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{{Title|''Super Smash Bros.''}}  
{{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}}
{{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)}}
{{For|the articles about the series and universe respectively|Super Smash Bros. (series)|Super Smash Bros. (universe)}}
{{Infobox Game
{{Infobox Game
|title = Super Smash Bros.
|title = Super Smash Bros.
|image = {{tabber|width=250px|title1=American boxart|tab1=[[File:SSB64 box.png|250px]]|title2=European boxart|tab2=[[File:Box ssb pal.jpg|250px]]|title3=Japanese boxart|tab3=[[File:Box ssb j.jpg|250px]]}}
|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.]]
|developer = [[HAL Laboratory, Inc.]]
|publisher = [[Nintendo]]
|publisher = [[Nintendo]]
|designer = [[Masahiro Sakurai]]
|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
|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 = {{s|wikipedia|Fighting game}}<br>[[wikipedia:Platform game|Platforming]]
|genre = {{iw|wikipedia|Crossover|fiction}}<br>{{iw|wikipedia|Fighting game}}<br>[[wikipedia:Platform game|Platforming]]<br>[[wikipedia:Party game|Party]]
|modes = {{s|wikipedia|Single-player}}, {{s|wikipedia|multiplayer}} (2-4)
|modes = {{iw|wikipedia|Single-player}}, {{iw|wikipedia|multiplayer}} (2-4)
|ratings = {{s|wikipedia|ESRB}}: E<br>{{s|wikipedia|PEGI}}: 7<br>{{s|wikipedia|OFLC}}: G8+
|ratings = {{iw|wikipedia|ESRB}}: E<br>{{iw|wikipedia|PEGI}}: 7<br>{{iw|wikipedia|OFLC}}: G8+
|platform = [[Nintendo 64]]<br>[[iQue Player]]<br>[[Virtual Console]]
|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)
|media = 128 megabit {{iw|wikipedia|cartridge|electronics}}<br>256 megabit {{iw|wikipedia|cartridge|electronics}} (Europe)<br>[[wikipedia:Flash memory|Flash Card]] (China)
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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.
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. The game has sold 5 million units worldwide as of 2001, making it the fifth best-selling Nintendo 64 game of all time.
''Super Smash Bros.'' received positive reviews, with most praise going to its multiplayer mode, while its single-player mode received some criticism.


==Opening movie==
==Opening movie==
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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.
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.
The [[starter character]]s are then introduced one-by-one, then it proceeds to show several clips of the fighters in action.


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.
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.
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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.
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.-->
<!--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=piPJLPrqg0o}}
{{#widget:YouTube|id=rIwWCioBpEM}}


==Fighters==
==Fighters==
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==Stages==
==Stages==
[[File:SSB64 Stage Select.png|thumb|200px|The stage select screen of ''Super Smash Bros.'']]
[[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]]. Besides of that, 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.
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, {{SSB|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}}
{{clr}}


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!colspan=5|Versus mode (9)
!colspan=5|Versus mode (9)
|-style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|-style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|width="20%"|[[File:PeachCastleSSB.jpg|100x100px|link=Peach's Castle]]<br>[[Peach's Castle]]<br>{{symbol|smb|20px|suffix=preBrawl}}
|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|100x100px|link=Mushroom Kingdom (SSB)]]<br>'''{{SSB|Mushroom Kingdom}}'''<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|100x100px|link=Yoshi's Island (SSB)]]<br>{{SSB|Yoshi's Island}}<br>{{symbol|yoshi|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|100x100px|link=Kongo Jungle]]<br>[[Kongo Jungle|Congo Jungle]]<br>{{symbol|dk|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|100x100px |link=Hyrule Castle]]<br>[[Hyrule Castle]]<br>{{symbol|zelda|20px}}
|width="20%"|[[File:HyruleCastleSSB.png|180x180px|link=Hyrule Castle]]<br>[[Hyrule Castle]]<br>{{symbol|loz|20px}}
|-style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|-style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|width="20%"|[[File:PlanetZebesSSB.png|100x100px|link=Planet Zebes]]<br>[[Planet Zebes]]<br>{{symbol|metroid|20px|suffix=preBrawl}}
|width="20%"|[[File:PlanetZebesSSB.png|180x180px|link=Planet Zebes]]<br>[[Planet Zebes]]<br>{{symbol|metroid|20px|suffix=preBrawl}}
|[[File:DreamLandSSB.png|100x100px|link=Dream Land (SSB)]]<br>[[Dream Land]]<br>{{symbol|kirby|20px}}
|[[File:DreamLandSSB.png|180x180px|link=Dream Land (SSB)]]<br>[[Dream Land]]<br>{{symbol|kirby|20px}}
|[[File:SectorZSSB.png|100x100px|link=Sector Z]]<br>[[Sector Z]]<br />{{symbol|fox|20px|suffix=preBrawl}}
|[[File:SectorZSSB.png|180x180px|link=Sector Z]]<br>[[Sector Z]]<br />{{symbol|fox|20px|suffix=preBrawl}}
|[[File:SaffronCitySSB.png|100x100px|link=Saffron City]]<br>[[Saffron City]]<br>{{symbol|pkmn|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>
<small>Shown in '''bold''', Mushroom Kingdom is the only unlockable stage in ''Super Smash Bros.''</small>


