Best Super Smash Bros Rosters Ranked (July 2025 Analysis)

When I first booted up Super Smash Bros on the N64 back in 1999, I never imagined the franchise would evolve into the gaming phenomenon it has become today. From its humble beginnings with just 12 fighters to Ultimate's staggering 89-character roster, each Smash Bros game has delivered something unique. But which game truly has the best roster? Let me walk you through my definitive ranking of every Super Smash Bros roster, from the original to Ultimate.

Quick Overview: Super Smash Bros Roster Rankings

Before diving deep into each game, here's a quick breakdown of what makes each roster special:

Game	Total Characters	Key Features	Notable Additions
Super Smash Bros. (N64)	12	First-party only	Original cast
Melee	26	Expanded Nintendo roster	Fire Emblem debuts
Brawl	39	First third-party fighters	Sonic, Snake
3DS/Wii U	58 (with DLC)	Major third-party expansion	Cloud, Bayonetta
Ultimate	89	Everyone returns	Sora, Steve, Kazuya

Understanding What Makes a Great Smash Roster

When I evaluate a Smash Bros roster, I don't just count characters. Several key factors determine whether a roster truly stands out:

Diversity and Representation: A great roster needs variety. It should represent different gaming eras, genres, and companies. The best rosters make you feel like you're playing through gaming history itself.

Character Balance: Having 100 characters means nothing if only 10 are viable. The best rosters offer multiple playstyles while maintaining competitive balance.

Cultural Impact: Some rosters changed gaming forever. When Sonic joined Brawl, it ended the console wars in the most beautiful way possible.

Innovation: Each roster should bring something new to the table, whether through unique mechanics, unexpected additions, or gameplay innovations.

5. Super Smash Bros. (Nintendo 64) - The Foundation

The original Super Smash Bros laid the groundwork for everything that followed. With just 12 characters, it might seem limited by today's standards, but this roster was revolutionary for 1999.

The Original 12

Starting Roster:

• Mario
• Donkey Kong
• Link
• Samus
• Yoshi
• Kirby
• Fox
• Pikachu

Unlockable Fighters:

• Luigi
• Ness
• Captain Falcon
• Jigglypuff

What made this roster special wasn't its size but its curation. Director Masahiro Sakurai carefully selected characters that represented Nintendo's diverse catalog. You had platforming icons (Mario, Kirby), adventure heroes (Link, Samus), and even oddball choices like Ness from EarthBound.

Why It Ranks Fifth

While nostalgic and groundbreaking, the N64 roster shows its age. The limited selection means less variety in playstyles, and the absence of villains (besides arguably DK) feels like a missed opportunity. However, its focused approach created a balanced experience where every character felt essential.

Check out our comprehensive Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tier List to see how these original fighters stack up in the latest game!

4. Super Smash Bros. Brawl - The Game Changer

Brawl's roster represents a pivotal moment in Smash history. With 39 playable fighters (including transformations), it introduced concepts that would define the series' future.

Revolutionary Third-Party Additions

The inclusion of Sonic the Hedgehog and Solid Snake changed everything. For the first time, non-Nintendo characters joined the battle, opening doors that seemed impossible to open. I still remember the internet exploding when Sonic was revealed – it was like witnessing gaming history.

Notable Newcomers:

• Meta Knight (became competitively dominant)
• King Dedede (first major villain)
• Diddy Kong (expanded DK representation)
• Pit (revived after 20 years)
• Wario (with unique WarioWare moveset)
• Snake (first M-rated character)
• Sonic (ended the console wars)

Subspace Emissary Impact

Brawl's adventure mode gave every character meaningful screen time, making even obscure fighters feel important. Characters like R.O.B. and Mr. Game & Watch gained new fans through their story roles.

The Controversy

Despite its innovations, Brawl ranks fourth due to several issues:

• Slower, floatier gameplay that divided the community
• The infamous tripping mechanic
• Some questionable cuts (Mewtwo, Roy)
• Balance issues with Meta Knight's dominance

3. Super Smash Bros. Melee - The Competitive Classic

Released in 2001, Melee expanded the roster to 26 fighters while introducing mechanics that would make it a competitive mainstay for over two decades.

The Golden Additions

Melee's newcomers read like a Nintendo hall of fame:

• Marth and Roy - Introduced Fire Emblem to the West
• Mewtwo - The legendary Pokémon fans demanded
• Ganondorf - Zelda finally got its main villain
• Falco - Fox's rival with distinct playstyle
• Ice Climbers - Unique duo mechanic

Why Pros Still Play Melee

The roster's tight design and character interactions created unintended depth. Techniques like wavedashing and L-canceling gave characters like Fox, Falco, and Marth incredible potential. Even today, the meta of Smash Ultimate has begun to see some large scale changes, but Melee's meta continues evolving after 20+ years.

