Nintendo has many series that have grown popular throughout the years, but it wouldn't be a surprise to hear people say that Super Smash Bros. easily outshines them all. It can be seen as the one that made the platformer fighter genre as popular as it is, and has become a huge part of video game culture.
To this day, Super Smash Bros. remains relevant with fans, with every new entry being highly anticipated. But what is it about the Nintendo series that has allowed it to stay the juggernaut that it is? While there are many reasons, three notable ones should make it clear as to why.
For one, each entry has something that fans can always go back to. A good example is Super Smash Bros. Brawl, a game that's over a decade old. Despite its age and being somewhat outdated, the game's Subspace Emmissary adventure mode makes it worth revisiting, as it can still provide hours of fun.
Every other entry has something like that, from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's World of Light to the Nintendo 3DS version's Smash Run, and they all manage to appeal to fans in one way or another. Because of such things, people still look fondly at previous installments and, in turn, anticipate the next, as they might be surprised by a new mode that will provide even more cause to love the series.
The next reason why Super Smash Bros. has remained relevant to this day is that its evolving mechanics have resulted in a thriving competitive scene. While Nintendo has deemed its entries as party games, nearly every installment has shown that it's more than just for casual gamers.
Super Smash. Bros Melee can be seen as the starting point for the series' going more competitive, with it being fast-paced and having numerous techniques that are hard to master. Since then, every game has had its own mechanics and features that warrant having a competitive scene. With the seemingly endless growth potential regarding that matter, Super Smash Bros. can essentially guarantee that it will thrive for as long as possible, as there will always be people who will be interested in mastering the less casual side of each entry in hopes of becoming the best.
The final reason why the platformer fighting game series remains relevant and anticipated by many is its third-party guest fighters. Starting from Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the Nintendo Wii, characters from established franchises outside of Nintendo have been appearing, and they've only grown in number since.
Because these representatives are being added with every game, their respective fan base might be inclined to try out Super Smash Bros. So, whether it's due to sheer curiosity or to see if their favorite character is properly handled, it still means more attention to the series and potentially new fans, which is good for ensuring it lives on as an iconic and longlasting part of the video game industry.
Super Smash Bros.' longevity and continued relevancy are a testament to how much it's willing to evolve, and why people will continue to love it. There's a good chance that its legacy will carry on with a new entry on the Nintendo Switch 2, but even if it doesn't and no new game is announced for a while, the series will likely remain just as popular as it has always been.
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