Who Is the Oldest Smash Character? Unveiling the Age of Nintendo’s Icons
The world of Super Smash Bros. is a vibrant tapestry of characters from across Nintendo’s history, each with their own unique stories and legacies. Among this diverse roster, one question frequently pops up: Who is the oldest Smash character? The answer, surprisingly, isn’t a character with deep lore or ancient origins; instead, it’s the retro-minimalist icon, Mr. Game & Watch.
Mr. Game & Watch’s origins trace back to Nintendo’s handheld LCD games of the early 1980s. He first debuted in the game Ball, released on April 28, 1980. This makes him the oldest character represented in the Super Smash Bros. franchise in terms of real-world debut. His simple, 2D sprite design harkens back to a simpler era of gaming, making him a truly unique inclusion in the roster of modern 3D models. He’s a living relic of gaming history, fighting alongside characters decades his junior.
While some characters boast complex backstories and mythologies within their respective universes, Mr. Game & Watch’s age comes from his existence as an actual representation of the very early days of gaming itself. His appearance in the Smash series isn’t tied to a specific narrative, but rather serves as a celebration of Nintendo’s rich heritage and the evolution of video game technology.
Delving Deeper: The Age of Smash Characters
While Mr. Game & Watch holds the title for the oldest character based on first game appearance, it’s crucial to distinguish between real-world debut and in-universe chronology. Many characters, like Link from the Legend of Zelda series, have in-game timelines that span centuries or even millennia. However, when we ask about the “oldest” character in Smash, we are specifically considering the age of their first video game debut. Mr. Game & Watch’s creation in 1980 firmly secures his position at the top of this list.
Beyond Mr. Game & Watch
Understanding the concept of “oldest” also leads to the intriguing concept of the youngest and most current character within the Smash Bros. universe. In this case, the youngest character in the Super Smash Bros. franchise is Isabelle, the friendly Shih Tzu from the Animal Crossing series. While her debut is more recent than many others in Smash, her presence shows the wide range of characters and their different eras that make up this epic crossover title. This juxtaposition, a character born in the LCD era battling alongside the mascot of a modern life simulator, makes the roster feel truly diverse.
It’s also important to distinguish that the age of a Smash character is completely separate from the age of a player in the competitive scene. There are many veteran players who compete at high levels. The article mentions players like Kage (born in 1985), Amsah (born in 1986), and Hugs (born in 1986) for Melee, and Choco (born in 1988), Rich Brown (born in 1989), and Larry Lurr (born in 1990) for Smash 4/Ultimate. These individuals show that skill and dedication are independent of age within the game’s player base.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions (FAQs) to further explore topics related to character ages and other aspects of Super Smash Bros.:
1. Who was the first character in Super Smash Bros.?
The first Super Smash Bros. game, released on the Nintendo 64, featured Mario, Donkey Kong, Link, Samus, Yoshi, Kirby, Fox, and Pikachu as the initial eight playable characters.
2. Who is the youngest character in Smash?
The youngest character in the Super Smash Bros. franchise is Isabelle, from the Animal Crossing series.
3. What are the most noob-friendly characters to play in Smash Ultimate?
For new players, Mario, Captain Falcon, and Ganondorf are often recommended as they have relatively straightforward movesets and are easy to pick up.
4. Who is considered the greatest overall Smash Bros. player of all time?
Mew2King is often considered the greatest overall Smash Bros. player of all time due to his consistent high-level performance across multiple titles.
5. Who are the “Five Gods” of Melee?
The “Five Gods” of Melee are Armada, Hungrybox, Mango, Mew2King, and PPMD. They dominated the competitive scene for much of the game’s history.
6. Who is the “Godslayer” of Melee and why?
Leffen is considered the “Godslayer” of Melee for defeating all five of the Five Gods in tournament play, and for outplacing three of them.
7. Who is the father of Super Smash Bros.?
Masahiro Sakurai is the creator of the Kirby and Super Smash Bros. franchises, making him the “father” of Smash.
8. Is King Boo playable in Smash?
King Boo is not officially a playable character in any official Super Smash Bros. game. There are mods that may include him as a playable character in modded versions of the game.
9. Is PPMD still actively competing?
PPMD took a hiatus from competitive play in 2016 due to health issues. While he hasn’t competed in singles tournaments since, he has not officially retired.
10. How old is Hero from Dragon Quest in Smash?
The version of Hero featured in Smash is 18 years old, based on the story of Dragon Quest XI.
11. How old is Fatality, the famous Smash player?
Fatality’s birthday is Aug 07, 1994, making him 29 years old.
12. How old is Roy from Smash?
Roy from Fire Emblem is fifteen years old.
13. Why is Smash Ultimate rated E10+?
Smash Ultimate is rated E10+ because it features some special moves and some characters wear revealing outfits, but contains no blood, gore, or strong language.
14. What is meant by GOAT in the context of Smash?
GOAT stands for Greatest Of All Time, and is an informal title given to a player who is considered the best to ever compete in a particular field.
15. What is the controversy surrounding Cinnpie and Puppeh in the Smash community?
The controversy involved Cinnamon “Cinnpie” Dunson being accused of manipulating and sexually using Puppeh when Puppeh was 14 years old. This occurred back in 2016.
Conclusion
The Super Smash Bros. franchise is much more than just a fighting game. It’s a celebration of Nintendo’s history, bringing together characters from across decades of gaming. Understanding the different contexts of “age” within this game—from character debut dates to player histories—adds to the rich tapestry of the game. Mr. Game & Watch, as the oldest character based on his initial game appearance, embodies the timeless nature of video game history, demonstrating that the spirit of classic gaming can thrive even within the most modern of crossover events.