===1P Game-only stages===
===1P Game-only stages===
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!colspan=7|1P Game-only
!colspan=7|1P Game-only
|-style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|-style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|width=14%|[[File:Mario Target Smash SSB.png|100x100px|link=Break the Targets]]<br />[[Break the Targets]]<br />{{symbol|smash|20px}}
|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|100x100px|link=Board the Platforms]]<br />[[Board the Platforms]]<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|100x100px|link=Race to the Finish (SSB)]]<br />{{SSB|Race to the Finish}}<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|100x100px|link=Yoshi's Island (SSB)]]<br />{{SSB|Yoshi's Island}}*<br />{{symbol|yoshi|20px|suffix=preBrawl}}
|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|100x100px|link=Meta Crystal]]<br />[[Meta Crystal]]<br />{{symbol|met|20px}}{{symbol|smash|20px}}
|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|100x100px|link=Duel Zone]]<br />[[Duel Zone]]<br />{{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|100x100px|link=Final Destination (SSB)]]<br />{{SSB|Final Destination}}<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>
<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>


===Non-playable stages===
===Non-playable stages===
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!colspan=3|Non-playable
!colspan=3|Non-playable
|-style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|-style="vertical-align:bottom;"
|width="33%"|[[File:KirbyBeta1N64.png|100x100px|link=Small]]<br />[[Small]]<br />{{symbol|kirby|20px}}{{symbol|smash|20px}}
|width="33%"|[[File:KirbyBeta1N64.png|180x180px|link=Small]]<br />[[Small]]<br />{{symbol|kirby|20px}}{{symbol|smash|20px}}
|width="33%"|[[File:KirbyBeta2.png|100x100px|link=New]]<br />[[New]]<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|100x100px|link=Tutorial Stage]]<br />[[Tutorial Stage]]<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 be unlocked or played on in any way without hacking.</small>
<small>These stages cannot normally be unlocked or played on in any way without hacking.</small>


==Modes==
==Modes==
===1-Player===
===1-Player===
* [[1P Game]]
*[[1P Game]]
* [[Training Mode]]
*[[Training Mode]]
* [[Target Smash!|Break the Targets]]
*[[Break the Targets]]
* [[Board the Platforms]]
*[[Board the Platforms]]


===Multiplayer===
===Multiplayer===
* [[Versus Mode]]
*[[Versus Mode]]


==Tournament play==
==Development==
{{Main|Tournament legal (SSB)}}
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>
Unlike its successors, ''Super Smash Bros.'' did not initially enjoy a large professional competitive scene in North America. However, interest in the game has been renewed in recent years with the popularity of its sequels. Players can play ''Super Smash Bros.'' online through {{iw|wikipedia|Kaillera}} using the [[Project64k]] emulator, and every year there are more and more in-person ''Super Smash Bros.'' [[tournament]]s due to an influx of new players. Tournaments are often paired with ''Melee'' and ''Ultimate'' events at large multi-game majors, or at smaller 64-only events. Unlike other ''Smash'' games, the most common tournament structure is a [[Tournament_rulesets_(SSB)#Waterfall_Bracket|waterfall bracket]], featuring multiple levels of round-robin pools feeding into a final double elimination bracket.
 
The most common standard tournament rules are as follows<ref>Super Smash Con (2022-07-30). [https://supersmashcon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ssc-2022-rules.pdf Super Smash Con Official Rulebook 2022.] Retrieved 2023-07-06.</ref>:
*Tournament matches are best of 3 or 5 games, with best of 5 usually reserved for the final bracket.
*Games are 4 [[stock]] with an 8-minute time limit. The original game does not support time limits on stock matches, but [[mod|modded games]] and emulators can implement one. When playing on original hardware, an external timer is used at either player's request.
*[[Items]] are disabled.
*[[Handicap]]s are off.
*[[Dream_Land#Super_Smash_Bros.|Dream Land]] is the only legal stage.
*Pausing is forbidden, and results in forfeiting the game.
 
*For the first game, characters are chosen double-blind - at the same time, so that neither player knows their opponent's character when picking.
*Players may re-select [[Fighter|characters]] after each match. However, the loser of each match picks last (known as counterpicking).


