Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U

The fourth Super Smash Bros. came in two editions that share one roster and one fighting engine but are otherwise different games. The Nintendo 3DS version arrived first, in the autumn of 2014, and put a full Smash Bros. in a pocket; the Wii U version followed two months later in North America and Europe, in high definition and with a heap of extra modes. Fans call the pair Smash 4.

The fighting itself was tuned to be quicker than Brawl’s, and the random tripping that Brawl players hated was gone. Every special move could be swapped for one of two alternatives, fighters could be dressed in stat-boosting equipment, and players could fight with their own Mii as a Brawler, Swordfighter or Gunner. And amiibo figures could be tapped in to create computer-controlled Figure Players that learn as they fight.

The two versions split the extras. The 3DS has Smash Run, a five-minute dash through a maze of enemies to power up before a final battle, plus StreetSmash and stages drawn largely from handheld games such as Super Mario 3D Land, New Super Mario Bros. 2 and Mario Kart 7. The Wii U has 8-Player Smash, the board game Smash Tour, the gamble of Special Orders, Events, 24 Masterpieces, a Stage Builder and its own set of stages, including Mushroom Kingdom U, Mario Galaxy, Woolly World and Wrecking Crew.

Then the game kept growing. From April 2015 to February 2016 Nintendo released seven more fighters, Mewtwo, Lucas, Roy, Ryu, Cloud, Corrin and Bayonetta, along with extra stages and Mii costumes, and Bayonetta was chosen by the fans in the worldwide Smash Ballot. Together the two versions have sold more than fifteen million copies.

The questions people ask most about Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, answered briefly here and in depth further down the page.

There is no story mode in Smash 4. Sakurai dropped the idea after Brawl’s Subspace Emissary, Kotaku reported, because cutscenes would be spoiled online the moment the game came out, and he made cinematic reveal trailers for the newcomers instead. What the two versions offer is a great deal of fighting, in modes that are mostly shared but partly unique.

Both have Smash (versus) with Time, Stock, Stamina and Coin rules, Classic, All-Star, Training, the Stadium games, the Vault, Challenges and online play. Below are the modes in turn, marked by version, and then every stage in both games, 84 different stages in all.

Smash Run (3DS only)

The 3DS version’s big extra is Smash Run, which Wikipedia notes was inspired by City Trial in Kirby Air Ride. Each player has five minutes alone in a large maze full of enemies from Nintendo games, many of them from the Mario series, collecting stat boosts. Then everyone is thrown together into one final contest, which might be an ordinary fight or something stranger, and the boosts decide a lot.

StreetSmash (3DS only)

A small StreetPass extra: you hold A to charge, dash at the other pieces, shield and counter. You play against the tags of people you have passed, or against practice opponents, and earn gold.

Classic mode in each version

Classic in both versions uses an intensity setting from 0.0 to 9.0: you bet gold to raise it, earn better rewards for winning, and lose some intensity each time you continue. On the 3DS you choose between blue, green and red paths across a map; on the Wii U you move a token around a board to pick each battle, and some rounds bring in metal or giant intruders.

The final opponent is Master Hand, joined by Crazy Hand at higher intensities. Push intensity past 5.0 and Master Core appears, a boss that takes the shape of a sword, a shadow, a beast, a giant and, on the Wii U above 8.0 when playing alone, a vast fortress.

All-Star, Stadium and Training

All-Star pits you against every fighter you have unlocked in groups sorted by when they first appeared: oldest first on the 3DS, starting with the 1980–1984 group of Mr. Game & Watch, Pac-Man, Mario, Donkey Kong, Luigi and Little Mac, and newest first on the Wii U. A rest area offers a Maxim Tomato, a Fairy Bottle and Heart Containers, and there are no continues.

The Stadium has the Home-Run Contest, Target Blast (launch a bomb at a structure of targets) and Multi-Man Smash, whose new Rival Smash on the 3DS races you against a computer copy of yourself. Training lets you set up any practice match you like.

8-Player Smash (Wii U only)

The Wii U version lets eight players fight at once, in up to four teams, with yellow added as a team colour. Only some stages are allowed with five or more players, chief among them the specially built Big Battlefield, and later updates added more.

Smash Tour (Wii U only)

A Mario Party-style board game for up to four players. Everyone moves a Mii around a small, normal or large board for 15 to 25 turns, spinning a wheel each turn, picking up fighters, stat boosts and items. Land on another player and a quick battle breaks out. At the end, every fighter you have collected becomes one stock in a final match that decides the winner.

Special Orders (Wii U only)

Master Orders sell you a ticket for one of three challenges set by Master Hand, with bigger rewards for harder ones. Crazy Orders cost 5,000 gold or a pass: you take on a string of Crazy Hand’s challenges within a time limit, banking prizes as you go, and must beat Crazy Hand himself to keep them all.

Events, Masterpieces and the Stage Builder (Wii U only)

Events return from Brawl as set challenges for one or two players on a grid that grows as you clear them; three of them unlock the stages Kongo Jungle 64, Pokémon Stadium 2 and Smashville. Masterpieces are back too, 24 timed demos this time, among them Super Mario Bros., The Lost Levels, Wrecking Crew, Super Mario World, Super Mario Kart, Dr. Mario, Yoshi and Donkey Kong.

The Wii U version also has a Stage Builder for making your own stages and a photo mode for trophy dioramas; Wikipedia notes that both need a compatible SD card.

Trophies, Trophy Rush and Challenges

There are 707 trophies in the 3DS version and 743 on the Wii U, counting downloadable ones. You win them, buy them in the Trophy Shop, or smash crates for them in Trophy Rush, a minigame that also unlocks the Flat Zone X stage. The Wii U adds a Trophy Box to fill by series or by game. Each version has a Challenges board of unlockables, and a Golden Hammer completes one for you.

Online play (closed in 2024)

“With Anyone” came in two flavours: For Fun, with items and any stage, and For Glory, with no items and every stage in its flat Ω form. Friends could set their own rules. Conquest events pitted fighters against each other, rewarding players who had chosen the winner, and a Spectator mode let you bet gold on strangers’ matches. Online tournaments were added in July 2015.

