Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is the rare fighting game that feels like a party, a tournament, and a museum exhibit all at once. It is the best reason to own a Wii U, and it may be the finest entry in Nintendo’s long-running brawler series. The game arrives with a roster of 51 fighters, a mountain of stages, and a level of polish that makes most other multiplayer games look like rough drafts.
This is the fifth installment in the Smash series, and the first to land on a home console since 2008’s Brawl. The wait was worth it. The game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second in high definition, and the difference is immediate. Characters pop with color, stages burst with detail, and the action never stutters, even when four players are throwing items and Final Smashes across the screen. It is a technical showcase that makes the Wii U’s GamePad feel like a natural fit, though the Pro Controller is the better choice for serious play.
Trailer, via Super Smash Bros..
The 51-Fighter Roster
The character list is the heart of any Smash game, and this one is spectacular. The 51 fighters include most veterans from previous entries, plus newcomers like the Wii Fit Trainer, the Villager from Animal Crossing, and Duck Hunt, the retro dog-and-duck duo that fights as a single unit. The roster is a love letter to Nintendo’s history, from Mario and Link to less obvious picks like the pair.
Each fighter has a distinct moveset, and the balance is tighter than in any prior Smash. The fast, combo-heavy characters like Sheik and Zero Suit Samus coexist with heavy hitters like Bowser and Donkey Kong. No character feels useless, and no single strategy dominates. This is a game that rewards practice, but it also welcomes the player who just wants to press buttons and laugh.
The newcomer roster is especially strong. Little Mac, from Punch-Out!!, is a ground-based powerhouse with devastating KO punches, but he is weak in the air. Rosalina and Luma fight as a pair, controlling space with a star-shaped partner that can be sent out independently. Palutena, the goddess from Kid Icarus, has a customizable moveset that changes her play style entirely. Greninja, the Water-type Pokémon, is a quick, agile fighter with projectile attacks. Each new fighter brings something fresh, and the variety keeps the game feeling new for dozens of hours.
Stages Built for Chaos
The stages in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U are a visual and mechanical feast. There are dozens of them, and they draw from every corner of Nintendo’s catalog. The Mario Galaxy stage floats on a tiny planetoid, with gravity shifting as the ground rotates. The Wily Castle stage from Mega Man features a boss that occasionally stomps across the screen. The Boxing Ring stage is a flat, competitive arena that tournament players will love.
Hazards are everywhere, and they are as much a part of the fun as the fighting. The Great Cave Offensive stage is a sprawling maze with no blast zones, making it a marathon match that can last for minutes. The Palutena’s Temple stage is a massive platformer that rewards exploration. The stages are not just backdrops; they are active participants in the fight.
For players who prefer a clean fight, the game offers a “Final Destination” mode that strips hazards and turns any stage into a flat, neutral arena. This is a welcome addition for competitive players, and it makes the game viable as a tournament title. The option to toggle items on or off, adjust the damage ratio, and set stock counts to any number gives players full control over the pace and stakes of every match.
Classic Mode and All-Star Challenges
The single-player content is headlined by Classic Mode, which returns in a streamlined form. You fight a series of battles, choose your path on a branching board, and face a final boss. The mode is shorter than in previous games, but it is snappy and replayable. Each character has a unique route, and the difficulty scales with your performance.
The real star of the solo experience is All-Star Mode, which pits you against every character in the roster in a gauntlet of timed battles. It is a test of endurance and skill, and it is a great way to learn matchups. There is also a Stadium mode with home-run contests and target-smashing challenges, which are quick, addictive diversions.
The game’s biggest single-player addition is the “Crazy Orders” mode, where you fight a series of battles to earn currency, then spend it on rewards. It is a light roguelike structure that keeps the fights fresh. The mode is not as deep as the Subspace Emissary from Brawl, but it is a better fit for a game that is primarily about multiplayer.
The Best Online Mode in the Series
Online play is a major focus, and it is the best the series has ever had. The game uses a matchmaking system that pairs you with players of similar skill, and the netcode is solid enough that most matches are playable without noticeable lag. You can play with friends in private lobbies, or jump into “For Glory” mode, which uses Final Destination stages and no items for a pure, competitive experience.
“For Fun” mode is the opposite, with items on and stages with hazards. It is a chaotic, casual playground that is perfect for a quick session. The game also supports voice chat with friends, though it is not available with strangers, which is a sensible safety choice.
