11 Local Multiplayer Gems That Built Gaming Communities

2. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Every Gamer’s Arena

If you’ve been to any gaming event, party, or dorm in the last two decades, chances are you’ve witnessed the glorious free-for-all that is Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Originating on the N64 and evolving through Melee to the current all-star bonanza, Smash has always been the meeting ground for gamers from every corner—Marvel vs. Capcom fans, Mario loyalists, and even the odd Pokémon Trainer. The magic here? It’s simple to pick up—just jump, attack, and try to stay on screen—but the competitive ceiling stretches as high as you want to climb. Smash matches fuel heated rivalries, inside jokes, and late-night tournaments that last way past bedtime. Ultimate’s massive roster ensures newbies and veterans alike find a favorite, with every character bringing their own flavor of chaos to the brawl. Whether you’re shouting for a last-second recovery or clutching the crown after sudden death, a session of Smash is guaranteed to turn strangers into friends—and friends into friendly rivals.