Everything online ended on 8 April 2024, when Nintendo shut down online play for 3DS and Wii U games.

Every stage in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U

The 3DS version has 34 stages plus 8 extra ones; the Wii U version has 46 plus 9. Thirteen are in both. Each card says which version has it and how it is unlocked; “starter” means available from the beginning.

1. 
   Battlefield3DS & Wii U · Super Smash Bros. · starterThe standard three-platform stage, moving from day to night.
2. 
   Final Destination3DS & Wii U · Super Smash Bros. · starterOne long, flat platform; Master Hand’s arena in Classic.
3. 
   Boxing Ring3DS & Wii U · Punch-Out!! · starterBounce off the ropes and knock down the lighting rig.
4. 
   Gaur Plain3DS & Wii U · Xenoblade Chronicles · starterTwo clifftops over a wide gap, where Metal Face appears at night on the Wii U.
5. 
   Wily Castle3DS & Wii U · Mega Man · starterMoving platforms outside Dr. Wily’s fortress, where the Yellow Devil sometimes attacks.
6. 
   Duck Hunt3DS & Wii U · Duck Hunt · Wii U: KO one opponent in Cruel Smash · 3DS: free with update 1.1.1 (30 September 2015)Trees to stand on and ducks to hit; the dog sometimes pops up as a platform.
7. 
   Dream Land (64)3DS & Wii U · Kirby · DLC, 14 June 2015 · returning from Super Smash Bros.The Nintendo 64 stage, with Whispy Woods blowing fighters towards the edges.
8. 
   Suzaku Castle3DS & Wii U · Street Fighter II · DLC, 14 June 2015, with RyuRyu’s home stage, with two big rooftops and two smaller ledges.
9. 
   Peach’s Castle (64)3DS & Wii U · Super Mario 64 · DLC, 31 July 2015 · returning from Super Smash Bros.High above the castle, with sloping platforms and a Bumper in mid-air.
10. 
    Hyrule Castle (64)3DS & Wii U · The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time · DLC, 31 July 2015 · returning from Super Smash Bros.The long castle roof, with tornadoes that throw fighters upwards.
11. 
    Super Mario Maker3DS & Wii U · Super Mario Maker · DLC, 30 September 2015A new random layout every match, switching between game styles; broken terrain grows back.
12. 
    Midgar3DS & Wii U · Final Fantasy VII · DLC, 15 December 2015, with CloudMateria summons can change the stage.
13. 
    Umbra Clock Tower3DS & Wii U · Bayonetta · DLC, with BayonettaA clock tower falling through the sky, as in Bayonetta’s opening; debris becomes temporary platforms.
14. 
    3D Land3DS only · Super Mario 3D Land · starterAn auto-scrolling course with Skewers and moving and rotating platforms.
15. 
    Golden Plains3DS only · New Super Mario Bros. 2 · starterPartly scrolling; collect 100 coins and your attacks and weight get a boost.
16. 
    Rainbow Road3DS only · Mario Kart 7 · starterA moving platform tours the course while Shy Guys drive into the fighters.
17. 
    Paper Mario3DS only · Paper Mario · starterA paper diorama that folds between three layouts, each with its own hazards.
18. 
    Mushroomy Kingdom3DS only · Super Mario Bros. · starter · returning from BrawlBrawl’s scrolling World 1-1, where some ? Blocks hold items.
19. 
    Jungle Japes3DS only · Donkey Kong · starter · returning from MeleeA wooden platform above a fast river that can carry fighters away.
20. 
    Gerudo Valley3DS only · The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D · starterA breakable bridge, with Koume and Kotake casting spells.
21. 
    Spirit Train3DS only · The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks · starterA fight on top of a train that never stops.
22. 
    Brinstar3DS only · Metroid · starter · returning from MeleeRising acid burns whoever it touches.
23. 
    Yoshi’s Island3DS only · Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island · starter · returning from BrawlA tilting platform over the main stage, and Blarggwiches that act as platforms.
24. 
    Dream Land GB3DS only · Kirby’s Dream Land · starterA Game Boy-style stage whose music changes with each area.
25. 
    Corneria3DS only · Star Fox · starter · returning from MeleeOn top of the Great Fox, with Arwings, Wolfens and a laser that can knock you out.
26. 
    Unova Pokémon League3DS only · Pokémon Black and White · starterReshiram sets the stage on fire and Zekrom tilts it.
27. 
    Prism Tower3DS only · Pokémon X and Y · starterPlatforms circle Lumiose City’s tower, and one phase carries everyone to the top.
28. 
    Mute City3DS only · F-Zero · unlock: win three matches as Captain FalconFight on the racing machines or above them; the track itself hurts.
29. 
    Magicant3DS only · Mother · unlock: unlock NessClouds to fight on, and Flying Men who help you up to five times.
30. 
    Arena Ferox3DS only · Fire Emblem Awakening · starterA stadium where platforms rise from the ground as the fight goes on.
31. 
    Flat Zone 23DS only · Game & Watch · unlock: unlock Mr. Game & Watch and clear the first page of Challenges · returning from BrawlFour areas, each from a different Game & Watch.
32. 
    Reset Bomb Forest3DS only · Kid Icarus: Uprising · starterPlatforms first, then breakable ledges over a huge drop.
33. 
    WarioWare, Inc.3DS only · WarioWare · unlock: unlock Wario · returning from BrawlMicrogames interrupt the fight and reward the winners.
34. 
    Distant Planet3DS only · Pikmin · starter · returning from BrawlA Red Bulborb tries to eat players, and rainwater washes them off.
35. 
    Tortimer Island3DS only · Animal Crossing: New Leaf · starterTrees and a pier to stand on, and sharks in the water.
36. 
    Balloon Fight3DS only · Balloon Fight · unlock: use Villager three timesA layout that changes each time, with lightning, Flippers and a hungry fish.
37. 
    Living Room3DS only · Nintendogs + Cats · starterA giant living-room floor where falling objects hurt.
38. 
    Find Mii3DS only · StreetPass Mii Plaza · starterA big ledge and a small one, where the Dark Emperor can boost fighters.
39. 
    Tomodachi Life3DS only · Tomodachi Life · starterA many-storey apartment block filled with Miis from your own system.
