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The controls of Smash Bros. are quite different from most other fighting games. Whereas many games utilize motions such as quarter-circle movements or long strings of button inputs, Smash tends to be more simplistic. Because of this, you'll be able to understand how to trigger most moves for all Fighter in the game.

There are two main attack buttons: the Attack button, and the Special button. To input a move, you press a button and a direction (or lack thereof) and a move will be performed. Each one corresponds to a different move, which makes things very user-friendly, as all Fighters use the same control scheme.

There is also a Guard button, which allows all Fighters to put up a shield around them that protects from attacks. By pressing Attack while defending, your Fighter performs a grab. Grab attacks are useful, as while you can guard against other attacks, you cannot guard against a grab.

The controls can be changed at any time in the Options menu. By using the aforementioned attack controls with directional movements, you can perform an even greater variety of moves. Every Fighter is unique, so be sure to visit the Fighters page to find out more about their moves!

Button Input	Description
A	Neutral Attack
Double Tap Control Stick left or right + A	Dash Attack
Hold control stick up + A	Up Tilt
Hold control stick left or right + A	Side Tilt
hold control stick down + A	Down Tilt
Fast tap control stick up + A (Hold A to charge)	Up Smash
Fast tap control stick left or right + A (Hold A to charge) or A+B	Side Smash
Fast tap control stick down + A (Hold A to charge)	Down Smash
X/Y or fast tap control stick up	Jump
X/Y or fast tap control stick up in midair	Double Jump
X/Y + hold control stick up + A	Up Aerial
X/Y + hold control stick direction facing + A	Forward Aerial
X/Y + A	Neutral Aerial
X/Y + hold control stick opposite direction facing + A	Back Aerial
X/Y + hold control stick down + A	Down Aerial
Hold control stick up + B	Up Special
Hold control stick left or right + B	Side Special
B	Neutral Special
Hold control stick down + B	Down Special
L (Press A after grab to pummel)	Grab/Pummel
L + Hold control stick up after grabbing	Up Throw
L + Hold control stick in direction facing after grabbing	Forward Throw
L + Hold control stick opposite direction facing after grabbing	Back Throw
L + Hold control stick down after grabbing	Down Throw
R	Shield
R + tap control stick down	Spot Dodge
R + tap control stick left or right on ground	Rolling Dodge
R (in midair)	Aerial Dodge
R (in midair) + tap control stick up/down/left/right	Directional Aerial Dodge
B (After obtaining Smash Ball)	Final Smash
Directional Pad Left or RIght	Taunt #1
Directional Pad Up	Taunt #2
Directional Pad Down	Taunt #3

How to Change Controls and Button Mapping

You can change stick sensitivity, turn jumping with the stick off, and more in the settings.

Click to the right of the screen when in the mode selection menu to get to the sidebar, and scroll down to the gear to open the Settings Menu. From there, enter the Controller Settings to remap buttons and do whatever else you please.

Note: The 8bitDo wireless adapter when connected to a GameCube controller reads as a Pro Controller, and the Z and R buttons are wrongfully swapped. To make this controller work like a normal GameCube controller, change the left shoulder buttons mapped to be "Shield." Make the right Z button "Shield" and the R button "Grab." These settings will make the controller work like a normal GameCube controller.

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Top Guide Sections

• Never Played Smash Before? Start Here!
• Changes and Features Introduced in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
• General Tips and Tricks
• Controls

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Super Smash Bros. UltimateBandai NamcoDec 7, 2018Learn moreGo to comments