Parent's Guide: Super Smash Bros - Age rating, mature content and difficulty

What is Super Smash Bros for 3DS?

Super Smash Bros. for 3DS is a fighting game where Nintendo characters (such as Mario and Pikachu), and familiar guest characters from non Nintendo games (like Sonic and Pac-Man) fight each other in frantic, four player battles across various stages. With bright colours, over the top action, and potentially the most familiar roster out there, the aim of the game is to knock your opponent so far off the stage, they can't get back on - and the more you damage them, the easier than becomes.

How do you play Super Smash Bros for 3DS?

With very simple, pick up and play controls, learning to play Smash Bros is easy. All you need to know is that the A button is used for standard attacks, the B button for special attacks and either the X and Y buttons can be used to jump. Unlike other beat 'em ups, where you have to memorise lengthy combo chains, there's nothing like that here, and those four buttons are all there really is to it.

While there's no real story to the game, there are a lot of different modes for players to sink their teeth into. From the standard 'Smash' battle mode (where you can set your own rules and take part in fast paced, short battles), to more in depth challenges like Classic mode (which pits you against a series of computer opponents with occasional wacky challenges thrown in), and All Star mode (which pits you against the entire roster of Smash Bros characters, consecutively, with only a single life and no continues), there's certainly plenty of choice.

While there's a hefty amount of stuff for those playing alone to dig their teeth into, Super Smash Bros has always been a series that comes into its own in multiplayer, and the 3DS version is no different. However, despite the extensive multiplayer options, Smash Bros 3DS doesn't have support for single card download play. This means that if you to play with your friends and family, each player will need their own copy of the game - unlike things like, say, Mario Kart 7, which lets players simply temporarily beam the multiplayer component to their friends for free.

How easy is Super Smash Bros for 3DS to pick up and play?

With simple controls, Super Smash Bros for 3DS is surprisingly easy to get into - especially if you're mostly going to be playing in multiplayer against your family. If you have any difficulties, a handy a 'How to Play' video can be viewed by waiting for around 30 seconds on the Title Screen. With several difficulty settings available for the computer components you'll face off against, on the lowest difficulties, it's easily possible for players to essentially mash buttons in order to win.

Either way, with simple controls, and little in the way of barriers to younger players, Super Smash Bros. 3DS is an easily accessible game that anyone old enough to work a Nintendo 3DS can enjoy, and a must have for any Nintendo fan. The only thing to bear in mind is that, if you want to play together, the best option may be the Wii U version instead.

While the game's main focus is on characters essentially beating each other up, Smash Bros is incredibly slapstick in its approach, with no blood, true violence or gore to be seen. Characters may hit and kick each other, but impacts are far from realistic, and are usually accompanied by giant explosion style graphics. There's also no swearing or sexual content whatsoever. As a game with a hefty online component, that lets players compete with players from all over the world, parents should be reassured that despite the potential for contact with strangers, no communication is available with strangers online in game.

Age Ratings

Format Reviewed: Nintendo 3DS