Clone Concerns

Melee introduced the concept of clone characters (Falco, Ganondorf, Young Link, Pichu, Dr. Mario, Roy), which padded the roster but lacked originality. This prevents it from ranking higher despite its legendary status.

For modern tier lists and competitive insights, visit our Marvel Rivals Tier List to see how fighting game metas evolve!

2. Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U - The Impossible Dreams

Smash 4 (as the community calls it) pushed boundaries with 58 total fighters including DLC. This roster proved that anything was possible in Smash Bros.

The Guest List That Broke the Internet

Base Game Surprises:

• Mega Man - Capcom's blue bomber returns
• Pac-Man - Gaming's first mascot
• Palutena - Kid Icarus gets expanded representation
• Robin - Fire Emblem with unique magic mechanics
• Shulk - Xenoblade Chronicles arrives
• Duck Hunt - Retro NES representation

DLC Game-Changers:

• Ryu - Street Fighter enters Smash
• Cloud - The impossible dream from FF7
• Bayonetta - Fan ballot winner
• Corrin - Fire Emblem Fates promotion

Why Cloud Changed Everything

Iconic characters like Cloud showing up were thought to be impossible, since Nintendo had no real connection to games like Final Fantasy VII on the PlayStation. But now all bets were off, and every character the fans could think of was fair game.

Character Variety Peak

Smash 4's roster excelled in offering diverse playstyles:

• Rushdown (Little Mac, Fox)
• Zoners (Villager, Duck Hunt)
• Grapplers (Bowser, DK)
• Puppeteers (Rosalina, Olimar)
• Stance characters (Shulk, Robin)

The Minor Setbacks

Custom moves never caught on competitively, and some cuts (Ice Climbers, Snake, Wolf) disappointed fans. The split between 3DS and Wii U versions also created roster parity issues.

1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - The Definitive Experience

Ultimate earns its name with the most complete fighting game roster ever assembled. "Everyone is Here" wasn't just marketing – it was a promise fulfilled.

The Complete Package

Ultimate features 89 playable fighters, including all characters from previous Super Smash Bros. games as well as newcomers. The roster ranges from Nintendo characters to those from third-party franchises.

Base Game Newcomers:

• Inkling - Splatoon representation
• Ridley - Too big no more
• Simon/Richter - Castlevania arrives
• King K. Rool - DK's nemesis finally
• Isabelle - Animal Crossing expands
• Incineroar - Gen 7 Pokémon
• Piranha Plant - Unexpected oddball

DLC Fighters Pass Vol. 1:

• Joker - Persona 5 surprise
• Hero - Dragon Quest legacy
• Banjo & Kazooie - N64 nostalgia
• Terry - SNK fighting heritage
• Byleth - Fire Emblem Three Houses

DLC Fighters Pass Vol. 2:

• Min Min - ARMS representation
• Steve - Minecraft phenomenon
• Sephiroth - FF7 villain
• Pyra/Mythra - Xenoblade 2
• Kazuya - Tekken crossover
• Sora - The final key

Current Competitive Meta

According to the latest tier lists, Steve was found to still be the top character, no question, after 62 of 93 panellists ranked him at the top. The current S-tier includes:

• Steve
• Sonic
• Snake
• Mr. Game & Watch
• R.O.B.
• Pyra & Mythra

Why Ultimate Reigns Supreme

1. Complete History: Every past fighter returns
2. Incredible Guests: From Minecraft to Kingdom Hearts
3. Balanced Gameplay: Most viable competitive roster
4. Content Depth: 100+ stages, 1000+ music tracks
5. Active Support: Updates and DLC through 2021

As of March 31, 2025, total sales reached 36.24 million, making it the best-selling fighting game ever.

Competitive Viability: How Rosters Stack Up

When evaluating rosters competitively, balance becomes crucial. Here's how each game's roster performs in tournament settings:

Tournament Presence (2025)

Melee: Still active with dedicated events. Top tier dominated by Fox, Marth, Jigglypuff, Falco.

Ultimate: Largest competitive scene. Luigi, Olimar, Hero, Donkey Kong, and Kirby all rose by at least 10 spots from the 2024 tier list, showing an evolving meta.

Brawl: Mostly retired due to Meta Knight dominance and gameplay issues.

Smash 4: Largely replaced by Ultimate, though some unique mechanics are missed.

64: Niche but passionate scene, especially in Japan and Peru.

Want to improve your competitive game? Check our Zenless Zone Zero Tier List for insights on character ranking methodology!

