Fighters aren’t unbalanced just because the internet says so.
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, players have access to a massive roster of playable fighters spanning the history of the video game medium. In a new video, director Masahiro Sakurai discussed the process of creating fighters for the series. The video, titled “Average and Mediocre Are the Same Thing,” delves into Sakurai’s philosophies regarding fighter creation. Despite its short length of under four minutes, the video provides valuable insights into how developers aim to maintain fun and engaging gameplay. Sakurai also highlights that the internet’s “echo chamber” effect can sometimes exaggerate perceptions of fighter balance.
“The internet can tend to be an echo chamber of sorts, so if people start saying something is strong or weak, that assessment will gain momentum and make people think it’s truer than it is,” Sakurai explained.
Creating Unique Characters
The core of Sakurai’s argument is that the goal is not to make fighters all “average,” but rather to make them each unique. According to Sakurai, this approach leads to better balance. To support his theory, the director shared global win rates for fighters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The highest win rate of any fighter is 51.43%, while the lowest is 47.18%. Sakurai does not disclose which fighter corresponds to each rate, but the proximity of these numbers indicates that emphasizing uniqueness has resulted in a more balanced (and enjoyable) game.
The Future of Super Smash Bros.
It will be intriguing to see how this theory is implemented as more characters are added to the series. Although Nintendo has not yet announced a new Super Smash Bros. game, there are indications that development for a new installment may have commenced for the company’s next system. While Sakurai has made comments about being “semi-retired,” he plans to conclude his current YouTube channel this year. Additionally, Bandai Namco appears to be recruiting for a Nintendo game that strongly resembles a new Super Smash Bros. entry.
Since the original Super Smash Bros. debuted on Nintendo 64, each Nintendo console has seen a new installment in the series. With a new Nintendo console expected to be revealed within the next year, it seems highly likely that a new Smash Bros. game will be announced around the same time. The specifics of how it may differ from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, as well as the featured characters, remain unknown. However, if Sakurai is involved, it is probable that numerous new fighters will be introduced.
Do you believe Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is well-balanced? Do you prefer fighters that are unique rather than average? Feel free to share your thoughts with me directly on Twitter at @Marcdachamp, on Bluesky at @Marcdachamp, or on Instagram at @Dachampgaming!