It’s important to not use the term “miracle video game” around too much, you don’t want it to lose its flavor. However, Super Smash Brothers Ultimate is an absolute miracle of a video game. This game is a massive celebration of video game history, the pinnacle of its series, a love letter to diehard and new fans, and a dang good fighting game all at once. This result is 100% owed to Masahiro Sakurai and his team. Sakurai, arguably the most dedicated game developer out there, pulled out all the stops on this one, making this game exactly what it needs to be and something that truly speaks to the fans while balancing its mountain of content, and we can see this in the staggering roster. For starters, the “Everyone is here” slogan already makes for a truly commemorative game, bringing back fan favorites like Snake, Wolf, and Young Link. It makes the game feel so much more celebratory and joyous to see these old friends back, almost when there was no hope of them returning. Not one fan has to worry about their favorite fighter getting the boot, already bringing the player count and inclusivity up, as veteran players can rekindle memories with their veteran fighters, and new players can feast on the history of the series while trying out so many new faces. What’s more, characters who have topped wish lists for years like King K. Rool, Banjo-Kazooie, the previously “too big” Ridley, and Kingdom Hearts’ Sora are all here. You have some of the biggest names in video game history like Cloud Strife, Solid Snake, Simon Belmont and freaking Minecraft’s Steve in the same game, fighting it out on one battlefield. Matchups that seemed so far fetched and publisher walls that seemed so high up are lying in ruin as Microsoft owned, PlayStation exclusive and Nintendo born characters are on your screen all at once. It is incredible. Mechanically, this is the most airtight yet crazy insane party brawlers out there. It really feels like the most balanced smash game yet, with everyone from Isabelle to Ike and Pikachu to Pyra feeling viable. Of course there are always the Melee Foxes and Brawl Meta Knights, but the bottom and the top spaces on the tier list seem to be closer together than ever. This game just seems to be so laser focused on the fighting. The main aspect, the matchups, seem to be right in the center, while everything branches out from it. Little touches like dramatic screen zoom-ins on hard hitting KOs, split second stops before meaty attacks, an increased launch speed and a general faster pace make all the difference in making this game’s brawls feel punchy, resulting in the oh-so fun (or infuriating) game nights and online sessions. It’s the ultimate package for any Smash brothers, or video game fan.