Cross-platform comparison of Super Smash Bros. 4

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This page lists noteworthy similarities and differences between the Wii U and 3DS versions of Super Smash Bros. 4.

Similarities

• The two versions have the same characters. The characters have identical physics and movesets across both versions.
  • However, some characters that are available as starter characters in the Wii U version must be unlocked in the 3DS version (Bowser Jr., Jigglypuff, Ganondorf, and Ness).
• Both versions have 5 stages that are alike: Battlefield, Final Destination, Boxing Ring, Gaur Plain, and Wily Castle.
  • However, Metal Face does not appear in the 3DS version of Gaur Plain, while he does in the Wii U version.
  • Furthermore, the time of day for Wily Castle depends on the version with the 3DS version set in the day while the Wii U version is set at night.
  • Finally, the giant screen in the Wii U version of Boxing Ring can display special titles for the fighters.
• Both versions have Classic Mode.
  • However, the mode is vastly different between versions.
• Both versions have All Star Mode.
  • However, the order the characters are faced is reversed between versions.
• Both versions have Target Blast.
  • However in the Wii U version, the second bomb is bigger and there are three different maps
• Both versions have Home Run Contest.
• Both versions have Multi-Man Smash.
• Both versions have the Vault including the Trophy Shop and Trophy Rush, and some of the trophies exist in both versions.
• Both versions feature character customization, with the same Custom Parts appearing in both versions.
• Most music in the 3DS version also appears in the WiiU version.

Differences

Stages

A majority of stages seemingly will be exclusive to one version or the other. The 3DS version features more stages from handheld games, while the Wii U version features more stages from console games as well as more stages in general. Even the two games' versions of Battlefield, while identical in physics, is different in aesthetics. The Wii U version also has larger stages such as Big Battlefield to allow for 8-Player Smash.

In the 3DS version, much like in Melee, no stage has more than two songs tied to it; on the Wii U, this number is higher, and the music on each stage can be set through My Music, similar to Brawl.

Graphics

One of the more notable differences between the two, the distinct dark outline around characters in the 3DS version.

Aside from the Wii U version's graphics being technically superior due to having stronger hardware and higher resolution, the two games have distinct graphical styles. The 3DS version has flatter shading and a dark outline around its characters in order to make them more visible on the 3DS's smaller screen (the outline's thickness can be adjusted or disabled). The Wii U, not being restricted by screen size, has smoother edges around the characters and more complex shading. In the Wii U version everything runs smoothly at 1080p high definition at a smooth 60 frames per second. In the 3DS version the characters run at 60 frames per second but some Assist Trophies, Items, and Pokemon will run at 30 frames per second in order to not affect gameplay on the 3DS.

Customization

The Wii U version includes Stage Builder, which has been overhauled since its appearance in Brawl.

Game modes

• Smash Run is unique to the 3DS version.
• Smash Tour, Events, Special Smash, Stage Builder, and Special Orders are all unique to the Wii U version.

Miscellaneous

• There is no possibility for cross-platform play, due to the two games not sharing stages. However, they are able to interact with each other in various ways, including transferring the character customization from the 3DS to the Wii U as explained above.
  • However, the 3DS can be used as a controller for the Wii U version, but the actual match is not visible on the 3DS.
• The 3DS version has no movies besides the How-to-Play video. Because of this, it lacks an intro video, a first for the series, as well as character trailers and other videos.
• Some of the trophies appear in one version and not the other. As with stages, the 3DS version has an emphasis of trophies based on games made for handheld consoles, while the WiiU version has an emphasis on home consoles.
• The WiiU version contains a much larger library of music and has the My Music feature to take advantage of this. There are still a small number of songs that appear only in the 3DS version.
• The Challenges are different between versions. The 3DS version is easier to complete, while the more difficult WiiU version awards 2 million Gold upon completion of its Challenge grid.

Gallery

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  Battlefield in the Wii U version.

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  Battlefield in the 3DS version.

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  Final Destination in the Wii U version.

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  Final Destination in the 3DS version.

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  Boxing Ring in its Punch Out!! motif in the Wii U version.

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  Boxing Ring in its Super Smash Bros. motif in the Wii U version.

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  The full Punch-Out!! version in the 3DS version.

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  The Super Smash Bros. variant in the 3DS version.

• Gaur Plain 1.png

  Gaur Plain in the Wii U version.

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  Shulk with Riki on Gaur Plain in the 3DS version.

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  Wily Castle in the Wii U version.

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  Wily Castle in the 3DS version.