In a recent video upload, Masahiro Sakurai recently talked about how the terms “average” and “mediocre” really mean the same thing when it comes to fine tuning character parameters and traits. Sakurai mentions how, when developing an entry within the Super Smash Bros. series, the balance team and testers tend to propose all sorts of changes.
However, Sakurai is adamant that the idea of shoring up shortcoming while toning down advantages isn’t always the best way to go about achieving balance. As making every average doesn’t really make for a fun game, Sakurai instead tends to encourage the team to emphasize shortcomings to offset character strengths.
Mario vs. Mario is naturally going to be a balanced match up in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Of course, if this were the only match up in the game, then it wouldn’t be quite as exciting.
From here, Sakurai would even note that one of the main reasons why fans enjoy new fighter reveals is due to the unique traits that they bring to the game. The roster wouldn’t be special if there weren’t individual differences between the fighters.
However, this type of design can have some consequences. Ultimately, players from around the world will perceive certain characters being stronger or weaker than others due to their traits.
“The internet can tend to be an echo chamber of sorts, so if people start saying something is strong or weak, that assessment will gain momentum and make people think it’s truer than it is,” stated Sakurai. “Still, those differences in values lead to different choices and a richer experience. If people want to prove their point, they’re best off settling it in an actual match, I’d say.”
Following this, Sakurai then addressed the concern that making characters too different like this could affect a game’s competitive balance. To demonstrate his point, Sakurai gave us a few details about online win rates for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, though he noted that he couldn’t get into specifics.
According to Sakurai, the character with the highest win rate in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has a win rate of 51.43%. On the other hand, the supposed weakest fighter has a win rate of 47.18%.
Sakurai states that this is evidence that just about any character can win in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Supposedly, it would be difficult to narrow down the range any further.
Of course, it should be noted that Sakurai doesn’t mention that if this data is exclusively for 1v1 matches or if it includes other rulesets such as free-for-all with items turned on. Still, it’s interesting data nonetheless.
Check it all out in the video below: