There’s something rather special about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Beating up your friends while taking control of your favourite character is an experience like no other. But there’s just one problem: it’s only available on Nintendo Switch. So: what are the best brawler games like Super Smash Bros. on other formats?
We’ll be honest here. Nothing quite matches the quality of Super Smash Bros. Nintendo has mastered the format over many years, and nothing else has come close. Yet. That’s not to say there aren’t a handful of great brawler games out there, though. So if you’re looking for games like Super Smash Bros. on PlayStation, Xbox and PC, we’ve got you covered. Read on, and get ready to kick your friends’ butts. Or, you know, get your own butt kicked.
1. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
- Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch and PC
The newest game on this list also happens to be one of our favourite brawler games like Super Smash Bros. It might not star Mario, but it does feature a bunch of cartoon characters from our childhood. Here you can play as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, as Ren and Stimpy, and even as Rocko from Rocko’s Modern Life. Oh, and Reptar makes an appearance, too. Fighters have a surprisingly robust medley of attacks up their sleeves, and doling out light, heavy and special attacks feels a lot of fun. C’mon: who doesn’t want to fight Garfield on top of a giant lasagne? Exactly.
Read our review of Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2
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2. Brawlhalla
- Available on PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC and mobile
Brawlhalla has made quite a name for itself in the last several years. Launching in 2017 after a stint in Early Access, it’s become one of the better-known games like Super Smash Bros. With a publisher like Ubisoft behind it, it’s had great support, with frequent updates and new characters being added regularly. There are a lot of familiar faces here, like Rayman and Shovel Knight, and plenty of original characters, all with their own fighting style and skills. It shows no signs of slowing down either: into its eighth year, it’s as strong as ever. And best of all, it’s completely free to play.
3. Multiversus
- Available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC
Multiversus is a bit of a weird one. Warner Bros.’ answer to Super Smash Bros., this brawler launched in 2022. But in summer 2023, it was removed from all digital storefronts. If you happen to own it, you can still play offline, and it is coming back in 2024 with a relaunch. It’s a bizarre way to do things, and we’re still not entirely sure why: we had a great time playing, and it showed promise to be one of the best games like Super Smash Bros. there is. We’re hopeful for its re-release in early 2024, though, and that’s why it’s still earned itself a place on this list.
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4. Brawlout
- Available on PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC
If you’re a fan of Hyper Light Drifter, Guacamelee or Dead Cells, you’re going to love Brawlout: it features characters from all of them. More than that, it also features fun combat, a colourful cast of original characters, and some beautifully-designed backdrops. Its combat may be a little on the simple side – the moves and combos you can pull off aren’t as involved as other brawlers – but it’s no less enjoyable to play, and means it’s one of the most accessible games on this list. There’s also a variety of modes to jump into, whether you’re playing alone or against friends.
Read our review of Brawlout
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5. Bounty Battle: Ultimate Indie Brawler
- Available on PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC
Okay, so Bounty Battle isn’t one of the best games like Super Smash Bros. It’s bitterly disappointing, really, because the concept of this “Ultimate Indie Brawler” is solid. It set out to be a one-stop-shop for all your favourite indie characters, and it did a good job of rounding up our favourites: you’ll find characters from Guacamelee, Owlboy, Darkest Dungeon and more here. The problem is, it’s just far too scrappy for its own good. It’s not all that fun to play, and it just doesn’t look great, either. But it does boast an excellent cast of characters, and that reason alone makes it worth mentioning here.
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