Super Smash Bros. (series)

The Super Smash Bros. series is a series of party/fighting games in which many well-known Nintendo characters are pitted against each other to fight, with each character using their unique abilities in battle. The games are very popular, not only for being one of Nintendo's few fighting games, but also for being a mass crossover of many Nintendo franchises; they are also known to attract both casual and competitive players, with game modes and official Nintendo events accommodating different types of play. While not a spinoff or sub-universe of the Mario franchise, the international title for the series is a play on the title of Super Mario Bros. and the Mario series is the most heavily represented franchise in all four games, as Nintendo's flagship franchise.

Along with Mario, many different characters from different franchises appear as fighters throughout the series. These include Pikachu from the Pokémon series, Link from The Legend of Zelda series, Samus from the Metroid series, and many more. Besides the diverse lineup of fighters, Super Smash Bros. has numerous non-playable references to Nintendo history, such as the roster of stages in the series, themed around locations from past Nintendo games. In addition to the Nintendo-related content, Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U introduce a number of third-party guest fighters. While these guest fighters include mascot characters that have appeared in prior crossovers with the Mario series, such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Pac-Man, they also include characters from more "realistic" and adult-oriented franchises, such as Solid Snake from the Metal Gear franchise and Bayonetta from her self-titled series.

It has become one of the quickest-selling and most popular series in Nintendo's history, and Super Smash Bros. Melee is the best-selling Nintendo GameCube game. Masahiro Sakurai has directed all five games in the series, the latest being Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Super Smash Bros.
Super Smash Bros. is the first installment in the Super Smash Bros. series, introduced in 1999 for the Nintendo 64. The game features eight characters from the start, with four unlockable characters, all of them created by Nintendo or one of its second-party developers.

Up to four people can play in multiplayer (Versus) mode, with the specific rules of each match being predetermined by the players. There are two different types that can be chosen: Time, where the person with the most KOs at the end of the set time wins; and stock, where each person has a set amount of lives, and when they are gone, the player is eliminated.

This game's one-player mode included one adventure mode that always followed the same series of opponents although the player could change the difficulty. Other single player modes exist such as Training and several mini-games, including "Break the Targets" and "Board the Platforms". All of these were included in the sequel, with the exception of "Board the Platforms".

There are nine playable stages in Versus mode, eight based on each of the starting characters (such as Princess Peach's Castle for Mario, Zebes for Samus, and Sector Z for Fox) and the unlockable Mushroom Kingdom, based around motifs from the original Super Mario Bros. (from which the English-language name of the Super Smash Bros. series comes), even containing original sprites and the original version of the Overworld theme from that game.

Super Smash Bros. Melee
Super Smash Bros. Melee is the second installment in the Super Smash Bros. series, released in 2001 for the Nintendo GameCube. It had a larger budget and development team than Super Smash Bros. did and was released to much greater praise and acclaim among critics and consumers. Since its release, Super Smash Bros. Melee has sold more than 7 million copies and was the best-selling game on the GameCube. Super Smash Bros. Melee features 26 characters, of which 15 are available initially, more than doubling the number of characters in its predecessor. There are also 29 stages. It introduced two new single-player modes alongside the Classic mode: Adventure mode, and All-Star mode. Adventure mode has platforming segments similar to the original's "Race to the Finish" mini-game, and All-Star is a fight against every playable character in the game, allows the player only one life in which damage is accumulated over each battle and a limited number of heal items in between battles.

There are also significantly more multiplayer modes and a tournament mode allowing for 64 different competitors whom can all be controlled by a human player, although only up to four players can participate at the same time. Additionally, the game features alternative battle modes, called "Special Melee", which involve some sort of alteration to the battle (e.g. all characters are giant by default, the speed is faster than normal, etc.), along with alternative ways to judge a victory, such as through collecting coins throughout the match.