40. 
    PictoChat 23DS only · Nintendo DS · starterDrawings appear and each one changes the fight.
41. 
    Green Hill Zone3DS only · Sonic the Hedgehog · starter · returning from BrawlA U-shaped stage with a breakable middle and spinning checkpoints.
42. 
    Pac-Maze3DS only · Pac-Man · unlock: use Pac-Man’s Final SmashA maze of Pac-Dots; eat enough, or a Bonus Fruit, and a Power Pellet appears.
43. 
    Big BattlefieldWii U only · Super Smash Bros. · starterA larger Battlefield with six platforms, made for 8-Player Smash.
44. 
    Mushroom Kingdom UWii U only · New Super Mario Bros. U · starterAreas from New Super Mario Bros. U, each with its own hazards, and Nabbit, who makes off with fighters.
45. 
    Mario GalaxyWii U only · Super Mario Galaxy · starterA small planet whose curved gravity bends fighters and projectiles.
46. 
    Delfino PlazaWii U only · Super Mario Sunshine · starter · returning from BrawlPlatforms ferry the fighters around the plaza.
47. 
    Mario CircuitWii U only · Mario Kart 8 · starterA race track that carries the fighters along, with Shy Guy racers to dodge.
48. 
    Mario Circuit (Brawl)Wii U only · Mario Kart · starter · returning from BrawlBrawl’s Figure-8 crossing, Shy Guys and all.
49. 
    Luigi’s MansionWii U only · Luigi’s Mansion · starter · returning from BrawlThe mansion over a chasm, three floors high.
50. 
    Jungle HijinxsWii U only · Donkey Kong Country Returns · starterA foreground and a background linked by a Barrel Cannon.
51. 
    Kongo Jungle 64Wii U only · Donkey Kong Country · unlock: clear the event The Original Heavyweights · returning from Super Smash Bros.The Nintendo 64 stage and its rotating Barrel Cannon.
52. 
    SkyloftWii U only · The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword · starterA platform that tours Skyloft during the fight.
53. 
    Bridge of EldinWii U only · The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess · starter · returning from BrawlA bomb blows out the middle of the bridge until a portal repairs it.
54. 
    TempleWii U only · The Legend of Zelda · starter · returning from MeleeMelee’s huge temple in the sky.
55. 
    PyrosphereWii U only · Metroid: Other M · starterPlatforms where Ridley appears as a stage boss.
56. 
    NorfairWii U only · Metroid · starter · returning from BrawlPlatforms over lava, with walls and waves of it to escape.
57. 
    Port Town Aero DiveWii U only · F-Zero GX · starter · returning from BrawlA long platform that lands on the track, where racing machines hit hard.
58. 
    Woolly WorldWii U only · Yoshi’s Woolly World · starterHanging platforms on a mobile that rises into the air.
59. 
    Yoshi’s Island (Melee)Wii U only · Super Mario World · starter · returning from MeleeA Warp Pipe, rotating blocks and a sloping hill.
60. 
    The Great Cave OffensiveWii U only · Kirby Super Star · starterThe largest stage, split into areas from that mode.
61. 
    HalberdWii U only · Kirby Super Star · starter · returning from BrawlA platform that circles Meta Knight’s ship, under its big cannon.
62. 
    Orbital Gate AssaultWii U only · Star Fox Assault · starterKeep jumping between ships in the middle of a space battle.
63. 
    Lylat CruiseWii U only · Star Fox · starter · returning from BrawlAngled platforms over a ship in space.
64. 
    Kalos Pokémon LeagueWii U only · Pokémon X and Y · starterShifts from the main hall through four further rooms.
65. 
    Pokémon Stadium 2Wii U only · Pokémon · unlock: clear the event When Lightning Strikes · returning from BrawlChanges type layouts, with matching hazards.
66. 
    OnettWii U only · EarthBound · starter · returning from MeleeA street of houses and a drug store, with speeding cars.
67. 
    ColiseumWii U only · Fire Emblem · starterAn arena whose platforms rise and sink during the battle.
68. 
    Castle SiegeWii U only · Fire Emblem · starter · returning from BrawlOutside a castle, inside it, then a lava cavern.
69. 
    Flat Zone XWii U only · Game & Watch · unlock: break 100 blocks in Trophy Rush as Mr. Game & WatchThe successor to Flat Zone and Flat Zone 2.
70. 
    Palutena’s TempleWii U only · Kid Icarus: Uprising · starterA huge temple with platforms everywhere.
71. 
    SkyworldWii U only · Kid Icarus · starter · returning from BrawlBreakable cloud platforms that rebuild themselves.
72. 
    GamerWii U only · Game & Wario · starterA big table at night, with 5-Volt on the lookout.
73. 
    Garden of HopeWii U only · Pikmin 3 · starterThe Peckish Aristocrab wrecks structures and fighters.
74. 
    Town and CityWii U only · Animal Crossing: City Folk · starterIts time of day follows the Wii U’s clock.
75. 
    SmashvilleWii U only · Animal Crossing · unlock: clear the event Playing Tricks · returning from BrawlBrawl’s hazard-free town square.
76. 
    Wii Fit StudioWii U only · Wii Fit · starterA mirror sometimes shows yoga poses; nothing more.
77. 
    75 mWii U only · Donkey Kong · starter · returning from BrawlThe arcade girders, with 8-bit Donkey Kong and bouncing springs.
78. 
    Wrecking CrewWii U only · Wrecking Crew · starterBombs bring down the floors and barrels trap fighters.
79. 
    PilotwingsWii U only · Pilotwings · starterA fight on a red biplane, then a yellow one.
80. 
    Wuhu IslandWii U only · Wii Sports Resort · starterPlatforms tour the island, Delfino Plaza style.
81. 
    Windy Hill ZoneWii U only · Sonic Lost World · starterA great rotating wheel above a curved hill.
82. 
    Pac-LandWii U only · Pac-Land · unlock: play every map in Smash TourA side-scrolling run through scenes from the game.
83. 
    MiiverseWii U only · Miiverse · DLC, 14 June 2015, free with update 1.0.8A Battlefield layout with players’ Miiverse posts in the background.
84. 
    Pirate ShipWii U only · The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker · DLC, 30 September 2015 · returning from BrawlThe ship on the Great Sea; the King of Red Lions can be stood on.

