It’s been a while, but Super Smash Bros. is back — this time on Nintendo’s hybrid handheld console, the Switch. That’s right! No more having to decide between taking your brawls on the go or playing the “true” version at home. Smash Ultimate is the complete package. And we really do mean “complete.”
Smash Ultimate sports 74 different playable characters at launch — including every single previous character from the super-franchise and a bunch of fresh faces. That’s not even including the glut of DLC fighters, assist trophies, and more. There’s so much that no one person could possibly keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a guide to every single character.
- 7 Characters That Deserve to Be Smash Ultimate DLC
- Smash Ultimate Character List – Complete Fighter Roster
- Smash Ultimate Pokemon List – All Poke Ball and Master Ball Pokemon
This guide, if you hadn’t guessed, is focused on the new-and-improved Link. Longtime fans will immediately recognize some of the character’s most obvious changes. Even his once-signature green tunic takes a back seat in Smash Ultimate.
According to his official Nintendo description…
Link has been redesigned to match his appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. He can now pick up arrows he’s fired and his bombs have been upgraded to detonate remotely, so you can set them off when the timing is just right!
Moves
Bow and Arrows (B) – Shoots an arrow —two at once if one is picked up off the ground. Can be charged by holding the button.
Boomerang (Side + B) – Throws a boomerang diagonally. The control stick can be flicked for extra power and distance.
Spin Attack (Up + B) – Strikes opponents while spinning. Acts as a jump if used in midair.
Remote Bomb (Down + B) – Creates a remote bomb with the Sheikah Slate. Down special again detonates it.
Ancient Bow and Arrow (Final Smash) – Link shoots an Ancient Arrow that flies straight ahead. If the arrow hits an opponent or the terrain, it explodes. You can only hit one fighter, but the explosion also launches nearby opponents.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
The Hyrulian hero is a bit different from past iterations, with Ultimate’s take reflecting his Breath of the Wild appearance. The biggest addition is the ability to remotely detonate his bombs, giving him new combo potential while eliminating the ability to own himself by holding that down-B too long. He’s a bit more sluggish than some other sword-wielders, but his diverse options at range make him a bit more balanced, and he can take a few more punches.
Weaknesses
The sluggishness might hold you back though, as some of his attacks come out a little slower than speedier fighters. Learn to read distances and tells, and use spacing to your advantage. Also, Ultimate Link has a regular melee grab instead of his hookshot, so if you’re looking for the ranged-grab you’ll want his younger version.
Changes
Link has received a good number of changes compared to most other returning Smash characters. Alongside his visual update to match that of Breath of the Wild, he’s got a few mechanical updates as well.
His Bomb move has been replaced by Remote Bomb. These new colorful explosive orbs bounce off opponents and objects, detonating after a certain amount of time, or when activated.
Link has also swapped to the Traveler’s Bow. With it comes some new abilities. If you miss, you can pick up arrows that embed themselves into the level’s geometry. You can also fire two arrows at once for double the damage.
The infamous Clawshot ability has also been removed in favor of a traditional grapple.
Leaks indicate that the original Super Smash Bros. Boomerang is also making a return, replacing the previous Gale Boomerang which summoned tornadoes.
Outfits
Despite the visual upgrade, you know Link’s original Tunic of the Wild skin will be available in Smash Ultimate. So nostalgic players can get a taste of old times, whether they’re Smash experts or just Zelda fans.
And that’s all she wrote for the Hero of Time! Of course, how well you actually handle Link in combat is up to you. There’s still quite a lot to learn about the ins and outs of Smash Ultimate beyond this single character. So be sure to check out the rest of Fanbyte’s — from single-player tips to vital multiplayer tricks. Have fun out there!
All of our Smash Ultimate guides created with the help of Eric Van Allen.
