Editing Universe

A '''universe''' (also referred to as a '''franchise''', and officially known as a '''series''') is a term used by the ''Smash Bros.'' community to collectively refer to all the particular [[character]]s, [[stage]]s, [[item]]s, [[music]], and other properties appearing in the fighting games that are thematically featured in another game franchise.

==Primary universes==

These are the video game series and franchises that the ''Super Smash Bros.'' games classify as major enough that they assign each franchise its own unique [[series symbol|symbol]] that appears with characters and stages belonging to that franchise. These franchises generally have characters, stages, items, and other properties that all appear in ''Smash Bros.'' games as part of their primary content. However, the minimum requirement for a symbol is to contribute one stage or one character to the games (with [[Mii (universe)|a single exception]]). Universes that only contribute a stage, with the sole exception of {{uv|Animal Crossing}} in ''Brawl'', do not get a separate universe listing in the [[trophies]] pages and their items and [[spirit]]s are not tagged with their symbol (for example, the [[Golden Hammer]] is listed as a {{uv|Mario}} item and the [[Rocket Belt]] is listed under "Others").

*'''The {{uv|Super Smash Bros.}} universe''': The "default" universe, this represents the ''Smash Bros.'' games themselves and accompanies all appearances of characters and stages that are thematically original to the fighting games themselves. Many original characters have been introduced here, but none thus far have been actually playable, with most serving as enemies and bosses in single-player content. The universe symbol seen here is also used as a "placeholder" by the games to indicate a minor universe without its own symbol until ''Ultimate'', where an ellipsis is used instead. In ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'', the ''Super Smash Bros.'' universe gets its own character representation by the customizable [[Mii|Mii Brawler, Mii Swordfighter, and Mii Gunner]].

*'''The {{uv|Mario}} universe''': Also referred to as the '''''Super Mario Bros.''''' or simply the '''''Super Mario''''' series. [[Nintendo]]'s flagship video game franchise and one of the most iconic franchises in all of fiction, mostly focusing on the efforts of its eponymous hero to save the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom from the evil Koopa Troop. The protagonist of this multi-genre series, [[Mario]] (the mascot of Nintendo who appears on all major Nintendo systems), is a primary playable character in the ''Smash Bros.'' games, and has been accompanied by his courageous yet easily-startled brother [[Luigi]] (both since ''Smash 64''), his puzzle game alter-ego [[Dr. Mario]] (''Melee'' and from ''Smash 4'' onwards), the reigning Mushroom Kingdom princess, [[Peach]] (since ''Melee''), the villainous king of the [[Koopa Troopa|Koopa]]s [[Bowser]] (since ''Melee''), his mischievous son [[Bowser Jr.]] (''Smash 4'' onwards) (who also has the seven [[Koopalings]] join him in the form of [[alternate costume]]s), the cosmic guardian [[Rosalina]] along with her child [[Luma]] (''Smash 4'' onwards), the princess of Sarasaland usually seen in sports games, [[Daisy]] (''Ultimate''), and one of the many expendable Koopa Troop goons littering the Mushroom Kingdom, [[Piranha Plant]] (''Ultimate'', albeit as DLC) as playable characters. ''Brawl'' also started to treat ''Mario Kart'' as a partially separate universe, [[Mario Circuit (SSBB)|containing]] [[Mario Circuit (SSB4)|three]] [[Rainbow Road|stages]] and [[List of SSBB Music (Mario Kart series)|a collection]] [[List of SSB4 Music (Super Mario Bros. series)#Mario Circuit|of music]] [[List of SSBU Music (Mario Kart series)|tracks]], though it still uses the main ''Mario'' [[series symbol]].

*'''The {{uv|Yoshi}} universe''': Also referred to as the '''''Yoshi's Island''''' series. Known as being an even more laid-back and light-hearted subset of the already-child-friendly ''Mario'' series starring a race of long-tongued dinosaurs with the ability to encase their enemies in eggs and transform into vehicles, best known for their appearances in ''Mario'' titles, it was initially conceived as a series of falling-block puzzle games, but was launched into popularity by the platforming title ''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island'', a prequel where a group of [[Yoshi]]s befriend and rescue the infant forms of Mario and Luigi with a pastel color scheme and crayon art style - later games would downplay Mario's involvement and instead emphasize more literal arts & crafts aesthetics alongside easier levels aimed at younger audiences, though Bowser would continue to appear, usually as a baby himself under the eye of Kamek. The Yoshis are the sole fighter of this series in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' games, with the default costume in all games being the green Yoshi who leads the clan.