Evolution of Third-Party Representation

The journey from Nintendo-only to gaming celebration deserves special attention:

Pre-Brawl Era (1999-2007)

• 100% first-party Nintendo characters
• Rumors of Sonic were dismissed as impossible

Brawl Era (2008)

• 2 third-party guests (5% of roster)
• Strict "must have appeared on Nintendo console" rule

Smash 4 Era (2014-2016)

• 6 third-party (10% of roster)
• Rule relaxed for Cloud

Ultimate Era (2018-2021)

• 18+ third-party (20% of roster)
• Characters from Microsoft, Square Enix, SNK, more

Impact on Gaming Culture

Each roster left its mark on gaming:

N64: Proved crossover fighters could work Melee: Created competitive gaming community Brawl: Showed third-parties were possible 3DS/Wii U: Made impossible dreams reality Ultimate: Became gaming's hall of fame

Fan Favorites vs. Competitive Picks

There's often a disconnect between popular and viable characters:

Most Requested Who Made It

• King K. Rool (Ultimate)
• Ridley (Ultimate)
• Banjo & Kazooie (Ultimate DLC)
• Sora (Ultimate DLC)
• Cloud (Smash 4 DLC)

Still Waiting

• Waluigi
• Geno
• Master Chief
• Crash Bandicoot
• Rayman

The Future of Smash Rosters

Just recently, the Switch 2 was released worldwide. We imagine that there will be a new entry in the Super Smash Bros. series on this new console at some point. What could the next roster look like?

Potential Challenges

• Licensing 89+ characters again seems impossible
• "Everyone is Here" set unrealistic expectations
• Balancing becomes harder with each addition

Likely Approach

• Smaller, curated roster (40-50 characters)
• Focus on gameplay innovation
• New third-party partnerships
• Potential reboot with reimagined movesets

Building Your Perfect Team

Regardless of which game you play, here are tips for roster selection:

1. Learn Multiple Archetypes: Don't just main rushdown characters
2. Have a Counterpick: Every character has bad matchups
3. Practice Fundamentals: Good spacing works with any roster
4. Watch Tournaments: See how pros utilize characters
5. Have Fun: Tier lists aren't everything

For character strategies across different games, explore our Marvel Strike Force Tier List for team-building insights!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Smash game has the biggest roster?

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate holds the record with 89 playable characters (including Echo Fighters and DLC). This includes every character from previous games plus new additions.

What was the first third-party character in Smash?

Snake from Metal Gear Solid was technically revealed first for Brawl, but Sonic the Hedgehog generated more buzz as the first true rival mascot to join Nintendo's roster.

Why do people still play Melee competitively?

Melee's fast-paced gameplay, high skill ceiling, and unique mechanics like wavedashing create a competitive depth that many players prefer. Its roster, while smaller, offers incredibly nuanced character interactions.

Will there be more DLC for Ultimate?

No, Sora was confirmed as the final DLC character. Sakurai said his work for Ultimate is finally complete after the Sora amiibo release.

Which roster is best for beginners?

Ultimate offers the most options and modern quality-of-life features, making it ideal for newcomers. However, the original N64 version's smaller roster can be less overwhelming for absolute beginners.

How are tier lists determined?

Through playing the game for hundreds of hours as and against the full roster, we considered strengths and weaknesses when putting together our tier list. Tournament results, frame data, and matchup spreads all factor in.

Can I play as Master Chief in Smash?

Not currently. While Microsoft characters like Banjo and Steve have joined, Master Chief remains a popular fan request for future games.

Which game has the most clone characters?

Melee introduced the most clones with 6 characters sharing significant moves with others. Ultimate refined these into "Echo Fighters" with more distinctions.

Is Waluigi playable in any Smash game?

Waluigi appears only as an Assist Trophy and in various non-playable roles. His absence from playable rosters remains a community meme.

What makes Ultimate's roster special?

Beyond size, Ultimate achieved the impossible by bringing back every character in series history while adding ambitious newcomers like Steve and Sora.

Final Verdict: Every Roster Has Its Moment

After analyzing every aspect, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate undeniably has the best roster. It's not just about numbers – it's about delivering on a promise that seemed impossible. When Sakurai announced "Everyone is Here," fans thought it was too good to be true. Yet Ultimate delivered that and more, adding dream characters like Sora, Banjo, and Steve.

But here's the thing: every Smash roster was perfect for its time. The N64 original proved the concept could work. Melee created a competitive phenomenon. Brawl broke down walls between companies. Smash 4 made impossible dreams possible. And Ultimate? It's the culmination of everything – a celebration of gaming itself.

Whether you're practicing wavedashes in Melee, exploring Subspace in Brawl, or mastering Steve's building mechanics in Ultimate, each roster offers something special. The best Smash roster is ultimately the one you're playing with friends, creating memories that last long after the game ends.