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Although Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS is obviously playable only with the built-in buttons on the handheld, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U features a whopping 7 different control options, the highest in the series and on any Wii U game in general. In both versions, the controls can be changed in the Options Menu, so the list below only states the default options.

Nintendo 3DS / New Nintendo 3DS[edit]

Button Action
Neutral cpad General movement. Hitting Up lets you jump when Tap Jump is enabled.
A button Standard Attack. Combine it with inputs on the Neutral cpad for different Strong Attacks and Smash Attacks, as well as Air Attacks while airborne.
B button Special Moves. Combine it with inputs on the Neutral cpad for different special attacks. Special moves are generally more complex and unique than standard attacks.
X button / Y button Jump. Press it when airborne to use a midair jump.
L button Perform a grab. Hit A button to do an additional attack on a grabbed foe, and use the Neutral cpad to throw foes in that direction.
R button Activates shield. Also used to perform an airdodge in midair. Combine this with the Neutral cpad to perform sidestep dodges or rolls while on the ground.
Neutral dpad Initiates a taunt.
Start button Pauses the game during a match.
Select button Mostly unused.
Stylus button Used during menus and character select screens in the 3DS version.

The 3DS is obviously the only controller option available for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, but it can also be used as a controller for the Wii U version by connecting a Smash 3DS game to a Smash Wii U game. The Nintendo 3DS has most of the features found in many other controllers, but notably lacks a second directional stick. The game is not compatible with a Circle Pad Pro due to technical limitations of the 3DS, although the New Nintendo 3DS does come with a right analog rub that emulates this feature.

Due to the many similarities between the Nintendo 3DS and the standard Wii U controllers, it can be a good choice for owners of both games, as you can switch flawlessly between both versions due to familiarity with the system. However, be careful with the Circle Pad if you often engage in intense play. The Circle Pad is not as precise and not nearly as sturdy as an analog stick, and there has been many reported incidents about 3DS owners getting broken Circle Pads as a result of playing Smash.

Wii U Gamepad / Wii U Pro Controller / Wii Classic Controller[edit]

Button Action
Neutral lstick General movement. Hitting Up lets you jump when Tap Jump is enabled.
A button Standard Attack. Combine it with inputs on the Neutral lstick for different Strong Attacks and Smash Attacks, as well as Air Attacks while airborne.
B button Special Moves. Combine it with inputs on the Neutral lstick for different special attacks. Special moves are generally more complex and unique than standard attacks.
X button / Y button Jump. Press it when airborne to use a midair jump.
ZL button / ZR button Perform a grab. Hit A button to do an additional attack on a grabbed foe, and use the Neutral lstick to throw foes in that direction.
L button / R button Activates shield. Also used to perform an airdodge in midair. Combine this with the Neutral lstick to perform sidestep dodges or rolls while on the ground.
Neutral rstick Performs a Smash Attack in the inputted direction. Hold the stick down to charge the smash.
Neutral dpad Initiates a taunt.
Plus button Pauses the game during a match.
Minus button Mostly unused.

The Gamepad and the Pro Controller are considered the standard controllers for the Wii U version. As the controllers with the most buttons, you don't have to worry about missing out on any features. The Gamepad has additional uses in Stage Builder, using voice chat when playing online Smash and activating Amiibo. The Wii Classic Controller is quite similar to the Wii U Pro Controller, only with the analog sticks at the bottom and the sticks aren’t clickable (which means nothing in Smash anyways) As such, it offers no loss of functionality and is a more than an adequate controller for the game.

Wii Remote[edit]

Button Action
Neutral dpad General movement. Hitting Up lets you jump while tapping left or right twice makes you dash.
2 button Standard Attack. Combine it with inputs on the Neutral dpad for different Strong Attacks and Smash Attacks, as well as Air Attacks while airborne.
1 button Special Moves. Combine it with inputs on the Neutral dpad for different special attacks. Special moves are generally more complex and unique than standard attacks.
1 button+2 button Performs a Smash Attack.
Minus button / A button+B button Perform a grab. Hit 2 button to do an additional attack on a grabbed foe, and use the Neutral dpad to throw foes in that direction.
B button Activates shield. Also used to perform an airdodge in midair. Combine this with the Neutral dpad to perform sidestep dodges or rolls while on the ground.
A button Initiates a taunt.
Plus button Pauses the game during a match.

The simplest controller is also the most limited one. Without an analog stick, you have noticeably worse control over your movement and attacks, as it is harder to dash or use Strong Attacks. The lack of dedicated jump buttons also forces you to use Tap Jump by default. It is usable if you only play the game as a light and casual distraction, but once you get more invested in the game, you will certainly appreciate the expanded features of other controllers.

Wii Remote + Nunchuck[edit]

Button Action
Neutral nunchuk General movement. Hitting Up lets you jump when Tap Jump is enabled.
A button Standard Attack. Combine it with inputs on the Neutral nunchuk for different Strong Attacks and Smash Attacks, as well as Air Attacks while airborne.
B button Special Moves. Combine it with inputs on the Neutral nunchuk for different special attacks. Special moves are generally more complex and unique than standard attacks.
C button / Up dpad Jump. Press it when airborne to use a midair jump.
A button+B button / Left dpad / Right dpad Perform a grab. Hit A button to do an additional attack on a grabbed foe, and use the Neutral nunchuk to throw foes in that direction.
Z button / Down dpad Activates shield. Also used to perform an airdodge in midair. Combine this with the Neutral nunchuk to perform sidestep dodges or rolls while on the ground.
1 button Initiates an Up Taunt.
2 button Initiates a Down Taunt.
1 button+2 button Initiates a Side Taunt.
Plus button Pauses the game during a match.
Minus button Mostly unused.

The Wii Remote and Nunchuck combination, often referred to as the "Wiichuck" for short, is better than the Wii Remote by itself, but is still fairly limited. Nevertheless, it can potentially match the functionality of dual analog controllers with a bit of control scheme modification. A common modification is to use the D-Pad for Smash Attacks, emulating the second analog stick of most controllers, while mapping either C or one of your taunt buttons as grab.

Gamecube Controller[edit]

Button Action
Neutral control General movement. Hitting Up lets you jump when Tap Jump is enabled.
A button Standard Attack. Combine it with inputs on the Neutral control for different Strong Attacks and Smash Attacks, as well as Air Attacks while airborne.
B button Special Moves. Combine it with inputs on the Neutral control for different special attacks. Special moves are generally more complex and unique than standard attacks.
X button / Y button Jump. Press it when airborne to use a midair jump.
Z button Perform a grab. Hit A button to do an additional attack on a grabbed foe, and use the Neutral control to throw foes in that direction.
L button / R button Activates shield. Also used to perform an airdodge in midair. Combine this with the Neutral control to perform sidestep dodges or rolls while on the ground.
Neutral cstick Performs a Smash Attack in the inputted direction. Hold the stick down to charge the smash.
Neutral dpad Initiates a taunt.
Start button Pauses the game during a match.

The Gamecube controller is a favorite of many series veterans, and its use has been extended to this new iteration of Smash with the release of the Wii U-Gamecube Adaptor. The ability to use the same controller for Melee, Brawl and Smash for Wii U is a big plus, especially if you are a long-time fan that often switches between these games. The Gamecube controller is also the preferred control option in larger-scale tournaments, as it is wired to the system instead of using sensors, minimizing communication disruptions when there are many systems running at once.