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*'''The {{uv|Donkey Kong}} universe''': A franchise which the ''Mario'' series was partially spun-off from. Started in the form of a series of single-screen platformer games chronicling the rivalry between the titular [[Donkey Kong]] and his owner Mario from both perspectives, it was revitalized under the direction of British company [[Rare Ltd.]] in the 1990's, now focusing on the adventures of a new, younger clan of Kongs, led by a descendant of the original DK, alongside their animal steeds and a variety of adversaries, chief among them the reptilians known as the Kremlings. Rare's incarnation of Donkey Kong has been a playable ''Smash Bros.'' character throughout the entire series, while his younger "wannabe nephew" friend [[Diddy Kong]] has been playable since ''Brawl''. In ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', the leader of the Kremlings and arch-nemesis to the Kong family, [[King K. Rool]], joined the roster as a playable newcomer in his original king attire.

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*'''{{uv|The Legend of Zelda}} universe''': A critically-acclaimed series of high fantasy action-adventure games known for their heavy emphasis on exploration, puzzle-solving, and use of items, portraying several reincarnations of its main characters across multiple time periods, art styles, and timelines, primarily the young Hylian hero [[Link]], the eponymous princess [[Zelda]] (since ''Melee''), and the demonic warlock/king [[Ganondorf]] (since ''Melee''). These three, as well as Zelda's ninja-like alter-ego [[Sheik]] (since ''Melee''), and two child versions of Link ([[Toon Link]] since ''Brawl'', and [[Young Link]] in ''Melee'' and ''Ultimate'') are playable characters.

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*'''The {{uv|Metroid}} universe''': An atmospheric science fiction series in either the side-scrolling platforming or first-person shooting adventure genres, with an emphasis on exploration and the acquisition of new items and powers, once considered Nintendo's third biggest IP prior to the success of ''Pokémon''. The series' formerly silent protagonist, bounty hunter [[Samus Aran]] clad in a versatile power suit (as well as without it in an alternative guise named [[Zero Suit Samus]]), is the primary playable character. In ''[[Brawl]]'', another character from the universe appeared as a boss in the form of the sociopathic and fully-sapient space dragon [[Ridley]], and later as [[Meta Ridley]]. In ''[[Smash 4]]'', Ridley appears as a stage boss in the Wii U version. However in ''[[Ultimate]]'', Ridley finally becomes a playable fighter alongside Meta Ridley. Also in ''Ultimate'', [[Dark Samus]] (the bounty hunter's arch-rival from, and a mutated form of the namesake for, the ''Metroid Prime'' series) joins the fray, being promoted from an [[Assist Trophy]].

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*'''The {{uv|Kirby}} universe''': A colorful platformer series aimed at beginners in gaming, with its signature mechanic being the ability of its titular character - a brave, baby-like star warrior who travels the galaxy to make friends and fight dark forces - to inhale his enemies and copy their powers. The franchise was created and initially designed by [[Masahiro Sakurai]] prior to and alongside his directorial involvement in his ''Smash Bros.'' series, and also developed by former ''Smash'' developers, [[HAL Laboratory]]. The titular pink spherical hero [[Kirby]] (since ''Smash 64''), his menacing but friendly rival [[Meta Knight]] (since ''Brawl''), and the reformed yet greedy [[King Dedede]] (since ''Brawl'') have all been featured as playable characters.

