Super Smash Bros.
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Super Smash Bros. is the first game in the Super Smash Bros. Series. It was released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998. Super Smash Bros. has many multiplayer modes along with one singleplayer mode.
{{Title|''Super Smash Bros.''}}
{{ArticleIcons|ssb=y|fa=y}}{{Cquote|''Something's gone wrong in the happy-go-lucky world of Nintendo!''|cite=North American commercial}}
{{For|the articles about the series and universe respectively|Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros. (universe)}}
{{Infobox Game
|title = Super Smash Bros.
|image = {{tabber|width=250px|title1=American boxart|content1=[[File:SSB64 box.png|250px]]|title2=European boxart|content2=[[File:Box ssb pal.jpg|250px]]|title3=Japanese boxart|content3=[[File:Box ssb j.jpg|250px]]}}
|developer = [[HAL Laboratory, Inc.]]
|publisher = [[Nintendo]]
|designer = [[Masahiro Sakurai]]
|released = '''[[Nintendo 64]]''':<br>{{Flag|Japan}} January 21, 1999<br>{{Flag|North America}} April 26, 1999<br>{{Flag|Europe}} November 19, 1999<br><br>'''[[iQue Player]]''':<br>{{Flag|China}} November 15, 2005<br><br>'''[[Virtual Console]]''':<br>{{Flag|Japan}} January 20, 2009<br>{{Flag|Europe}} June 12, 2009<br>{{Flag|North America}} December 21, 2009
|genre = {{iw|wikipedia|Crossover|fiction}}<br>{{iw|wikipedia|Fighting game}}<br>[[wikipedia:Platform game|Platforming]]<br>[[wikipedia:Party game|Party]]
|modes = {{iw|wikipedia|Single-player}}, {{iw|wikipedia|multiplayer}} (2-4)
|ratings = {{iw|wikipedia|ESRB}}: E<br>{{iw|wikipedia|PEGI}}: 7<br>{{iw|wikipedia|OFLC}}: G8+
|platform = [[Nintendo 64]]<br>[[iQue Player]]<br>[[Virtual Console]]
|media = 128 megabit {{iw|wikipedia|cartridge|electronics}}<br>256 megabit {{iw|wikipedia|cartridge|electronics}} (Europe)<br>[[wikipedia:Flash memory|Flash Card]] (China)
}}
'''''Super Smash Bros.''''' ({{ja|ニンテンドウオールスター! 大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズ|Nintendō Ōrusutā! Dairantō Sumasshu Burazāzu}}, ''Nintendo All-Star! Great Fray Smash Brothers''), also called '''''Super Smash Bros. 64''''', often shortened to '''''SSB''''' or '''''Smash 64''''', is the first game of the ''{{b|Super Smash Bros.|series}}'' series.


==Playable Characters==
The game released in Japan on January 21st, 1999, in North America on April 26th, 1999 and in Europe on November 19th, 1999 for the [[Nintendo 64]]. Subsequently, it released on the [[iQue Player]] in China on November 15th, 2005. It was re-released on the [[Wii]] [[Virtual Console]] on January 20th, 2009 in Japan, a day before its 10-year anniversary, and later that year in Europe and North America, before becoming unavailable after the Wii Shop Channel shut down on January 30th, 2019.


There are twelve playable characters in Super Smash Bros.
''Super Smash Bros.'' received positive reviews, with most praise going to its multiplayer mode, while its single-player mode received some criticism.


===Default Characters===
==Opening movie==
The [[opening movie]] in ''Super Smash Bros.'', unlike later games in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series, completely lacks pre-rendered footage. It instead opts to use the game engine to render everything in real-time.


These characters are available as soon as the game is purchased.  Everyone will automatically have them when they start playing.
When the opening movie starts, two random [[starter character]]s are placed by {{SSB|Master Hand}} on top of a desk, which shortly transitions to a scene resembling [[Peach's Castle]]. This process is repeated every time the opening movie is played.


*[[Mario]] from the Mario series.
As the opening movie concludes, the figures of the four [[unlockable character]]s are flashed against a white background. If a character hasn't been unlocked, they will simply be shown as a silhouette; conversely, they will be revealed once unlocked.
*[[Link]] from the Legend of Zelda series.
*[[Kirby]] from the Kirby series.
*[[Pikachu]] from the Pokémon series.
*[[Yoshi]] from the Mario and Yoshi series.
*[[Samus Aran]] from the Metroid series.
*[[Donkey Kong]] from the Donkey Kong  and Mario series.
*[[Fox McCloud]] from the Star Fox series.


===Hidden Characters===
Finally, the opening movie segues into the title screen, a trend which would be followed by future installments, along with the [[announcer]] calling out the game's title.
<!--Before finding a higher quality video, make sure that it is captured directly from an N64 console and not taken from another source.-->
{{#widget:YouTube|id=rIwWCioBpEM}}


These characters must be unlocked and defeated in battle before they can be used.
==Fighters==
[[File:SSBCast.jpg|thumb|194x205px|Official artwork of the default cast of ''Smash 64''.]]
[[File:Super Smash Select.png|thumb|The character-selection screen of ''Super Smash Bros.'' (all characters unlocked).]]
There are twelve [[Fighter|playable characters]] in ''Super Smash Bros.'', eight of which are available from the [[Starter character|start]] and four of which are [[Unlockable character|unlockable]].


