KOs
Super Smash Bros. offers a variety of game modes and match rules. The basics of combat, however, are almost always the same. Attack your opponents to increase their damage percentages—the more damage a fighter takes, the easier it is to launch him or her into the air. Launch an opponent clear out of the stage to earn a KO.
Being launched off of the screen can result in an instant KO, but it’s not a certainty. If a small window appears near the edge of the screen, there’s a chance the indicated fighter could recover. This often happens when a fighter falls from a platform or fails to keep pace with a scrolling stage, but a window also appears when an off-screen fighter wasn’t launched quite hard enough to ensure a KO.
Combat Items
Most game modes include various items that can be used during battle. Whenever items are allowed, you can expect to find a variety of weapons, food, gear, and more. Try to grab an available item before one of your opponents has a chance to use it against you.
Collectible Items
Collectible items can appear in most game modes. Grab these valuable items to access new features and options:
- Trophies: When you spot a trophy, grab it to add that trophy to your collection. Visit the Gallery to view your trophy collection—you might just learn a thing or two about the game’s characters, enemies, and items!
- Custom Parts: If you spot a sack marked with a wrench icon, you can bet it contains a custom part. Collect these items to unlock equipment, headgear, outfits, and alternate Special moves. Use the custom parts you collect to give your favorite fighters new abilities!
- Gold: Grab any coins you spot to increase your available gold. You can use your collected gold to change the intensity of Classic, purchase extra time in Trophy Rush, and buy new trophies from the Shop.
System Mechanics
Despite it’s seemingly simple control scheme, the game contains a variety of complicated mechanics and techniques.
Specialty Controllers
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Wii U can utilize a variety of specialty controllers. This section details techniques as they are performed with standard controllers. If needed, please refer to the game’s manual or controller options for details about a specialty controller.
If you’re playing Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS (or if you’re using a Nintendo 3DS as an extra Wii U controller), use the Circle Pad in place of the Left Stick to perform the described techniques.
| Default Wii U Controls | |
|---|---|
| Move | Left Stick |
| Jump |  or  (or flick the Left Stick up) |
| Attack |  |
| Special |  |
| Grab | ZL or ZR |
| Shield |  or  |
Smash Run Powers
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, you’ll also find collectible Powers. Each of these items appears in a sack labeled with a question mark. Powers can only be used in Smash Run, but they can be found in any mode that drops collectible items. Add Powers to your fighters’ custom sets to improve your chances of a Smash Run victory.
| Default 3DS Controls | |
|---|---|
| Move | Circle Pad |
| Jump |  or  (or flick the Circle Pad up) |
| Attack |  |
| Special |  |
| Grab |  |
| Shield |  |
Basic Movement
Walk
Tilt the Left Stick to the left or right to walk. Your speed varies depending on how far you tilt it to the left or right.
Dash
Flick and hold the Left Stick to the left or right to dash. Release the Left Stick to stop dashing.
Crouch
Tilt the Left Stick down to crouch. Crouching reduces the knockback effects from incoming attacks.
Drop
Flick the Left Stick down to drop through thin floors and platforms.
Jump
Press 
or 
to jump. While jumping, use the Left Stick to steer your fighter through the air.
Air Jump
While in the air, press 
or 
to perform an air jump. All characters can perform at least one air jump before they’re forced to land, but some fighters can perform a series of air jumps.
Short Hop
Quickly tap 
or 
to perform a short hop. This technique is especially useful when you want to perform a surprise aerial attack on a standing opponent.
Back Jump
Simultaneously press 
or 
and flick the Left Stick away from your target to perform a back jump.
Footstool Jump
Hop onto an opponent and press 
or 
to perform a footstool jump. This move takes precision timing, but it gives your jump a considerable boost. You can even perform footstool jumps on airborne enemies to send them crashing to the ground!
Offensive Techniques
Neutral Standing Attack
While on the ground, press 
to perform a neutral standing attack (also known as a “standard attack”). This attack is essentially a quick jab, but it can usually be chained together to perform a fast combo. Depending on your chosen fighter, jab combos can be performed by holding 
or by tapping the button to perform a series of separate attacks.
Tilt Attacks
Each fighter has three different tilt attacks (also known as “strong attacks”): Up Tilt, Down Tilt, and Side Tilt. Gently tilt the Left Stick in one of the available directions, then press 
to perform the corresponding tilt attack.
Smash Attacks
Each fighter has three different Smash attacks: Up Smash, Down Smash, and Side Smash. To perform a Smash attack, flick the Left Stick in one of the available directions as you press 
. Hold the command to charge a Smash attack for additional power. A successfully executed Smash attack deals heavy damage and launches your opponent.
Depending on your chosen controller, Smash attacks can also be performed by flicking the Right Stick in one of the available directions.
Dash Attacks
While dashing, press 
to perform a dash attack.