The online community is active, and finding a match takes seconds. The game also has a replay mode that lets you save and share your best moments, though sharing requires uploading to a separate service. It is a small inconvenience in an otherwise excellent package.
Music and Sound Design
The soundtrack is a treasure trove. There are over 400 music tracks, drawn from the history of Nintendo and third-party franchises like Mega Man and Sonic the Hedgehog. Every track is a remix or an original recording, and the quality is consistently high. The menu theme is a cheerful, upbeat tune, while the battle themes range from epic orchestral pieces to chiptune throwbacks.
The sound effects are punchy and clear. Hits land with a satisfying thud, and the announcer’s voice is as iconic as ever. The game supports the GamePad’s built-in speaker for sound effects, which is a nice touch that adds to the immersion. The audio design is a masterclass in making every action feel weighty.
Trophies, Custom Moves, and Smash Tour
The game is packed with content beyond the core fights. There is a Trophy collection with hundreds of figures to unlock, each with a detailed description that is a joy to read. There is a “Masterpieces” mode that lets you sample classic games from the Virtual Console, a clever tie-in that introduces younger players to the history of the medium.
The “Smash Tour” board game mode is a multiplayer party game that mixes battles with a map-based strategy layer. It is chaotic and a little random, but it is a fun way to play with a group of friends who are not hardcore fighters. The “Special Orders” mode offers daily challenges that reward you with coins and custom parts.
Custom moves are a deep system that lets you modify each character’s special attacks. You unlock these by playing through the game, and they can drastically change a character’s play style. The customization is optional, but it adds a layer of depth for players who want to experiment.
A Visual Masterpiece
The game is gorgeous. The high-definition graphics are a leap forward for the series, and the art direction is impeccable. Characters are expressive and animated with personality. Mario’s mustache twitches, Link’s tunic flows, and Pikachu’s cheeks sparkle. The stages are dense with detail, from the moving gears in the Wily Castle to the falling leaves in the Animal Crossing village.
The game runs at a steady 60 frames per second, even in four-player matches with items flying everywhere. This is a technical achievement that many other developers fail to match. The frame rate is not just a number; it is what makes the game feel responsive and fair. Every input registers, and every hit lands exactly when it should.
The presentation is polished to a mirror shine. The menus are clean and easy to navigate, the loading times are short, and the game never crashes. It is a product that feels finished, which is a rare compliment in an era of day-one patches and incomplete releases.
Controls and GamePad Options
The controls are responsive and customizable. You can use:
- the GamePad
- the Pro Controller
- the Wii Remote with a Nunchuk
- the GameCube controller with an adapter
The GameCube controller is the traditional choice for Smash veterans, and the adapter works flawlessly. The Pro Controller is a comfortable alternative, and the GamePad is fine for casual play.
The control scheme is the same as in previous games: a joystick for movement, buttons for attacks and specials, and a shield and grab on the shoulder buttons. It is simple to learn and hard to master. The game offers a control guide that explains every move, and the training mode is a great place to practice.
The only complaint is that the GamePad’s touchscreen is underused. You can use it to select characters and view stage layouts, but it is not essential. The game is best played with a traditional controller, and the GamePad feels like a secondary option rather than a primary one.
A Game for Everyone
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is a game that welcomes everyone. A newcomer can pick up a controller and have fun within minutes, mashing buttons and laughing as characters fly off the screen. A veteran can spend hundreds of hours mastering the frame data, learning advanced techniques, and climbing the online ladder. It is a game that rewards both approaches, and it never forces one play style over another.
The game is also a celebration of gaming itself. The roster, the stages, the music, and the trophies all pay tribute to decades of Nintendo history. It is a game that makes you smile, whether you are a lifelong fan or a curious newcomer.
The only real weakness is the lack of a robust story mode. The Subspace Emissary from Brawl was a flawed but ambitious adventure, and its absence here is felt. The single-player modes are fun, but they are not as memorable as a full campaign. For a game that is primarily about multiplayer, this is a minor issue, but it is worth noting.
This is the best fighting game Nintendo has ever made.
It is not perfect. The single-player content is thinner than in previous entries, and the GamePad is underutilized. But these are minor complaints in a game that delivers so much. It is a must-have for any Wii U owner, and it is a title that will be remembered as one of the greats of its generation.
9.5 of 10.
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