smash Bros Ultimate. He is also one of the original playable characters in the first Super Smash Bros game released in 1999.
Is Sonic in Super Smash Bros?
Yes. Sonic the Hedgehog is a playable character in Super Smash Bros Ultimate. He first appeared as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros Brawl.
Is Pikachu a character in Super Smash Bros?
Yes. Pikachu is one of the most recognizable Pokémon fighters in the franchise and has appeared in every main Super Smash Bros installment.
Is Sora in Super Smash Bros Ultimate?
Yes. Sora from Kingdom Hearts is a downloadable fighter and the final character added through Ultimate’s Fighters Pass Vol. 2.
Who are the DLC characters in Super Smash Bros Ultimate?
The DLC roster includes Piranha Plant, Joker, Hero, Banjo & Kazooie, Terry Bogard, Byleth, Min Min, Steve, Alex, Sephiroth, Pyra, Mythra, Kazuya, and Sora.
Is Minecraft Steve in Super Smash Bros?
Yes. Steve and Alex from Minecraft are playable fighters in Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
Are all Super Smash Bros characters from Nintendo games?
No. Although Nintendo franchises make up a large portion of the roster, Ultimate also includes guest characters from SEGA, Capcom, Konami, Square Enix, Microsoft-associated franchises, Bandai Namco, and other gaming companies.
What is the difference between a fighter and an Echo Fighter?
A fighter is a playable character in the game. An Echo Fighter is a distinct character that shares many gameplay characteristics and moves with another fighter.
Which Super Smash Bros game has the biggest roster?
Super Smash Bros Ultimate has the largest playable roster among the mainline games, bringing together fighters from previous installments and introducing additional characters.
Final Thoughts: Celebrating the Characters of Super Smash Bros
Super Smash Bros is much more than a traditional fighting game. It is a celebration of video game history, bringing together legendary characters from Nintendo and other gaming franchises.
From Mario, Pikachu, and Kirby to Sonic, Cloud, Steve, and Sora, the enormous roster gives players countless opportunities to experience exciting crossover battles.
Whether you’re exploring the complete Super Smash Bros Ultimate character list, discovering unfamiliar gaming franchises, or revisiting childhood favourites, every fighter adds something unique to the experience.
For Nintendo fans and gaming collectors, the franchise also offers plenty to explore beyond the game itself, including character merchandise, amiibo figures, and collectible gaming products.
Explore more gaming and Pokémon collectibles at KMSTCG and discover something special for your collection!
