Masahiro Sakurai Explains Character Balance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on YouTube

Masahiro Sakurai, the visionary game designer behind the Super Smash Bros.

franchise, continues to dissect the nuances of game development on his popular YouTube channel.

In a recent episode, Sakurai delved into Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate’s approach to character balance—a topic that resonates with both competitive players and game developers alike.

Released for Nintendo Switch in December 2018, Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate has become one of Nintendo’s best-selling titles, lauded for its deep roster and dynamic gameplay. During his latest segment, Sakurai focused on why embracing diversity among fighters is essential for preserving the excitement and longevity of the game.

Rather than aiming for superficial equality across all fighters, Sakurai explains that true balance comes from emphasizing unique strengths and weaknesses.

He notes that when abilities among characters become too similar, the gameplay loses its distinctive charm, resulting in fighters that "begin to feel indistinguishable from one another." Sakurai elaborated, sharing that the "variety between fighters forms the heart of the game, keeping each match engaging and unpredictable." For him, adjusting traits like speed, attack duration, and setup time is more effective than trying to neutralize every advantage or disadvantage a character possesses.

This detailed, nuanced approach not only ensures fairness but also enhances the overall fun factor—an attribute repeatedly praised by the global Smash community. This philosophy builds upon Sakurai’s previous remarks earlier in the year, where he asserted that every Smash fighter is designed to have a fighting chance—a mentality sometimes summed up by the community’s "Git Gud" mantra.

By carefully considering each aspect of a character’s move set, from startup frames to attack power, the development team has crafted a balanced environment where strategic play and mastery are richly rewarded. Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate continues to thrive on Nintendo Switch, supported by regular competitive events and a dedicated fan base worldwide.

Sakurai’s transparent insights offer not just a glimpse into the franchise’s enduring appeal, but also guidance for developers aiming to strike the right equilibrium between competitive depth and widespread accessibility.

For those invested in the future of fighting games and game design, Masahiro Sakurai’s ongoing YouTube series remains an invaluable resource—shedding light on how iconic titles like Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate achieve their lasting, balanced fun.

Masahiro Sakurai Smash Bros YouTube Sakurai Super Smash Bros Super Smash Bros. Ultimate