With the release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, fans officially have 87 different items from across Nintendo’s properties at their disposal to help them claim victory. Unless you’re playing competitively. Then you have to be all boring and no-itemsy, Final Destinationsy Fox-onlysy.
However, for us casuals out there, there is a huge array of different items we can use. While some are hugely important and can even guarantee at least one KO, there are others that do little to nothing or simply hurt everyone. Today we’ll be taking a look at five of the most useful items in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, along with five that just don’t do much at all.
10 Useful: Smash Ball
Obviously, the Smash Ball is one of the most important items in all of Smash history. While that pesky Fake Smash Ball will literally obliterate anyone within a 65-mile radius of it, the true Smash Ball lets any player that manages to break it unleash their most devastating move.
Depending on the character that uses the Smash Ball, it can almost guarantee at least one KO. If you’re someone like Rosalina, though, you might as well sit and watch the chaos as others try to break it. You’re not getting anyone with that oversized star of yours.
9 Not Useful: Hocotate Bomb
The Hocotate Bomb, otherwise known as Olimar’s ship, seems like a promising item. It essentially acts as a detonating bomb that you choose to activate. The bomb will then launch into the air before detonating after a few seconds.
The problem with the Hocotate Bomb is that everything that it does is very telegraphed. As long as you stay out of the general area of the bomb, you’re without a doubt guaranteed safety. If you manage to find yourself in the zone of the bomb, look out. Otherwise, you’ll be safe and sound.
8 Useful: Assist Trophy
Save for the Smash Ball, the Assist Trophy is the most powerful item in the game. This item gives you access to a huge variety of different characters, including the likes of Bomber Man, Shovel Knight, and Knuckles the Echidna, all of whom have special abilities to aid you in the game.
Some run around and attack just like the other fighters, while others like Majora’s Mask’s Moon just throws their entire bodies into the stage. Fun. No matter which Assist Trophy you get, they’re guaranteed to give you some sort of advantage in the match. Except for that Nintendog. Go away.
7 Not Useful: Boomerang
The Boomerang item is not too powerful of an item overall. It works as you would expect any old boomerang to work: you throw it and it comes right back to you. Through its journey, it damages any player that it comes in contact with.
Just like the Hocotate Bomb, it is easy to avoid. It certainly takes its time traveling, and as long as you stay out of its arc, you have no problems. While it could be a bit harder to avoid on its way back, overall there is no need to be concerned about this item at all.
6 Useful: Golden Hammer
An upgraded form of the regular Hammer (with a much jauntier tune), the Golden Hammer is an extremely powerful item. While it does slow you down and cut your jumping abilities, if you come into contact with an enemy with this Hammer, it essentially guarantees a KO, if not some serious knockback.
Depending on which stage you’re playing on, the terrain (since we’re all casual gamers that will play anywhere) can make this item a bit harder to use. Overall, though, this item can be a very dangerous one to have.
5 Not Useful: Smoke Ball
The Smoke Ball item has the unique effect of maybe partially obscuring the arm of any player you throw it at. That’s about it. While the purpose is to obscure the target and make things difficult for everybody, the Smoke Ball never really fulfills on its promise.
Even when it does manage to obscure a fighter, it really doesn’t cause that much chaos, and the match keeps moving pretty steadily. It's a cool idea that wasn’t utilized well.
4 Useful: Special Flag
The Special Flag is a rare item that takes a very long three seconds to cast, during which you can’t do anything. Once the item is finally cast, though, it grants you an additional stock or point, depending on what type of game you’re playing.
If you can get somewhere far away and manage to cast the Special Flag, it gives you a huge advantage that will make winning the game an easy feat.
3 Not Useful: Fire Flower
Hailing from the Mario universe, the Fire Flower item allows you to spew fire out in front of you for a short period of time. Eventually, the flames will run out and the item will be useless. However, it’s pretty useless even while it has flames at its disposal.
The Fire Flower has a very short range that makes it easy to avoid. Along with that, it makes the user vulnerable to other attackers. Even ignoring the fact that the item doesn’t do much damage to begin with, it really isn’t worth anyone’s time.
2 Useful: Master Ball
The Master Ball is a very useful item, as it has the ability to unleash any Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, including Almighty Goldeen. Each and every one of these Pokémon are a huge boon to your game, and will surely aid in your fight.
Except for Mew. It just flies around and looks pretty. While a regular Poké Ball is a good item, a Master Ball is a great one.
1 Not Useful: Banana Peel
The Banana Peel, not so similar to its iconic sister the Banana Gun, is not a good item. When used, it simply is a gag for other fighters to slip on.
As with the other items on the list, the banana peel is easy to avoid and generally useless. However, the Banana Gun? That one is a big oof.