*[[Jigglypuff]] from the Pokémon series.
The highest amount of character slots are given to the {{uv|Super Mario}} and {{uv|Pokémon}} universes with each receiving two fighters: [[Mario]] alongside his brother [[Luigi]], and [[Pikachu]] and [[Jigglypuff]] respectively, with the latter characters in both universes being unlockable.
*[[Luigi]] from the Mario series.
*[[Ness]] from the Earthbound/Mother series.
*[[Captain Falcon]] from the F-Zero series.


==Items==
Two more slots are given to reoccurring ''Mario'' characters [[Donkey Kong]] and [[Yoshi]] as starting fighters from their sub-universes of the same names, {{uv|Donkey Kong}} and {{uv|Yoshi}}.


*[[Capsule]]
The other starter characters are [[Link]], [[Samus]], [[Kirby]] and [[Fox]] from {{uv|The Legend of Zelda}}, {{uv|Metroid}}, {{uv|Kirby}} and {{uv|Star Fox}} universes, respectively. The final remaining characters, as with Luigi and Jigglypuff, are unlockable: [[Ness]] of {{uv|EarthBound}} and [[Captain Falcon]] of {{uv|F-Zero}}.
*[[Egg]]
{{clrl}}
*[[Crate]]
{{SSB character table}}
*[[Barrel]]
*[[MaximTomato]]
*[[Heart Container]]
*[[Starman]]
*[[Beam Sword]]
*[[Home run bat]]
*[[Fan]]
*[[Star rod]]
*[[Ray Gun]]
*[[Fire Flower]]
*[[Hammer]]
*[[Motion sensor bomb]]
*[[Bob-omb]]
*[[Bumper]]
*[[Green shell]]
*[[Red shell]]
*[[Pokéball]]


==Stages==
==Stages==
[[File:SSB64 Stage Select.png|thumb|200px|The stage select screen of ''Super Smash Bros.'']]
The game features nine stages derived from each character's universe, exceptions being {{uv|EarthBound}} and {{uv|F-Zero}}. While most universes receive a single stage, {{uv|Mario}} uniquely has two instead: [[Peach's Castle]] and the only unlockable stage in the game, [[Mushroom Kingdom]]. The other stages consist of [[Congo Jungle]], [[Hyrule Castle]], [[Planet Zebes]], {{SSB|Yoshi's Island}}, {{SSB|Dream Land}}, [[Sector Z]], and [[Saffron City]] from {{uv|Donkey Kong}}, {{uv|The Legend of Zelda}}, {{uv|Metroid}}, {{uv|Yoshi}}, {{uv|Kirby}}, {{uv|Star Fox}}, and {{uv|Pokémon}} respectively.
{{clr}}


There are nine stages in Super Smash Bros.
===Versus mode stages===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin:1em auto 1em auto;"
!colspan=5|Versus mode (9)
|-style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|width="20%"|[[File:PeachCastleSSB.jpg|180x180px|link=Peach's Castle]]<br>[[Peach's Castle]]<br>{{symbol|smb|20px|suffix=preBrawl}}
|width="20%"|[[File:MushroomKingdom64.jpg|180x180px|link=Mushroom Kingdom (SSB)]]<br>'''{{SSB|Mushroom Kingdom}}'''<br>{{symbol|smb|20px|suffix=preBrawl}}
|[[File:YoshisStorySSB.png|180x180px|link=Yoshi's Island (SSB)]]<br>{{SSB|Yoshi's Island}}<br>{{symbol|yoshi|20px|suffix=preBrawl}}
|width="20%"|[[File:CongoJungle.png|180x180px|link=Kongo Jungle]]<br>[[Kongo Jungle|Congo Jungle]]<br>{{symbol|dk|20px|suffix=preBrawl}}
|width="20%"|[[File:HyruleCastleSSB.png|180x180px|link=Hyrule Castle]]<br>[[Hyrule Castle]]<br>{{symbol|zelda|20px}}
|-style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|width="20%"|[[File:PlanetZebesSSB.png|180x180px|link=Planet Zebes]]<br>[[Planet Zebes]]<br>{{symbol|metroid|20px|suffix=preBrawl}}
|[[File:DreamLandSSB.png|180x180px|link=Dream Land (SSB)]]<br>[[Dream Land]]<br>{{symbol|kirby|20px}}
|[[File:SectorZSSB.png|180x180px|link=Sector Z]]<br>[[Sector Z]]<br />{{symbol|fox|20px|suffix=preBrawl}}
|[[File:SaffronCitySSB.png|180x180px|link=Saffron City]]<br>[[Saffron City]]<br>{{symbol|pkmn|20px|suffix=preBrawl}}
|
|}
<small>Shown in '''bold''', Mushroom Kingdom is the only unlockable stage in ''Super Smash Bros.''</small>


===Default stages===
===1P Game-only stages===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin:1em auto 1em auto;"
!colspan=7|1P Game-only
|-style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|width=14%|[[File:Mario Target Smash SSB.png|150x150px|link=Break the Targets]]<br />[[Break the Targets]]<br />{{symbol|smash|20px}}
|width=14%|[[File:Mario Board the Platforms.png|150x150px|link=Board the Platforms]]<br />[[Board the Platforms]]<br />{{symbol|smash|20px}}
|width=14%|[[File:Rttf64.JPG|150x150px|link=Race to the Finish (SSB)]]<br />{{SSB|Race to the Finish}}<br />{{symbol|smash|20px}}
|width=14%|[[File:YoshisStorySSB.png|150x150px|link=Yoshi's Island (SSB)]]<br />{{SSB|Yoshi's Island}}*<br />{{symbol|yoshi|20px|suffix=preBrawl}}
|width=14%|[[File:MetaCrystal.png|150x150px|link=Meta Crystal]]<br />[[Meta Crystal]]<br />{{symbol|met|20px}}{{symbol|smash|20px}}
|width=14%|[[File:Battlefield 64.png|150x150px|link=Duel Zone]]<br />[[Duel Zone]]<br />{{symbol|smash|20px}}
|width=14%|[[File:FinalDestinationSSB.png|150x150px|link=Final Destination (SSB)]]<br />{{SSB|Final Destination}}<br />{{symbol|smash|20px}}
|}
<small>These stages only appear in the ''1P Game''.<br>*The 1P Game-only Yoshi's Island lacks clouds and has closer blast zones.</small>


