Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Game images by RAWG

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Bandai Namco Studios / Sora Ltd.

Nintendo Switchpremium + DLC fighters

Health Score

DECENT

Official Website Watch Gameplay

About This Game

Super Review

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate offers lively, cartoonish battles with a massive roster of beloved characters, making it a hit for local multiplayer. While the competitive fighting can be exciting, its fast pace and online interactions carry risks for younger players. Parents should prepare for comic violence and consider limits around online play.

Super Review

Parent verdict

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a decent choice for families looking for a high-energy fighting game, particularly for kids who enjoy competitive play with friends locally. The game's health score of 44 reflects its strong entertainment value mixed with considerations around its constant, albeit cartoonish, violence and the potential for competitive or even toxic online environments. It works best with clear family rules, especially regarding internet safety.

What kids actually do

Players choose from over 80 iconic characters and engage in fast-paced, arena-style combat against up to seven other players, exercising quick reflexes and strategic thinking to knock opponents off-screen.
Players unlock new characters, stages, and music through gameplay or by purchasing DLC, encouraging exploration of the game's vast content.
Players can customize matches with various rules, items, and stage hazards, learning to adapt strategies to different conditions.

Where it shines

The local multiplayer experience is a major draw, providing vibrant, action-packed brawls that are great for social gatherings and family game nights.
The massive roster of instantly recognizable characters from diverse video game franchises offers broad appeal and endless discovery for fans.

Parent watch-outs

The game features constant cartoon violence where characters attack each other with various weapons and special moves, though it lacks blood or gore.
Online play exposes children to highly competitive environments and the potential for interactions with unknown players, including some toxic behavior.

Family rules worth setting

Limit online play to specific times or only allow it under direct supervision, disabling voice chat if available.
Set a time limit for play sessions to manage engagement, especially during intense local multiplayer matches.

Talk about this

Discuss good sportsmanship, both when winning and losing, to manage competitive feelings during local and online matches.
Talk about what constitutes appropriate online behavior and how to report or block users who are disruptive or unkind.

Play style

Sessions can be as short as a single rapid-fire match or extend for hours in tournament play. The game's difficulty is highly adjustable, from casual brawling to intense competitive fighting. It's primarily a competitive multiplayer game, thriving on social interaction, but also features a single-player adventure mode. Younger children may find the fast action overwhelming and struggle to keep up with more experienced players.

Score Breakdown

Positive Aspects

Educational Value

1/5

Creativity

1/5

Pro-Social

2/5

Risk Factors

Addictive Monetization

1/5

Time Pressure / FOMO

1/5

Social Risk

2/5

Content Intensity

2/5

Why this rating

Educational Value

1/5

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a fighting game focused on competitive combat and entertainment. It does not contain explicit or intentional educational content, earning a score of 1 for educational value.

Addictive Monetization

1/5

The game operates on a premium purchase model with additional DLC fighters available. This is a straightforward transaction model without elements like loot boxes, gacha mechanics, or constant pressure to spend, resulting in a low addictive monetization risk score of 1.

Social Risk

2/5

While local multiplayer can be highly social, online play in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate exposes players to a competitive environment where some toxic behavior can occur. This potential for negative interactions with strangers online warrants a moderate social risk score of 2.

Content Intensity

2/5

The game features constant cartoon violence where characters battle using various attacks, aiming to knock opponents off the stage. Despite being comic and lacking gore, the consistent nature of the fighting violence justifies a content intensity score of 2.