Smash 4 keeps the series’ rules: percentages instead of health bars, knock-outs only past the edge of the screen, Smash Balls and Final Smashes, footstool jumps and air dodges. It plays faster than Brawl and, as Polygon reported when the game was revealed, tripping is gone.

Controls on the 3DS and Wii U

On the 3DS, A attacks (tilt the Circle Pad as you press it for a smash attack), B uses a special move, R shields, L grabs, and X, Y or pushing up jumps. Fighters can be drawn with thick outlines, thin ones or none, to stay visible on the small screen.

On the Wii U, a 3DS running the game (or, from 14 June 2015, the Smash Controller app on the 3DS eShop) can act as a controller, and GameCube controllers plug in through an adapter announced at the E3 2014 Smash Bros. Invitational. The adapter has four ports, up to two can be used at once, and in 2017 Nintendo confirmed it also works with Nintendo Switch.

Custom moves, equipment and Mii Fighters

Every special move has three versions, the default and two alternatives that are unlocked one by one, so each fighter can be tuned to taste. Up to three pieces of equipment raise or lower a fighter’s attack, defence and speed. Ten custom fighters can be saved, and they can be carried between the two versions, though not into matches “With Anyone” online.

The Mii Fighters are built the same way: any Mii can become a Brawler, a Swordfighter or a Gunner, with its own set of custom specials. From April 2015 extra costumes for them were sold as downloadable content.

amiibo Figure Players

Smash 4 was among the first games to support Nintendo’s amiibo figures. Tapping one creates a computer-controlled Figure Player that trains by fighting and can then be brought into matches. Smash-series amiibo were sold alongside the game and continued until the last wave, which included Cloud, Corrin and Bayonetta; a July 2017 update let the game read those final figures.

Downloadable fighters and stages

Smash 4 kept growing after release. Mewtwo came first: Club Nintendo members who registered both versions by 31 March 2015 received him free on 15 April, and everyone else could buy him from 28 April. Lucas, Roy and Street Fighter’s Ryu followed on 14 June 2015, Cloud from Final Fantasy VII on 15 December 2015, and Corrin and Bayonetta on 3 February 2016 in North America and the next day in Europe and Japan.

In North America each fighter cost US$3.99 for one version or US$4.99 for both (Ryu, Cloud and Bayonetta, who came with stages, were US$5.99 or US$6.99; Corrin US$4.99 or US$5.99). Extra stages, among them Peach’s Castle (64), Hyrule Castle (64) and Dream Land (64) from the original game, cost US$1.99 or US$2.99, and Super Mario Maker US$2.49 or US$3.49. Bayonetta was the winner of the Smash Ballot, a fan vote held from 1 April to 3 October 2015.

New items in Smash 4

By most counts there are 26 new items, shown here, alongside more than fifty returning ones from Brawl, including the Smash Ball, Assist Trophy, Poké Ball, Super Mushroom, Poison Mushroom, Fire Flower, Super Star, Hothead, Freezie, Golden Hammer, Metal Box and Lightning. There are new Assist Trophies too, among them Chain Chomp, Ashley, Midna, Isabelle, Dark Samus and Mother Brain, while Waluigi, a Hammer Bro and Lakitu return; and new Pokémon include Arceus, Xerneas, Darkrai and Eevee.

• Back ShieldNew to Smash in this game.
• BeehiveNew to Smash in this game.
• BeetleNew to Smash in this game.
• BombchuNew to Smash in this game.
• BoomerangNew to Smash in this game.
• Boss GalagaNew to Smash in this game.
• Bullet BillA Mario-series item, new to Smash.
• CuccoNew to Smash in this game.
• DaybreakNew to Smash in this game.
• DrillNew to Smash in this game.
• Fairy BottleNew to Smash in this game.
• Fire BarA Mario-series item, new to Smash.
• GrassNew to Smash in this game.
• Gust BellowsNew to Smash in this game.
• Hocotate BombNew to Smash in this game.
• Killer EyeNew to Smash in this game.
• Master BallNew to Smash in this game.
• Ore ClubNew to Smash in this game.
• POW BlockA Mario-series item, new to Smash.
• Rocket BeltNew to Smash in this game.
• Special FlagNew to Smash in this game.
• Spiny ShellA Mario-series item, new to Smash.
• Steel DiverNew to Smash in this game.
• Super LeafA Mario-series item, new to Smash.
• Treasure ChestNew to Smash in this game.
• X BombNew to Smash in this game.

Smash 4 is packed with the Mario series. Here are the Mario-family stages, fighters, items and extras in each version, with links to our pages on the games they come from.

Super Mario GalaxyFighter and stageRosalina & Luma join the roster, and the Wii U’s Mario Galaxy stage is a little planet with gravity that curves round it.

New Super Mario Bros. 2 and UGolden Plains (3DS) and Mushroom Kingdom U (Wii U)Golden Plains rewards a hundred coins with a power boost; Mushroom Kingdom U travels between areas of the Wii U game and lets Nabbit steal fighters.

Super Mario 3D Land3D Land (3DS)A scrolling course with Skewers and moving platforms.

Mario Kart 7 and Mario Kart 8Rainbow Road (3DS) and Mario Circuit (Wii U)Shy Guys drive through both stages. The Wii U also keeps Brawl’s Figure-8 Mario Circuit.

Paper MarioPaper Mario (3DS)A paper diorama that folds into three different layouts.

Bowser Jr. and the KoopalingsFighterBowser Jr. becomes a fighter at last, with the seven Koopalings as his alternative costumes, a Mechakoopa to throw and Shadow Mario as his Final Smash.

