Super Smash Bros. Ultimate boasts the largest roster in the franchise’s history, bringing together a diverse cast of gaming icons. While many fighters have received much-needed updates, several characters still suffer from questionable design choices, with movesets that fail to capture their essence. These characters desperately need reworks for the next Super Smash Bros. installment to bring their kits in line with their source material and improve overall gameplay balance. Here are some of the most egregious offenders in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate that demand a complete overhaul.
Sonic the Hedgehog: A Blur of Uninspired Moves
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Sonic
Sonic, while undeniably fast, suffers from a repetitive and uninspired moveset in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Too many attacks rely on the same spinning ball mechanic, including his up-smash, neutral air, down throw, side special, and down special. With a rich history of diverse abilities in his own games, Sonic deserves a more creative and dynamic kit. Diversifying his attacks would not only make him more enjoyable to play but also more engaging to fight against.
Ganondorf: Trapped in Captain Falcon’s Shadow
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Ganondorf
Ganondorf’s status as a Captain Falcon clone has plagued him for far too long. While he finally wields a sword, his moveset still feels fundamentally wrong. As the Gerudo King and a powerful warlock, Ganondorf should be a swift and formidable force, not the sluggish heavyweight he currently is. Integrating his magical abilities from The Legend of Zelda series would add much-needed depth and authenticity to his character.
Young Link: Untapped Potential with Masks
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Young Link
While Young Link is a generally competent fighter, his potential remains largely untapped. He currently plays like a faster version of Link with enhanced projectiles. A transformative rework could involve incorporating the mask mechanic from The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. Allowing him to switch between the Goron, Zora, and Deku masks would grant him distinct movesets and stats, adding strategic depth and paying homage to a beloved Zelda title.
Samus and Zero Suit Samus: A Role Reversal
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Samus
Samus and Zero Suit Samus present a curious case of reversed roles. The armored Samus is slow and cumbersome, while Zero Suit Samus is agile and quick. This contradicts the Metroid lore, where Samus’s Power Suit enhances her abilities. Rebalancing their stats and tweaking their movesets to reflect this would improve their fidelity to the source material. Additionally, Samus’s ineffective jab attack desperately needs attention.
Solid Snake: Trading Explosives for Stealth
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Snake
Solid Snake’s reliance on explosives in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate clashes with his stealth-focused gameplay in the Metal Gear series. The inclusion of characters like Joker, who wields a gun, demonstrates that realistic firearms are no longer off-limits. Replacing some of Snake’s explosive attacks with pistols would better represent his character and enhance his close-quarters combat.
Dr. Mario: More Than Just a Worse Mario
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Dr. Mario
Dr. Mario currently feels like a less effective version of Mario, with a lackluster moveset and a poor recovery. A rework could draw inspiration from his puzzle game origins and medical profession, incorporating unique tools and abilities that differentiate him from his plumber counterpart. Imagine a defibrillator attack with a self-healing component, adding a fresh and strategic dimension to his gameplay.
Steve/Alex: Balancing the Blocky Menace
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Steve
Steve’s arrival in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate sparked controversy due to his game-altering mechanics and potent attacks. While his block building can be disruptive, his exceptional frame data and high damage output are the primary concerns. Nerfing his damage and adjusting his frame data would make him a more balanced and less frustrating opponent.
Kazuya Mishima: Toning Down the Touch of Death
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Kazuya
Similar to Steve, Kazuya’s high damage and touch-of-death combos make him a formidable threat. While mastering his complex moveset requires skill, his ability to secure kills with a single interaction is excessive. Adjusting his damage or making his combos easier to escape would significantly improve gameplay balance.
Kirby: Breathing New Life into a Classic
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Kirby
Kirby, a veteran of the series, deserves a moveset that reflects the breadth of his own games. His current attacks feel uninspired and haven’t evolved significantly over the years. Replacing his smash attacks with various power-ups from the Kirby series would inject much-needed variety and celebrate his rich history.
Lucario: Rethinking the Aura Mechanic
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Lucario
Lucario’s Aura mechanic, while thematically appropriate, is ultimately detrimental to his gameplay. It encourages a passive playstyle and rewards losing, which contradicts the core principles of a fighting game. Buffing the Aura or reworking it entirely would make Lucario a more viable and engaging character.
In conclusion, while Super Smash Bros. Ultimate features an impressive roster, several characters require significant reworks to reach their full potential. These changes would not only improve gameplay balance but also better represent the characters’ unique abilities and lore from their respective franchises. Other characters deserving of attention include Sephiroth, Banjo & Kazooie, Zelda, Meta Knight, and the numerous Fire Emblem representatives who lack sufficient differentiation.
