Play Super Smash Bros. Online

Super Smash Bros. came out on the Nintendo 64 in 1999, developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo. It arrived late in the N64’s life, a time when many players were still hooked on multiplayer classics like GoldenEye and Mario Kart. This game felt different right away; it wasn’t about health bars or traditional fighting game inputs. Instead, it brought together characters from across Nintendo’s history in a chaotic, accessible brawl.

You pick a familiar character like Mario, Link, or Samus and fight on themed stages inspired by their games. The goal is to knock opponents off the screen by building up their damage percentage with attacks. Higher damage makes them fly farther when hit. You use standard and special moves, grab and throw foes, and collect items like Poké Balls or Bob-ombs that appear randomly. Matches are fast and unpredictable, often involving frantic recoveries back to the stage after being launched. It’s a game that rewards quick reactions and adaptability, and it feels both silly and intensely competitive at the same time.