Raising Super Smash Bros age rating: what parents of kids 4–7 should know
Super Smash Bros age rating: the ESRB rates Super Smash Bros. Ultimate E10+ (everyone 10 and older) for cartoon violence, comic mischief, and suggestive themes, with users interacting online and in-game purchases. PEGI rates it 12 for frequent mild violence, with no blood or visible injury. Smashbros.com says online play requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, lists it for ages 8 and up.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at a glance
- ✓Official rating above age 7
ESRB: E10+; PEGI 12 - ✓Contact with other players or strangers
ESRB: Users Interact; online for 2–4 - ✓Purchases with real money
ESRB: In-Game Purchases; DLC fighters - –Paid random items
None listed - ✓Violence or scary content in rating descriptors
ESRB: Cartoon Violence; PEGI: Violence - –Government lawsuits, fines, or safety warnings
None found
Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count.
| Type | Nintendo fighting game for Switch (2018) with characters from Nintendo and other series |
|---|---|
| US & Canada (ESRB) | E10+ (everyone 10 and older) — Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief, Suggestive Themes; Users Interact, In-Game Purchases source |
| Europe & UK (PEGI) | 12 (not suitable under 12) — frequent mild violence; in-game purchases source |
| Online & DLC (Nintendo) | Online for 2–4 players with Nintendo Switch Online; Fighters Pass Vol. 2 $29.99 source |
| Common Sense Media | 8+ |
Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?
Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.
What is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?
It's a Nintendo fighting game for Switch, released December 7, 2018. Characters from Nintendo and other companies' game series brawl and try to knock each other off platforms, per the ESRB. Up to eight people can play on one console. Nintendo sold extra fighters as paid downloads until 2021; the last one, Sora from Kingdom Hearts, came in Challenger Pack 11.
Super Smash Bros age rating: what's in it
Short answer: E10+ in the US and 12 in Europe.
- US & Canada (ESRB): E10+, Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief, Suggestive Themes.
- Europe & UK (PEGI): 12, frequent mild violence.
- Common Sense Media: 8+.
The ESRB describes punches, kicks, and super attacks like giant laser blasts; some characters use swords, blasters, mallets, and firearms. It says players can unlock 2D art of female characters in revealing outfits, and one character attacks with gas clouds. PEGI says there is no blood or visible injury.
Online play and DLC fighters
Short answer: Yes, it has online play with other players and paid extra fighters.
Nintendo's US store lists online play for 2–4 players as a Nintendo Switch Online feature, and smashbros.com says a membership is required. The ESRB lists "Users Interact" and "In-Game Purchases." Nintendo sells Fighters Pass Vol. 2 for $29.99 and single Challenger Packs for $5.99. The game itself is $59.99 on Nintendo's US store.
The habit kids may copy: the knock-off
The way to win is to send everyone else flying off the stage. On the couch, the same move can turn into a shove.
Try tonight: the last round
Play rock-paper-scissors, best of five. Before the last round, agree on what happens if you lose: one deep breath and "Good game." Then switch who goes first. In our program, this is the lesson "The Dragon Inside": noticing anger before it takes over.
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FAQ
What age is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for?
The ESRB rates it E10+ (everyone 10 and older), and PEGI rates it 12. Common Sense Media lists it for ages 8 and up.
Why is Smash Bros Ultimate rated E10+?
The ESRB lists cartoon violence, comic mischief, and suggestive themes, including unlockable art of female characters in revealing outfits.
Does Smash Bros Ultimate have online play?
Yes. Nintendo lists online play for 2–4 players as a Nintendo Switch Online feature, and smashbros.com says a membership is required.
Does Smash Bros Ultimate have DLC?
Yes. Nintendo sells Fighters Pass Vol. 2 for $29.99 and Challenger Packs for $5.99 each.
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