Super Smash Bros. (series)

The Super Smash Bros. series is a series of fighting games where figurines of Nintendo characters known as "trophies" come to life and fight. Mario, as well as some of his friends, are playable in all of the series’ games. The games are very popular, not only for being one of Nintendo's few fighting games, but also being a mass cross-over of many of the popular Nintendo Series. This includes Mario series, Pokémon series, The Legend of Zelda series, Metroid series, Kirby  series, and many more. It also has numerous character cameos, as well as the reintroduction of many locations. It has become the quickest selling, and one of the most popular series in Nintendo history. Super Smash Bros. Melee is the best-selling game for the GameCube. Masahiro Sakurai has so far directed all three games.

Games in the Super Smash Bros. series
The series itself consists of four games so far. (Three released titles and one title announced during the Nintendo Press Conference during E3 2011.)
 * Super Smash Bros. (1999, Nintendo 64)
 * Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001, Nintendo GameCube)
 * Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008, Wii)
 * Super Smash Bros. (tentative) (TBA, Nintendo 3DS/Wii U)

Gameplay
The series has a completely different gameplay compared to fighting games such as Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. Instead of making an opponent lose all of their HP, players have to knock opponents off a stage. When a character gets attacked, their damage meter (represented by percentage) increases by up to 999%, and the higher the percentage is, the easier it is to knock an opponent off the stage. After being knocked off, a player can use jumping moves to try to return to the stage.

Smash Bros. has very simple controls. Rather than having to memorize buttons like in Street Fighter, Smash Bros. allows the "one attack, one button" style. Also, characters do not have to face their opponent, but can run around freely. Items can be used to help players recover their percentage or to KO opponents.

Animal Crossing series
Although there are no playable characters from this series (also a fairly big name from Nintendo), there is a stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl based on it called Smashville.

Donkey Kong series
The Donkey Kong series consists of Donkey Kong and his nephew, Diddy Kong. Donkey has appeared in all three games, while Diddy was introduced newly in Brawl.

EarthBound series
A small series, Ness (all three), and Lucas (Super Smash Bros. Brawl) represent this series. Lucas was supposed to replace Ness in Super Smash Bros. Melee but due to the fact that Mother 3 was delayed, Ness was put in instead.

Electroplankton series
Although there are no playable characters in this series, the emblem is used for Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Hanenbow stage.

Fire Emblem series
Fire Emblem is a second party series, developed by Intelligent Systems. The series is represented by Marth, Roy, and Ike. Marth appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Roy in Super Smash Bros. Melee only, and Ike in Super Smash Bros. Brawl only.

F-Zero series
A Nintendo first party series (although recently fallen into obscurity), created by Isshin Shimizu and Takaya Imamura and represented by Captain Falcon. He has appeared in all three Super Smash Bros. games.

Game & Watch series
One of the oldest gaming series, the very well known (but previously unnamed) character, Mr. Game & Watch, represents the series, appearing in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Ice Climber
The Ice Climber "series" (technically not a series, due to the fact that there is only one Ice Climber game) is represented by Popo and Nana, otherwise known as the Ice Climbers in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Kid Icarus series
The Kid Icarus series is a series consisting of only three games, in which one came out after Brawl. It is represented by Pit, who appeared in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as a playable character. (Pit was supposed to make an appearance in Super Smash Bros., but was cut to make room for Jigglypuff).

Kirby series
The fourth-biggest series, the Kirby series is represented by Kirby (all), Meta Knight (Super Smash Bros. Brawl), and King Dedede (Super Smash Bros. Brawl). Despite being a major series, Kirby was the only fighter in the first two Smash games, although Meta Knight and King Dedede were later added in Brawl. Dedede was intended to appear in SSB, but was removed due to time constraints. He and Meta Knight were later set to appear in Melee, but Sakurai deemed himself too humble to include any more of his characters. Interestingly enough, the gameplay of Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Adventure Mode is loosely based on the Kirby series (especially with the doors and having 2 players cooperate with each other).

Mario series
The possible main series of the Smash Bros. series; characters from the Mario series have appeared in all three games, two (excluding Donkey Kong and Yoshi) in SSB, five in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and four in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. These characters are Mario (standard in all three), Luigi (unlockable in all three), Princess Peach, Bowser (both Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl), and Dr. Mario (Super Smash Bros. Melee only). Although the Mario series also includes Donkey Kong, Yoshi, and Wario, they're excluded from the list, due to the fact that they have their own series and logos.

Metal Gear series
A major series, albeit third party. Solid Snake represents this series in Super Smash Bros. Brawl alone. The producer of the Metal Gear series requested Snake to be in Super Smash Bros. Melee, however production of the game was too far for his inclusion.

Metroid series
Another of Nintendo's major series. The Metroid games are represented by Samus in all three games. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Samus has the option of playing as Zero Suit Samus. Despite being a major series, other characters from the Metroid series have failed to make playable appearances, although Ridley and Meta Ridley make appearances in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as bosses in the story mode.

Pikmin series
A well known (but not as big) series, it is represented by Olimar, and his assistants, the Pikmin in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The original Pikmin game (and Luigi's Mansion) was thought to be the Nintendo GameCube launch titles.

Pokémon series
One of Nintendo's most well-known series (also owned by Game Freak and Creatures), and the series with the most playable characters. The Pokémon series is represented by Pikachu (all), Jigglypuff (unlockable in all), Mewtwo (Super Smash Bros. Melee), Pichu (Super Smash Bros. Melee), Pokémon Trainer (along with Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard; Super Smash Bros. Brawl), and Lucario (Super Smash Bros. Brawl). The series also had the most unlockable characters in Super Smash Bros. Melee, with Pichu, Jigglypuff, and Mewtwo. In addition, various Pokémon come out of Poké Balls to assist characters. Originally Mewtwo and Meowth were going to be playable in Super Smash Bros. but were removed due to time constraints.

