Randomness

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Randomness is a critical factor in all video games, including the Super Smash Bros. series. Random events challenge players to think quickly and cause a game to never be played the same way twice.

Physics of computer-generated random numbers

Computers are unable to generate truly random numbers. They can only create a series of pseudo-random numbers. If a computer were to start out with a certain seed (initial number), one could predict the entire sequence of pseudorandom numbers to follow. (This in fact is likely how Replays are saved; the system only saves the seed instead of all random events.)

Random events in the Smash Bros. series

General

• Computer players do things randomly: the higher the computer's level, the more likely it is to do a specified action.
• Most stage hazards have random behaviour.
• Random items appear at random times with preset ratios. The same goes for sub-items such as Pokéballs and Assist Trophies.
• Prat Falling in "SSBB" is a random event that may occur during a dash.

Random character/stage select

• In "SSB", there was no random feature for selecting characters. However, computer players were selected randomly once entered. Random stage select would choose one of the eight or nine available stages.
• In "SSBM", once all characters are unlocked, placing one's selection token on either of the two blank corners of the selection grid would move the token onto a random character. CP players would be randomized. Random stage select would select from any of the unlocked stages. Once all stages are unlocked, the player can choose which stages to exclude from the selection list.
• In "SSBB", the character selection screen has a designated space for choosing a random character. A "?" appears on the player's selection bracket and no one will know who that player will be until the match begins. (The system will choose and begin loading the character as soon as Random is selected, however.) This random function also selects a random costume for the character, and is how CPs are entered by default. Randomly choosing a stage behaves the same as SSBM, but the player cannot choose to leave out individual custom stages.
  • When the player selects the stage "Mushroomy Kingdom", it will randomly choose between the above ground level and the underground level.

Random events intrinsic to a character

• Diddy Kong's Side Special Rocketbarrel Boost's barrels, when broken, have a very random trajectory.
• King Dedede's Side SpecialWaddle Dee Toss can produce a Waddle Dee (71.4%), a Waddle Doo (20.4%), or a Gordo (8.2%).
• King Dedede's Final Smash Waddle Dee Army produces random minions in the same proportions as the Waddle Dee Toss.
• Kirby can transform into 6 different Stones while using this move.
• Luigi's Side Special Green Missile has a 12.5% (1/8) chance of misfiring.
• Luigi's Final Smash Negative Zone can cause a variety of random effects.
• Peach's Side smash can hit with 3 different weapons.
• Peach's Down Special Vegetables can have a variety of random faces; the most powerful turnip has a chance of 1/58 of appear. There's also a small chance of a Beam Sword, Bob-omb or a Mr. Saturn appearing instead of a vegetable.
• Ivysaur's Side Special Razor Leaf curves in a random direction (up, down, or no curve).
• Olimar's Neutral Special Pikmin Pluck produces a random Pikmin species based on the type of ground.
• Mr. Game & Watch's Side SpecialJudge has 9 randomly-chosen attacks, everyone with different strengths and effects.
• Mr. Game & Watch's Neutral Special Chef's sausages travel in the air randomly.
• Snake's Up Smash can go slightly to the right or slightly to the left.
• Snake has a 16.66% (1/6) chance that he can plant a C3 instead of a C4.
• Wario can sometimes fall from his bike, like a trip.

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