Super Smash Bros is one of those games that you never really forget. So influential was the original series that it shaped an entire niche for itself that few other games have ever been able to gain a foothold in. Though the knockoffs were many, only a mere handful were ever able to capture their own sense of individuality while embracing the same platformer-brawler gameplay that made Super Smash Bros so special. Down below we sifted through the muck to find the few nuggets of gold that are worth a look for anyone looking for a game like Super Smash Bros.
Brawlhalla
- Released: 2017
- Developer: Blue Mammoth Games
- Platform: Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS
- Price: Free
Brawlhalla is a massively popular, 2D love letter to all things Smash! It has over 50 playable heroes doing battle on an array of dynamic, platformer arenas and uses the same signature knockback mechanic to KO players off the map. The gameplay is faster, and the arenas even more compact than Super Smash Bros, but is otherwise one of the closest Smash-likes that has managed to carve out its own distinct personality and immense player base. And it’s so good on mobile, too.
Download Brawlhalla: Steam | PS4 | Xbox One | Switch | Android | iOS
Rivals of Aether
- Released: 2017
- Developer: Dan Fornace
- Platform: Windows, Xbox One
- Price: $14.99
Something like Avatar: The Last Airbender meets Super Smash Bros, Rivals of Aether employs a 2D style and smaller roster of playable characters, called “Rivals”, but finds depth in the elemental combat system. One of the best features of Rivals of Aether is its unique integration with the Steam Workshop, which allows you to play community-created custom characters.
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Rivals of Aether also sports one of the most extensive, lesson-based training programs of any game out there. Perfect for fans of Super Smash Bros gameplay but who want more storyline and like the idea of an elemental dimension to the combat system.
Download Rivals of Aether: Steam | Xbox One
Brawlout
- Released: 2017
- Developer: Angry Mob Games
- Platform: Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Price: $19.99
Brawlout is a well-balanced, fully rendered platform brawler and one of the better looking of the Smash-likes. There are 25 playable characters to choose from, with a few special guests from other IPs like Dead Cells and Guacamelee.
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The game is centered heavily around a combo system without any grabs or blocks, changing up combat in some ways while preserving the fun, compact madness of the original Super Smash Bros. Anybody who wants something that feels more polished than a cheap Smash knockoff would do well to check out Brawlout.
Download Brawlout: Steam | PS4 | Xbox One | Switch
Rocket Arena
- Released: 2020
- Developer: Final Strike Games
- Platform: Windows, PS4, Xbox One
- Price: $29.99
Rocket Arena is a hero shooter that borrows elements of games like Overwatch and Paladins and combines them with the Smash Bros knockback gameplay. Instead of a sidelong view, the game is a third-person shooter in which all characters fire rockets of some variety and employ their own distinct playstyles.
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Rocket Arena is an excellent choice for fans of hero shooters like Team Fortress 2 who want to see it merged with Super Smash Bros. Just try to get it on sale, for the current playerbase and content for the newly released game doesn’t live up the price tag just yet.
Download Rocket Arena: Steam | PS4 | Xbox One
Super Smash Flash 2
- Released: 2017
- Developer: McleodGaming
- Platform: Windows, Mac
- Price: Free
Super Smash Flash 2 is exactly what the name suggests: a flash remake of the original Super Smash Brothers. That might sound outdated to you — I mean, it’s 2020 and the PS5 and Xbox Series X are dropping imminently — but know that every facet of the game was made with love by longtime fans of the project and it sports a healthy playerbase to this day. And heck, it’s got Dragonball Z characters in it, for crying out loud! What more could you want from a faithful Super Smash Bros clone?
Download Super Smash Flash: McleodGaming
Towerfall Ascension
- Released: 2013
- Developer: Matt Makes Games
- Platform: Windows, Linux, macOS, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Price: $14.99
A little bit of Mario, a little bit of Super Smash Bros, and even some Worms come together to make the charming and compact Towerfall Ascension. The game pits a handful of players against each other on a super tiny, pixelated map with a couple arrows each.