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*'''The {{uv|Star Fox}} universe''': A series of rail shooter games that got their start as among the first games to popularize 3D polygonal graphics in the 4th generation of gaming. All the games' characters are anthropomorphic animals who travel through and fight in a variety of planets within the Lylat System. The de facto leader of the "Star Fox" team [[Fox McCloud]] has been playable for the entire series. Ace wing man [[Falco Lombardi]] was added to the list in ''Melee'' and has been in every game since. [[Wolf O'Donnell]], Fox's rival and leader of the mercenary group "Star Wolf", has been playable in ''Brawl'' and ''Ultimate''.

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*'''The {{uv|Pokémon}} universe''': Short for, and known in Japan as, '''''Pocket Monsters'''''. One of the most lucrative media franchises worldwide, this multi-genre franchise emphasizes handheld role-playing games that focus on the catching, training, battling, and trading of at least 1,025 distinctive species of creatures called Pokémon with different powers, personalities, habitats, and weaknesses. Playable characters consist of electric mouse mascot [[Pikachu]] (since ''Smash 64'') and its younger form [[Pichu]] (''Melee'' and ''Ultimate''), the hypnotic pink balloon [[Jigglypuff]] (since ''Smash 64''), the genetically-engineered psychic feline-like Legendary Pokémon [[Mewtwo]] (''Melee'' and ''Smash 4'' onwards), the jackal-like [[Lucario]] (since ''Brawl''), a generic [[Pokémon Trainer]] (''Brawl'' and ''Ultimate'') who commands his three Pokémon (The water-spitting turtle hatchling [[Squirtle]], the amphibious grass type [[Ivysaur]], and the fire-breathing "secondary mascot" dragon [[Charizard]], although Charizard [[Charizard (SSB4)|reappears by itself]] in ''Smash 4'') from the background to do battle in the foreground, the speedy ninja frog [[Greninja]] (''Smash 4'' onwards) and the pro-wrestler wildcat, [[Incineroar]] (''Ultimate'').

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*'''The {{uv|F-Zero}} universe''': A futuristic racing game series featuring anti-gravity racing machines that zoom at extremely fast and intense speeds, with gameplay emphasizing speed boosts, cornering, and physically ramming each other's machines to lower life meters. The superhero-like bounty hunter [[Captain Falcon]] serves as the most recognizable racer and "mascot" of the series and is a playable character throughout the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series.

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*'''The {{uv|EarthBound}} universe''': Also referred to by its Japanese title, the '''''Mother''''' series. A cult-classic postmodern take on role-playing conceived by [[Shigesato Itoi]], with three games featuring elements of satirical humor, surrealist imagery, and heavy pathos. It focuses on a rotating cast of groups, always led by a child with some form of psychic powers, who travel across the world to save it from destruction. The protagonists of the second and third games, ''EarthBound''{{'}}s chosen-one prodigy [[Ness]] (since ''Smash 64'') and ''Mother 3''{{'}}s trauma-overcoming hero [[Lucas]] (since ''Brawl'') respectively, have been playable as characters.

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*'''The {{uv|Ice Climber}} universe''': A classic NES game focusing on a pair of parka-clad mallet-wielding explorers named Popo and Nana as they infinitely scale platformed mountains to retrieve stolen vegetables from a [[Condor]]. The [[Ice Climbers]], interpreted as children, feature together as one playable character in ''Melee'', ''Brawl'', and ''Ultimate''.

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*'''The {{uv|Fire Emblem}} universe''': A long-running series of tactical role-playing games set in sword-and-sorcery medieval fantasy settings and portrayed with numerous anime character designs and tropes. Formerly a series released only in Japan, it gained enough popularity in its appearance in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' that the franchise turned international from that point on. The rotating main heroes from the various installments in the series, including [[Marth]] (since ''Melee''), [[Roy]] (''Melee'', ''Smash 4'' and ''Ultimate''), and [[Ike]] (since ''Brawl'') have been featured as playable characters. In ''Super Smash Bros. 4'', [[Lucina]] and [[Robin]] were added as fighters from this universe, with [[Corrin]] eventually joining them as [[downloadable content]]. In ''Ultimate'', [[Chrom]] became a playable character, while [[Byleth]] from ''Three Houses'' would join as DLC.