These stages come with the game.  Everyone is allowed to use them.
===Non-playable stages===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin:1em auto 1em auto;"
!colspan=3|Non-playable
|-style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|width="33%"|[[File:KirbyBeta1N64.png|180x180px|link=Small]]<br />[[Small]]<br />{{symbol|kirby|20px}}{{symbol|smash|20px}}
|width="33%"|[[File:KirbyBeta2.png|180x180px|link=New]]<br />[[New]]<br />{{symbol|kirby|20px}}{{symbol|smash|20px}}
|width="33%"|[[File:Tutorial Stage SSB.png|180x180px|link=Tutorial Stage]]<br />[[Tutorial Stage]]<br />{{symbol|kirby|20px}}{{symbol|smash|20px}}
|}
<small>These stages cannot normally be unlocked or played on in any way without hacking.</small>


*[[Princess Peach's Castle (N64)|Princess Peach's Castle]] from the Mario series.
==Modes==
*[[Hyrule Castle]] from the Legend of Zelda Series.
===1-Player===
*[[Dreamland (N64)|Dreamland]] from the Kirby series.
*[[1P Game]]
*[[Saffron City]] from the Pokémon series.
*[[Training Mode]]
*[[Yoshi's Island (N64)|Yoshi's Island]] from the Yoshi series.
*[[Break the Targets]]
*[[Brinstar|Planet Zebes]] from the Metroid series.
*[[Board the Platforms]]
*[[Kongo Jungle (N64)|Kongo Jungle]] from the Donkey Kong series.
*[[Corneria|Sector Z]] from the Star Fox series.


===Hidden stage===
===Multiplayer===
*[[Versus Mode]]


This stage must be unlocked.
==Development==
After development on ''{{iw|wikirby|Kirby Super Star}}'' wrapped in 1996, creator [[Masahiro Sakurai]] wanted to create another property. He developed two different prototypes concurrently: a stealth and exploration based RC robot adventure game, and a four player free-for-all fighting game with no health bars. A long-time fan of fighting games, particularly games developed by [[SNK]], he was interested in making a beginner friendly fighting game for four players. A specific inspiration for such an idea came from an experience at a local arcade where he had a winning streak on ''King of Fighters '95'' and felt pleased with himself, only to feel guilty upon realizing his opponent was a beginner and their partner. This inspired Sakurai to design a game that would be fun regardless of skill level.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/aug/08/super-smash-bros-ultimate-masahiro-sakurai-35-years-gaming-history-nintendo | title = From Kong to Kirby: Smash Bros' Masahiro Sakurai on mashing up 35 years of gaming history | first=Keza | last = MacDonald | date = August 8, 2018 | access-date = February 26, 2020 | work = The Guardian }}</ref> He also was concerned about combos pervading the fighting game genre and felt they invalidated the skills of those subjected to them. [[Command-input move]]s were also becoming increasingly complex, and Sakurai wanted controls that tested speed and reflexes instead of muscle memory, which culminated in [[tilt attack]]s and [[smash attack]]s that can be performable with a wide range of skill levels while still having a level of depth and strategy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3IOWaVDbx0|title=Super Smash Bros.|publisher=YouTube|date=2022-10-20|accessdate=2022-10-20}}</ref>


*[[Mushroom Kingdom]] from Super Mario Bros.
His initial design for the game was called ''Kakuto-Geemu Ryuoh'' (''[[Dragon King: The Fighting Game]]''),<ref name="Hobby"/> which featured simple characters. After presenting the game to co-worker [[Satoru Iwata]], he helped Sakurai continue on with the project. Realizing that the RC game would take much longer to develop, he shelved the concept and went all in on this fighting game. Understanding that many fighting games did not sell well, Sakurai strove to make his game original.<ref name= Hobby/> After presenting a pre-alpha demo to HAL Laboratory, he was approached by a fellow employee who suggested the game should include famous Nintendo characters as a way to market the game.<ref name="Hobby"/> Initially hesitant about the idea, he was later convinced and began retooling his demo.  


