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 game is 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's Dream Land 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 three games so far.
 * Super Smash Bros. (1999, Nintendo 64)
 * Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001, Nintendo GameCube)
 * Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008, Wii)

Donkey Kong Series
Being a spin-off series from the Mario 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 Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

EarthBound Series
A small series, Ness (all three), and Lucas (Brawl) represent this series. Lucas was supposed to replace Ness in Melee but due to the fact that his first game was delayed, Ness was put in instead.

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 Melee and Brawl, Roy in Melee only, and Ike in Brawl only.

F-Zero Series
A Nintendo first party series, represented by Captain Falcon, and created by Shigeru Miyamoto. Captain Falcon 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 Melee and 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 Melee and Brawl.

Kid Icarus Series
The Kid Icarus series is a series consisting of only two games. 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 (Brawl), and King Dedede (Brawl). Despite being a major series, Kirby was the only fighter in the first two Smash games. King Dedede was supposedly intended to be playable in the first, but was removed due to unknown reasons; possible technical limitations. However, he appears in the background of said game's Kirby level, flying past in the background occasionally. Interestingly enough, 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 Melee, and four in Brawl. These characters are Mario (standard in all three), Luigi (unlockable in all three), Princess Peach, Bowser (both Melee and Brawl), and Dr. Mario (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. The name Super Smash Bros. is likely a reference to Super Mario Bros..

Metal Gear Series
A major series, albeit third party. Solid Snake represents this series in Brawl alone. The producer of the Metal Gear series requested Snake to be in 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 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 Brawl as bosses in the story mode.

Pikmin Series
A well known series, it is represented by Olimar, and his friends, the Pikmin in 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, and the series with the most playable characters. The Pokémon series is represented by Pikachu (all), Jigglypuff (all), Mewtwo (Melee), Pichu (Melee), Pokémon Trainer (along with Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard; Brawl), and Lucario (Brawl). The series also had the most unlockable characters in Melee, with Pichu, Jigglypuff, and Mewtwo. In addition, various Pokémon come out of Poké Balls to assist characters.

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. Sonic may have been planned to appear in Melee as well, and there was a large hoax about said game, claiming that Sonic and Tails could be unlocked.

Star Fox Series
Another well-known series. It is represented by Fox McCloud (all), Falco Lombardi (Melee, Brawl), and Wolf O'Donnell (Brawl).

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

Wario Series
A minor series, also a spin-off of the Mario series, this series has only its titular character representing it, Wario (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 || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Mario series
 * Captain Falcon || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || F-Zero series
 * Captain Olimar || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Pikmin series
 * Diddy Kong || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Donkey Kong series
 * Dr. Mario || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || Mario series
 * Donkey Kong || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Donkey Kong series
 * Falco Lombardi || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Star Fox series
 * Fox McCloud || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Star Fox series
 * Ganondorf || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Ice Climbers || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Ice Climber
 * Ike || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Fire Emblem series
 * Jigglypuff || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Pokémon series
 * King Dedede || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Kirby series
 * Kirby || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Kirby series
 * Link || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Lucario || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Pokémon series
 * Lucas || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || EarthBound/Mother series
 * Luigi || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Mario Bros. series
 * Mario || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Mario series
 * Marth || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Fire Emblem series
 * Meta Knight || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Kirby series
 * Mewtwo || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || Pokémon series
 * Mr. Game & Watch || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Game & Watch series
 * Ness || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || EarthBound/Mother series
 * Peach || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Mario series
 * Pit || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Kid Icarus series
 * Pichu || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || Pokémon series
 * Pikachu || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Pokémon series
 * Pokémon Trainer || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Pokémon series
 * R.O.B. || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Robot series
 * Roy || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || Fire Emblem series
 * Samus Aran || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Metroid series
 * Sheik || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Solid Snake || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Metal Gear Solid series
 * Sonic || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Sonic the Hedgehog series
 * Toon Link || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Wario || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || WarioWare series
 * Wolf O'Donnell || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Star Fox series
 * Yoshi || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Yoshi series
 * Young Link || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zelda || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zero Suit Samus || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Metroid series
 * }
 * Mewtwo || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || Pokémon series
 * Mr. Game & Watch || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Game & Watch series
 * Ness || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || EarthBound/Mother series
 * Peach || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Mario series
 * Pit || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Kid Icarus series
 * Pichu || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || Pokémon series
 * Pikachu || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Pokémon series
 * Pokémon Trainer || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Pokémon series
 * R.O.B. || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Robot series
 * Roy || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || Fire Emblem series
 * Samus Aran || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Metroid series
 * Sheik || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Solid Snake || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Metal Gear Solid series
 * Sonic || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Sonic the Hedgehog series
 * Toon Link || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Wario || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || WarioWare series
 * Wolf O'Donnell || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Star Fox series
 * Yoshi || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Yoshi series
 * Young Link || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zelda || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zero Suit Samus || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Metroid series
 * }
 * Sheik || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Solid Snake || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Metal Gear Solid series
 * Sonic || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Sonic the Hedgehog series
 * Toon Link || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Wario || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || WarioWare series
 * Wolf O'Donnell || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Star Fox series
 * Yoshi || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Yoshi series
 * Young Link || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zelda || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zero Suit Samus || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Metroid series
 * }
 * Yoshi || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Yoshi series
 * Young Link || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zelda || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zero Suit Samus || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Metroid series
 * }
 * Zelda || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || The Legend of Zelda series
 * Zero Suit Samus || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:X mark.png|17px]] || [[Image:Check_small.png|17px]] || Metroid series
 * }
 * }

Tier lists
There are Internet lists detailing how good (or bad) each of the characters in the game are, called Tier Lists. Many gamers trust the tiers and others don't.

SSB Tier List (as of September 28th, 2009)

S Tier


 * Pikachu
 * Kirby

A Tier


 * Kirby
 * Captain Falcon
 * Mario

B Tier


 * Yoshi
 * Donkey Kong
 * Jigglypuff
 * Ness

C Tier


 * Luigi
 * Link
 * Samus

Melee Tier List(as of October 14th, 2008. Also the last one)

Top Tier


 * Fox
 * Marth
 * Sheik
 * Falco

High Tier


 * Peach
 * Captain Falcon
 * Jigglypuff
 * Ice Climbers

Middle Tier


 * Samus
 * Dr. Mario
 * Ganondorf
 * Luigi
 * Donkey Kong
 * Mario

Low Tier


 * Link
 * Pikachu
 * Young Link
 * Roy
 * Zelda
 * Mr. Game & Watch

Bottom Tier


 * Ness
 * Yoshi
 * Bowser
 * Mewtwo
 * Kirby
 * Pichu

Brawl Tier List (as of June 5th, 2009)

S Tier


 * Meta Knight
 * Snake
 * Wario
 * Falco Lombardi
 * Diddy Kong
 * King Dedede

A Tier


 * Marth
 * Mr. Game & Watch
 * Pikachu
 * Olimar
 * R.O.B
 * Kirby

B Tier


 * Lucario
 * Zero Suit Samus
 * Toon Link
 * Pit
 * Donkey Kong

C Tier


 * Peach
 * Luigi
 * Fox McCloud
 * Wolf O'Donnell
 * Sonic the Hedgehog
 * Sheik

D Tier


 * Bowser
 * Zelda
 * Pokemon Trainer
 * Ike

E Tier


 * Lucas
 * Mario
 * Ness
 * Yoshi
 * Samus

F Tier


 * Jigglypuff
 * Captain Falcon
 * Link
 * Ganondorf