Aerial Attacks
Each fighter has five different aerial attacks: Neutral Air, Up Air, Down Air, Forward Air, and Back Air. To perform a Neutral Air attack, press 
while your fighter is airborne. To perform one of the other available aerial attacks, tilt the Left Stick in the desired direction and press 
while your fighter is airborne.
Special Attacks
Each fighter has four different Special attacks (also known as “Specials” and “Special moves”): Neutral Special, Up Special, Down Special, and Side Special. Press 
perform a Neutral Special. To perform one of the other available Special attacks, flick the Left Stick in the desired direction and press 
. Special attacks can be performed on the ground or in the air.
Grab
Press the Grab button while facing a nearby opponent to perform a grab. Once you’ve grabbed an opponent, press 
to attack.
Throw
Press the Grab button to grab an opponent, then tilt the Left Stick to perform a throw. Each fighter can perform four different throws: Up Throw, Down Throw, Forward Throw, and Back Throw. Tilt the Left Stick in the appropriate direction to perform the desired throw. Use throws give yourself a bit of breathing room or to damage enemies while their shields are active.
Final Smash
If you manage to break open a Smash Ball, press 
to perform your fighter’s Final Smash—an extremely powerful attack that is unique to that character. Different Final Smashes have different ranges and area effects, so make sure you’re familiar with your fighter’s specific attack!
Defensive Techniques
Shield
Press and hold the Shield button to activate your fighter’s shield. While active, the shield absorbs damage caused by most enemy attacks. The shield shrinks over time, and absorbing damage causes it to shrink much faster. As your shield shrinks, less of your fighter is protected. Tilt the Left Stick to move your shield toward incoming attacks. If your shield breaks, your fighter will be stunned for a short time. Release the button to deactivate your shield. A weakened shield will slowly recharge when it isn’t in use. If you manage to activate your shield at the moment an attack lands, however, you’ll perform a Perfect Shield. A Perfect Shield blocks the attack without the usual shrinking penalty!
Dodge
Press the Shield button as you flick the Left Stick to the left or right to perform a dodge. This evasive roll allows you to avoid taking damage without compromising your shield, but it can also be used to slip behind an enemy for a well-timed counterattack.
Spot Dodge
Press the Shield button as you flick the Left Stick down to perform a spot dodge. This move allows you to avoid taking damage without moving or compromising your shield. It only lasts a short time, however, so it’s best to use it against quick attacks.
Air Dodge
Press the Shield button while your fighter is airborne to perform an air dodge. While air dodging, you can use the Left Stick to steer the fighter just as you would at any other point in a jump. This move allows you to avoid damage for a short time, so use it wisely!
Fast Fall
While your fighter is dropping or falling,, flick the Left Stick down to perform a fast fall. This allows your fighter to land as quickly as possible. Fast falling is a good way to avoid aerial attacks, but it’s particularly helpful when your fighter is suffering from a fall state.
Super Armor
Most attacks will be interrupted when a fighter takes damage—this mechanic is known as “flinching.” Some attacks, however, have an added effect called “super armor.” Super armor allows a fighter to continue his or her attack while taking damage. Unlike invincibility, this effect does not prevent a fighter from taking incoming damage, and there’s always a limit to how much damage super armor can withstand. Once a fighter’s super armor is broken, he or she will flinch as usual.
Additional Techniques and Commands
Recovery
Each fighter has a combination of moves that can be used to recover from falls or from being launched. Recovery moves vary between fighters, but air jumps and Up Specials are usually your best options. It’s not always possible to recover from a big hit, but the right technique will improve your odds of success.
Taunt
Each fighter has three different taunts: Up Taunt, Down Taunt, and Side Taunt. Press the +Control Pad in one of the available directions to perform the corresponding taunt. Taunting leaves your fighter vulnerable to attacks, so taunt wisely!
Item Use
You’ll encounter a variety of items during combat, and individual items can have wildly different effects. Approach an available item and press 
to pick it up. Some items will be automatically consumed or activated, but many items can be used manually by pressing 
while your fighter is holding them. Press the Grab button to drop an unwanted item, or simultaneously press the Grab button and flick the Left Stick forward to throw the item. Press the Grab button while dashing to throw an unwanted item even farther!
Edge Moves
Your fighter will automatically grab the platform’s edge if he or she gets close enough to it during a recovery attempt. This triggers a brief period of invincibility and presents a few tactical options. Some fighters can even utilize moves or tools to grab platform edges from greater distances.
While grabbing the ledge, you can:
- Edge Roll: Press the Shield button to roll back onto the platform as you dodge enemy attacks.
- Edge Attack: Press
to attack near the edge of the platform as you pull yourself up. - Edge Climb: Tilt the Left Stick toward the edge to climb up.
- Edge Jump: Press
or 
(or flick the Left Stick up) to propel yourself over the platform. This option does not count toward your fighter’s air jump limit. - Release: Flick the Left Stick down or away from the platform to release the edge. This option counts toward your fighter’s air jump limit, but it also allows you to follow up with a quick aerial attack or recovery move.