Yoshi’s Woolly World and Yoshi’s IslandStagesThe Wii U’s Woolly World hangs its platforms from a knitted mobile, while the 3DS brings back Brawl’s Yoshi’s Island and the Wii U Melee’s.

Luigi’s Mansion and Super Mario SunshineReturning stages (Wii U)Both Brawl stages return on the Wii U: Luigi’s Mansion over its chasm, and Delfino Plaza with its touring platform.

Wrecking Crew, Donkey Kong and Mario Bros.Arcade stages and MasterpiecesThe Wii U turns Wrecking Crew into a stage of bombs and collapsing floors and brings back 75 m; its Masterpieces include Wrecking Crew, Super Mario Bros., The Lost Levels, Super Mario World, Super Mario Kart, Dr. Mario and Donkey Kong.

Super Mario 64 and Super Mario MakerDownloadable stagesPeach’s Castle (64) returned from the first Smash Bros. in July 2015, and the Super Mario Maker stage, which builds a new course for every match, arrived on 30 September 2015.

Donkey Kong Country and ReturnsStagesJungle Hijinxs from Donkey Kong Country Returns links two planes with a Barrel Cannon, Kongo Jungle 64 can be unlocked on the Wii U, and the 3DS has Jungle Japes.

Game & Wario and WarioWareWario’s stagesThe Wii U’s Gamer stage is a night-time scene where 5-Volt is the hazard; the 3DS keeps WarioWare, Inc.

Items and Assist TrophiesBoth versionsNew Mario items include the Super Leaf, the POW Block, the Fire Bar, Bullet Bill and the Spiny Shell from Mario Kart, and Chain Chomp is a new Assist Trophy alongside Waluigi, a Hammer Bro and Lakitu.

Fifty-eight fighters counting the three Mii Fighters separately, 51 of them on the cartridge and disc and seven added as downloads. Both versions have exactly the same roster, but several fighters are unlocked differently: on the Wii U, Ness, Ganondorf, Jigglypuff and Bowser Jr. are available from the start. The Mario family comes first here, as befits a Mario site, followed by the other newcomers and the downloadable fighters. Every fighter, with how to get them in each version, is in the full roster below.

Character	Who they are	In this game	Abilities & notes
MarioSuper Mario · starter	The all-rounder and the face of the series.	Opens the All-Star mode’s first group on the 3DS, among the fighters of 1980–1984.	Available from the start in both versions
LuigiSuper Mario · starter	Unlike in the Nintendo 64 game, Melee and Brawl, Luigi does not have to be unlocked: he is on the select screen from the beginning in both versions.	His stage, Luigi’s Mansion, returns on the Wii U.	Available from the start in both versions
PeachSuper Mario · starter	Floaty and graceful, she still pulls Toad out to absorb attacks.	One of the Mario-series fighters available from the start: six on the 3DS and seven on the Wii U, where Bowser Jr. is a starter too.	Available from the start in both versions
BowserSuper Mario · starter	The Koopa King, and father of the newcomer below.	Clearing Classic mode as Bowser at intensity 6.0 or higher is one way to unlock Bowser Jr. on the 3DS.	Available from the start in both versions
YoshiYoshi · starter	Mario’s dinosaur partner, eggs and all.	Has stages on both systems: Yoshi’s Island from Brawl on the 3DS, Woolly World and Melee’s Yoshi’s Island on the Wii U.	Available from the start in both versions
Rosalina & LumaSuper Mario · starter · newcomer	The guardian of the Comet Observatory from Super Mario Galaxy fights alongside a Luma that can be sent out to attack on its own, so one player controls two bodies at once.	Revealed in the trailer “Comet Observatory”, one of the videos below. The Wii U’s Mario Galaxy stage is her home.	Available from the start in both versions
Bowser Jr.Super Mario · unlockable on 3DS, starter on Wii U · newcomer	Bowser’s son finally becomes a fighter, and he does not come alone: his seven alternative costumes are the Koopalings, Larry, Roy, Wendy, Iggy, Morton, Lemmy and Ludwig.	His Final Smash turns him into Shadow Mario, and one of his moves throws a Mechakoopa. Revealed in the trailer “The Future King”.	3DS unlock: Classic as Bowser on intensity 6.0+, or 100 matches
Dr. MarioSuper Mario · unlockable	Mario in a lab coat, back after missing Brawl.	A hidden fighter in both versions.	3DS: Classic as Mario on 4.0+, or 60 matches · Wii U: a Hard Master Orders ticket, or 50 matches
WarioWario · unlockable	Brawl’s newcomer returns, now as an unlockable fighter.	His Game & Wario stage, Gamer, is on the Wii U; WarioWare, Inc. is on the 3DS and unlocks with him.	3DS: 100-Man Smash, or 30 matches · Wii U: 100-Man Smash, or 20 matches
Donkey KongDonkey Kong · starter	One of the strongest heavyweights.	Jungle Hijinxs, 75 m and Kongo Jungle 64 on the Wii U, Jungle Japes on the 3DS.	Available from the start in both versions
Diddy KongDonkey Kong · starter	The agile monkey with peanuts, bananas and a rocket barrel.	One of Brawl’s newcomers, now a regular.	Available from the start in both versions
Mii FightersMii · newcomers	Your own Miis, as a Brawler, a Swordfighter or a Gunner, each with custom special moves to choose from.	They also make up the Fighting Mii Team in Classic and Multi-Man Smash.	Created in Custom; downloadable costumes from April 2015
Mega ManMega Man · starter · newcomer	Revealed at E3 2013, when the game itself was shown, with his stage Wily Castle in both versions.	Announced the same week as Villager and Wii Fit Trainer.	Available from the start
Pac-ManPac-Man · starter · newcomer	The arcade icon, with Pac-Maze on the 3DS and Pac-Land on the Wii U.	Grouped with the oldest fighters in All-Star.	Available from the start
VillagerAnimal Crossing · starter · newcomer	The Animal Crossing player character, in boy and girl versions.	Unlocks the 3DS stage Balloon Fight when used three times.	Available from the start
Little MacPunch-Out!! · starter · newcomer	The boxer from Punch-Out!!, promoted from Brawl’s Assist Trophies, with a Boxing Ring stage in both versions.	Grouped with the 1980–1984 fighters in All-Star.	Available from the start
Wii Fit TrainerWii Fit · starter · newcomer	The yoga instructor from Wii Fit, in female and male versions.	Her stage, Wii Fit Studio, is on the Wii U.	Available from the start
ShulkXenoblade Chronicles · starter · newcomer	The hero of Xenoblade Chronicles, whose stage Gaur Plain is in both versions.	One of the 2007-onward group in All-Star.	Available from the start
MewtwoPokémon · downloadable	The first downloadable fighter, back from Melee.	Free to Club Nintendo members who registered both versions by 31 March 2015.	15 April 2015 (Club Nintendo), 28 April 2015; US$3.99 for one version, US$4.99 for both
RyuStreet Fighter · downloadable · newcomer	The Street Fighter hero, with his own stage, Suzaku Castle.	Released with Lucas and Roy.	14 June 2015; US$5.99 for one version, US$6.99 for both
CloudFinal Fantasy · downloadable · newcomer	Final Fantasy VII’s hero, with an alternative Advent Children outfit and the Midgar stage.	Came with the Midgar stage.	15 December 2015; US$5.99 / US$6.99
CorrinFire Emblem · downloadable · newcomer	The hero of Fire Emblem Fates, in male and female versions.	Released together with Bayonetta.	3 February 2016 (NA), 4 February (EU, JP); US$4.99 / US$5.99
BayonettaBayonetta · downloadable · newcomer	The winner of the Smash Ballot, with an alternative look from her original game and the Umbra Clock Tower stage.	With Corrin, the last fighter added to the game.	3 February 2016 (NA), 4 February (EU, JP); US$5.99 / US$6.99
LucinaFire Emblem · unlockable · newcomer	From Fire Emblem Awakening, revealed together with Robin.	Unlocked through Marth on the 3DS.	3DS: Classic as Marth without continues, or 40 matches · Wii U: Classic on 5.5+, or 30 matches

