Introduction
Super Smash Bros has captured the imagination of gamers across generations with its innovative mechanics, iconic characters, and fast-paced platform fighting gameplay. As a developer, creating a game like Super Smash Bros using Unity presents an exciting opportunity to blend creative design with powerful game development tools. This blog serves as a detailed guide for building your own Super Smash-style fighting game, breaking down the process step-by-step, and explaining everything from game design and mechanics to development timelines and costs.
What is Super Smash Bros and Why Replicate It?
Super Smash Bros is a platform-based fighting game developed by Nintendo. Unlike traditional fighters that use health bars, it employs a percentage-based system. As characters receive more damage, they’re knocked back farther with each subsequent hit, eventually getting launched off the screen.
Replicating this in Unity requires a solid grasp of physics-based gameplay, responsive controls, multiplayer functionality, and visual flair. Unity offers the perfect environment for this—with its flexible 2D and 3D capabilities, robust animation tools, and multiplayer support.
Why Use Unity to Build a Fighting Game?
Unity is a powerful and accessible game development engine widely adopted by both indie creators and professional studios. It supports the development of 2D and 3D games in Unity, enabling seamless gameplay and smooth rendering across devices. These capabilities make Unity a perfect choice for building a Super Smash Bros-style game. Here’s how its features support platform fighter development:
- Precise physics and hit detection: Unity’s physics engine allows you to accurately simulate knockback, gravity, and collision behavior essential for a responsive platform fighting game.
- Advanced animation blending: With tools like Mecanim and Animator Controller, Unity supports fluid transitions between idle, attack, and hit animations, crucial for a polished fighting game in Unity.
- Real-time multiplayer gameplay: Using solutions like Photon or Mirror, Unity supports both local and online multiplayer setups, allowing you to build a scalable multiplayer fighting game.
- Platform-dependent controls (keyboard, gamepad, mobile): Unity enables input mapping across devices, making it easy to create cross-platform fighter games for PC, console, and mobile users.
Core Mechanics of a Super Smash Bros Clone
Before diving into the development process, it’s crucial to understand the core features and mechanics that define the gameplay:
- Percentage-Based Damage System
This system increases a player’s damage percentage with each hit, making them more susceptible to knockback. It’s a key mechanic in platform fighter games that replaces traditional health bars. - Knockback Physics
Knockback strength increases as the damage percentage rises, creating dynamic and skill-based gameplay. Unity’s physics engine is ideal for building responsive knockback mechanics. - Stock-Based Lives
Each player is given a limited number of stocks (lives), and the last one standing wins. This approach adds strategy and tension to every match in a platform fighting game. - Edge Recovery and Platforming
Players must recover from knockback by grabbing ledges or using double jumps. These mechanics emphasize aerial control and are essential in developing a Smash Bros-style Unity game. - Hitboxes and Hurtboxes
Attacks register through hitboxes overlapping with enemy hurtboxes, determining successful hits. Unity’s collider system makes setting up custom hit detection intuitive and flexible. - Character Variety
Each fighter should offer unique moves, speed, range, and playstyle to encourage player choice. Designing diverse characters increases replay value in any fighting game built with Unity. - Interactive Stages
Stages feature moving platforms, hazards, and terrain variations that affect gameplay. Building interactive environments in Unity enhances immersion and competitive balance. - Multiplayer Options
Support for both local and online multiplayer allows competitive and casual players to engage. Unity’s networking tools like Photon or Mirror make multiplayer fighting game development efficient.
Pre-Development: Planning & Game Design
Before building a Super Smash Bros-style game in Unity, a detailed game design document (GDD) is essential. It outlines objectives, characters, stages, controls, and platforms to streamline development and ensure gameplay balance.
- Game Objectives
Define your core gameplay vision—competitive platform fighter or casual brawler. Clear objectives guide every phase of Unity game development. - Character Roster
Design unique fighters with diverse move sets, strengths, and playstyles. A well-balanced character roster boosts player engagement in fighting games. - Stages
Plan stage variety with dynamic platforms, hazards, and aesthetic themes. Stage diversity is crucial in developing a Super Smash Bros-style game. - Controls
Map out responsive input for keyboard, gamepad, or mobile touch. Smooth control design is vital for real-time Unity platform fighter mechanics. - Art Style
Choose between 2D pixel, hand-drawn, or 3D low-poly visuals. Your art direction influences the tone and branding of your Smash Bros-style game. - Target Platforms
Decide early if you’re launching on mobile, PC, or console. Unity makes it easy to develop cross-platform fighting games for any device
Setting Up Unity for a Platform Fighter
To get started in Unity:
- Install Unity Hub and Editor
Download Unity Hub and install the latest LTS (Long-Term Support) version of Unity Editor. This ensures stability and access to essential features for game development. - Start a new 2D or 3D project
Choose the appropriate template based on your game’s art style and gameplay needs. Unity supports both 2D pixel-style and full 3D platform fighting games. - Import essential packages
Add core tools like the Input System, Cinemachine, and TextMeshPro from Unity’s Package Manager. These packages enhance UI, controls, and camera behavior in your fighter game. - Organize project folders
Create structured folders for scripts, prefabs, animations, audio, and scenes. Proper project organization improves workflow efficiency and game scalability in Unity.
Tech Stack for Development
To build a Super Smash Bros-style game in Unity, use Unity URP or HDRP for graphics, C# for scripting, and Unity Animator or Spine for animations. For networking and collaboration, integrate Photon or Mirror for multiplayer, FMOD or Wwise for audio, and Git with GitHub/GitLab for version control.
