To those who are late to the party, Super Smash Bros. can seem a little daunting at first. This is especially true if your first foray into the series is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which bolsters over 80 playable characters in total - a genuinely intimidating amount of content that has left many scratching their heads at where to even begin.
Most of us are likely guilty of seeing our favorite Nintendo character and picking them immediately, but just because you like how they play in their respective games doesn't mean that you'll love how they play in Smash. Arguably, that's where most people trip up when dipping their toes into the frenetic world of Super Smash Bros.
It's imperative to note that Smash doesn't play like your typical fighting game. Newcomers will want to spend some time going over the basics, as battles aren't won through smacking your opponent until their health bar whittles away. Instead, you win through the mindful accumulation of a percentage meter that builds up with each subsequent hit. The higher the counter, the more likely you are to 'Smash' your opponent off of the map and take away one of their lives.
This is where it can get a little tricky for some folks. The vast majority of the playable characters function in entirely different ways, each with a specific set of moves tailor-made for different situations, such as recovery moves that can allow you to regain control in midair rather than careen over the edge into oblivion. There are tiers to Smash's insanely diverse roster of fighters, and newcomers are going to struggle to know who is best to choose for them.
For a first time player, there are a few characters that are generally recommended: Mario, Pikachu, Kirby, Donkey Kong, Link, Fox and Marth. These are the most commonly recommended characters for newcomers as they're well-balanced in terms of attacks, recovery, and movement, but offer up a sampling of the game's different approaches to combat. Some are good for the heavier style of play, i.e., Donkey Kong and others are better suited to projectile-based play, i.e., Link and Fox.
Once you've settled on what you want your play style to be, it's a case of narrowing down which brawlers are best suited to your needs. If you found yourself gelling with Donkey Kong's style of play, but wanted somebody with a little more oomph and speed, Bowser shares a similar playstyle but can move quickly using his shell. However, if you also want enhanced maneuverability while dealing out some heavy punishment, you'd be better off going with Metroid's Ridley, as his ability to fly gives him an edge over both Donkey Kong and Bowser when it comes to recovery.
The key to finding your Main in Smash is experimentation. Ultimate boasts 80 characters to choose from, and each one brings something unique to the table. The only way to know for sure who is right for you is to test them each of them out. Thankfully the game facilitates this by giving you a small starting roster of fighters. Then after you've played a few rounds, you'll get a chance to face off against a new character. Defeating them makes them playable from that point on, giving you some time to test them out before the next unlockable challenger comes your way.
Even if you only play them once and they're not your style, you'll at least learn something new about your preferred playstyle, and that alone can improve your knowledge and skill at the game. It may sound a little like trial and error to some, but Smash's core gameplay is so enjoyable that this process of trying out every new fighter never feels like a chore.
Overall, the best way to get into Smash Bros. and find your niche is to dive in and experiment. Move out of the comfort zone that your favorite franchise characters have given you and have some fun. You may not like every single character the game has to offer, but you're bound to find something that floats your boat and matches your playstyle perfectly, giving you that much-needed edge on the battlefield.