==Gameplay==
Sakurai has since claimed that filling a game with preexisting characters is more welcoming to new players instead of bombarding them with many original characters they are unfamiliar with. Knowing full well that he would not receive permission to include their characters, Sakurai created a prototype of the game without sanction from Nintendo and did not inform them until he was sure the game was well-balanced.<ref name="Hobby"/> Full-scale production on the project began in September 1997 and the prototype was presented to Nintendo by the end of the year.<ref>https://sourcegaming.info/2016/01/05/prerelease/</ref> The prototype featured [[Mario]], [[Donkey Kong]], [[Samus Aran]], and [[Fox McCloud]] as playable characters. The idea was later approved.<ref name="Hobby">{{cite web|url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/ssbb/6/0|title=Iwata Asks: Super Smash Bros. Brawl|publisher=Nintendo|accessdate=2008-01-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/interview/rsbj/vol7/index.html|title=社長が訊く『大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズX』|trans_title=Iwata Asks: Super Smash Bros. Brawl|publisher=Nintendo|language=Japanese|accessdate=2008-01-31}}</ref> Although never acknowledged by Sakurai or any developers behind ''Super Smash Bros.'', third party sources have identified [[Namco]]'s 1995 fighting game ''{{iw|wikipedia|The Outfoxies}}'' as a possible inspiration.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.destructoid.com/six-days-to-smash-bros-brawl-top-five-smash-bros-alternatives-71897.phtml|title=Six Days to Smash Bros. Brawl: Top Five Smash Bros alternatives|last=Holmes|first=Jonathan|date=March 3, 2008|work=Destructoid|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112703/http://www.destructoid.com/six-days-to-smash-bros-brawl-top-five-smash-bros-alternatives-71897.phtml|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/15-smash-bros-rip-offs-couldnt-outdo-nintendo/2/|title=15 Smash Bros. rip-offs that couldn't outdo Nintendo|last=Sullivan|first=Lucas|date=September 19, 2014|website=GamesRadar+|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115002115/http://www.gamesradar.com/15-smash-bros-rip-offs-couldnt-outdo-nintendo/2/|archive-date=November 15, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>


Super Smash Bros. is best known for its multiplayer mode, in which players will choose Nintendo characters to duke it out on their chosen stage, with agreed settings.  Team battles are allowed.  Players must damage each other with attacks, then finish them off by knocking them off the stage.  Unlike traditional fighting games, Super Smash Bros. has a damage counter instead of stamina points.  It is easier to knock an opponent off the stage if they have a higher damage percentage.
[[HAL Laboratory]] was assigned as primary developers, as Sakurai was employed by them at the time. While Sakurai and Iwata were initially the only developers, as other projects in HAL Laboratory either were finished or fell through, more employees were brought on the project to assist them. Multiple characters, including [[Marth]], [[King Dedede]], [[Bowser]], and [[Mewtwo]] were planned to be playable at one point, but were all cut for various reasons.  


See also: [[One player mode (N64)]].
''Super Smash Bros.'' features music from Nintendo's most popular gaming franchises. While many tracks are new arrangements for the game, some songs attempt to directly emulate their sources. The music for ''Super Smash Bros.'' was composed by Hirokazu Ando, who later returned as sound and music director for ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. A [[Nintendo All-Star! Dairantō Smash Brothers OST|complete soundtrack]] was released on CD in Japan through Teichiku Records in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundtrackcentral.com/cds/supersmashbrothers_ost.htm|title=Nintendo All-Star! Dairanto Smash Brothers Original Soundtrack|publisher=Soundtrack Central|date=2002-01-17|accessdate=2008-04-16}}</ref>
 
Marketing teams and wholesalers were initially skeptical on the market viability of ''Super Smash Bros.'', as they were unsure how the public would respond to Nintendo characters fighting each other. Resistance from fighting game players were also met during the launch period, as they had many preconceptions of what a fighting game is and were uncomfortable with a wildly different product labeling itself as a fighting game. To alleviate this tension, Sakurai created the [[Sumabura-Ken]] website that delved into the game's different concepts.
 
To promote the game's launch, Nintendo of America staged an event called [[Super Smash Bros. Slamfest '99]], held at the MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 24th, 1999. The event featured a real-life wrestling match between costumed performers dressed as Mario, Yoshi, Pikachu, and Donkey Kong, as well as stations set up for attendees to preview the game. The wrestling match was live-streamed on the web via RealPlayer, and was available to be re-watched for several months afterward via a downloadable file from the event's official website. Despite this, no video footage of Slamfest '99 is known to survive, and the broadcast is currently considered {{iw|wikipedia|lost media}}.
 
==Reception==
{{Reviews
|title    = ''SSB'' reviews
|1UP      =
|AdvGamers =
|Atrip    =
|CE        =
|Edge      =
|EGM      =
|EuroG    =
|Fam      = 31 of 40<ref>ニンテンドウ64 - ニンテンドウオールスター!大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズ. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.32. 30 June 2006.</ref>
|G4        =
|GameFan  =
|GamePro  =
|GameRev  =
|GI        =
|GSpot    = 7.5 of 10<ref name="Spot">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/n64/action/supersmashbros/review.html|title=Super Smash Bros. Review|publisher=GameSpot|first=Jeff|last=Gerstmann|date=1999-02-18|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref>
|GSpy      =
|GT        =
|IGN      = 8.5 of 10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/160/160494p1.html|title=Super Smash Bros. Review|publisher=IGN|date=1999-04-27|first=Peer|last=Schneider|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref>
|MobyGames =
|NGamer    =
|NYT      =
|NP        = 7.7 of 10<ref name="GameRankings"/>
|Play      =
|
|rev1      =
|rev1Score =
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|rev2      =
|rev2Score =
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|rev3      =
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|rev4      =
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|rev5      =
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|rev6      =
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|rev7      =
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|rev8      =
|rev8Score =
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|MC        = 79 of 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/game/nintendo-64/super-smash-bros|title=Super Smash Bros. (n64: 1999): Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref>
|GR        = 78.81%<ref name="GameRankings">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/198854.asp|title=Super Smash Bros. Reviews|publisher=GameRankings|accessdate=2013-07-14}}</ref>
|GRO      =
|TTR      =
|
|award1    = IGN "Best Fighting Game"
|award2    =
|award3    =
|award4    =
|award5    =
|award6    =
|award7    =
|award8    =
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|award10  =
|award11  =
|award12  =
}}
 
