Since its debut on the Nintendo 64, many gamers have enjoyed the Super Smash Bros. series as it jumped from console to console. But its most recent title on the Switch is also its most ambitious as it features every past character as well as many returning stages.
But despite the joy that some have received from the game, there are some that have demonstrated or experienced a handful of unnecessarily bad or odd habits from other players. Whether it's a rage quitter in local multiplayer or a spammer on the online modes.
Specific Controllers Only
While this may not be the biggest offender by Super Smash Bros. players, it is one that might affect casual Nintendo Switch players. Though the Joy-Cons, the Pro Controller, and third-party controllers are available for fans of the game, they don't quite cut it as well as the GameCube controller.
Those fortunate to have the Wii U's GameCube adaptor and the classic Nintendo controllers will be able to pick up and play as though it were the good ol' Super Smash Bros. Melee days. And while it's understandable why they want to play the game with this set-up, everyone seems to have their own preferences that might get in the way of casual and quick matches.
Spamming The Same Attacks
Perhaps one that can be shared with most fighting games, a spammer can really hinder any battle. Using only one move repetitively, this annoying maneuver has been seen as one of the least sporting actions in any fighting game.
With an easy control scheme to pick up and play, it's easy for anyone to press the same button over and over to do fireballs or punches. In a game that features so many characters and options, it's just a shame that it's easier for spammers to stomp on the fun.
Continuously Jumping
Another of the worst habits used in fighting games is the continuous jumper and they deliberately do this to avoid attacks. It's more annoying when they follow this with a kick attack, repeating the jump-kick technique while not experimenting with the other attack combos.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's roster doesn't just feature characters that jump. Some can glide, fly, and even use a dash in order to avoid being hit. And some skilled players can even remain on the stage and win a round by jumping all over the place. So its annoying when these extra moves aren't utilized.
No Items, No Spirits
While the Super Smash Bros. series has always featured fun items and features to fit anyone's playstyle, many players often stick to just the stages and characters to battle. From duking it out with Mario and Donkey Kong on Final Destination to using the best-ranked Pokémon fighters on Pokémon Stadium, many will agree on this as their favorite way to play. But they miss out on the opportunity to explore what the game has to offer.
Apart from items and Spirits to use for unique battles, the game also features other modes and ways to play. These range from stage morphing to Squad Strike and should not be missed by those looking to change things once in a while.
Rage Quitting
Many videos and compilations can be seen on YouTube of competitive Super Smash Bros. players rage quitting after being beaten out of the competition. While there are countless videos of other players from other fighting games with a similar exit, it's just not quite the same when someone gets defeated by a Pikachu and aggressively pulls out their GameCube controllers.
Despite these sometimes entertaining videos, they are a bad habit that doesn't reflect on all fans of this brilliant fighting game series. It's just a shame that some do feel the blow of their loss to a dramatic degree.
Bracket Manipulators
For the uninitiated, bracket manipulation refers to a player who tries to alter the results of a tournament for their own gain. This can range from a player purposely losing to let a friend win to dropping out to split the money with another player or players with better skills.
Despite the joy that this series has bought to people and helped to build strong friendships, it's a pity that others manipulate the tournaments these same people enter. While it hasn't happened too much with these games, there has been enough to add this to the list.
All Against One
Whether gamers will play it locally or online, multiplayer in this game has become bigger than ever with the biggest roster to date, over one hundred stages, and the ability to play with up to eight players. But with all this included, not everyone might play fairly.
Some will have undoubtedly been the target of multiple players trying to attack and knock out a player or two. While this might give others the edge, this is simply an attempt to gain a quick win rather than competing fairly and equally.
Kirby Jumpers
Despite the cute pink ball's appearance, Kirby has remained since the original game as a fan favorite fighter and opened his games up to new audiences, especially with his most recent game becoming the most anticipated Switch games for March 2022. He was even the only survivor in Ultimate's story mode too.
But there are some who will use Kirby's swallow ability to jump off the ledge while still holding an opponent in their mouths. This has always been a somewhat cheap tactic that many players hate. Especially as the power of Kirby and those that know how to use him well are a dangerous combination.
Meteor Smashers
A tricky technique for some to master, meteor smashing is when a well-timed downward attack is used on another player trying to reach the stage. If done correctly, they can knock them straight down and KO them.
One of the challenges to beat in order to complete the game requires players to use this technique, which gave some the opportunity to learn and master it before competing with other players. Despite giving players another string to their bow, it also created skilled spammers an advantage to win the game with it. With heavy-hitting fighters like Ike who can successfully do this technique, players will just have to keep an eye out on them.
Taunting and Trolling
Perhaps regarded as one of the worst habits of a Super Smash Bros. player is using taunts to troll opponents. From everyone on stage just taunting until someone moves first before time runs out to placing traps and using these emotes to coax others into them, these aren't great ways to start a match.
Heck, some taunts alone could catch people off guard, especially Luigi's down taunt being able to knock opponents hanging off a ledge if they aren't careful enough.