The full roster

All 58 fighters, with how each one is obtained in each version. Unless noted, a fighter is a starter in both. Each unlockable fighter must be beaten in a challenge match once the condition is met.

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  MarioSuper Mario · starterThe all-rounder.
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  LuigiSuper Mario · starterAvailable from the start.
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  PeachSuper Mario · starterFloaty, with Toad at her side.
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  BowserSuper Mario · starterThe heavyweight king.
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  YoshiYoshi · starterEggs for everything.
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  Rosalina & LumaSuper Mario · starter · newcomerTwo fighters in one, from Super Mario Galaxy.
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  Bowser Jr.Super Mario · 3DS: Classic as Bowser on intensity 6.0+, or 100 matches · Wii U: starter · newcomerWith the Koopalings as his alternative costumes.
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  Dr. MarioSuper Mario · 3DS: Classic as Mario on 4.0+, or 60 matches · Wii U: Hard Master Orders ticket, or 50 matchesBack from Melee.
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  Donkey KongDonkey Kong · starterHeavy hitter.
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  Diddy KongDonkey Kong · starterPeanuts, bananas and rocket barrels.
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  WarioWario · 3DS: clear 100-Man Smash, or 30 matches · Wii U: 100-Man Smash, or 20 matchesBrawl’s newcomer returns.
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  LinkThe Legend of Zelda · starterBombs, boomerang and bow.
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  ZeldaThe Legend of Zelda · starterMagic at range.
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  SheikThe Legend of Zelda · starterNow a fighter in her own right, no longer a Zelda transformation.
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  GanondorfThe Legend of Zelda · 3DS: Classic as Link or Zelda on 5.0+, or 80 matches · Wii U: starterSlow and devastating.
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  Toon LinkThe Legend of Zelda · starterThe quicker Link.
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  SamusMetroid · starterProjectiles and power.
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  Zero Suit SamusMetroid · starterFast and acrobatic.
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  PitKid Icarus · starterBow-blades and wings.
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  PalutenaKid Icarus · starter · newcomerThe goddess of light.
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  Dark PitKid Icarus · 3DS: Classic with three fighters, or 50 matches · Wii U: All-Star on Normal, or 40 matches · newcomerPit’s darker double.
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  MarthFire Emblem · starterA precise swordsman.
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  IkeFire Emblem · starterHuge sword swings.
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  RobinFire Emblem · starter · newcomerTomes and a Levin Sword.
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  LucinaFire Emblem · 3DS: Classic as Marth without continues, or 40 matches · Wii U: Classic on 5.5+, or 30 matches · newcomerMarth’s descendant.
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  KirbyKirby · starterSwallow and copy.
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  King DededeKirby · starterHammer and all.
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  Meta KnightKirby · starterFast and aerial.
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  Little MacPunch-Out!! · starter · newcomerThe Punch-Out!! boxer.
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  FoxStar Fox · starterSpeed and a blaster.
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  FalcoStar Fox · 3DS: Classic without continues, or 20 matches · Wii U: Classic, or 10 matchesFox’s wingman.
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  PikachuPokémon · starterQuick and electric.
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  CharizardPokémon · starterNow a fighter on its own, without the Pokémon Trainer.
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  LucarioPokémon · starterStronger as it takes damage.
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  JigglypuffPokémon · 3DS: collect 30 pieces of equipment, or 120 matches · Wii U: starterFloaty and fragile.
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  GreninjaPokémon · starter · newcomerThe ninja frog from Pokémon X and Y.
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  Captain FalconF-Zero · starterFalcon Punch.
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  NessEarthBound · 3DS: clear Classic, or 10 matches · Wii U: starterPSI and a baseball bat.
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  VillagerAnimal Crossing · starter · newcomerFrom Animal Crossing.
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  OlimarPikmin · starterPikmin power.
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  Wii Fit TrainerWii Fit · starter · newcomerYoga as a martial art.
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  ShulkXenoblade Chronicles · starter · newcomerFrom Xenoblade Chronicles.
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  Mr. Game & WatchGame & Watch · 3DS: Classic with ten fighters, or 90 matches · Wii U: Classic on 2.0+ with five fighters, or 80 matchesFlat and unpredictable.
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  R.O.B.R.O.B. · 3DS: collect 200 different trophies, or 70 matches · Wii U: Crazy Orders, or 60 matchesThe Robotic Operating Buddy.
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  Duck HuntDuck Hunt · 3DS: Classic with eight fighters, or 110 matches · Wii U: one KO in Cruel Smash, or 100 matches · newcomerA dog, a duck and a Zapper.
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  Pac-ManPac-Man · starter · newcomerThe arcade legend.
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  Mega ManMega Man · starter · newcomerMega Man himself.
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  SonicSonic the Hedgehog · starterStill the fastest.
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  Mii BrawlerMii · create in Custom · newcomerA Mii that fights hand to hand.
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  Mii SwordfighterMii · create in Custom · newcomerA Mii with a sword.
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  Mii GunnerMii · create in Custom · newcomerA Mii with an arm cannon.
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  MewtwoPokémon · DLC, 28 April 2015 (15 April for Club Nintendo members)Back from Melee.
• 
  LucasEarthBound · DLC, 14 June 2015Back from Brawl.
• 
  RoyFire Emblem · DLC, 14 June 2015Back from Melee.
• 
  RyuStreet Fighter · DLC, 14 June 2015 · newcomerThe Street Fighter hero.
• 
  CloudFinal Fantasy · DLC, 15 December 2015 · newcomerFinal Fantasy VII’s hero.
• 
  CorrinFire Emblem · DLC, 3 February 2016 (4 February in Europe and Japan) · newcomerFrom Fire Emblem Fates.
• 
  BayonettaBayonetta · DLC, 3 February 2016 (4 February in Europe and Japan) · newcomerWinner of the Smash Ballot.