R.O.B.
Not actually a series, but a peripheral for the N.E.S., R.O.B. makes an appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. This appearance was likely inspired by his earlier appearances in games such as Mario Kart DS.

Sonic the Hedgehog series
Sega's most successful series, the Sonic the Hedgehog series is represented by its titular character, Sonic the Hedgehog, in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. There was a large hoax about said Super Smash Bros. Melee, claiming that Sonic and Tails could be unlocked.

Star Fox series
A series done by Miyamoto and Dylan Cuthbert. It is represented by Fox McCloud (all), Falco Lombardi (Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl), and Wolf O'Donnell (Super Smash Bros. Brawl).

The Legend of Zelda series
Another one of the biggest series, represented by Link (all), Princess Zelda/Sheik (Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl), Ganondorf (Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl), Young Link (Super Smash Bros. Melee), and Toon Link (Super Smash Bros. Brawl).

Wario series
A minor series, also a spin-off of the Mario series, this series has only its titular character representing it, Wario (Super Smash Bros. Brawl).

Yoshi series
A minor series, yet a spin-off of the Mario series which takes place in his past; the Yoshi series has only one playable character. Being the only real star of the series, Yoshi has appeared in all Smash games.

Characters in the Series
The series is nothing without the characters to play as. Over the entire series, 41 characters have been playable, 11 are new for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Each series gets its own Symbol, which each of the characters from that series use. They all have their own powers and attributes, that allow players to work out strategies against opponents.

{| border="1" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 style="text-align:center"

Playable Characters
!width=39%| Character Name !width=7%| SSB !width=7%| SSBM !width=7%| SSBB !width=40%| Series
 * Bowser || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Mario series
 * Captain Falcon || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || F-Zero series
 * Captain Olimar || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Pikmin series
 * Diddy Kong || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Donkey Kong series
 * Dr. Mario || X mark.png || Check_small.png || X mark.png || Mario series
 * Donkey Kong || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Donkey Kong series
 * Falco Lombardi || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Star Fox series
 * Fox McCloud || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Star Fox series
 * Ganondorf || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Ice Climbers || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Ice Climber
 * Ike || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Fire Emblem series
 * Jigglypuff || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Pokémon series
 * King Dedede || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Kirby series
 * Kirby || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Kirby series
 * Link || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Lucario || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Pokémon series
 * Lucas || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || EarthBound/Mother series
 * Luigi || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Mario Bros. series
 * Mario || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Mario series
 * Marth || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Fire Emblem series
 * Meta Knight || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Kirby series
 * Mewtwo || X mark.png || Check_small.png || X mark.png || Pokémon series
 * Mr. Game & Watch || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Game & Watch series
 * Ness || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || EarthBound/Mother series
 * Peach || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Mario series
 * Pit || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Kid Icarus series
 * Pichu || X mark.png || Check_small.png || X mark.png || Pokémon series
 * Pikachu || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Pokémon series
 * Pokémon Trainer || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Pokémon series
 * R.O.B. || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Robot series
 * Roy || X mark.png || Check_small.png || X mark.png || Fire Emblem series
 * Samus Aran || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Metroid series
 * Sheik || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Solid Snake || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Metal Gear Solid series
 * Sonic || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Sonic the Hedgehog series
 * Toon Link || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Wario || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || WarioWare series
 * Wolf O'Donnell || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Star Fox series
 * Yoshi || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Yoshi series
 * Young Link || X mark.png || Check_small.png || X mark.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zelda || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zero Suit Samus || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Metroid series
 * }
 * Mewtwo || X mark.png || Check_small.png || X mark.png || Pokémon series
 * Mr. Game & Watch || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Game & Watch series
 * Ness || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || EarthBound/Mother series
 * Peach || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Mario series
 * Pit || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Kid Icarus series
 * Pichu || X mark.png || Check_small.png || X mark.png || Pokémon series
 * Pikachu || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Pokémon series
 * Pokémon Trainer || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Pokémon series
 * R.O.B. || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Robot series
 * Roy || X mark.png || Check_small.png || X mark.png || Fire Emblem series
 * Samus Aran || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Metroid series
 * Sheik || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Solid Snake || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Metal Gear Solid series
 * Sonic || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Sonic the Hedgehog series
 * Toon Link || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Wario || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || WarioWare series
 * Wolf O'Donnell || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Star Fox series
 * Yoshi || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Yoshi series
 * Young Link || X mark.png || Check_small.png || X mark.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zelda || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zero Suit Samus || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Metroid series
 * }
 * Sheik || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Solid Snake || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Metal Gear Solid series
 * Sonic || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Sonic the Hedgehog series
 * Toon Link || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Wario || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || WarioWare series
 * Wolf O'Donnell || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Star Fox series
 * Yoshi || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Yoshi series
 * Young Link || X mark.png || Check_small.png || X mark.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zelda || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zero Suit Samus || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Metroid series
 * }
 * Yoshi || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || Yoshi series
 * Young Link || X mark.png || Check_small.png || X mark.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zelda || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zero Suit Samus || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Metroid series
 * }
 * Zelda || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Check_small.png || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zero Suit Samus || X mark.png || X mark.png || Check_small.png || Metroid series
 * }
 * }