《任天堂明星大亂鬥 特別版》（Super Smash Bros. Ultimate）是由Bandai Namco與Sora Ltd.共同開發，任天堂發行並於2018年在Switch推出的對戰動作遊戲，是《任天堂明星大亂鬥》系列的最新正統作，也被視為集大成版本。由櫻井政博領軍開發，集結歷代所有可用角色，搭配追加新參戰人物，達到史無前例的超大型陣容與內容規模，成為Switch平台最受歡迎、最具代表性的對戰派對遊戲之一。

劇情部分主要體現在單人模式「世界光」（World of Light）當中。故事描述宇宙中突然出現名為「キーラ」（Galeem）的神秘光之存在，牠以壓倒性力量毀滅整個世界，將所有角色化為靈魂封印，只剩下主角「卡比」倖存。卡比將穿越遭光之力量扭曲的異世界，逐步解放被控制的角色與夥伴，挑戰無數靈魂化身的戰鬥，最終對抗キーラ(Killa)與其對立存在「ダーズ」（Dharkon），還給世界自由與平衡。雖然劇情敘述不多，但透過壯觀的過場動畫與靈魂角色的挑戰設計，營造出一種宇宙級對抗命運的冒險感，並讓任天堂與其他遊戲系列角色以嶄新方式交錯碰撞，對粉絲來說別具意義。

操作方面，延續系列招牌「簡化指令、自由動作」的設計理念。只需透過搖桿與少數按鈕，搭配跳躍、普通攻擊、必殺技、格擋、躲避與投擲等基本操作，即可輕鬆上手。每個角色皆擁有獨特的普通攻擊與四種必殺技（上、下、前、普通），可因應不同對手與場地靈活運用。戰鬥目標並非扣光血量，而是將對手擊飛出場外，隨著傷害數值提升，被擊飛距離也會逐漸增加。比賽可設定時間、人數、生命制或積分制，對戰形式多變。

Switch版本對操作系統與節奏全面強化。支援Pro手把、Joy-Con、GameCube控制器多種操作方式，適合不同習慣玩家。動作流暢度與判定優化，連段與招式收招速度比前作更快，戰鬥節奏明快刺激。道具、場地與關卡機關變化豐富，從任天堂經典場景如馬利歐、薩爾達、動物森友會，到第三方作品如魔物獵人、惡魔城、女神異聞錄、Final Fantasy，舞台數量與類型空前龐大，並隨著DLC持續增加。

「靈魂系統」是新增的重要特色，透過戰鬥獲得遊戲史上眾多角色的命魂（Spirits），這些靈魂可作為支援強化裝備，提升能力值或附加特殊效果，並能配置不同主從靈魂組合，改變角色屬性與戰鬥策略，增添養成與收集樂趣。DLC部分陸續新增《惡魔城》的里希達、《女神異聞錄5》的Joker、《鐵拳》的風間仁與《王國之心》的索拉等人氣角色，每次參戰都引起玩家熱烈討論。

在市場評價方面，自上市以來獲得壓倒性好評。日本Fami通給予39/40高分，盛讚遊戲內容量龐大、角色與舞台齊全、對戰爽快流暢，認為是系列最高完成度。歐美媒體如IGN評價9.4分，稱它是「史上最完整的 Smash Bros.」，GameSpot給出9/10，肯定其對初心者與高端玩家同樣友善，無論單人或多人模式都極具娛樂性。Metacritic綜合評分達93分，是Switch平台評價最高的對戰遊戲之一。

銷售表現亦極為亮眼，發售首週即於全球突破50萬套，至今累積超過3500萬套，成為Nintendo Switch史上最暢銷的遊戲之一。其強大的派對娛樂性、跨品牌人氣角色陣容與活躍的電競賽事，讓本作在家庭聚會、線上對戰與大型比賽中都占有一席之地，鞏固任天堂明星大亂鬥系列在遊戲界的經典地位。

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a competitive action game developed jointly by Bandai Namco and Sora Ltd., published by Nintendo, and released on the Nintendo Switch in 2018. As the latest official entry in the Super Smash Bros. series, it’s considered a definitive, all-encompassing edition. Directed by Masahiro Sakurai, the game gathers every playable character from the series’ history while adding new fighters, resulting in an unprecedentedly massive roster and content scale. It has since become one of the most popular and iconic party fighting games on the Switch platform.