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*'''The {{uv|Game & Watch}} universe''': One of Nintendo's earliest digital products, a series of calculator-esque LCD handheld dedicated consoles with internal clocks, which contained score-attack games either based on generic tropes such as paramedics rescuing people from a burning house and a chef cooking sausages in a kitchen; or utilizing abstract versions of characters from Nintendo's arcade and NES games as well as popular cartoons such as ''Peanuts'' and ''Popeye''. A previously unnamed black-and-white character in several of the generic games has been featured as a playable character under the name [[Mr. Game & Watch]] since ''Melee''.

*'''The {{uv|Kid Icarus}} universe''': A classic NES vertical side-scroller heavily based on Greek mythology under a more comedic and light-hearted tone. It tells the story of a young angel knight named [[Pit]] as he battles to save the goddess [[Palutena]] from the Underworld forces of the evil Medusa. Pit appears with a major graphical redesign as a playable character in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' onwards, leading to the series to be revived by [[Masahiro Sakurai]] with the release of ''Kid Icarus: Uprising'', with Palutena and [[Dark Pit]] making their debuts as playable characters in ''Smash 4''.

*'''The {{uv|Wario}} universe''': Alternatively referred to as the '''''WarioWare''''' universe or the '''''WarioWare, Inc.''''' universe, this spin-off of the ''Mario'' franchise stars Mario's violent, slobbish anti-hero counterpart [[Wario]] as he indulges his greed in search of fame and riches, either through treasure hunting in the ''Wario Land'' platformer franchise, or by making his friends develop video games for him for dubious amounts of pay in the ''WarioWare'' microgame compilation franchise. Wario himself is the sole playable representative for the franchise, with his moveset, default costume, and most of his other content being based primarily on ''WarioWare''.

*'''The {{uv|Pikmin}} universe''': A real-time strategy game series that started on the GameCube, where the player must explore a planet to find and collect resources, with the assistance and use of the titular carrot-like creatures, the [[Pikmin]], while either avoiding or battling a variety of unnerving creatures depending on how many Pikmin are at their disposal. The main character, [[Captain Olimar]], and the Pikmin cameo as separate, collectible trophies in ''Melee''. The five different Pikmin types, red, blue, yellow, purple, and white, along with Captain Olimar, are combined into a playable character known as [[Pikmin & Olimar]] in ''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' and ''Super Smash Bros. 4''. [[Alph]], the protagonist of ''Pikmin 3'', appears as a playable character in ''Smash 4'' and ''Ultimate'' as four of Olimar's [[alternate costume|palette swaps]].

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*'''The {{uv|R.O.B.}} universe''': Also known as the '''''Robot''''' universe. It's based around the NES accessory named Robotic Operating Buddy, or [[R.O.B.]] for short, which was compatible with only two official games: ''Gyromite'' and ''Stack-Up''. It was created to allow Nintendo a place in the North American toy market after the infamous market crash of 1983 that made the region's retailers lose faith in video games, allowing them to market the NES as a toy and opening the gates for their eventual successes. Its main contribution to ''Smash'' is the playable fighter, R.O.B., who has been playable since ''Brawl'', and played a major role in its story mode. R.O.B.'s depiction in ''Smash'' is based almost entirely on the hardware itself, with the software supported by the robot only being represented by a music track - as a result of this, ''R.O.B.'' is the only franchise with a playable fighter not to have ever had a stage in ''Smash''.

*'''The {{uv|Animal Crossing}} universe''': A series of cheery, stress-free life simulation games where the player's avatar lives in a woodland town featuring anthropomorphic animals as the town's residents and neighbors, some games having the player as a mere resident while others give the player some level of authority. It was introduced to the ''Smash Bros.'' franchise in ''Melee'', with three trophies (K.K. Slider, Tom Nook, and [[Mr. Resetti]]). In ''Brawl'', ''Animal Crossing'' was more prominent, with an item, an assist trophy, many stickers and trophies, and an induction into major universe status with the [[Smashville]] stage. In ''Smash 4'', it became even more prominent, with a [[Villager]] added as a playable character, as well as [[Isabelle]] tagging along as an [[Assist Trophy]], who would later become a playable character in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''.

