Smash Bros Got Its Name Because Friends \"Smash\" Beef Amongst Themselves

Twenty-five years after its debut, the origin story behind the name "Super Smash Bros." is finally revealed by its creator, Masahiro Sakurai.

Sakurai Unveils the "Smash Bros." Naming Process

Super Smash Bros., Nintendo's iconic crossover fighting game, features characters from a vast array of Nintendo franchises. Despite the name, few characters are actually brothers. So, how did the title come about? Sakurai recently shared the official explanation in his YouTube series.

Sakurai explains that the name reflects the game's core concept: "friends settling minor disagreements." Former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata played a pivotal role in choosing the name.

Sakurai recounts that numerous name suggestions were considered. A meeting with Shigesato Itoi (creator of the Mother series) helped finalize the title. Iwata's contribution, according to Sakurai, was the "brothers" element. Iwata reasoned that, while the characters weren't literally brothers, the term implied a friendly rivalry, a playful squabble rather than outright conflict.

Beyond the naming, Sakurai also shared anecdotes about his relationship with Iwata, including Iwata's direct involvement in programming the original Super Smash Bros. prototype, then known as Dragon King: The Fighting Game, for the Nintendo 64.