At its core, "Smash" is a platform fighter. Unlike traditional fighting games like Street Fighter where you're trying to deplete a health bar, in Smash, the goal is to knock your opponent off the screen. The more damage a character takes (represented as a percentage), the further they fly when hit.

It’s called "Ultimate" because it includes every single character that has ever appeared in the 25-year history of the series, plus a bunch of new ones. It’s a massive digital museum of gaming history. If your kid is calling a move "totally Ohio" because it’s weird or glitchy, or if they’re obsessed with "maining" (playing primarily as) a specific character, they’re participating in a massive cultural touchstone for Gen Alpha.

Ask our chatbot about how Smash Bros compares to other fighting games

Imagine if every Marvel hero, every Disney princess, and the cast of Bluey all showed up in one movie to settle a grudge. That’s the appeal here. Kids can have Steve from Minecraft fight Pikachu from Pokemon Scarlet while Link from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom watches from the background.

Smash is one of those rare games that follows the "easy to pick up, hard to master" rule. A 6-year-old can mash buttons and have a blast because the characters stay on screen pretty easily. But a 14-year-old can spend hundreds of hours learning "frame data" and "teching" (advanced moves) to compete at a high level. It grows with them.

In middle school circles, being "the kid who is good at Smash" is a legitimate social status. It’s the game that comes out at every birthday party or sleepover. It supports up to 8 players on one screen, making it one of the few games that actually encourages physical, in-person social interaction.

The character your kid chooses says a lot about their digital diet. Here are a few of the heavy hitters you’ll see on the screen:

The safe bets. Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser are the backbone of the game. They are well-balanced and familiar.

This was a huge deal when it was announced. Steve plays differently than everyone else—he actually has to "mine" materials from the floor of the stage to build blocks and craft weapons. It’s a bit complex, but kids who love Minecraft will gravitate toward him instantly.

There are a ton of Pokemon in this game, from Pikachu and Charizard to more obscure ones like Incineroar and Lucario. If your kid is into the Pokemon TCG, they’ll love seeing their cards come to life.

Sonic is the fastest character in the game, which can be incredibly annoying to play against. If your kid "mains" Sonic, they likely enjoy being a bit of a pest to their siblings during matches.

Check out our guide on the best Nintendo Switch games for kids

Official Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10+) Screenwise Recommendation: Ages 7+

The E10+ rating is mostly due to "Cartoon Violence" and "Comic Mischief."

There is no blood. There are no fatalities. When a character loses, they simply disappear in a flash of light and then reappear on a "respawn platform" or, if the match is over, they are shown politely clapping for the winner on the results screen. It’s very sportsmanlike for a game about punching Kirby into the stratosphere.

This is where parents need to pay attention. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has an online mode. Nintendo is notoriously protective (and sometimes frustratingly limited) with social features.

Nintendo is generally better than Roblox or Fortnite when it comes to "draining the bank account," but Smash has its own temptations.

There are two "Fighters Passes" that add new characters (like Sora from Kingdom Hearts or Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII). These cost real money (around $25-$30 each). If your kid says they "need" a character to stay competitive, they’re usually talking about these DLC packs.

These are physical figurines that you can tap on the controller to bring a "figure player" into the game. They’re cool collectibles, but they aren't necessary for gameplay. However, they are a very effective "I want that" trap at Target or Best Buy.

Learn more about how Nintendo handles in-game purchases

In gaming lingo, a "sweaty" player is someone who is trying incredibly hard to win, often at the expense of fun. Smash has a massive "sweaty" subculture.

If your kid starts watching YouTube videos about "Smash Ultimate Tier Lists" or "Pro Player Highlights," they are entering the competitive scene. This isn't necessarily bad—it teaches discipline, practice, and hand-eye coordination. But it can also lead to a hyper-fixation on winning.

How to talk about it: Ask them: "Who is your main?" and "Why do you like playing as them?" If they say, "Because Steve is top-tier and his frame-trap is broken," they are deep in the competitive weeds. If they say, "Because I like it when the pink puffball turns into a rock," they are just having fun. Both are fine, but the former might need more "wellness checks" regarding their frustration levels.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is one of the "Greatest Hits" of modern parenting. It’s a high-quality, polished game that lacks the predatory loot boxes of FIFA or the safety concerns of Roblox.

It’s a great way for siblings to play together—provided they can handle the occasional loss without throwing a Joy-Con. If you’re looking for a game that will stay relevant for years rather than weeks, this is the one.

Check out our guide on setting up Nintendo Switch parental controls