How Many Smash Heroes Are There?
In the popular video game series Super Smash Bros., players have always been curious to know how many playable characters, or heroes, are available in each installment. This article will delve into the history of Smash heroes, provide answers to various questions related to the number of Smash heroes, and offer insights into the iconic franchise.
Original 12 Smash Heroes
The "Original 12” refers to the first set of characters introduced in Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 64 in 1999. These 12 fighters have been present in every main installment of the series:
• Mario
• Donkey Kong
• Link
• Samus
• Yoshi
• Kirby
• Fox
• Pikachu
• Luigi
• Ness
• Captain Falcon
• Jigglypuff
Smash Heroes Over the Years
Subsequent installments of Super Smash Bros. have introduced new heroes, expanding the roster of playable characters. Here is a breakdown of the number of Smash heroes added in each game:
- Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001): 4 new heroes
- Young Link
- Dr. Mario
- Marth
- Roy
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008): 14 new heroes
- Sonic the Hedgehog (first-party character)
- Pokémon Trainer (has four different Pokémon: Squirtle, Ivysaur, Charizard, and Piplup)
- Diddy Kong
- Snake
- Lucario
- Toon Link
- Wario
- Bowser
- Zelda
- Solid Snake
- Jigglypuff’s evolutions: Clefairy and Clefable
- Sylveon (Evangelion)
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U (2014): 9 new heroes
- Mega Man
- Wii Fit Trainer
- Robin
- Lucina
- Captain Olimar
- Duck Hunt
- Palutena
- Villager
- Pac-Man
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018): 5 new heroes (total of 78 playable fighters)
- Inkling (Splatoon)
- Ridley (Metroid)
- Simon (Castlevania)
- King K. Rool (Donkey Kong)
- Spirited Away characters: Yusuke Kitagawa (Spirited Away), Link from Hyrule Warriors (Dark Age of the Gods)
- Hero from Hyrule Warriors (Age of Hyrule)
- Inklings from Splatoon
Notable Mentions and Non-Playable Characters
The following characters have made appearances in the Smash Bros. series, but are not playable:
• Koopa King
• Bowser Jr.
• Meta Knight
• Shadow Mario
• Princess Peach’s Toad Guard
• Mr. Resetti
Additional Insights
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, there are:
- 1 Echo Fighter (echoing a previously existing fighter’s moveset): Incinyo
- 13 Piranha Plants (not a traditional fighter, but rather an assist trophy)
- 30 additional Mii Fighter costumes, available as downloadable content
- 18 other non-playable characters, including those in the background or as bosses in Classic Mode
Conclusion
As we have seen, there have been 89 Smash heroes introduced in the Super Smash Bros. series to date. With each new installment, more fighters are added, providing a unique blend of nostalgia and excitement for fans of the series. This article has highlighted the evolution of Smash heroes over the years, offering insights into the diverse cast of characters that have come to define the Super Smash Bros. franchise.