==Development==
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.
After development on the {{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>


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. 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"/> The prototype he presented 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 ''{{s|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>
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>


[[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.  
[[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]], [[Mewtwo]], and [[Clefairy]] 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 [[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>
''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 [[Smabura-Ken]] website that delved into the game's different concepts.
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}}.
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}}.
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}}
}}


''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]]. 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.
''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}}
{{clr}}


==In competitive play==
==In competitive play==
{{main|Super Smash Bros. in competitive play}}
{{main|Super Smash Bros. in competitive play}}
''Smash 64'' has always had a small, niche competitive scene relative to ''Brawl'' and ''Smash 4''. Unlike those entries, 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. 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.
''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.
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.
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</gallery>
</gallery>
</center>
</center>
==Differences from later ''Super Smash Bros.'' games==
''Super Smash Bros.'' is the only game in the series with the following distinctions:
*Using the phrases "Game Set" and "Time Up" for matches in all regions. Later games use the phrases "Game!" and "Time!" in the English version, while each one still uses "Game Set" and "Time Up" in the Japanese version.
*[[Break the Targets!]] and {{SSB|Race to the Finish}} are announced "Break the '''Target'''" and "Hurry to the Battle Stage", respectively in the Japanese version, as ''Melee'' uses the names from the international release.
*Lacking [[Home-Run Contest]] and [[Multi-Man Smash]] modes.
*Featuring [[Board the Platforms]] bonus game.
*[[Time]] and [[stock]] matches share the same announcer voice clip (not counting [[team battle]]s).
*Using traffic signals instead of numbers for the "3, 2, 1... Go!" announcement before a match begins.
*Lacking [[home stage]]s from the {{uv|F-Zero}} and {{uv|EarthBound}} universes. As a result, {{SSB|Captain Falcon}}'s home stage is [[Planet Zebes]] and {{SSB|Ness}}'s is [[Dream Land]], as those two stages are the ones that take place when [[unlockable character|unlocking]] them via a Challenger Approaching battle.
*Introducing [[starter character|starters]] from the {{uv|Star Fox}} universe.
*Lacking princesses (or any other female characters aside from {{SSB|Samus}}) as playable characters.
*Featuring only one character from the {{uv|The Legend of Zelda}} and {{uv|Star Fox}} universes.
*Introducing new characters from the {{uv|Yoshi}} and {{uv|F-Zero}} universes.
*To be released in the 1990s.
*Not having [[Bowser]] as the heaviest character, as he did not make his first playable appearance until ''Melee''. Rather, the heaviest character is {{SSB|Donkey Kong}}.
*Being rated "E" for Everyone by the ESRB, as its successors ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' would be rated "T" for Teen, and ''[[Super Smash Bros. 4]]'' and ''[[Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]]'' would be rated "E10+" for players who are aged ten and over.
*Showing the character's 3D model when selecting them on the Character Selection Screen, as later titles would use artwork of the characters instead. However, in ''Melee'', there are unused graphics for each character showing them in 3D for the [[character selection screen]].
*Showing the stage's 3D model when highlighted on the Stage Selection screen, as well as restricting the cursor to the squares depicting the stage.
*Not having Battlefield and Final Destination as normally playable stages.
*Not featuring [[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.
*Having multiple [[crowd]] reactions for when a character recovers.
*Having characters freely get [[Star KO]]'d when they reach the upper [[blast line]] without suffering from [[knockback]] or taking any damage.
*Not introducing at least one ''[[Fire Emblem]]'' character, although [[Marth]] was originally planned to be playable.
*The [[enemy team]] can get Star or [[Screen KO]]'d under normal circumstances, with the only exception in the later games being ''Melee''{{'}}s [[Event 37: Legendary Pokémon]].
*Having a humorous presentation, with aesthetic elements resembling professional wrestling and comic books.


==Staff==
==Staff==
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==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*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.
*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.
*''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]].
**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 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 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 [[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''.
*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.
*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.
*Counting both versions of ''Super Smash Bros. 4'' as one game, this is the only game in the series with more fighters than stages.
*Despite ''Super Smash Bros.'' having its own Australian version, the European version was used for Australia's Virtual Console.
*Despite ''Super Smash Bros.'' having its own Australian version, the European version was used for Australia's Virtual Console.
*Although the iQue player has a built-in controller, a message, albeit in Chinese, exists dictating that the controller is not plugged in.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tcrf.net/Super_Smash_Bros./Regional_Differences#No_Controller|title=No Controller}}</ref>
*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==
==External links==
*[http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/ Official Japanese ''Super Smash Bros.'' website]
*[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 (archived)]
*[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.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://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-64/Super-Smash-Bros--269756.html Official European ''Super Smash Bros.'' game page]
*[https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/vq2LDXcejXQ2vNjNkcQAv6ylA5y9lMzu Official North American Virtual Console ''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]
*[https://www.ique.com/games/12021.htm Official Chinese ''Super Smash Bros.'' website]



Latest revision as of 08:40, December 11, 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.

The starter characters are then introduced one-by-one, then it proceeds to show several clips of the fighters in action.

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, Mewtwo, and Clefairy 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]

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]

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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