Games that resemble the Super Smash Bros. series have recently begun to emerge following the release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's final DLC fighter. These new titles offer companies besides Nintendo the chance to enjoy a similar success to Smash Bros. using their own intellectual properties and characters. However, the timing of these Smash-like games begs the question: why has it taken until now for competitors to release their own answer to Super Smash Bros.?
Many games are compared to Smash Bros. because of shared game mechanics. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, for example, is a platform fighting game like Smash, requiring combatants to knock each other out of stage boundaries to win. Additionally, the game follows Smash in its use of damage percentages and lives-per-match as opposed to a more traditional fighting game life bar. Moreover, All-Star Brawl is a crossover between various Nickelodeon shows, just as Smash borrows characters from different game franchises.
The end of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's development has likely played a role in the recent surge of Smash-like games. In a period in time with no further DLC characters and the future of Smash Bros. uncertain, companies may have seen an opportunity to introduce their own alternative to Smash. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl notably launched on October 5th, the same day as the reveal of Smash Ultimate's final DLC character. Moreover, an end to the consistent conversation and news surrounding Smash could allow other games a chance to garner attention. The platform fighter PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale was frequently compared to Smash Bros. upon release and received high-to-average reviews, such as a 7.5/10 from GameInformer. By not having to share the spotlight with Smash Bros., games such as this may be judged more on their own merits.
Companies Making Smash Bros.-Like Games Own More IPs Now
Additionally, Smash-like games like the rumored Warner Bros. fighting game could succeed due to the numerous properties they might feature. A company like WB that has acquired numerous IPs over the last few years could create a Smash-like game with enough characters for an incredibly diverse roster. According to rumors, this upcoming Warner Bros. fighting game will feature the likes of Shaggy from Scooby-Doo and Gandalf from Lord of the Rings. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl also makes use of this tactic, crafting a roster containing not only classic Nickelodeon characters like Ren and Stimpy but newer ones as well, such as Lincoln Loud from 2016's The Loud House. Companies waiting to amass further IPs would explain why Smash-like games are coming out presently, as opposed to in years past.
Still, just being similar to Smash Bros. is not enough to make a game successful. Given how PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale was seen as a Smash clone, games like Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl and the alleged Warner Bros. fighting game need features and mechanics that make them stand apart from the style popularized by Smash. Still, with the Smash Bros. series on hold for the foreseeable future, this may be an opportunity for Smash-like games to succeed.