*'''The {{uv|Punch-Out!!}} universe''': A series of boxing-themed puzzle games, best known for its eccentric cast of rival boxers themed on ethnic stereotypes, as well as the NES title's cross-promotion with legendary real-world boxer Mike Tyson. The main character of the NES and Wii games, [[Little Mac]], appears in ''[[Brawl]]'' as an [[Assist Trophy]] and as a playable character in ''[[Smash 4]]'' and ''Ultimate''.

*'''The {{uv|Xenoblade Chronicles}} universe''': A JRPG series created by [[Monolith Soft]] as a spiritual successor to their ''Xeno'' titles, with a combat system styled after MMOs. [[Shulk]], the protagonist of ''Xenoblade Chronicles'', wields the Monado, a unique sword, in the battle against the mysterious "Mechon" enemies. He appears as a playable character in ''[[Smash 4]]'' and ''[[Ultimate]]''. [[Pyra]] & [[Mythra]], the two halves of the all-powerful Aegis sword from ''Xenoblade Chronicles 2'', officially joined the series as the first-ever 2-in-1 DLC fighter combo in ''Ultimate''.

*'''The {{uv|Duck Hunt}} universe''': A classic NES title using the Zapper light gun peripheral that has the player shooting ducks and clay pigeons, based on a toy produced by Nintendo a decade prior, and granted a legendary status in retro gaming mythos thanks to being bundled with all NES systems in North America, the region where the system was most popular. The [[Duck Hunt|giggling scent hound and one of the many ducks]] appear as a single playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' and ''Ultimate'', having patched up their relationship since the 1980s<ref>''Smash 4'' European trophy description</ref>. Two other games that use the NES Zapper, ''Hogan's Alley'' and ''Wild Gunman'', are listed as part of this universe.

*'''The {{uv|Splatoon}} universe''': A series of competitive third-person shooter games, ''Splatoon'' follows the adventures and battles of two races of evolved sea creatures known as the Inklings and Octolings, both in their friendly Turf War competitions through multiplayer mode, and in their efforts to rescue the Great Zapfish from their most hated enemies, the {{s|inkipedia|Octarians}}, through single player story lines. The [[Inkling]] made their debut in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' as a playable newcomer alongside the [[Squid Sisters]] as a new Assist Trophy.

*'''The {{uv|ARMS}} universe''': A motion-controlled fighting game released on the Nintendo Switch about a group of colorful characters with extendable, spring-shaped arms who all compete in a tournament. One of the playable characters, [[Min Min]] joined ''Ultimate'' as DLC. Prior to Min Min's debut as a fighter, the game's mascots, [[Spring Man]] and [[Ribbon Girl]], appeared as Mii Fighter costumes in the base game of ''Ultimate'', with Spring Man also appearing as an assist Trophy, as well as [[Ninjara]], [[Twintelle]], and Min Min herself appearing as spirits.

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*'''The {{uv|Metal Gear}} universe''': Also referred to as the '''''Metal Gear Solid''''' series. The first third-party franchise to make its ''Super Smash Bros.'' debut, belonging to [[Konami]]. A series of stealth and espionage shooting games set in an apocalyptic future of real-world Earth where nuclear deterrence and various philosophical, political, and moral issues relating to war are dealt with as social commentary. The series' main star, [[Solid Snake]], is a playable character in ''Brawl'' and ''Ultimate''.

*'''The {{uv|Sonic the Hedgehog}} universe''': [[SEGA]]'s primary franchise in Western territories, corporate mascot worldwide, and a longtime rival franchise to [[Nintendo]]'s ''Mario'' in the years before SEGA became a software developer for Nintendo and other companies. Primarily a series of platformer games known for its focus on running at high speeds and set in a world of anthropomorphic animals, it centers on the adventures of the eponymous character, [[Sonic the Hedgehog]], as he stops the evil schemes of his archnemesis, Dr. Eggman, alongside his multi-colored friends, with stories of varying tones and stakes. Sonic became a playable character from ''Brawl'' onwards due to high demand.

