New to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate? Get up to speed with the basics!

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is now available on Nintendo Switch! The game can seem a little overwhelming if you’re new to it – there are so many different ways to play and fighters to try out. This is a game designed to accommodate all sorts of players, though, including those completely new to fighting games, not just seasoned pros!

Let’s start with the most basic question: how do you play it?

Yes, how do I play?

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, your goal is to…well…"smash" your opponents off the stage! The more damage a fighter takes, the further they’ll fly when someone launches them into the air. If your fighter is the unlucky soul that gets launched, don’t give up – try to make it back to the stage and keep fighting!

But how do you send them flying?

Pressing the A Button will perform standard attacks, like punches. Not too flashy, but every bit helps. However, if you quickly flick the control stick in a direction and press the A Button at the same time, you'll perform a powerful move called a smash attack. These attacks can launch your opponent in the air!

Which fighter do I choose?

As we mentioned earlier, this game has many, many fighters. Some of them may be familiar to you, some...not so much. Picking a well-rounded fighter like Mario or Kirby is generally a good option for newcomers, but don't be afraid to branch out. Try out as many fighters as you can! They all have their strengths and weaknesses.

But they all play differently, right?

Yep! Very differently. The B Button is for special moves, and these can differ wildly from character to character. Pulling off different special moves is easy though: just tilt the control stick up, down, or to the side while pressing the B Button. Here’s a handy image of the controls for Mario, but you should try out these same button combinations for each character. See what happens! To find the move list for a specific character, just pause the game during a match and select “Move List”!

What are items?

If you want to add a little bit of pizzazz to your fight, try playing with items. Random items will drop onto the stage and grant different effects when you use them. For example, a Black Hole will draw in fighters and items when thrown. Or maybe the Banana Gun is more your thing? How about a nifty Bullet Bill?

Reacting to different situations is one of the core elements of the game. It's what makes Super Smash Bros….well, Super Smash Bros.

What about stages?

Remember how we said “reacting to different situations?” is a big thing? This goes double with stages! You can expect to encounter plenty of stage hazards, including shape-shifting terrain and surprise guest characters.

Anything else I should know?

We’re glad you asked! Our final tip is to try out “Training” in the “Games & More” menu for a stress-free testing environment to learn each character's movement style and attacks! Give it a go! When you’re ready, jump into a Smash battle against a CPU player and show off your new skills!

Find out more at the official Super Smash Bros. Ultimate website, or by joining our Smash Bros. Facebook community! You can also get updates by following @NintendoUKVS on Twitter.