The story mode is mainly embodied in the single-player “World of Light” campaign. The narrative follows the sudden appearance of a mysterious light being called Galeem (キーラ), who annihilates the world with overwhelming power, sealing all characters as spirits — leaving only Kirby as the sole survivor. Kirby must venture through a distorted, light-consumed alternate world, gradually liberating the possessed characters and allies, facing countless spirit-possessed battles, and eventually confronting both Galeem and its opposing entity, Dharkon (ダーズ), to restore freedom and balance to the universe. While the storytelling is minimal, it conveys a cosmic-scale battle against fate through dramatic cinematic cutscenes and cleverly designed spirit challenges, offering crossover moments between Nintendo and third-party characters in fresh, meaningful ways for fans.

In terms of gameplay, the game continues the series' hallmark concept of simplified controls and free movement. Players can easily pick up the game using just the analog stick and a few buttons to perform basic actions like jumping, standard attacks, special moves, blocking, dodging, and throwing. Each character features unique standard attacks and four special moves (up, down, side, and neutral), which players can strategically combine depending on the opponent and the battlefield. Unlike traditional fighting games that focus on depleting a health bar, the goal here is to knock opponents off the stage. As damage percentage increases, characters are launched farther by attacks. Matches can be customized with different rules — time limits, stock lives, or score-based conditions — offering a wide variety of ways to play.

The Switch version significantly enhances control options and game tempo. It supports multiple control styles, including the Pro Controller, Joy-Con, and GameCube controllers, accommodating different player preferences. The action is smoother, with optimized hit detection, faster combos, and shorter recovery times compared to previous entries, creating an exhilarating, fast-paced combat experience. The game offers a vast array of items, stages, and stage hazards, spanning classic Nintendo worlds like Mario, Zelda, and Animal Crossing, as well as third-party universes like Monster Hunter, Castlevania, Persona, and Final Fantasy. The number and variety of stages are unprecedented, and additional content continues to be added via downloadable content (DLC).

One of the most notable new features is the “Spirits” system. Through battles, players can collect a vast assortment of spirits based on characters from across gaming history. These spirits can be equipped as support enhancements, boosting stats or granting special abilities. Players can create different combinations of primary and support spirits to tailor characters’ attributes and battle strategies, adding a rich layer of customization, growth, and collection elements. The DLC further expanded the character lineup with highly anticipated fighters such as Richter Belmont from Castlevania, Joker from Persona 5, Kazuya Mishima from Tekken, and Sora from Kingdom Hearts, each announcement generating major excitement within the gaming community.

In terms of market reception, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has been met with overwhelming acclaim since its release. Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu awarded it a near-perfect score of 39/40, praising its vast content, complete roster and stage selection, and exhilarating, smooth combat, calling it the series’ most polished installment. Western media outlets like IGN rated it 9.4, describing it as “the most complete Smash Bros. ever,” while GameSpot gave it a 9/10, commending its accessibility for both beginners and competitive players alike, whether in solo or multiplayer modes. The game holds a 93 score on Metacritic, ranking it as one of the highest-rated fighting games on the Switch platform.

Sales-wise, its performance has been equally impressive. The game sold over five million copies worldwide in its first week alone, and has since surpassed 35 million copies, becoming one of the best-selling titles in Nintendo Switch history. Thanks to its exceptional party appeal, cross-franchise character lineup, and thriving esports scene, it has firmly established itself as a staple in home gatherings, online matchmaking, and large-scale tournaments alike — cementing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a true modern classic in gaming culture.