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*'''The {{uv|Mega Man}} universe''': A long-running series belonging to [[Capcom]], set in a futuristic world where robotics are highly advanced and spanning at least five different series, taking place in multiple continuities, genres, and eras, the main concept for each one being the robotic protagonist fighting themed robotic enemies and taking their powers. The protagonist of the "Classic" series, the eponymous [[Mega Man]], debuted as a playable character in ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''.

*'''The {{uv|Pac-Man}} universe''': [[Bandai Namco]]'s long-running and historically significant franchise about a yellow, spherical, perpetually hungry creature named [[Pac-Man]], and his many adventures in Pac-Land, warding off evil ghosts and protecting his family, primarily in simplistic maze games, but also having spawned popular platforming spin-offs. While not the first of either, ''Pac-Man'' is notable for being an early and highly successful example of a video game marketed to women and a video game featuring a named on-screen character, in addition to being the first video game known to feature a power-up mechanic. The eponymous character appears as a playable character in ''Smash 4'' and ''Ultimate'', accompanied by characters and elements from other Namco arcade games.

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*'''The {{uv|Street Fighter}} universe''': This long-running, genre-defining fighting game series developed by [[Capcom]] tells the many stories of combatants out to prove themselves as the greatest fighter on the planet. This franchise was the first-ever new DLC franchise in ''Super Smash Bros.'' via the introduction of the wandering World Warrior, [[Ryu]], in ''Smash 4''. In ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', his rival and best friend, [[Ken Masters]] also joins the roster.

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*'''The {{uv|Final Fantasy}} universe''': One of the most critically acclaimed and long-running RPG series of all time belonging to [[Square Enix]]. It tells the stories and legends surrounding a rotating group of heroes who go out on an epic quest to stop supernatural evil forces from taking over their world. [[Cloud Strife]], the main hero of the most popular entry of the franchise, ''{{s|wikipedia|Final Fantasy VII}}'', debuted as a new DLC character in ''[[Smash 4]]''. In ''Ultimate'', Cloud returned as an unlockable character in the base game, along with his nemesis [[Sephiroth]] joining as DLC.

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*'''The {{uv|Bayonetta}} universe''': An action and combo-oriented third-party franchise from [[SEGA]], this series tells a rather dark, twisted, and deadly tale about an ancient war between angels and demons in a modern world of fear and deception and the story about an angel hunter who sets off to find her lost memories of her past and rid herself of the war once and for all. The lead eponymous character, [[Bayonetta]] first appeared in ''Smash 4'' as a result of her popularity in the [[fighter ballot]]. The first ''Bayonetta'' title was released on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but later installments have been published by and exclusive to Nintendo for the sake of drawing adult gamers to their platforms.

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*'''The {{uv|Castlevania}} universe''': One of [[Konami]]'s most critically-acclaimed franchises in its long, storied history, this series spans a saga through the millennia of the legendary Belmont clan who swore a never-ending curse to destroy the evil that is the dreaded Count Dracula until the end of time. In ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', this is the first new third-party franchise with [[Simon]] and [[Richter Belmont]] debuting as newcomers.

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*'''The {{uv|Persona}} universe''': Originally a spin-off of the ''Shin Megami Tensei'' franchise, this is [[Atlus]]'s long-running series of turn-based RPGs set in Modern Day Japan and various metaphysical realities, where the groups of main characters are able to control manifestations of their souls and will, the titular Personas. Like ''Fire Emblem'' and ''Final Fantasy'', games are their own individual stories with elements and recurring themes shared between them, though unlike them, they are set in the same world. [[Joker]], the main character from ''Persona 5'' appears in ''Ultimate'' as the first member of the DLC Fighters Pass.

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*'''The {{uv|Dragon Quest}} universe''': The second franchise hailing from [[Square Enix]], and one of the most influential series in all of video games, defining many of the aspects followed by future series of its genre. This RPG series follows various groups of nobody castaways on an epic quest to slay monstrous demons and evil, corrupt villains to prove themselves as true champions of justice. Despite being relatively niche in Western territories, it is a ubiquitous franchise in its home country, inspiring anime, a theme park, and a high amount of merchandise. In ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', the protagonists from ''Dragon Quest XI'', ''III'', ''IV'', and ''VIII'' make their debut as a single newcomer under the generic title of [[Hero]].

