Update 0 – Time played: 0 hours – I meant to post this on the game’s release date, but I wound up getting sick over the weekend. Still posting it now!

Super Smash Brothers is a series that needs no introduction. What started as a fun experiment by the creator of Kirby in the 90s has turned into one of Nintendo’s flagship titles that pushes systems on name alone. I remember my first exposure to Smash from that old advert that aired in 1999 featuring people beating the piss out of one another dressed as Nintendo mascots while Happy Together by The Turtles is playing in the background. That alone piqued my curiosity and the next weekend I rented the game from my local Blockbuster. The Smash series eventually became my gateway into eSports with Melee and Smash Wii U in 2014. Now, nearly 20 years after the release of the first title, Smash Bros. Ultimate has been unleashed upon the world for the Nintendo Switch, and I am ready to eat it up like I have with every other Smash title before it. This means that yes, I have a heavy bias towards the Smash series, and I will do my very best to be aware of that bias and to keep it in check as I go through this Progressive Looks series.

The things I’m most interested in discovering with Ultimate is how newcomer characters such as the Inkling from Splatoon and Ridley from Metroid bring provide unique ways to play Smash. I’m also very interested in the new single player adventure mode, titled World of Light, stacks up compared to phenomenal Subspace Emissary from Brawl. Will this entry into the crossover fighting game series be the ultimate offering? Or will I find myself wanting the experience of an older game? Stay tuned!

Super Smash Brothers Ultimate

• Part 2
• Part 1
• Part 0