Today is the day Super Smash Bros fans have been waiting for since the 2018 E3: Super Smash Bros Ultimate has been released. Here is your one stop shop to all you need to know about what you can do when you pick up the latest installment of the Smash Bros series.

So why are all of your “nerd friends” freaking out for Friday?

Some of your friends might be showing some symptoms of “hype”. This may include but not limited to:

• Rewatching the Nintendo Directs, and the cinematic trailer
• Counting down the days till Dec. 7, 2018
• Watching early gameplay
• Watching unboxing videos
• Having jitters when the topic comes up in conversation
• When asked what it is they will take a deep breath in and explain the whole game to you for the next hour and a half
• MAJOR loss of focus
• Having this weekend planned out since June 14, 2018

And many more.

What is “Super Smash Bros”?

First off, if you are not familiar with what Super Smash Bros is, then let me give you some background. This is the largest crossover in videogame history, pulling characters from almost every Nintendo game ever, not to mention some third party characters like Sonic and Solid Snake.

What does the roster look like?

This installment of the game has pooled together every roster from previous games into one. In this game you will be able to play as 76 characters (counting Pokemon Trainer as one). Those characters are from 32 different game series. There is also the future DLC (Downloadable content) that you can get that will add to the already large roster. It is great that this is the largest roster of characters in Smash Bros history, and Nintendo adds more recognizable faces through the addition of spirits.

What are Spirits?

Spirits are a new mechanic that was added to this iteration of Smash. Spirits can be obtained by playing the story mode of the game. With tons of Spirits to utilize, players can power up their fighters, giving the players some extra power in their arsenal as they take on Galeem, Lord of Light. Powers can rage from starting with items, or giving them a boost in damage when dealing it or reduce it when receiving it. There are three types of Spirits that players can use when fighting: attack, grab, and shield. Similar to rock, paper, scissors, attack beats grab, grab beats shield, and shield beats attack. You gain Spirits as you fight them on your way to Galeem.

What is the story about?

    The whole universe and all our heroes and villains have been captured by Galeem, Lord of Light, and possessed by all but one spirit: Kirby. You will start your journey as him and you will have to fight and unlock more characters that you will be able to use in the story or in the regular smash.

We know who to play and what can help us, where are we going to fight?

Now we have the maps. There are 103 regular maps, and with each map being able to turn into a version of Battlefield or Omega (Final Destination), the total is brought up to 309 maps that you can play on. Just like the characters, these maps are pulled from all the old games with the addition of some new ones.

What about the Jimmy Jams (AKA music)?

    Since this game is a mashup of all the old games, there are over 800 songs. With the music from past games being so amazing, Nintendo has added a feature that will allow users to play music even when the screen is off (in handheld mode). With this new feature, users can make playlists so they can listen to their favorite tracks as they duke it out with 7 of their friends or as they are walking down the street.

RIP every other Nintendo Console, ever

Super Smash Bros Ultimate is, in some people’s eyes, the final nail in the Wii U and the 3DS’s grave. The Switch is the most open and inviting console that almost anyone can play. Even your grandparents could figure out how to play at least Mario Kart with a little help. With only 14 million people buying the Wii U, the console was basically dead from the get-go. With the latest installment in the Smash series coming to the Switch, it will now take it and ascend to the “God Tier” of Nintendo games.

Sources Used:

Super Smash Official Site – https://www.smashbros.com/en_US/

Super Smash Bros Nintendo Direct 8.8.2018 – https://youtu.be/P-kQWJrjRV4

Super Smash Bros Nintendo Direct 11.1.2018 – https://youtu.be/fccgHnBQ0YM