''Super Smash Bros.'' was a commercial success, selling 5 million copies worldwide with 2.93 million sold in the United States and 1.97 million copies sold in Japan. It was the 5th best selling game for the [[Nintendo 64]] and the single highest-selling game to have never been bundled with the console. Reviews were mostly positive, with many critics praising the game's addictive and fun multiplayer gameplay and simple controls, but it was criticized as well, mainly due to the game's lower amount of content and somewhat limited single-player mode.
{{clr}}
 
==In competitive play==
{{main|Super Smash Bros. in competitive play}}
''Smash 64'' has always had a small, niche competitive scene relative to future entries. Unlike those entries, particularly ''Brawl'' and ''Smash 4'', the scene has increased in popularity over the years instead of falling off when the next entry releases. This is mostly due to the scene embracing [[Project64k|emulation]] and other unconventional methods of play quicker than the others, which allowed them to smoothly transition to online play, especially during the 2020 pandemic. While dedicated tournaments are still sparse, ''Smash 64'' is more frequently becoming held as an event in major tournaments alongside future entries with gradually increasing entrant counts. The scene was also the first and currently most popular to run the [[Combo Contest]] due to the game engine allowing for great amounts of freedom in that department. The scene is also kept alive with [[mod]]s such as [[Smash Remix]], which expands on the game's content while keeping core elements intact.
 
The community has constructed a set of [[tournament legal (SSB)|standard tournament rules]] to regulate tournament play. While rulesets may vary between different tournaments, generally universal gameplay rules include all matches being played via [[time]]d [[stock]] (four stocks and eight minutes), and restrictions on legal [[stage]]s. These regulations are enacted to ensure that gameplay at the highest level remains fair and interesting.
 
==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery widths="170">
SSB64 logo.png|English logo.
StatesSSBpchoice.jpg|''Super Smash Bros.'' U.S. box art (Player's Choice version)
Smash64iQueBox.png|''Super Smash Bros.'' Chinese box art
SSBVerticalArtwork.png|Group artwork
Smash Bros..png|Group artwork depicting {{SSB|Kirby}}, {{SSB|Mario}}, {{SSB|Fox}} and {{SSB|Link}}, including some items like [[Bob-omb]], [[Star Rod]] and the [[Fan]].
SSB64Title.png|English title screen
SSB64TitleJP.png|Japanese title screen
SSB64TitleCH.png|Chinese title screen
SSB64WS.gif|The logo from the SSB64 Website.
SSB64CASTWB.gif|An image of the cast from the SSB64 Website.
</gallery>
</center>
 
==Staff==
{{main|List of staff (SSB)}}
 
==Trivia==
*This is the only ''Super Smash Bros.'' game to:
**Release in the 1990s and the 20th century.
**Be rated "E" for Everyone by the ESRB.
**Have more playable characters than stages, if counting both versions of ''Super Smash Bros. 4'' as one game.
**Not use renders for character artwork.
**Lack [[Home-Run Contest]] and [[Multi-Man Smash]] modes.
**Use the phrases "Game Set" and "Time Up" for matches in all regions.
**Lack a [[stage]] from the {{uv|F-Zero}} and {{uv|EarthBound}} universes.
**Not have [[Battlefield]] and [[Final Destination]] as [[Versus Mode]] stages.
**Not feature [[spot dodge]]s, [[air dodge]]s, charged [[smash attack]]s, [[side special move]]s, [[pummel]]s, [[up throw]]s or [[down throw]]s, as these would be added in later games.
**Have multiple [[crowd]] reactions for when a character recovers.
**Not introduce at least one {{uv|Fire Emblem}} character.
**Not show any magnifying of computer players when playing against a team in 1P mode, although the camera may ignore the said computer player's presence.
*The starting eight characters are placed in the order of when they first appeared (as a whole) in their respective debut titles on the character selection screen, starting with the oldest, [[Mario]] and [[Donkey Kong]], and ending with the most recent, [[Pikachu]]. This same order is used when listing the cast of the original ''Super Smash Bros.'' in later games, such as when organizing [[Trophy|trophies]] and [[fighter number]]s. This chronological ordering also applies to the four unlockable characters on the character selection screen, though this is only relative to each other and not the other characters.
*''Super Smash Bros.'' marks the first appearance of [[Samus]], [[Kirby]], and [[Ness]] in 3D.
**Additionally, this game is both Samus and Ness's only appearance on the [[Nintendo 64]].
*This game has the fewest amount of [[unlockable character]]s with four.
*This game is one of two that uses 2D illustrations on the box art, alongside ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]''.
*This game is one of two ''Super Smash Bros.'' games to not feature [[Adventure Mode]], the second being ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]''.
*This game is one of two ''Super Smash Bros.'' games to not feature [[All-Star Mode]], the second being ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate''.
*If the player achieves No Miss x11 at the end of [[1P Game|Classic Mode]] with a score over “01000000”, the announcer will say "Incredible!" instead of "Congratulations!" on the victory screen.
*Despite ''Super Smash Bros.'' having its own Australian version, the European version was used for Australia's Virtual Console.
*A message in Chinese exists dictating that the controller is not plugged in, even though the only Chinese release of the game is on the [[iQue]] player with a built-in controller.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tcrf.net/Super_Smash_Bros./Regional_Differences#No_Controller|title=No Controller}}</ref>
 
==External links==
*[http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/ Official Japanese ''Super Smash Bros.'' website]
*[http://web.archive.org/web/19991117175759/http://smashbros.com/ Official English ''Super Smash Bros.'' website] (archive)
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/vc_dsb/index.html Official Japanese Virtual Console ''Super Smash Bros.'' website]
*[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-64/Super-Smash-Bros--269756.html Official European ''Super Smash Bros.'' game page]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130306004107/http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/vq2LDXcejXQ2vNjNkcQAv6ylA5y9lMzu Official North American Virtual Console ''Super Smash Bros.'' game page] (archive)
*[https://www.ique.com/games/12021.htm Official Chinese ''Super Smash Bros.'' website]
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
 