Key staff and studios

From Wikipedia’s account of the development.

How two Smash games were made at once, as told in the interviews and reports collected by Wikipedia.

Announced before it was started

Satoru Iwata announced at E3 2011 that a new Super Smash Bros. was coming to both the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U. As with Brawl, the director had not started: Masahiro Sakurai was still finishing Kid Icarus: Uprising, and development officially began in March 2012.

This time Nintendo paired Sakurai’s Sora Ltd. with Bandai Namco Studios, and staff from the Tekken and Soulcalibur teams worked with him. Sakurai had previously balanced the fighters almost single-handed; for Smash 4 he brought in more people to help make the cast fairer for competitive play.

The reveal and the newcomer trailers

The game was shown properly at E3 on 11 June 2013, in a Nintendo Direct. Kotaku reported Sakurai’s reasoning for dropping a story mode: Brawl’s cutscenes had been spoiled online, so he would make cinematic trailers to introduce the newcomers instead. Each new fighter got one, from Rosalina’s “Comet Observatory” and Bowser Jr.’s “The Future King” to Duck Hunt’s “One Dog, One Bird, One Zapper”. Polygon noted at the same time that tripping had been taken out.

Two versions, two release dates

The two games were developed together but released apart. According to Kotaku, the Wii U version was held back so that each version could have its own period of debugging. The 3DS also forced some cuts: the handheld could not manage mid-match transformations or Circle Pad Pro support, and IGN reported that it could not run the Ice Climbers, which is why Zelda and Sheik, and Samus and Zero Suit Samus, became separate fighters.

The 3DS demo arrived on 10 September 2014 in Japan and on 19 September in North America and Europe, and the full game three days later in Japan.

After release: updates, DLC and the Smash Ballot

Updates kept coming for more than two years. The April 2015 update opened the downloadable-content shop and added Mii costumes and online sharing of photos and replays; the July 2015 update added online tournaments and uploading replays to YouTube; and a final update in July 2017 let the game read the last wave of amiibo. In between came the Smash Ballot, which ran from 1 April to 3 October 2015 and asked players worldwide which fighter they wanted. Bayonetta won among the characters Nintendo could realistically add, and she arrived in February 2016.

What Smash 4 added to the series, as stated by our sources.

Every hidden fighter can be unlocked in two ways in each version: by meeting a condition, or simply by playing enough matches. Once unlocked they appear as a challenger and must be beaten. The conditions differ between the 3DS and Wii U versions, as below. SLB’s stages guide for the game is linked at the foot of the page.

Unlock Bowser Jr. and Dr. Mario

Bowser Jr. (3DS): clear Classic as Bowser at intensity 6.0 or higher, or play 100 matches; on Wii U he is available from the start. Dr. Mario: on 3DS, clear Classic as Mario at 4.0 or higher, or play 60 matches; on Wii U, clear a Hard Master Orders ticket, or play 50 matches.

Unlock Wario

Clear 100-Man Smash, or play 30 matches (3DS) or 20 matches (Wii U).

Unlock Ness, Falco and Lucina

Ness (3DS only): clear Classic, or 10 matches. Falco: 3DS, clear Classic without continuing or 20 matches; Wii U, clear Classic or 10 matches. Lucina: 3DS, clear Classic as Marth without continuing or 40 matches; Wii U, clear Classic at 5.5 or higher or 30 matches.

Unlock Dark Pit and Ganondorf

Dark Pit: 3DS, clear Classic with three different fighters or 50 matches; Wii U, clear All-Star on Normal or 40 matches. Ganondorf (3DS only): clear Classic as Link or Zelda at 5.0 or higher, or 80 matches.

Unlock R.O.B., Mr. Game & Watch and Duck Hunt

R.O.B.: 3DS, collect 200 different trophies, or play 70 matches; Wii U, clear Crazy Orders after ten rounds and beat Crazy Hand, or 60 matches. Mr. Game & Watch: 3DS, clear Classic with ten fighters or 90 matches; Wii U, clear Classic at 2.0 or higher with five fighters or 80 matches. Duck Hunt: 3DS, clear Classic with eight fighters or 110 matches; Wii U, one KO in Cruel Smash or 100 matches.

Unlock Jigglypuff (3DS)

Collect 30 different pieces of equipment, or play 120 matches. On Wii U Jigglypuff is available from the start.

