The release of Nintendo’s Super Smash Brothers Ultimate is a great way to end the year featuring new mechanics, new characters and a new adventure mode. Being the fifth entry in the series from Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd. SSBU claims to be the ultimate entry, and it lives up to that title.

Since the release in December 2018, the game has received great reviews getting a 10/10 from Nintendo Life and 94/100 from IGN. Being released on the Nintendo Switch allows for a multitude of play options, on the T.V., in hand-held mode on the go, and online climbing up the ranks. You can play using joy-cons (Nintendo’s controllers), or with a N64 controller embodying an experience from the original Super Smash Bros.

The game features a total of 74 playable fighters, consisting of all 63 previous fighters and 11 new fighters. These new characters consist of Incineroar from Pokemon; Ken Masters from the Street Fighter series; Isabelle from the Animal Crossing series; King K. Rool from the Donkey Kong series; Chrom from Fire Emblem: Awakening; Simon and Richter Belmont from the Castlevania series; Ridley and Dark Samus from the Metroid series; Princess Daisy from the Mario series, and Inklings from Splatoon.

Unlike past entries this game transitioned from trophies received from completing mission to a new mechanic, Spirits. This addition allows the creators to add all of the community’s favorite characters which builds on a new game mode called Spirits. This mode allows you to battle the Spirits by taking on their characteristics to a playable character that matches that character most or a combination of characters. These spirits also offer the role in a major part of the game, its adventure mode. Like Super Smash Bros. Brawls Subspace Emissary, World of Light, the adventure mode of SSBU is awesome and has much to offer.

In all, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is an amazing game and is a delight to play on your own or having a fun afternoon with friends. If you haven’t picked up this game, I highly recommend it. Nintendo released a great game to end the year, and I can’t wait for what’s to come.