How Many Characters Are in Smash 4? A Deep Dive into the Roster
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, often referred to as Smash 4, boasts a total of 58 playable characters. This impressive roster is comprised of 51 characters available on the game disc and an additional 7 characters that were released as downloadable content (DLC). This mix of returning favorites and newcomers created a dynamic and diverse fighting experience, making Smash 4 a beloved entry in the Super Smash Bros. series.
Breakdown of the Smash 4 Roster
The initial 51 characters provided a wide variety of playstyles and represented various Nintendo franchises and a few third-party ones. This base roster included:
- Returning Veterans: A significant portion of the characters were veterans from previous Smash titles, including favorites from the original Super Smash Bros. 64, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
- Returning Cut Characters: Some fan-favorite characters who had been cut from the transition between Melee and Brawl, like Dr. Mario, Mewtwo, and Roy, made a welcome return.
- Newcomers: Twenty-one characters were completely new to the series, broadening the scope and appeal of the game by introducing iconic characters from different franchises.
- Third-Party Inclusion: Continuing the trend started in Brawl, Smash 4 included characters from non-Nintendo franchises, solidifying its status as a true crossover spectacle.
The addition of seven DLC characters further enriched the roster, providing players with even more options. These DLC additions were not included in the base game and required separate purchases to unlock.
The Significance of Smash 4’s Character Roster
The roster of Smash 4 was significant for several reasons:
- Balancing Act: The developers aimed to create a balanced roster, with each character possessing unique strengths and weaknesses.
- Franchise Representation: The diverse selection of characters allowed fans to play as their favorite characters from many different franchises, showcasing Nintendo’s rich history as well as some other iconic video game series.
- Community Engagement: The inclusion of both new and returning characters fueled community discussions, allowing for a variety of competitive strategies.
- Precursor to Ultimate: Smash 4 served as a precursor to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, paving the way for an even grander and more encompassing roster.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Smash 4 Characters
How many characters are playable on disc in Smash 4?
There are 51 characters playable on the base game disc of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. These characters are available to players from the start or can be unlocked through gameplay.
How many DLC characters were released for Smash 4?
A total of 7 characters were released as downloadable content (DLC) for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.
Which characters returned to Smash 4 after being cut from Brawl?
Dr. Mario, Mewtwo, and Roy returned to the series in Smash 4 after being absent in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
How many brand-new characters debuted in Smash 4?
There were 21 characters that were entirely new to the series, making their debut in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.
Was Pokémon Trainer playable in Smash 4?
No, the Pokémon Trainer was not a playable character in Smash 4. Squirtle and Ivysaur were also cut. However, Charizard returned as its own separate character. The Pokémon Trainer, Squirtle, and Ivysaur would later return in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
What was the significance of third-party characters in Smash 4?
The inclusion of third-party characters in Smash 4 continued a trend started in Brawl, showing a willingness to incorporate characters from different game companies into the series, emphasizing that Smash was becoming a true crossover experience.
How did Smash 4’s character roster compare to Brawl’s?
Smash 4 featured a significantly larger roster than Brawl, with several veterans returning and more third-party characters, adding a lot more variety to the fighting experience. Brawl did have the Pokémon Trainer and three Pokémon included, which were split into one character in Smash 4 (Charizard).
Did the DLC characters in Smash 4 alter the game balance?
The DLC characters added new dynamics and playstyles, and the community had much discussion about character strengths and weaknesses.
What are some of the most popular characters in Smash 4?
Popular characters varied depending on player preferences. However, characters like Mario, Link, Pikachu, Rosalina, and Greninja were favorites among players. Also characters like the returning cut characters Mewtwo and Roy were very popular.
How does Smash 4 compare to Ultimate in terms of the size of the roster?
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has a larger roster, featuring 89 playable characters compared to Smash 4’s 58. Ultimate is currently the Smash title with the most playable fighters.
How many echo fighters were in Smash 4?
Echo fighters were not a feature in Smash 4. This was introduced in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate where they have their own separate classification.
Were there any characters cut from the original Smash Bros. that returned in Smash 4?
No characters were cut from the original Super Smash Bros. and brought back in Smash 4. The characters that were cut between Melee and Brawl, Dr. Mario, Mewtwo, and Roy, did return.
Did the characters that were cut in Smash 4 make a return in later games?
Yes, characters like the Pokémon Trainer, Squirtle, and Ivysaur returned in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
How many female characters were in Smash 4?
The number of female characters in Smash 4 is less than 20, but it’s hard to give an exact number, as the game had characters that could be both male and female like the Villager or Robin
What does it mean for characters to be “on-disc” in Smash 4?
On-disc characters refer to those who were available in the base game when it was initially released. They do not require additional downloads or purchases.