In place of Super Smash Bros.'s character profiles, Super Smash Bros. Melee introduced trophies (called "figures" in the Japanese version). The 293 trophies include three different profiles for each playable character, one unlocked in each single-player mode. In addition, unlike its predecessor, Super Smash Bros. Melee contains profiles for many Nintendo characters who are either non-playable or do not appear in the game, as well as Nintendo items, stages, enemies, and elements.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Smash Bros. Brawl is the third installment in the Super Smash Bros. series, released in 2008 for the Wii. Super Smash Bros. Brawl is also the first game in the franchise to support online play, via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and offers the ability for players to construct their own original stages. The game features a total of 39 playable characters and 41 stages.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl also features compatibility with four kinds of controllers (the Wii Remote on its side, the Wii Remote and Nunchuk combination, the Classic Controller, and the Nintendo GameCube controller), while its predecessors only used the one controller designed for that system. The player also has the ability to change the configuration of controls and the controller type.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl features a new Adventure Mode titled "The Subspace Emissary". This mode features unique character storylines along with numerous side scrolling levels and multiple bosses to fight, as well as CG cut scenes explaining the storyline. The Subspace Emissary features a new group of antagonists called the Subspace Army, who are led by the Ancient Minister. Some of these enemy characters appeared in previous Nintendo games, such as Petey Piranha from the Mario series and a squadron of R.O.B.s based on classic Nintendo hardware. The Subspace Emissary also boasts a number of original enemies, such as the Roader; a robotic unicycle, the Bytan; a one-eyed ball-like creature which can replicate itself if left alone, and the Primid; enemies that come in many variations. Though primarily a single-player mode, The Subspace Emissary allows for cooperative multiplayer. There are five difficulty levels for each stage, and there is a method of increasing characters' powers during the game. This is done by placing collected stickers onto the bottom of a character's trophy between stages to improve various aspects of a fighter.

Like its predecessor, Super Smash Bros. Brawl introduces several new playable characters. Among them are Sonic the Hedgehog and Solid Snake, the series' first third-party fighters.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U are the fourth and fifth installments in the Super Smash Bros. series. At E3 2011, it was confirmed that new Super Smash Bros. titles were in development for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, with both versions being cross-compatible with each other in some way. The games were shown for the first time at E3 2013.

The 3DS version features cel-shaded 3D graphics and stages based on games for handheld consoles, while the Wii U version features HD graphics and stages based on games from home consoles. Like prior games in the series, this game introduces new characters, including Mega Man and Pac-Man, who are new third-party characters. The character lineup is the same across both versions, and characters can now be customized with a range of equipment and custom special moves. The 3DS version includes an exclusive mode called Smash Run, while the Wii U version includes a mode called Smash Tour, along with an altered stage builder and the Special Orders mode.

The games also introduce downloadable content (DLC) to the series, which was made available after release. Included among the DLC are the seven additional playable characters Mewtwo, Lucas, Roy, Ryu, Cloud, Corrin, and Bayonetta, as well as additional stages and costumes for Mii Fighters.

The 3DS version was released first on September 13, 2014 in Japan, and on October 3rd, 2014 in the rest of the world. The Wii U version was released on November 21, 2014 in North America, November 28, 2014 in Europe, November 29, 2014 in Australia, and December 6th, 2014 in Japan.

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.

The Super Smash Bros. series has simple controls. Rather than having to memorize buttons like in Street Fighter, Super Smash Bros. games allow 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.

Major series represented in Super Smash Bros.
{|align=left width=100% cellspacing=0 border=1 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-family:Arial;" !style="font-size:15px" width="10%" |Symbol !style="font-size:15px" width="90%"|Series description !colspan="2" style="font-size:10px"|

Animal Crossing
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 * AnimalCrossing_Emblem.png‎
 * A fairly big name from Nintendo, a stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl is based on it called Smashville. The Villager is a new playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.
 * A fairly big name from Nintendo, a stage in Super Smash Bros. Brawl is based on it called Smashville. The Villager is a new playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.

Balloon Fight
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 * SSB4 Balloon Fight Symbol.png
 * A somewhat minor first-party series by Nintendo. It was represented by the Balloon Fighter trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl (also in this game, the music for Balloon Trip could be played on the Summit stage). It is represented by a stage titled Balloon Fight in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
 * A somewhat minor first-party series by Nintendo. It was represented by the Balloon Fighter trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and a sticker in Super Smash Bros. Brawl (also in this game, the music for Balloon Trip could be played on the Summit stage). It is represented by a stage titled Balloon Fight in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.

Bayonetta
!colspan=5 style="font-size:10px"|
 * BayonettaSymbol.svg
 * The Bayonetta series is represented by Bayonetta, who appears in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U as a downloadable character. The Bayonetta series is the second M-rated series to be represented in the Super Smash Bros. series.
 * The Bayonetta series is represented by Bayonetta, who appears in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U as a downloadable character. The Bayonetta series is the second M-rated series to be represented in the Super Smash Bros. series.

