Super Smash Bros. changed the fighting game genre when it debuted in 1999. Nintendo's mascot brawler turned familiar characters into a chaotic platform fighter, and later entries expanded the roster beyond Nintendo to include third-party icons. By 2026, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate remains the benchmark, but it is not the only way to enjoy crossover combat. Nintendo has kept the spirit alive through Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2, while independent and licensed platform fighters continue to attract dedicated communities. The following ten games, many of which appeared in a classic DualShockers roundup, offer Smash fans different flavors of multiplayer mayhem.
1. Mario Strikers: Battle League ⚽
Mario Strikers takes the Mushroom Kingdom onto the soccer pitch, but it is not a polite exhibition. Players form teams, assign captains, and use special shots and bone-rattling tackles to dominate. Mario Strikers: Battle League arrived in 2022 and remains a strong pick for groups that want Smash-like chaos with a sports twist. Its emphasis on team composition and physical play makes it a natural companion to Nintendo's flagship brawler.
2. Stick Fight: The Game 🥢
Stick Fight strips the platform fighter down to its essence. The characters are stick figures, the weapons are absurd, and the physics do most of the talking. There is no sprawling crossover lore and no cinematic story mode. Instead, players leap, shoot, and slap one another across stages that are simple to learn but deadly to master. For Smash fans who value pure gameplay over presentation, it is an ideal palate cleanser.
3. Diddy Kong Racing 🏎️
Before Mario Kart became the default Nintendo racer, Diddy Kong Racing offered a more adventurous take on the genre. It mixed cars, planes, and hovercraft, added a story-driven adventure mode, and gave screen time to characters who rarely headline Nintendo projects. The game has not been replaced by a modern sequel, but its reputation endures. Smash fans who enjoy Nintendo history and varied vehicle mechanics still cite it as a high point of the Nintendo 64 era.
4. Mario Kart 🏁
Mario Kart is the crossover game that predates the crossover boom. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe became a permanent fixture on Nintendo Switch, and its Booster Course Pass added dozens of tracks through 2023. In 2025, Mario Kart World launched for Nintendo Switch 2, pushing the series into a more open-ended direction. Even players who do not care for racing can enjoy battle modes, item chaos, and the same friendly rivalry that fuels a night of Smash.
5. Rivals of Aether 🔥
Rivals of Aether is one of the most respected independent platform fighters. It borrows the percentage-based knockback and ring-out rules that Smash popularized, then adds elemental mechanics and a pixel-art style. The original game built a strong competitive scene, and Rivals of Aether II entered early access in 2024, giving the series a new generation of players. Its focused design makes it a serious alternative for fans who want depth without a massive party roster.
6. Mario Party 🎲
Mario Party is not a fighter, but it captures the same living-room energy. The series combines a board game with minigames, turning every turn into a chance for friendship-ending betrayal. Super Mario Party Jamboree arrived in 2024 and became one of the most feature-rich entries in years. For Smash groups that want a slower, sillier competition, Mario Party remains one of Nintendo's best multiplayer experiences.
7. Brawlhalla 🥊
Brawlhalla takes the platform fighter formula and makes it free-to-play, accessible, and endlessly expandable. Its controls are simpler than Smash, but high-level matches can become intensely technical. The roster has grown far beyond original characters, adding crossover fighters from numerous franchises. Brawlhalla also maintains a robust esports scene, which keeps it relevant in 2026. It is a smart choice for players who want Smash-style combat without buying a Nintendo console.
8. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games 🏅
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games turned gaming's biggest mascot rivalry into a sports celebration. Instead of punching each other off a stage, the characters compete in track, swimming, fencing, and other events. The series has been dormant since Mario and Sonic at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, but its back catalog still offers a novel crossover. It is a reminder that Mario and Sonic can share a screen without a fighting game.
9. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 🧽
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl applies the Smash blueprint to cartoon icons. The first game launched in 2021, and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 followed in 2023 with improved visuals, new fighters, and a more complete package. The combat is goofier than Smash, which fits a roster that includes SpongeBob, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Avatar characters. It is a strong option for younger players or anyone who grew up on Nickelodeon.
10. PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale 🎮
PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is the most direct Smash clone on this list. It brought together Kratos, Nathan Drake, Ratchet and Clank, and other PlayStation icons for four-player combat. The game never received a modern sequel, but its concept still inspires debate. For players who grew up with PlayStation rather than Nintendo, it remains a fascinating what-if and a reminder that crossover fighting games are not limited to one platform.
The 2026 Crossover Landscape
The genre has changed since Super Smash Bros. first defined it. Nintendo still dominates the conversation, but independent fighters, licensed brawlers, and party games now serve players who want something different. A few high-profile crossover experiments have come and gone, proving that a recognizable roster alone is not enough. The games above succeed because they understand the core appeal of Smash: accessible chaos, memorable characters, and the promise that any match can turn in a single hit.
| Game | Genre | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Mario Strikers: Battle League | Sports | Team-based chaos |
| Stick Fight: The Game | Physics brawler | Quick, silly matches |
| Diddy Kong Racing | Racing adventure | Nintendo history fans |
| Mario Kart World / 8 Deluxe | Kart racer | Party racing |
| Rivals of Aether II | Platform fighter | Competitive depth |
| Mario Party Jamboree | Party board game | Local multiplayer nights |
| Brawlhalla | Free-to-play fighter | Cross-platform battles |
| Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games | Sports crossover | Mascot novelty |
| Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 | Platform fighter | Cartoon fans |
| PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale | Platform fighter | PlayStation nostalgia |
For Smash fans, the best choice depends on the mood. A competitive player may gravitate toward Rivals of Aether II or Brawlhalla. A group of friends may prefer Mario Party, Mario Kart, or Mario Strikers. And anyone who simply wants to see unlikely characters trade blows can still find plenty of options in 2026. Super Smash Bros. may have started the crossover fighting craze, but it no longer stands alone.