Smash Bros Got Its Name Because Friends \"Smash\" Beef Amongst Themselves

Celebrating 25 years since its debut, the Nintendo crossover fighting game, Super Smash Bros., finally has its official naming story, revealed by its creator, Masahiro Sakurai.

Masahiro Sakurai Unveils the "Smash Bros." Story

Former Nintendo President Satoru Iwata's Contribution to the Name

Super Smash Bros., Nintendo's iconic crossover fighting game, features characters from a vast array of beloved titles. However, the name is a bit of a misnomer, as few characters are actually brothers, and some aren't even male. So, why "Super Smash Bros."? While previously unexplained, Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai recently shed light on the origin.

In a recent YouTube video, Sakurai explained that the name reflects the game's core concept: "friends resolving minor conflicts." He credits the late Satoru Iwata, former Nintendo president, for a significant role in choosing the name.

Sakurai recounted a brainstorming session involving various name suggestions. A final meeting with Shigesato Itoi, creator of the Mother/Earthbound series, helped solidify the title. Sakurai revealed that Iwata selected "brothers," explaining that while the characters weren't literally brothers, the term implied a friendly rivalry, suggesting a playful disagreement rather than outright hostility.

Beyond the naming, Sakurai shared personal anecdotes about his relationship with Iwata, including Iwata's direct involvement in programming the Super Smash Bros. prototype, originally titled "Dragon King: The Fighting Game," for the Nintendo 64.