Donkey Kong
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 * DK Emblem.png
 * The Donkey Kong series consists of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. DK has appeared in all four games, while Diddy was introduced newly in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and returns in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.
 * The Donkey Kong series consists of Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong. DK has appeared in all four games, while Diddy was introduced newly in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and returns in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.

Duck Hunt
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 * DuckHunt Emblem.png
 * The Duck Hunt series is represented by the Duck Hunt Duo; the dog and the duck, as playable fighters in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.
 * The Duck Hunt series is represented by the Duck Hunt Duo; the dog and the duck, as playable fighters in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.

EarthBound
!colspan=5 style="font-size:10px"|
 * EarthBound Emblem.png
 * Ness (all; unlockable in the original, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS), and Lucas (default in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and DLC in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U) 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.
 * Ness (all; unlockable in the original, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS), and Lucas (default in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and DLC in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U) 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
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 * Electroplankton_Emblem.png
 * Although there are no playable characters in this series, the emblem is used for Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Hanenbow stage.
 * Although there are no playable characters in this series, the emblem is used for Super Smash Bros. Brawl's Hanenbow stage.

Final Fantasy
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 * FinalFantasySymbol.svg
 * A massively successful role-playing game series by Square Enix. While the series has something of a history with Nintendo's own franchises (the Mario franchise in particular), Cloud Strife appears as a DLC character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, making him the first named Final Fantasy character to appear in a Nintendo crossover. Chocobo headgear is also available for the Mii Fighters.
 * A massively successful role-playing game series by Square Enix. While the series has something of a history with Nintendo's own franchises (the Mario franchise in particular), Cloud Strife appears as a DLC character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, making him the first named Final Fantasy character to appear in a Nintendo crossover. Chocobo headgear is also available for the Mii Fighters.

Find Mii
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 * Find Mii Symbol.png
 * A series consisting of two games in StreetPass Mii Plaza (which is featured with Nintendo 3DS and its variations), this is represented by a stage, named Find Mii, in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
 * A series consisting of two games in StreetPass Mii Plaza (which is featured with Nintendo 3DS and its variations), this is represented by a stage, named Find Mii, in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.

Fire Emblem
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 * FireEmblem Emblem.png
 * Fire Emblem is a second party series, developed by Intelligent Systems. The series is represented by Marth, Roy, Ike, Lucina, Robin, and Corrin. Marth appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Roy appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee and in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U as DLC, Ike appeared in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Lucina, Robin, and Corrin (as DLC) appear in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.
 * Fire Emblem is a second party series, developed by Intelligent Systems. The series is represented by Marth, Roy, Ike, Lucina, Robin, and Corrin. Marth appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Roy appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee and in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U as DLC, Ike appeared in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Lucina, Robin, and Corrin (as DLC) appear in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.

F-Zero
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 * F-Zero Emblem.png
 * A Nintendo first party series (although it has not seen a new installment since 2004) represented by Captain Falcon. He has appeared as a playable character in all four Super Smash Bros. games.
 * A Nintendo first party series (although it has not seen a new installment since 2004) represented by Captain Falcon. He has appeared as a playable character in all four Super Smash Bros. games.

Game & Watch
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 * Game&Watch Emblem.png
 * One of the oldest gaming series, the (previously unnamed) character, Mr. Game & Watch, represents the series, appearing in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.
 * One of the oldest gaming series, the (previously unnamed) character, Mr. Game & Watch, represents the series, appearing in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.

Ice Climber
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 * IceClimbers Emblem.png
 * 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.
 * 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
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 * KidIcarus Emblem.png
 * The Kid Icarus series is a series consisting of only three games, in which one (Kid Icarus: Uprising) came out after Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It is represented by Pit, who appeared in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Palutena, who is a newcomer in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, and Dark Pit, who is also a newcomer in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.
 * The Kid Icarus series is a series consisting of only three games, in which one (Kid Icarus: Uprising) came out after Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It is represented by Pit, who appeared in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Palutena, who is a newcomer in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, and Dark Pit, who is also a newcomer in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.