{{SSBSeries}}
{{Wikipedia}}
 
[[es:Super Smash Bros.]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros.| ]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. universe]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. series]]
[[Category:Nintendo 64]]

Latest revision as of 22:08, November 2, 2024

“ Something's gone wrong in the happy-go-lucky world of Nintendo! ”
—North American commercial
For the articles about the series and universe respectively, see Super Smash Bros. (series) and Super Smash Bros. (universe).
Super Smash Bros.
SSB64 box.png
Box ssb pal.jpg
Box ssb j.jpg
Developer(s) HAL Laboratory, Inc.
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Designer(s) Masahiro Sakurai
Released Nintendo 64:
Japan January 21, 1999
North America April 26, 1999
Europe November 19, 1999

iQue Player:
China November 15, 2005

Virtual Console:
Japan January 20, 2009
Europe June 12, 2009
North America December 21, 2009
Genre(s) Crossover
Fighting game
Platforming
Party
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer (2-4)
Ratings ESRB: E
PEGI: 7
OFLC: G8+
Platform(s) Nintendo 64
iQue Player
Virtual Console
Media 128 megabit cartridge
256 megabit cartridge (Europe)
Flash Card (China)

Super Smash Bros. (ニンテンドウオールスター! 大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズ, Nintendo All-Star! Great Fray Smash Brothers), also called Super Smash Bros. 64, often shortened to SSB or Smash 64, is the first game of the Super Smash Bros. series.

The game released in Japan on January 21st, 1999, in North America on April 26th, 1999 and in Europe on November 19th, 1999 for the Nintendo 64. Subsequently, it released on the iQue Player in China on November 15th, 2005. It was re-released on the Wii Virtual Console on January 20th, 2009 in Japan, a day before its 10-year anniversary, and later that year in Europe and North America, before becoming unavailable after the Wii Shop Channel shut down on January 30th, 2019.

Super Smash Bros. received positive reviews, with most praise going to its multiplayer mode, while its single-player mode received some criticism.

Opening movie[edit]

The opening movie in Super Smash Bros., unlike later games in the Super Smash Bros. series, completely lacks pre-rendered footage. It instead opts to use the game engine to render everything in real-time.

When the opening movie starts, two random starter characters are placed by Master Hand on top of a desk, which shortly transitions to a scene resembling Peach's Castle. This process is repeated every time the opening movie is played.

As the opening movie concludes, the figures of the four unlockable characters are flashed against a white background. If a character hasn't been unlocked, they will simply be shown as a silhouette; conversely, they will be revealed once unlocked.

Finally, the opening movie segues into the title screen, a trend which would be followed by future installments, along with the announcer calling out the game's title.

Fighters[edit]

Official artwork of the default cast of Smash 64.
The character-selection screen of Super Smash Bros. (all characters unlocked).

There are twelve playable characters in Super Smash Bros., eight of which are available from the start and four of which are unlockable.

The highest amount of character slots are given to the Super Mario and Pokémon universes with each receiving two fighters: Mario alongside his brother Luigi, and Pikachu and Jigglypuff respectively, with the latter characters in both universes being unlockable.

Two more slots are given to reoccurring Mario characters Donkey Kong and Yoshi as starting fighters from their sub-universes of the same names, Donkey Kong and Yoshi.

The other starter characters are Link, Samus, Kirby and Fox from The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Kirby and Star Fox universes, respectively. The final remaining characters, as with Luigi and Jigglypuff, are unlockable: Ness of EarthBound and Captain Falcon of F-Zero.

Starters (8)
Mario (SSB)
Mario
Mario (universe) 		Yoshi (SSB)
Yoshi
Yoshi (universe) 		Donkey Kong (SSB)
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong (universe) 		Link (SSB)
Link
The Legend of Zelda (universe)
Samus (SSB)
Samus
Metroid (universe) 		Kirby (SSB)
Kirby
Kirby (universe) 		Fox (SSB)
Fox
Star Fox (universe) 		Pikachu (SSB)
Pikachu
Pokémon (universe)
Unlockables (4)
Luigi (SSB)
Luigi
Mario (universe) 		Jigglypuff (SSB)
Jigglypuff
Pokémon (universe) 		Captain Falcon (SSB)
Captain Falcon
F-Zero (universe) 		Ness (SSB)
Ness
EarthBound (universe)

Stages[edit]

The stage select screen of Super Smash Bros.

The game features nine stages derived from each character's universe, exceptions being EarthBound and F-Zero. While most universes receive a single stage, Mario uniquely has two instead: Peach's Castle and the only unlockable stage in the game, Mushroom Kingdom. The other stages consist of Congo Jungle, Hyrule Castle, Planet Zebes, Yoshi's Island, Dream Land, Sector Z, and Saffron City from Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Yoshi, Kirby, Star Fox, and Pokémon respectively.

Versus mode stages[edit]

Versus mode (9)
Peach's Castle
Peach's Castle
Mario (universe) 		Mushroom Kingdom (SSB)
Mushroom Kingdom
Mario (universe) 		Yoshi's Island (SSB)
Yoshi's Island
Yoshi (universe) 		Kongo Jungle
Congo Jungle
Donkey Kong (universe) 		Hyrule Castle
Hyrule Castle
The Legend of Zelda (universe)
Planet Zebes
Planet Zebes
Metroid (universe) 		Dream Land (SSB)
Dream Land
Kirby (universe) 		Sector Z
Sector Z
Star Fox (universe) 		Saffron City
Saffron City
Pokémon (universe)

Shown in bold, Mushroom Kingdom is the only unlockable stage in Super Smash Bros.

