It’s been over five years since Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was launched. We typically see character diversity diminish over time for competitive games that have lasted as long as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
However, over half of the roster ended up seeing representation at Kagaribi 12 this weekend, a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate event in Japan with around 2,030 entrants registered to compete. Even if the game’s balance isn’t perfect, that’s a pretty good sign that things are still looking relatively balanced this late into the game’s lifespan.
As is typical of these sort of events, R.O.B. ended up being the most popular character with seven players using him as their main one one more had the Robotic Operating Buddy on standby as a secondary.
Steve ended up being the second most represented in the top 64 portion of the bracket. What’s interesting is that neither Steve nor R.O.B. were able to win the tournament.
Thanks to the efforts of FENNEL|Miya, Mr. Game & Watch proved to be the best character this weekend with his first place finish at the event. Of course, the 2D fighter was only used by one other player in the top 64.
Similarly, E36|Hurt had a fantastic run with Snake by securing second place. He was the only player to use Snake this far into the bracket.
Ultimately, 48 out of the roster’s 86 characters saw usage at this major tournament. Check out the character usage stats below:
• R.O.B. — 7 (1)
• Steve — 5
• Joker — 3
• Roy — 2 (2)
• Diddy Kong — 2 (2)
• Luigi — 2 (1)
• Mr. Game & Watch — 2
• Bayonetta — 2
• Sonic — 2
• Mario — 2
• Donkey Kong — 2
• Fox — 2
• Ken — 2
• Pyra & Mythra — 1 (1)
• Sora — 1 (1)
• Olimar — 1 (1)
• Byleth — 1 (1)
• Falco — 1 (1)
• Toon Link — 1
• Ryu — 1
• Hero — 1
• Snake — 1
• Min Min — 1
• Pokémon Trainer — 1
• Villager — 1
• Dark Pit — 1
• Zelda — 1
• Wario — 1
• Pac-Man — 1
• Young Link — 1
• Samus — 1
• Robin — 1
• Chrom — 1
• Cloud — 1
• Yoshi — 1
• Jigglypuff — 1
• Bowser — 1
• Ness — 1
• Shulk — 1
• Corrin — 1
• Peach — 1
• Banjo-Kazooie — 1
• Kazuya — 0 (2)
• Sephiroth — 0 (1)
• Pit — 0 (1)
• Dark Samus — 0 (1)
• Palutena — 0 (1)
• Isabelle — 0 (1)
• Zero Suit Samus — 0
• Terry Bogard — 0
• Rosalina & Luma — 0
• Ice Climbers — 0
• Greninja — 0
• Richter Belmont — 0
• Wolf — 0
• Sheik — 0
• Mega Man — 0
• Incineroar — 0
• Lucina — 0
• Bowser Jr. — 0
• Pikachu — 0
• Inkling — 0
• Little Mac — 0
• Ridley — 0
• Dr. Mario — 0
• Meta Knight — 0
• Kirby — 0
• Lucas — 0
• Duck Hunt — 0
• Captain Falcon — 0
• Ganondorf — 0
• Link — 0
• Mewtwo — 0
• Pichu — 0
• King Dedede — 0
• Wii Fit Trainer — 0
• Daisy — 0
• Piranha Plant — 0
• Mii Brawler — 0
• King K. Rool — 0
• Ike — 0
• Marth — 0
• Mii Swordfighter — 0
• Lucario — 0
• Simon Belmont — 0
• Mii Gunner — 0