Kirby
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 * Kirby Emblem.png
 * The fourth-biggest series, the Kirby series is represented by Kirby (all), Meta Knight (Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U), and King Dedede (Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U). Despite being a major series, Kirby was the only fighter in the first two Super Smash Bros. games, although Meta Knight and King Dedede were later added in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. King Dedede was intended to appear in Super Smash Bros., but was removed due to time constraints. He and Meta Knight were later set to appear in Super Smash Bros. Melee, but didn't make it for the same reason.
 * The fourth-biggest series, the Kirby series is represented by Kirby (all), Meta Knight (Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U), and King Dedede (Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U). Despite being a major series, Kirby was the only fighter in the first two Super Smash Bros. games, although Meta Knight and King Dedede were later added in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. King Dedede was intended to appear in Super Smash Bros., but was removed due to time constraints. He and Meta Knight were later set to appear in Super Smash Bros. Melee, but didn't make it for the same reason.

Super Mario Bros.
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 * Mario Emblem.png
 * The most prominently represented franchise in the Super Smash Bros. series; characters from the Mario series have appeared in all four released games. While the series is quite abundant in content from all the sub-series of the Mario franchise, it has, primary, a strong focus on the platforming Super Mario games, the go-kart racing Mario Kart games and, to a lesser extent, the Luigi's Mansion games. There are two Mario series characters in Super Smash Bros., five in Super Smash Bros. Melee, four in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and seven in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U (fourteen if the seven Koopaling alternates for Bowser Jr. are counted). These characters are Mario (default in all four released), Luigi (unlockable in the first three released, and a starting character in the fourth installment), Princess Peach, Bowser (default in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U), Dr. Mario (unlockable in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U), Rosalina, and Bowser Jr. (both newcomers in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U; the latter being unlockable in the 3DS version and having alternate costumes that replaces him with one of the Koopalings). Although the Mario series also includes Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and Wario, they're excluded from the list, due to the fact that they have their own series and logos.
 * The most prominently represented franchise in the Super Smash Bros. series; characters from the Mario series have appeared in all four released games. While the series is quite abundant in content from all the sub-series of the Mario franchise, it has, primary, a strong focus on the platforming Super Mario games, the go-kart racing Mario Kart games and, to a lesser extent, the Luigi's Mansion games. There are two Mario series characters in Super Smash Bros., five in Super Smash Bros. Melee, four in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and seven in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U (fourteen if the seven Koopaling alternates for Bowser Jr. are counted). These characters are Mario (default in all four released), Luigi (unlockable in the first three released, and a starting character in the fourth installment), Princess Peach, Bowser (default in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U), Dr. Mario (unlockable in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U), Rosalina, and Bowser Jr. (both newcomers in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U; the latter being unlockable in the 3DS version and having alternate costumes that replaces him with one of the Koopalings). Although the Mario series also includes Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, and Wario, they're excluded from the list, due to the fact that they have their own series and logos.

Mega Man
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 * MegaMan Emblem.png
 * Mega Man from his series of games of the same name is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, and the third third-party character of the Super Smash Bros. series (after Snake and Sonic were introduced in Super Smash Bros. Brawl).
 * Mega Man from his series of games of the same name is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, and the third third-party character of the Super Smash Bros. series (after Snake and Sonic were introduced in Super Smash Bros. Brawl).

Metal Gear
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 * MetalGear Emblem.png
 * A major series, albeit third party, and the first M-rated series to be represented in the Super Smash Bros. series. Solid Snake represents this series in Super Smash Bros. Brawl alone. Hideo Kojima, 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.
 * A major series, albeit third party, and the first M-rated series to be represented in the Super Smash Bros. series. Solid Snake represents this series in Super Smash Bros. Brawl alone. Hideo Kojima, 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
!colspan=5 style="font-size:10px"|
 * Metroid Emblem.png
 * Another of Nintendo's major series. The Metroid games are represented by Samus in all four of the released games. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Samus has the option of playing as Zero Suit Samus. Additionally, in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Zero Suit Samus is a separate character from 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 Subspace Emissary (Adventure) mode.
 * Another of Nintendo's major series. The Metroid games are represented by Samus in all four of the released games. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Samus has the option of playing as Zero Suit Samus. Additionally, in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Zero Suit Samus is a separate character from 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 Subspace Emissary (Adventure) mode.

Nintendo DS
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 * NintendoDS Emblem.png
 * Not actually a series, but a handheld gaming system, there are no playable characters representing this. However, the emblem is used for Super Smash Bros. Brawl's PictoChat stage; PictoChat being a built-in application in all DS models (with the exception of the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, and Nintendo 2DS).
 * Not actually a series, but a handheld gaming system, there are no playable characters representing this. However, the emblem is used for Super Smash Bros. Brawl's PictoChat stage; PictoChat being a built-in application in all DS models (with the exception of the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, and Nintendo 2DS).

nintendogs
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 * Nintendogs Symbol.png‎
 * A virtual pet simulator series, the nintendogs series was represented in Super Smash Bros. Brawl through an Assist Trophy, a trophy, and multiple stickers. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the series is represented by an Assist Trophy again (although this time, the French Bulldog is used instead of the Labrador Retriever from the previous installment), as well as a stage, titled Living Room, in the Nintendo 3DS version.
 * A virtual pet simulator series, the nintendogs series was represented in Super Smash Bros. Brawl through an Assist Trophy, a trophy, and multiple stickers. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the series is represented by an Assist Trophy again (although this time, the French Bulldog is used instead of the Labrador Retriever from the previous installment), as well as a stage, titled Living Room, in the Nintendo 3DS version.

PAC-MAN
!colspan=5 style="font-size:10px"|
 * Pac-ManEmblem.png
 * PAC-MAN, Bandai Namco's most well-known character, represents his series in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. He is the fourth third-party character to be included in the series.
 * PAC-MAN, Bandai Namco's most well-known character, represents his series in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. He is the fourth third-party character to be included in the series.

Pikmin
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 * Pikmin Emblem.png
 * A well known (but not as big) series, it is represented by Olimar, and his assistants; the Pikmin, in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. In the latter games, Olimar has alternate costumes that change him to Alph.
 * A well known (but not as big) series, it is represented by Olimar, and his assistants; the Pikmin, in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. In the latter games, Olimar has alternate costumes that change him to Alph.

Pilotwings
!colspan=5 style="font-size:10px"|
 * Pilotwings Symbol.png
 * The Pilotwings series is represented by a stage, titled Pilotwings, in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
 * The Pilotwings series is represented by a stage, titled Pilotwings, in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Pokémon
!colspan=5 style="font-size:10px"|
 * Pokemon Emblem.png
 * One of Nintendo's most well-known series (also owned by Game Freak and Creatures), and the series with the most playable characters (a current total of seven). The Pokémon series is represented by Pikachu (all), Jigglypuff (unlockable in all expect Super Smash Bros. for Wii U), Mewtwo (Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the latter as downloadable content), Pichu (Super Smash Bros. Melee), Pokémon Trainer (along with Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard; Super Smash Bros. Brawl (on a side note, Charizard is a separate playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U)), Lucario (Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U), and Greninja (Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U). 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 was going to be playable in Super Smash Bros., but was removed due to time constraints. Until Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, none of the playable characters in this series have more than five alternate colors, a trait shared with the Sonic series. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, every character gets seven different alternate colors, including the Pokémon.
 * One of Nintendo's most well-known series (also owned by Game Freak and Creatures), and the series with the most playable characters (a current total of seven). The Pokémon series is represented by Pikachu (all), Jigglypuff (unlockable in all expect Super Smash Bros. for Wii U), Mewtwo (Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the latter as downloadable content), Pichu (Super Smash Bros. Melee), Pokémon Trainer (along with Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard; Super Smash Bros. Brawl (on a side note, Charizard is a separate playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U)), Lucario (Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U), and Greninja (Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U). 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 was going to be playable in Super Smash Bros., but was removed due to time constraints. Until Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, none of the playable characters in this series have more than five alternate colors, a trait shared with the Sonic series. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, every character gets seven different alternate colors, including the Pokémon.

Punch-Out!!
!colspan=5 style="font-size:10px"|
 * PunchOutSymbol.png
 * Little Mac from the Punch-Out!! series was an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.
 * Little Mac from the Punch-Out!! series was an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.

R.O.B.
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 * ROB Emblem.png
 * A series consisting of the two only games compatible with the peripheral for the NES, R.O.B. makes appearances in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. His inclusion was likely inspired by his earlier appearances in games such as Mario Kart DS.
 * A series consisting of the two only games compatible with the peripheral for the NES, R.O.B. makes appearances in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. His inclusion was likely inspired by his earlier appearances in games such as Mario Kart DS.