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The most distinct features of gameplay are the instadeath mechanic (no, there’s no knockback here) and super limited ammo system that has you thinking twice about every shot — especially since every missed arrow is one for your opponent to pick up. Towerfall Ascension is perfect for people who want to try a different sort of Platformer brawl with simple but surprisingly deep gameplay.
Download Towerfall Ascension: Steam | PS4 | Xbox One | Switch
Lethal League
- Released: 2014
- Developer: Team Reptile
- Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4, Xbox One
- Price: $13.99
Lethal League is like Super Smash Bros meets Pong. Sounds lame, but it’s hyper-addictive. In Lethal League, you don’t actually attack your opponents directly but rather deflect a ball back at them — with each successive deflection speeding it up, and a single hit causing instant death. It’s a simple gameplay system that feels like crack as soon as the ball is ricocheting all across the arena and both you and your opponents are doing their best to be the last one hit.
Download Lethal League: Steam | PS4 | Xbox One
Playstation All-Stars
- Released: 2012
- Developer: Superbot Entertainment, Bluepoint games
- Platform: Playstation 3
- Price: $9.99
Playstation All-Stars was Sony’s attempt to answer the Super Smash Bros niche that the former had carved out for itself, and while the game no longer has the online multiplayer support it once enjoyed, the game can be fun for PS3 owners looking to hearken back to the days of couch co-op.
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Like Super Smash Bros, the aim of the game is to knock everyone else off the map, but it does so with a different combat system that has players collecting “AP” orbs to gain access to more powerful attacks and special moves. It has a bunch of the stars from the Playstation exclusives, like Kratos from God of War and Ratchet from Ratchet and Clank. All around, it’s cheap and worth the ten bucks for some fun local multiplayer.
Download Playstation All-Stars: PS3
Gang Beasts
- Released: 2014
- Developer: Boneloaf, Coatsink
- Platform: Windows, Linux, macOS, Xbox One, PS4
- Price: $19.99
Gang Beasts is a slapstick multiplayer party brawler that’s great fun for friends but can feel a little lame when flying solo. Combat takes place on a colorful set of stages set in the rather conspicuously named Beef City, with the object of the game to use your gelatinous body to beat other players unconscious and then throw off the stage or into one of the numerous hazards present.
The gameplay is silly and a lot of fun with friends, but it’s sort of buggy and a seeming lack of meaningful attention from the developers in the years since its release has turned a lot of players off. If you happen to catch it on sale, definitely go for it. It’s worth it for a couple of laughs at least.
Download Gang Beasts: Steam | PS4 | Xbox One | Switch
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
- Released: 2018
- Developer: Bandai Namco, Sora
- Platform: Nintendo Switch
- Price: $59.99
Well. It’s Super Smash Bros. It’s the original game but remade from scratch using modern capabilities and with a few added features. Gameplay, thankfully, maintains the exact formula that made the series what is and as a result stands as one of the most successful Switch games of all time, outselling even Breath of the Wild in Japan.
The game has received near-universal praise from critics and the millions of fans currently enjoying the online multiplayer feature and anybody with a Switch looking to take a dip in the nostalgia pool would be insane to go with anything but Super Smash Bros’ latest iteration.
Download Super Smash Bros: Switch
Super Smash Bros (Emulated)
- Released: 1999
- Developer: Nintendo
- Platform: PC
- Price: Free (technically speaking)
If truly nothing else scratches your Super Smash Bros itch, you could always go with the OG Nintendo 64 or Gamecube versions on an emulator. It is, quite literally, Super Smash Bros, and seems to perform well on both the Dolphin and Project 64 emulators with a substantial and active fan base.
- Download Super Smash Bros ROM: Nintendo 64 | Gamecube
- Download Dolphin Emulator
- Download Project 64 Emulator
Well, what do you think? Know any other good Super Smash Bros-like games missing from the list? Any here that you wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole? Let us know down below. We’re all ears.
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