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*'''The {{uv|Banjo-Kazooie}} universe''': A cult-classic 3D platformer series developed by [[Rare]], where a bear and bird duo known as [[Banjo]] & [[Kazooie]] go up against the evil, malevolent witch Gruntilda, collecting puzzle pieces known as Jiggies and receiving help from a wide variety of supporting characters in a cartoon world filled with dry British humor. In ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', the pair make their ''Smash'' debut as a single playable fighter. The ''Banjo-Kazooie'' series is notable for initially being a partially-owned Nintendo IP, until the acquisition of Rare by [[Microsoft]] in 2002.

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*'''The {{uv|Fatal Fury}} universe''': One of [[SNK]]'s most prized fighting game franchises, the series tells the story about a man named [[Terry Bogard]] and his brother Andy teaming up to take on the King of Fighters tournament to face off against Geese Howard, the crime lord who killed their adopted father, though the player is allowed to choose from a variety of characters. Terry makes his ''Smash'' debut in ''Ultimate'' as the fourth member of the DLC Fighters Pass. Despite being listed as the ''Fatal Fury'' series in-game, this universe more properly represents SNK's {{uvm|The King of Fighters}} series, which is itself a crossover of many of SNK's properties.

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*'''The {{uv|Minecraft}} universe''': The single best-selling video game of all time. ''Minecraft'' is a series about creation and survival while living alongside a variety of both real-world and fictional creatures (known as "mobs") in a randomly generated, cube-shaped sandbox world, though players are given the freedom to play the game in any variety of ways. Developed by [[Mojang Studios]], it is the first indie franchise to have a character in ''Smash'', with the default avatar skin, [[Steve]], making his debut in ''Ultimate''. His alternate costumes include [[Alex]], [[Zombie]], and [[Enderman]]. Acquired by [[Microsoft]] in 2014, Mojang Studios is the second Microsoft subsidiary with a character in ''Smash'' after [[Rare]].

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*'''The {{uv|Tekken}} universe''': The famed 3D fighting series from [[Bandai Namco]], known for being incredibly fast-paced and having significantly higher skill floors than other titles in the genre. ''Tekken'' centers on the King of Iron Fist Tournament in which a set of fighters are vying for control of the Mishima Zaibatsu corporation. One of these fighters is [[Kazuya Mishima]], the son of the CEO of Mishima Zaibatsu [[Heihachi Mishima]], who seeks vengeance against his father. Kazuya makes his debut in ''Ultimate''.

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*'''The {{uv|Kingdom Hearts}} universe''': The beloved JRPG made as a crossover between various [[Square Enix]] and [[Disney]] properties, with a particular focus on ''Final Fantasy'' and the Mickey Mouse universe. ''Kingdom Hearts'' follows the adventures of a young boy named [[Sora]], who travels to different worlds, joined by the Disney characters Donald Duck and Goofy, to save Kingdom Hearts from the Heartless. Sora makes his highly anticipated debut in ''Ultimate'', having been the single highest voted character on the fighter ballot prior. Both ''Final Fantasy'' characters who appear in ''Smash'' are additionally recurring characters in ''Kingdom Hearts'', with Sephiroth's [[Winged Form]] having made its debut in the ''Kingdom Hearts'' series.

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*'''The {{uv|Nintendo DS}} universe''': One of Nintendo's most successful products, being their best selling system at 154 million sales. A seventh-generation portable console known for its double screen and touch controls. This universe is represented by two stages named [[PictoChat]] (''Super Smash Bros. Brawl'' only) and [[PictoChat 2]] ({{for3ds}} and ''Ultimate''), both based around a built-in writing and scribbling message application meant for social interaction.

*'''The {{uv|Electroplankton}} universe''': A music creation tool for the Nintendo DS where the player uses the eponymous zooplankton to make compositions. A stage named [[Hanenbow]] is the main representation of this universe.