Super Smash Bros.
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 * SmashBros Emblem.png
 * A universe consisting of elements original to the Super Smash Bros. series. Representatives are usually non-playable characters, such as Master Hand and Crazy Hand, Fighting Polygons from Super Smash Bros., Wire Frames from Super Smash Bros. Melee, and the Fighting Alloy Team, Subspace Army and Tabuu from Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The Mii Fighters make their debut in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U as the first playable representatives of the series. Stages that represent the series are Battlefield and Final Destination.
 * A universe consisting of elements original to the Super Smash Bros. series. Representatives are usually non-playable characters, such as Master Hand and Crazy Hand, Fighting Polygons from Super Smash Bros., Wire Frames from Super Smash Bros. Melee, and the Fighting Alloy Team, Subspace Army and Tabuu from Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The Mii Fighters make their debut in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U as the first playable representatives of the series. Stages that represent the series are Battlefield and Final Destination.

Sonic the Hedgehog
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 * Sonic Emblem.png
 * Sega's most successful series, the Sonic the Hedgehog series is represented by its titular character, Sonic the Hedgehog, in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. There was a large hoax said about Super Smash Bros. Melee, claiming that Sonic and Miles "Tails" Prower could be unlocked as playable characters, but this was ultimately proven false.
 * Sega's most successful series, the Sonic the Hedgehog series is represented by its titular character, Sonic the Hedgehog, in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U. There was a large hoax said about Super Smash Bros. Melee, claiming that Sonic and Miles "Tails" Prower could be unlocked as playable characters, but this was ultimately proven false.

Star Fox
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 * StarFox Emblem.png
 * A series created by Shigeru Miyamoto and Dylan Cuthbert. It is represented by Fox McCloud (all), Falco Lombardi (Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U), and Wolf O'Donnell (Super Smash Bros. Brawl).
 * A series created by Shigeru Miyamoto and Dylan Cuthbert. It is represented by Fox McCloud (all), Falco Lombardi (Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U), and Wolf O'Donnell (Super Smash Bros. Brawl).

Street Fighter
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 * StreetFighterEmblem.png
 * Capcom's flagship fighting game series. Ryu, the main character, is a downloadable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U as the fifth third-party character and second Capcom character in the series.
 * Capcom's flagship fighting game series. Ryu, the main character, is a downloadable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U as the fifth third-party character and second Capcom character in the series.

The Legend of Zelda
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 * Zelda Emblem.png
 * Another one of the biggest series, represented by Link (all), Princess Zelda/Sheik (Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U (although Sheik is a separate character from Zelda in the latter)), Ganondorf (Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U), Young Link (Super Smash Bros. Melee), and Toon Link (Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U).
 * Another one of the biggest series, represented by Link (all), Princess Zelda/Sheik (Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U (although Sheik is a separate character from Zelda in the latter)), Ganondorf (Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U), Young Link (Super Smash Bros. Melee), and Toon Link (Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U).

Tomodachi
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 * Tomodachi Emblem.png
 * Based off Nintendo's Tomodachi games for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS, this game is represented by a stage, specifically titled Tomodachi Life, in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
 * Based off Nintendo's Tomodachi games for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS, this game is represented by a stage, specifically titled Tomodachi Life, in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.

WarioWare
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 * Wario Emblem.png
 * A minor series, also a spin-off of the Mario series. Heavily focused on the microgame setting, WarioWare series this series has only its titular character representing it, Wario (Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U).
 * A minor series, also a spin-off of the Mario series. Heavily focused on the microgame setting, WarioWare series this series has only its titular character representing it, Wario (Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U).

Wii Fit
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 * Wii Fit series icon.png
 * Wii Fit Trainer from the Wii Fit series is as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.
 * Wii Fit Trainer from the Wii Fit series is as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.

Xenoblade
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 * XenobladeEmblem.png
 * One of the more recent series, it is represented by Shulk, who is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.
 * One of the more recent series, it is represented by Shulk, who is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.

Yoshi

 * Yoshi Emblem.png
 * 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 four Super Smash Bros. games.
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Characters in the series
The series notably features playable characters from across various Nintendo and third-party franchises. Over the entire series, 64 characters have been playable. 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.

Items
1 Appears in the Wii U version only

2 Red Shell appears in Subspace Emissary only

3 Red Shell appears in Smash Run only