‘Smash Ultimate’ Tier List: Top ‘Melee’ Player Ranks New Characters Highly

It’s been less than a week since Super Smash Bros. Ultimate arrived on Nintendo Switch, but the first preliminary tier lists have already hit the internet from some of the world’s best Smashers. We previously discussed the Smash Bros. Ultimate tier list from ZeRo — considered to be the best at the previous iteration of Smash for Wii U — but depending on who you ask he’s still not the best player on Earth.

For some die-hard Smash fans, Melee (the GameCube edition) is the only game that really counts, and from that perspective, William Peter Hjelte (aka, Leffen) is actually the best player around. So when Leffen offers up his own early Smash Bros. Ultimate tier list, it’s worth paying attention.

Of course, this is still just an early ranking. Things will change as tournament play picks up, players adapt, and Nintendo attempts to balance out the roster. Heck, Leffen even has an entire category simply labeled “???”

So definitely don’t treat this tier list as gospel, but it’s still a useful tool for picking your new favorite fighter or simply settling an argument with your friends over which version of Link is best. (For the record, it’s regular Link, it’s always been regular Link).

Anyway, here’s Leffen’s rankings, grouped from best to worst:

Smash Bros. Ultimate Tier List: S Rank

• Falco
• Richter
• Simon
• Diddy Kong
• King. K Rool
• Meta Knight
• Pokémon Trainer

Smash Bros. Ultimate Tier List: A Rank

• Yoshi
• Mewtwo
• Roy
• Chrom
• Pikachu
• Pichu

Smash Bros. Ultimate Tier List: B Rank

• Marth
• Lucina
• Ike
• Shulk
• Icineroar
• Luigi
• Inkling

Smash Bros. Ultimate Tier List: C Rank

• Bayonetta
• Sheik
• Peach
• Daisy
• Corrin
• Greninja
• Toon Link
• Dr. Mario
• Cloud
• Wolf
• Fox
• Snake
• Young Link

Smash Bros. Ultimate Tier List: D Rank

• Ness
• Lucas
• Mario
• Donkey Kong
• R.O.B.
• Jigglypuff
• Lucario
• Captain Falcon
• Zero Suit Samus
• Pit
• Dark Pit

Smash Bros. Ultimate Tier List: E Rank

• Zelda
• Palutena
• Isabelle
• Villager
• Ganondorf
• Ridley
• Kirby
• Rosalina & Luma
• Olimar
• Duck Hunt
• Mr. Game & Watch
• Pac-Man
• Bowser
• Robin
• King Dedede

Smash Bros. Ultimate Tier List: F Rank

• Little Mac
• Bowser Jr.
• Mega Man
• Link
• Samus
• Dark Samus
• Ice Climbers

Smash Bros. Ultimate Tier List: ??? Rank

• Ryu
• Ken
• Sonic
• Wario
• Wii Fit Trainer
• Mii Brawler
• Mii Gunner
• Mii Swordfighter
• Piranha Plant

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available now for Nintendo Switch.

Related video: New ‘Smash Bros. Ultimate’ Commercial Is a Dream Come True