1P Game-only stages[edit]

1P Game-only
Break the Targets
Break the Targets
Super Smash Bros. (universe) 		Board the Platforms
Board the Platforms
Super Smash Bros. (universe) 		Race to the Finish (SSB)
Race to the Finish
Super Smash Bros. (universe) 		Yoshi's Island (SSB)
Yoshi's Island*
Yoshi (universe) 		Meta Crystal
Meta Crystal
Mario (universe)Super Smash Bros. (universe) 		Duel Zone
Duel Zone
Super Smash Bros. (universe) 		Final Destination (SSB)
Final Destination
Super Smash Bros. (universe)

These stages only appear in the 1P Game.
*The 1P Game-only Yoshi's Island lacks clouds and has closer blast zones.

Non-playable stages[edit]

Non-playable
Small
Small
Kirby (universe)Super Smash Bros. (universe) 		New
New
Kirby (universe)Super Smash Bros. (universe) 		Tutorial Stage
Tutorial Stage
Kirby (universe)Super Smash Bros. (universe)

These stages cannot normally be unlocked or played on in any way without hacking.

Modes[edit]

1-Player[edit]

Multiplayer[edit]

Development[edit]

After development on Kirby Super Star wrapped in 1996, creator Masahiro Sakurai wanted to create another property. He developed two different prototypes concurrently: a stealth and exploration based RC robot adventure game, and a four player free-for-all fighting game with no health bars. A long-time fan of fighting games, particularly games developed by SNK, he was interested in making a beginner friendly fighting game for four players. A specific inspiration for such an idea came from an experience at a local arcade where he had a winning streak on King of Fighters '95 and felt pleased with himself, only to feel guilty upon realizing his opponent was a beginner and their partner. This inspired Sakurai to design a game that would be fun regardless of skill level.[1] He also was concerned about combos pervading the fighting game genre and felt they invalidated the skills of those subjected to them. Command-input moves were also becoming increasingly complex, and Sakurai wanted controls that tested speed and reflexes instead of muscle memory, which culminated in tilt attacks and smash attacks that can be performable with a wide range of skill levels while still having a level of depth and strategy.[2]

His initial design for the game was called Kakuto-Geemu Ryuoh (Dragon King: The Fighting Game),[3] which featured simple characters. After presenting the game to co-worker Satoru Iwata, he helped Sakurai continue on with the project. Realizing that the RC game would take much longer to develop, he shelved the concept and went all in on this fighting game. Understanding that many fighting games did not sell well, Sakurai strove to make his game original.[3] After presenting a pre-alpha demo to HAL Laboratory, he was approached by a fellow employee who suggested the game should include famous Nintendo characters as a way to market the game.[3] Initially hesitant about the idea, he was later convinced and began retooling his demo.

Sakurai has since claimed that filling a game with preexisting characters is more welcoming to new players instead of bombarding them with many original characters they are unfamiliar with. Knowing full well that he would not receive permission to include their characters, Sakurai created a prototype of the game without sanction from Nintendo and did not inform them until he was sure the game was well-balanced.[3] Full-scale production on the project began in September 1997 and the prototype was presented to Nintendo by the end of the year.[4] The prototype featured Mario, Donkey Kong, Samus Aran, and Fox McCloud as playable characters. The idea was later approved.[3][5] Although never acknowledged by Sakurai or any developers behind Super Smash Bros., third party sources have identified Namco's 1995 fighting game The Outfoxies as a possible inspiration.[6][7]

HAL Laboratory was assigned as primary developers, as Sakurai was employed by them at the time. While Sakurai and Iwata were initially the only developers, as other projects in HAL Laboratory either were finished or fell through, more employees were brought on the project to assist them. Multiple characters, including Marth, King Dedede, Bowser, and Mewtwo were planned to be playable at one point, but were all cut for various reasons.

Super Smash Bros. features music from Nintendo's most popular gaming franchises. While many tracks are new arrangements for the game, some songs attempt to directly emulate their sources. The music for Super Smash Bros. was composed by Hirokazu Ando, who later returned as sound and music director for Super Smash Bros. Melee. A complete soundtrack was released on CD in Japan through Teichiku Records in 2001.[8]

Marketing teams and wholesalers were initially skeptical on the market viability of Super Smash Bros., as they were unsure how the public would respond to Nintendo characters fighting each other. Resistance from fighting game players were also met during the launch period, as they had many preconceptions of what a fighting game is and were uncomfortable with a wildly different product labeling itself as a fighting game. To alleviate this tension, Sakurai created the Sumabura-Ken website that delved into the game's different concepts.

To promote the game's launch, Nintendo of America staged an event called Super Smash Bros. Slamfest '99, held at the MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 24th, 1999. The event featured a real-life wrestling match between costumed performers dressed as Mario, Yoshi, Pikachu, and Donkey Kong, as well as stations set up for attendees to preview the game. The wrestling match was live-streamed on the web via RealPlayer, and was available to be re-watched for several months afterward via a downloadable file from the event's official website. Despite this, no video footage of Slamfest '99 is known to survive, and the broadcast is currently considered lost media.

