I know how daunting it can be to jump into a new Super Smash Bros. game as a beginner (I was a Smash noob many moons ago). This is what spurred me to create this helpful beginners guide for selecting your first character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch.
The 3 best Super Smash Bros. Ultimate characters for beginners are Nintendo’s mascot Mario, the pink puffball Kirby, and the strong ape Donkey Kong.
I’ll briefly explain what Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is and why these 3 characters are perfect for beginners before jumping into why I recommend each fighter.
What is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a party fighting game featuring an all-star roster of fighters from Nintendo and from the biggest games across the gaming industry.
The goal is to deal damage to your opponent until that player is damaged enough that your next hit will send him or her off of the stage.
It is a fun, frantic game for beginners to advanced players of all ages.
Why are these 3 Super Smash Bros. characters perfect for beginners?
The 3 characters I selected are perfect for beginners because they are simple to use while their moves are straightforward and aren’t complicated by complexity.
Almost anyone will be able to do damage, and have fun while delivering the smackdown, with these 3 characters in no time.
Now, let us get into the nitty-gritty details of why these 3 characters are right for you.
Jump To A Specific Character:
Mario
- Nintendo’s Mascot
- All-Around character
- Medium weight
Mario is best suited for players looking for a balanced all-around character.
Why Mario?
Mario is the perfect character for all beginners.
As Nintendo’s mascot, Mario is a beginner friendly, all-around character. Even casual Nintendo fans will gravitate towards him on the character select screen.
Thus, his moves are simple to pull-off and he is relatively easy to use.
Weight Matters
Mario has medium weight so you won’t find yourself being knocked off the stage or through the air as often as lighter character in the game. This is especially important in a game where the goal is to knock your opponent away and into the abyss that rests off-screen.
Rest assured, then, playing as the solid-weighted Mario will keep you grounded for a decent amount of time.
Attack Power
Additionally, Mario relies on simple melee moves to get damage done.
- Using Mario primarily means pressing the attack button to perform a flurry of punches and kicks to your opponent in rapid succession to rack up damage.
This means Mario must get up close and personal with his foes but the benefits outweigh the risks.
How To Play As Mario
If you choose Mario, you will want to rely on 4 main pillars of combat: punch, kick, grab, and fireball.
- You will do most of your damage as Mario by performing standard offensive maneuvers with your attack button. Run toward your opponent and attack until you cannot punch or kick any longer.
- Once your foe has accumulated enough damage, you can send your enemy flying with one solid blow from Mario’s hands or feet just by pressing the attack button. Simple as that. No need for complicated combos or fancy techniques.
- But, we cannot just rely on one attack. You will also want to surprise your opponents with a grab attack from time to time. Grabs can be easier to land because unlike regular attacks, grabs cannot be blocked. Awesome!
- Pressing the grab button when you are nearby a character will cause Mario to grapple his opponent, allowing you to pummel or throw your foe however you like.
- Mario’s grabs and throws hit hard and are great ways to rack up damage in the middle of a match. Try grabbing when your opponent least expects it to catch him or her off guard.
- Lastly, use Mario’s fireball special move when you are at a distance from your foe.
- Mario’s fireball special attack sends his trademark fireballs soaring in the direction of whichever way Mario is facing. This is a medium to long distance maneuver that is great as a spacing attack.
- Repeatedly using Mario’s fireball will keep opponents at bay, forcing them to work around your barrage of fire while allowing you to read your foe’s next move.
- For instance, a character might jump over your fireballs as you toss them. You can easily transition from throwing your projectiles to meeting your foe in the air with a solid punch or kick by simply watching how your opponent reacts to your fireball projectiles.
Combine these techniques together in order to score a win with Mario if you are a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate beginner.
How NOT To Play As Mario
Remember, Mario is a close-ranged character. This means you will find yourself open to attacks while you attack your opponents.
Don’t stay still!
Instead of running towards your foes like you are a stampeding boar, you need to strategize your attacks as Mario. You will have a better chance at landing your blows if you plan them.
Watch your foe first. Then, run in with when you see an opening instead of haphazardly mashing your attack button.
Kirby
- A Pink Puffball
- A Mobile Character
- Light weight
Kirby is best suited for players looking for a floaty, air-mobile character.
Why Kirby?
Kirby is a perfect character for those looking to perform unique attacks while managing to stay out of harm’s way.
Kirby relies on an assortment of cool maneuvers that are easy to execute and are fun to do.
Just Jump
What makes Kirby so fun and simple for beginners is his unique jumping ability.
- Most characters can only jump twice. Kirby, on the other hand, can jump multiple times and more while floating.
- Kirby uses his elastic puffy form to inhale air and float through the sky numerous times with the press of the jump button.
- This is perfect for the beginner player as it allows you to soar above raging battles, dangerous projectiles, and crazy stage hazards. His multiple jumps will also allow you to evade your opponent’s next attack (if timed correctly).
Kirby’s light frame makes him an ideal candidate for those looking to play defensively.
Weight Matters
Kirby’s light frame, however, also means he is a lightweight character. And lightweight characters are easily knocked off the stage.
The pink puffball will surely find himself launched into the air even at the start of a battle, so fight wisely to prevent Kirby from getting knocked out.
Attack Power
To prevail as Kirby, you will need to attack with gusto.
You will primarily be using Kirby’s assortment of unique characteristics and special maneuvers on your way to victory. And timing each one will make sure your next battle is a win instead of a loss.