*'''The {{uv|Balloon Fight}} universe''': A classic NES game in which a balloon-propelled man flies through the air and pops the balloons of other enemies in a manner not unlike Williams Electronics's ''Joust''. A stage titled [[Balloon Fight]] in {{for3ds}} and ''[[Ultimate]]'' is the main representation of the universe, though there were trophies, music, and items in ''Melee'', as well as music and [[Fish|a stage hazard]] in ''Brawl'' prior. ''Balloon Fight'' is also referenced by [[Villager]]'s Up Special, [[Balloon Trip]].

*'''The {{uv|Nintendogs}} universe''': A highly successful series of pet simulators that served as a killer app for the Nintendo DS, letting the player care for and play with puppies without worrying about aging or mortality, the [[Living Room]] stage in {{for3ds}} serves as the main representation of this universe. The other representation is an Assist Trophy since ''[[Brawl]]'', [[Nintendog]], which changes breed with each installment.

*'''The {{uv|StreetPass Mii Plaza}} universe''': A universe that consists of the various minigames and DLC expansions to the pre-installed game for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] meant to encourage use of the social aspects of the system by having 3DS players' Miis visit each other's consoles and assist in a variety of simplistic games. A stage, [[Find Mii]], in {{for3ds}} and ''[[Ultimate]]'' is the main representation of this universe, based around the eponymous RPG featuring the player using StreetPass to collect Miis to save the player's Mii from ghosts and monsters.

*'''The {{uv|Tomodachi}} universe''': A series made up of life simulation games featuring the player's Miis, known for utilizing robotic voices and featuring a lot of bizarre humor. The [[Tomodachi Life]] stage in {{for3ds}} and ''[[Ultimate]]'' is the main and only representation of this universe.

|{{symbol|Tomodachi|50px}}

*'''The {{uv|Pilotwings}} universe''': A flight simulator series made up of games that allow the player to fly planes across unique environments. Besides a sticker in ''Brawl'' and a spirit in ''Ultimate'', the stage [[Pilotwings]] in {{forwiiu}} and ''[[Ultimate]]'', and the [[Rocket Belt]] item in ''Smash 4'' onwards are the only major representations of this universe.

*'''The {{uv|Wii Sports}} universe''': An iconic series of casual sports games first created to demonstrate the Wii's motion-sensing capabilities, with later titles utilizing improvements made to motion sensors in later console hardware revisions or consoles. It received one music track in ''Brawl'' before receiving its own stage in {{forwiiu}} and ''[[Ultimate]]''.

|{{symbol|WiiSports|50px}}

*'''The {{uv|Miiverse}} universe''': The [[Wii U]]'s and [[3DS]]'s now-defunct [[Miiverse (social network)|social network]], where players could post about games they were playing or were interested in. It has one stage in {{forwiiu}}.

Many other series are represented in smaller forms, such as moveset elements, [[background characters]], [[trophy|trophies]], [[sticker]]s, [[spirit]]s, music, [[List of Mii outfits and headgear by unlock criteria (SSB4-Wii U)|Mii Costumes]], or "dependent" universes that tie in to major universes but are not represented themselves.

*Platformers are the only genre to receive a new major universe in every ''Super Smash Bros.'' game.

**The [[Super Smash Bros.|original]] introduced ''Mario'', ''Donkey Kong'', ''Yoshi'', ''Metroid'', and ''Kirby''.

**''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' added ''Kid Icarus'' and ''Sonic the Hedgehog''.<!--Although Wario originally started as a platformer series, the series representation in Smash is mainly based on the WarioWare series, which is not a platformer series-->

*There are currently 40 major universes in total with at least one playable character, 25 of which are first-party and 15 of which are third-party.

*{{uv|F-Zero}} and {{uv|Yoshi}} are the only universes to only have one single fighter throughout the entire ''Smash'' series.

*In the [[Sound test]] menu in ''Brawl'' and ''Ultimate'', ''Mario'' and ''Mario Kart'' are treated as two separate universes. Despite the distinction, both use the same Mushroom series symbol.

*The oldest universe currently represented in the ''Smash'' series is {{uv|Color TV-Game}}, which debuted in 1977, while the newest in the series is {{uvm3|Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin}}, which debuted in 2020.

{{reflist}}