Unlock the 3DS stages

Mute City: win three matches as Captain Falcon. Magicant: unlock Ness. Flat Zone 2: unlock Mr. Game & Watch and clear the first page of Challenges. WarioWare, Inc.: unlock Wario. Balloon Fight: use Villager three times. Pac-Maze: use Pac-Man’s Final Smash.

Unlock the Wii U stages

Kongo Jungle 64: clear the event The Original Heavyweights. Pokémon Stadium 2: clear the event When Lightning Strikes. Smashville: clear the event Playing Tricks. Flat Zone X: break 100 blocks in Trophy Rush as Mr. Game & Watch. Pac-Land: play every map in Smash Tour. Duck Hunt: one KO in Cruel Smash.

Fight Master Core

Play Classic at intensity 5.1 or higher. The higher the intensity, the more of its forms you face, ending with Master Fortress on the Wii U at 8.0 and above when playing alone.

Complete a challenge for free

Golden Hammers, earned through play, fill in any square on the Challenges board.

The two newcomer trailers that matter most to Mario fans, both from the official Super Smash Bros. YouTube channel.

• 

  Bowser Jr.’s seven alternative costumes are the Koopalings: Larry, Roy, Wendy, Iggy, Morton, Lemmy and Ludwig.

• 

  Bowser Jr.’s Final Smash turns him into Shadow Mario, the villain of Super Mario Sunshine.
• Smash Run is based on City Trial from Kirby Air Ride, according to Wikipedia.
• All-Star runs in opposite directions in the two versions: oldest fighters first on the 3DS, newest first on the Wii U.
• The Wii U has two Mario Circuits: a new one from Mario Kart 8 and the Figure-8 crossing from Brawl.

• 

  Several fighters have a second look in their default artwork: a girl Villager, a male Wii Fit Trainer, male and female Robin and Corrin, and Cloud in his Advent Children outfit.
• Duck Hunt was a stage on the Wii U from the start, but reached the 3DS only as a free update on 30 September 2015.
• The Smash Controller app, released on the 3DS eShop on 14 June 2015, turns a 3DS into a controller for the Wii U version.
• The GameCube Controller Adapter made for this game was later confirmed to work with Nintendo Switch.
• The Wii U Masterpieces include Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels and Wrecking Crew.
• Yellow was added as a fourth team colour for 8-Player Smash.
• Crazy Orders costs 5,000 gold to enter, unless you have a pass.

• 

  Bayonetta can be dressed in her look from the original Bayonetta.
• Paid extra stages and fighters could no longer be bought after the 3DS and Wii U eShops closed on 27 March 2023.

Box art for both versions.

The same stages on the 3DS, for comparison with the Wii U cards above.

Logos, the other Koopalings, alternative artwork and promotional illustrations.

Smash 4 was never re-released, but its downloadable content kept it changing for well over a year after launch, and its online services ran until 2024.

Releases, updates and closures

• 3DS demo 10 September 2014 (JP); 19 September 2014 (NA, EU)A free demo ahead of launch.
• Nintendo 3DS (Japan) 13 September 2014More than a million sold in its first weekend.
• Nintendo 3DS (N. America, Europe; Australia) 3 October 2014; 4 October 2014Germany had it a day early, on 2 October.
• Wii U (N. America) 21 November 2014490,000 sold in three days.
• Wii U (Europe; Australia; Japan) 28 November; 29 November; 6 December 2014Japan last for the Wii U version.
• Mewtwo 15 April 2015 (Club Nintendo); 28 April 2015The first downloadable fighter.
• Lucas, Roy, Ryu 14 June 2015With Dream Land (64), Suzaku Castle and the Wii U’s Miiverse stage.
• Nintendo 3DS (Hong Kong, Taiwan; South Korea) 24 July 2015; 10 September 2015Later Asian releases.
• Peach’s Castle (64), Hyrule Castle (64) 31 July 2015With online tournaments.
• Super Mario Maker stage; Pirate Ship 30 September 2015Duck Hunt reaches the 3DS free.
• Cloud 15 December 2015With Midgar.
• Corrin, Bayonetta 3 February 2016 (NA); 4 February 2016 (EU, JP)The last fighters.
• Final update 19 July 2017Support for the last amiibo.
• eShop closure 27 March 2023Downloadable content and the digital Wii U version no longer on sale.
• Online closure 8 April 2024Online play ends for both versions.

What came next

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate followed on Nintendo Switch, and by 30 September 2019 it had outsold the 3DS and Wii U games combined, according to Nintendo Life’s comparison (15.71 million against 14.91 million). The GameCube Controller Adapter built for Smash 4 carried on working with the Switch. For where the series came from, see our pages on the Nintendo 64 original and Brawl.

Sales

Nintendo’s investor-relations figures, as of 31 March 2026, are 9.65 million for the 3DS version, eighth on its list of best-selling 3DS games, and 5.38 million for the Wii U version, fourth among Wii U games. Together that is just over fifteen million.

Both started fast. Wikipedia records that the 3DS version sold more than a million copies in its first weekend in Japan and more than two million in America before 2014 was out, and that no Wii U game had sold faster in America than the Wii U version, with 490,000 copies in three days.

• 9.65 millionNintendo 3DS (Nintendo IR, 31 March 2026)
• 5.38 millionWii U (Nintendo IR, 31 March 2026)
• 1 million+3DS, first weekend in Japan
• 490,000Wii U, first three days in the US

Reviews

Scores as listed by Wikipedia. The Wii U version scored higher; the 3DS version was criticised for online latency and a shortage of single-player modes.

GameRevolution’s Daniel Bischoff called the Wii U game “the biggest leap forward Smashers have seen yet”, and GameSpot’s Daniel Starkey called it incredible while complaining that online play was inconsistent. The 3DS version did well for a handheld fighter but drew more criticism, for latency online and for having fewer things to do alone.

Honours

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U has yet to receive a community review on Super Luigi Bros.

If you’ve played Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and would like to submit a review, please get in touch.

Every fact on this page was checked against the 9 sources listed here.