Game Development Process (Step-by-Step)
- Character Movement
Design responsive character movement using Unity’s Rigidbody or Character Controller. Include jumping, air control, and dashing to ensure fluid platforming. - Attack System
Implement attacks with animation events, hitboxes, and colliders for damage detection. Unity’s Animator system allows precise timing and combo integration. - Knockback Mechanics
Knockback increases with damage percentage and simulates directional force using physics. ApplyAddForce()based on calculated vectors for dynamic gameplay. - Health UI
Use percentage-based health display to track damage buildup visually. Integrate TextMeshPro and color transitions to show critical hit status. - Stage Design
Create diverse, interactive stages with ledges, hazards, and verticality. Unity Tilemap (2D) or ProBuilder (3D) helps build modular environments. - Character Selection & Menus
Design intuitive menus for selecting characters, viewing stats, and starting matches. Unity’s UI Toolkit ensures scalable, modern interfaces. - Multiplayer Integration
Enable local and online play using Photon or Mirror networking. Handle real-time player synchronization, latency, and session management.
Cost and Time to Develop
Building a Super Smash Bros-style game using Unity involves multiple stages, from planning and animation to multiplayer integration and testing. Depending on the features, complexity, and platform support, the development timeline typically ranges from 4 to 6 months. Costs can vary significantly from $45,000 for a basic MVP to over $110,000+ for a full-featured, cross-platform fighting game with custom characters, online multiplayer, and advanced UI. Proper budgeting and phased planning ensure smooth execution and quality delivery.
| Tier | Basic MVP | Mid-Level | Full-Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $25K – $40K | $50K – $75K | $80K – $100K+ |
| Timeline | 3–4 months | 5–7 months | 8–12 months |
| Core Features |
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| Multiplayer | Local multiplayer |
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| Design & Animation | Basic 2D sprites |
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| Monetization | Free to play (ads) |
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| Analytics | Basic player data |
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Monetization Strategies
- Character Movement
Design responsive character movement using Unity’s Rigidbody or Character Controller. Include jumping, air control, and dashing to ensure fluid platforming. - Attack System
Implement attacks with animation events, hitboxes, and colliders for damage detection. Unity’s Animator system allows precise timing and combo integration. - Knockback Mechanics
Knockback increases with damage percentage and simulates directional force using physics. ApplyAddForce()based on calculated vectors for dynamic gameplay. - Health UI
Use percentage-based health display to track damage buildup visually. Integrate TextMeshPro and color transitions to show critical hit status. - Stage Design
Create diverse, interactive stages with ledges, hazards, and verticality. Unity Tilemap (2D) or ProBuilder (3D) helps build modular environments. - Character Selection & Menus
Design intuitive menus for selecting characters, viewing stats, and starting matches. Unity’s UI Toolkit ensures scalable, modern interfaces. - Multiplayer Integration
Enable local and online play using Photon or Mirror networking. Handle real-time player synchronization, latency, and session management.
Post-Launch Support & Features
- Regular patches and bug fixes
Continuous updates are essential to fix glitches, optimize performance, and ensure a stable user experience. Timely patches also reflect an active and trustworthy development team. - New character releases and balance changes
Introducing fresh characters and adjusting existing move sets keeps gameplay balanced and engaging. It encourages players to explore new strategies and maintain interest long-term. - Events and tournaments
Hosting in-game events and competitive tournaments boosts community engagement and player retention. It adds variety and fosters a loyal multiplayer fanbase. - Analytics and engagement tracking
Post-launch analytics help monitor user behavior, gameplay trends, and retention metrics. These insights guide future updates and monetization improvements effectively.
Conclusion
Building a game like Super Smash Bros using Unity is an exciting yet complex journey that demands the right tools, expertise, and creative direction. Whether you’re aiming for a basic MVP or a full-scale multiplayer experience, Unity empowers you to bring it to life across platforms.
At SDLC Corp, we specialize in crafting high performance fighting games with custom mechanics, immersive UI/UX, and scalable multiplayer architecture. From concept to post-launch support, our game development experts are ready to help you succeed.
Ready to start? Explore our Game Development Services or contact us today for a free consultation.
FAQ'S
What engine is best for making a Super Smash Bros-style game?
Unity is ideal due to its real-time physics, cross-platform support, animation tools, and networking libraries that suit platform fighting mechanics.
How long does it take to develop a fighting game like Super Smash Bros in Unity?
It typically takes 4 to 6 months for an MVP and 8 to 12 months for a full-scale, multiplayer platform fighter, depending on features and complexity.
Do I need coding experience to make a Smash-style game in Unity?
Yes, knowledge of C# programming and Unity scripting is essential for building custom mechanics like knockback, hitboxes, and UI elements.
Can I build a multiplayer fighting game in Unity?
Absolutely. Unity supports both local and online multiplayer via tools like Photon, Mirror, or Netcode for GameObjects.
How much does it cost to build a game like Super Smash Bros?
The cost ranges from $25,000 to $110,000+, depending on game scope, art style, multiplayer features, and post-launch support needs.
What are must-have features in a Smash Bros-style Unity game?
Top monetization options include in-app purchases, ads, subscriptions, tournament fees, and real-money entry commissions.
Can I monetize a Super Smash Bros-style game?
Yes, through in-app purchases, cosmetic upgrades, battle passes, or a premium pay-to-play model depending on your audience
Can I publish a Smash Bros-style game without copyright issues?
Yes, as long as you use original characters, assets, and branding, and do not replicate Nintendo’s proprietary IP. Focus on creating a unique gameplay experience inspired by the genre, not a direct clone of Super Smash Bros.
