Super Smash Bros.

About Super Smash Bros. (Nintendo 64)

Super Smash Bros. is a crossover fighting game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 64 in 1999. Directed by Masahiro Sakurai, it asks: what if Nintendo’s heroes fought each other? When you play Super Smash Bros. online, you play the charming, chaotic original that launched one of gaming’s biggest franchises.

There is no traditional story campaign about saving the world. Instead, the game imagines Nintendo characters battling across stages from their own games, brought together by Master Hand. Mario, Donkey Kong, Link, Samus, Yoshi, Kirby, Fox, and Pikachu form the starting roster of eight, with Luigi, Captain Falcon, Ness, and Jigglypuff unlockable. The 1P Game mode sends you through battles, bonus stages like Break the Targets, and a final fight against Master Hand himself.

Detailed Gameplay

Smash Bros. rewrote fighting game rules. You do not drain a health bar - you build up your opponent’s damage percentage, making them fly farther with every hit, until you launch them off the stage.

Percent Damage and Ring-Outs

Every attack adds percent damage. At 0% a character barely moves when hit; at 120% even a modest smash attack can send them to the blast zones at the edges of the screen. Matches are won by scoring KOs in stock or timed formats, for up to four players at once. Recovery is central: after being knocked away, you use jumps and your Up special move to climb back to the stage, while opponents guard the edge to stop you.

Moves, Stages, and Items

Each fighter has a simple, shared control scheme: standard attacks, three special moves, grabs, throws, and powerful smash attacks. Nine stages include Hyrule Castle with its tornadoes, Peach’s Castle with its sliding bumper, Dream Land with Whispy Woods’ wind, and Saffron City with wild Pokemon appearing in the doorway. Items like the Beam Sword, Pokeball, Bob-omb, and Home-Run Bat turn the tide in seconds.

Game Highlights

• The Original Nintendo Crossover: Twelve playable icons from Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, Metroid, Kirby, and more in one game.
• A Completely New Kind of Fighter: Percent damage and ring-outs instead of health bars - easy to learn, deep to master.
• Four-Player Party Chaos: Free-for-all and team battles on the N64 became an instant multiplayer staple.
• Master Hand Finale: The mysterious white glove boss closes the 1P Game and became a series icon.

Controls

The Nintendo 64 controls are deliberately simple - the same inputs work for every character, so skill comes from timing and positioning.

• Control Stick: Move, crouch, and jump by tapping up; flick it with an attack for a smash attack.
• A Button: Standard attacks and combos; stick direction changes the move, including aerial attacks.
• B Button: Special moves - Neutral, Up for recovery, and Down specials unique to each fighter.
• R Button: Grab and throw opponents.
• L Button: Taunt.
• Z Button: Shield to block, and shield plus stick to dodge or roll.

Tips and Strategies to Win

In Smash, positioning and recovery matter just as much as damage.

• Master Your Recovery: Learn each fighter’s Up special distance - Fox’s Fire Fox and Pikachu’s Quick Attack recover very differently.
• Edge-Guard Carefully: Hover near the ledge to intercept returning opponents, but do not chase too far and lose your own stock.
• Use Throws at High Percent: Grabs ignore shields, and back throws near the edge are reliable finishers above 100%.
• Unlock Everyone: Beat the 1P Game in different ways to earn Luigi, Captain Falcon, Ness, and Jigglypuff, and clear the bonus stages for extras.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How do I unlock Captain Falcon, Ness, Luigi, and Jigglypuff? A: Jigglypuff: beat 1P Game on any difficulty. Luigi: clear Break the Targets with all eight starting fighters. Captain Falcon: beat 1P Game in under 20 minutes. Ness: beat 1P Game on Normal with three stocks and no continues.

Q: Who is the best character in Super Smash Bros. 64? A: Competitively, Pikachu and Kirby are considered the strongest thanks to great recovery, fast attacks, and powerful throws, but every character can win in casual four-player matches.

Q: Can I play Super Smash Bros. online for free? A: Yes, you can play Super Smash Bros. online for free in your browser on RiveGame with no downloads or installation required.