How To Play As Kirby
If you choose Kirby, you will want to rely on 4 main pillars of combat: float, rock attack, leaping sword attack, and inhale.
- Because Kirby can easily be launched into the air and off the stage, you will want to utilize Kirby’s advantages.
- Float around the stage to keep your opponents guessing where you will go next while you stay far away from your foe’s next attack.
- While being defensive, look for an opening to attack. Use your rock special attack if your opponent is directly below you (or will soon be directly below you) to turn into a rock and fall straight down.
- This rock attack falls fast which gives your opponent less time to react, does decent damage in the heat of battle, can send your foes flying upon impact, and also protects you from weak attacks and reduces damage from strong attacks.
- Turning into a rock is a good defensive strategy but an awesome offensive one as well.
- Simply float, fall, and repeat to your heart’s content and until you and Kirby win the match.
- Use your jumping sword attack to keep your enemy guessing. This special attack will cause Kirby to leap upward with a sword in hand, dealing damage on the way up if an enemy is caught with that attack, and to strike downward.
- This attack is quick and dangerous just like Kirby’s stone ability so use it when you are on the ground or in mid-air to rain down on your foe.
- Lastly, use Kirby’s inhale ability to inhale your opponent, absorb their ability for you to use, or to spit your foe out in a direction of your choosing.
- Inhale is an easy to use move with many options depending on your situation while remaining easy to perform.
Combine these techniques together in order to score a win with Kirby if you are a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate beginner.
How NOT to play as Kirby
Kirby should be utilized to do quick damage from a variety of positions while floating to avoid threats.
As a beginner, it is not wise to primarily focus on close ranged, hand to hand combat with Kirby.
True. His grabs, punches, kicks, and throws are great but allow your enemies to counterattack at close range with their own devastating blows.
Since Kirby is light, avoid attacking straight on.
You should, instead, perform various defensive techniques (such as jumping and floating) until you can find the right opportunity to attack with your rock and sword jump abilities.
Donkey Kong
- A Strong Ape
- A Strong Character
- Heavy weight
Donkey Kong is best suited for players looking for a strong melee fighter.
Why Donkey Kong?
Strong. Heavy. Hard hitting. Donkey Kong is the perfect character for those looking for a heavy character that deals damage.
Donkey Kong is one of Nintendo’s most recognizable characters which means casual players will naturally gravitate towards him on the character select screen.
He is a fun-to-play, straightforward character that relies on his might to win battles.
Weight Matters
Donkey Kong also relies on his weight to outlast his foes and to score victories.
The big ape is a heavy-weight character which means he is not easily knocked off of the stage.
This Kong can take a solid beating and still remain grounded making D.K. a great pick if you desire to remain in the match as long as possible.
Slowly Does It
Donkey Kong’s heavy weight, however, makes him a slow contender.
He moves at a slower pace than lighter characters which means he traverses the stage slowly and will easily be out dueled by fast attacking characters
Attack Power
Luckily, Donkey Kong’s attacks are strong and fierce.
Using D.K. primarily means pressing the attack button to perform a stream of slow yet strong and steady attacks that will hit hard.
The big ape is at his best at very close range.
How To Play As Donkey Kong
If you choose Donkey Kong, you will want to rely on 4 main pillars of combat: punch, charge punch, headbutt, and spin attack.
- You will want to stay close to your opponents to use D.K. effectively, as a majority of his heavy hitting attacks are melee oriented.
- Start by pressing the attack button to swing the ape’s massive fists into your foes then follow up with a charge punch special maneuver (charge your punch for immediate use or for later).
- Donkey Kong’s charge punch hits hard and can lead to victory after a long intense duel. I recommend charging your punch and unloading it on your opponent at an opportune time.
- Since charging your punch is very noticeable, most players will expect you to unleash it sooner rather than later. Strategize your attacks to confuse your foes.
- In addition, you will want to use the ape’s mighty headbutt to stop foes in their tracks. Punch, charge, punch, then throw in a headbutt for good measure.
- D.K.’s headbutt will stun an opponent upon impact, knocking him or her into the ground while leaving him or her temporarily vulnerable for follow up attacks. Use this opportunity to rack up damage on your foes with the giant ape’s mean punches.
- But be warned: Donkey Kong’s range is limited, so use your attacks at close distance ONLY.
- Finally, perform D.K.’s spinning attack to keep approaching threats at bay.
- The spin attack causes Donkey Kong to twirl his arms around in circles while also allowing you to maneuver him left or right across the stage. Anyone who touches the ape’s twirling limbs will be smashed hard.
Combine these techniques together in order to score a win with Donkey Kong if you are a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate beginner.
How NOT To Play As Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong is best used at close range, not from afar.
You are limiting D.K.’s value, as he is a hand-to-hand fighter, if you are staying away from your foe.
Worry less about taking damage and flying off of the stage and remember the giant ape is a heavy fighter that can take a beating.
The Ultimate Beginner Roster Selections For You!
From the all-around fighter Mario to the strong and sturdy Donkey Kong, you now know the 3 best Super Smash Bros. Ultimate characters for beginners and the basics as how to play as each one of them.
Pick the character that best suits your tastes and get to smashing.
Then, check out 3 additional characters best suited for beginners in this NEW helpful guide (you won’t want to miss this one!).
By Wally
(Screenshots taken by me. Images sourced from product pages on the Nintendo website. Logos, characters, and images are owned by their respective owners)
