User:CSR/Rivalries in Smash Bros.
In the history of fighting games, or the history of video games as a whole, countless rivalries occurred in a form of friendly rivalry or death battle between arch-rivals. Each rivals either share similarities or differ from each other, whether by appearances, traits or characteristics.
In Super Smash Bros. series, rivalries are shown in an indirect way, rather than highlighting them directly. In other words, rivalries in Smash Bros. are prominently shown in story modes like The Subspace Emissary and World of Light; they are rarely highlighted in regular battle modes.
Below are lists of notable rivalries in Smash Bros. series.
Official Rivalries
Mario vs. Kirby
Mario and Kirby have had a long history of Smash Bros. rivalry since the first game. As protagonists in their respective games, these two had competed with each other since the first game, and their rivalry kept on going in the recent games. Notably, their rivalry is emphasized in odd-numbered series.
On the other hand, Mario and Kirby remain as close friends who share victorious moments with each other. This trait is prominently featured in The Subspace Emissary.
In Super Smash Bros.
The rivalry between Mario and Kirby is highlighted since the beginning of the game. One of the notable example is the end of Super Smash Bros. opening. Here, at the end of SSB opening, Mario and Kirby are situated alongside each other in the Final Destination. After the scene, both characters jump up in the air, running into each other while other characters are doing the same.
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl
The rivalry between Mario and Kirby is featured in The Subspace Emissary story mode of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Here, both fighters appear as combatants fighting in the middle of Midair Stadium, where players can pick either fighters. After the battle, loser becomes a trophy, where a winner can revive him to celebrate their victories.
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Yet another hint of rivalry between Mario vs. Kirby appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. As a sole playable character from the start, the first character that Kirby can rescue is Mario in World of Light. As he is the only playable fighter from the start, it is possible to make Mario vs. Kirby battle a reality once again.
Bowser vs. Donkey Kong
As a monster vs. monster-style rivalry in a similar manner to a media like Godzilla vs. Kong, these two characters formed a rivalry in Smash Bros. series, particularly in Melee. Outside of Smash Bros., they notably showed their rivalry in some games, such as Mario Kart series and Mario Party series (particularly Mario Party 5).
In Super Smash Bros. Melee
Bowser and DK fights each other in the event Gargantuans, where the entire event is done as an homage to Japanese Kaiju movies such as Gojira vs. Kong.
Ryu vs. Little Mac
Ryu and Little Mac made an impact as a notable rivalry in Super Smash Bros. series, particularly in Smash 4. As a main character of Street Fighters series as well as a leading character in the vs. Capcom series, Ryu made many rivalries with other leading characters from the different video game companies. Super Smash Bros. is no exception to that, as Ryu made few notable rivals in Smash Bros. series.
Fans consider Ryu and Little Mac one of the notable rivalries in Smash Bros. Besides the differences between their specialties, Ryu and Little Mac differ themselves based on the color of their outfits: Ryu wears white gi and red gloves, while Little Mac wears black clothes and green gloves, creating a striking contrast between these two.
In Super Smash Bros. 4
Besides fans' consideration on their rivalry in Smash Bros series, there were official hints on the rivalry between Ryu and Little Mac in Super Smash Bros. 4. Ryu's Congratulations screen in the 3DS version of SSB4 shows him alongside Little Mac, who is showing bruises and bandages in his face.
In Bayonetta's character poster, Ryu and Little Mac are seen sparring with each other.
Palutena vs. Bayonetta
Palutena and Bayonetta makes a significant contrast between the two, making them one of the notable rivalries in Smash Bros. series. In Bayonetta series, Bayonetta hunts angels and eventually defeats Jubileus, a goddess of light who acts as a supreme ruler of the heaven, thus reflecting the rivalry between them.
In Super Smash Bros. 4
At the end of her Trailer, Bayonetta calls out Palutena to not "mess up with a witch". In Japanese version of the trailer, Bayonetta declares to challenge against Palutena after beating Pit and Dark Pit with ease.
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
In Bayonetta's Classic Mode route, she fights Giant Palutena as the final boss of her route. This battle reflects the battle between Jubileus, a goddess of light in Bayonetta series. In Final Battle, both characters are situated in a different side; Palutena is affiliated with Galeem while Bayonetta is affiliated with Dharkon.
Link vs. Cloud
In Super Smash Bros. 4
In Cloud's character poster, Link and Cloud are seen clashing their swords.
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Cloud being unlockable in the Zelda area in World of Light could potentially mean a rivalry between Zelda franchise and Final Fantasy franchise.
Unofficial Rivalries
In the bottom are rivalries that are formed in the past by fans and considered as rivals in other video games but not proven officially in Smash Bros. series.
Mario vs. Sonic
Mario and Sonic are considered as rivals since early 1990s, when Nintendo and Sega were competing with each other. The two console makers sometimes slandered with each other through advertisements and commercials; most of them contained either one of these characters. After Sega has stopped making consoles after Dreamcast, they started to appear in a Mario and Sonic crossover games, and their relationship has changed to arch-rival-esque relationship to more friendly relationship.
Mario and Sonic started to appear in a same game once again starting in Brawl. However, aside from few clips in the reveal trailer, their rivalry is not particularly highlighted in the game.
Ken vs. Terry
Ken and Terry are considered as rivals in many games they've featured in, such as Capcom vs. SNK 2, SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos, and even in non-video game media like DEATH BATTLE. However, their rivalry is not highlighted in Smash Bros. series despite appearing in a same game once again. Nevertheless, fans consider them as rivals like in aforementioned games, to the point they mention and highlight their rivalry in other games, particularly in Capcom vs. SNK 2.