Reception[edit]

SSB reviews
Publication Score
Famitsu 31 of 40[9]
GameSpot 7.5 of 10[10]
IGN 8.5 of 10[11]
Nintendo Power 7.7 of 10[12]
Compilations of multiple reviews
Metacritic 79 of 100[13]
Game Rankings 78.81%[12]
Awards
IGN "Best Fighting Game"

Super Smash Bros. was a commercial success, selling 5 million copies worldwide with 2.93 million sold in the United States and 1.97 million copies sold in Japan. It was the 5th best selling game for the Nintendo 64 and the single highest-selling game to have never been bundled with the console. Reviews were mostly positive, with many critics praising the game's addictive and fun multiplayer gameplay and simple controls, but it was criticized as well, mainly due to the game's lower amount of content and somewhat limited single-player mode.

In competitive play[edit]

Main article: Super Smash Bros. in competitive play

Smash 64 has always had a small, niche competitive scene relative to future entries. Unlike those entries, particularly Brawl and Smash 4, the scene has increased in popularity over the years instead of falling off when the next entry releases. This is mostly due to the scene embracing emulation and other unconventional methods of play quicker than the others, which allowed them to smoothly transition to online play, especially during the 2020 pandemic. While dedicated tournaments are still sparse, Smash 64 is more frequently becoming held as an event in major tournaments alongside future entries with gradually increasing entrant counts. The scene was also the first and currently most popular to run the Combo Contest due to the game engine allowing for great amounts of freedom in that department. The scene is also kept alive with mods such as Smash Remix, which expands on the game's content while keeping core elements intact.

The community has constructed a set of standard tournament rules to regulate tournament play. While rulesets may vary between different tournaments, generally universal gameplay rules include all matches being played via timed stock (four stocks and eight minutes), and restrictions on legal stages. These regulations are enacted to ensure that gameplay at the highest level remains fair and interesting.

Gallery[edit]

  • English logo.

    English logo.

  • Super Smash Bros. U.S. box art (Player's Choice version)

    Super Smash Bros. U.S. box art (Player's Choice version)

  • Super Smash Bros. Chinese box art

    Super Smash Bros. Chinese box art

  • Group artwork

    Group artwork

  • Group artwork depicting Kirby, Mario, Fox and Link, including some items like Bob-omb, Star Rod and the Fan.

    Group artwork depicting Kirby, Mario, Fox and Link, including some items like Bob-omb, Star Rod and the Fan.

  • English title screen

    English title screen

  • Japanese title screen

    Japanese title screen

  • Chinese title screen

    Chinese title screen

  • The logo from the SSB64 Website.

    The logo from the SSB64 Website.

  • An image of the cast from the SSB64 Website.

    An image of the cast from the SSB64 Website.

Staff[edit]

Main article: List of staff (SSB)

Trivia[edit]

  • This is the only Super Smash Bros. game to:
  • The starting eight characters are placed in the order of when they first appeared (as a whole) in their respective debut titles on the character selection screen, starting with the oldest, Mario and Donkey Kong, and ending with the most recent, Pikachu. This same order is used when listing the cast of the original Super Smash Bros. in later games, such as when organizing trophies and fighter numbers. This chronological ordering also applies to the four unlockable characters on the character selection screen, though this is only relative to each other and not the other characters.
  • Super Smash Bros. marks the first appearance of Samus, Kirby, and Ness in 3D.
    • Additionally, this game is both Samus and Ness's only appearance on the Nintendo 64.
  • This game has the fewest amount of unlockable characters with four.
  • This game is one of two that uses 2D illustrations on the box art, alongside Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
  • This game is one of two Super Smash Bros. games to not feature Adventure Mode, the second being Super Smash Bros. 4.
  • This game is one of two Super Smash Bros. games to not feature All-Star Mode, the second being Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
  • If the player achieves No Miss x11 at the end of Classic Mode with a score over “01000000”, the announcer will say "Incredible!" instead of "Congratulations!" on the victory screen.
  • Despite Super Smash Bros. having its own Australian version, the European version was used for Australia's Virtual Console.
  • A message in Chinese exists dictating that the controller is not plugged in, even though the only Chinese release of the game is on the iQue player with a built-in controller.[14]

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ MacDonald, Keza (August 8, 2018). From Kong to Kirby: Smash Bros' Masahiro Sakurai on mashing up 35 years of gaming history. The Guardian.
  2. ^ Super Smash Bros.. YouTube (2022-10-20). Retrieved on 2022-10-20.
  3. ^ a b c d e Iwata Asks: Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Nintendo. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ https://sourcegaming.info/2016/01/05/prerelease/
  5. ^ 社長が訊く『大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズX』 (Japanese). Nintendo. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  6. ^ Holmes, Jonathan. "Six Days to Smash Bros. Brawl: Top Five Smash Bros alternatives", Destructoid, March 3, 2008. 
  7. ^ Sullivan, Lucas (September 19, 2014). 15 Smash Bros. rip-offs that couldn't outdo Nintendo.
  8. ^ Nintendo All-Star! Dairanto Smash Brothers Original Soundtrack. Soundtrack Central (2002-01-17). Retrieved on 2008-04-16.
  9. ^ ニンテンドウ64 - ニンテンドウオールスター!大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズ. Weekly Famitsu. No.915 Pt.2. Pg.32. 30 June 2006.
  10. ^ Gerstmann, Jeff (1999-02-18). Super Smash Bros. Review. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2008-04-26.
  11. ^ Schneider, Peer (1999-04-27). Super Smash Bros. Review. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-04-26.
  12. ^ a b Super Smash Bros. Reviews. GameRankings. Retrieved on 2013-07-14.
  13. ^ Super Smash Bros. (n64: 1999): Reviews. Metacritic. Retrieved on 2013-07-14.
  14. ^ No Controller.


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