Input lag is an important issue in video games across all genres, but especially in competitive games like within the fighting genre. The frames between when a button is pressed on a controller and when an action is done on-screen can often be the difference between a win and a loss. That's why there's growing frustration among professional competitive Super Smash Bros. players about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which reportedly has the worst input lag in the franchise yet.

YouTube channel GigaBoots runs a series of analysis videos titled Button2Pixel in which they measure the input lag for various games. Prior to the launch of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, GigaBoots measured the input lag of all previous Super Smash Bros. games. The results show how input lag has risen meaningfully over the years, from an average of 3-4 frames of input lag for the Nintendo 64 Super Smash Bros. to between 5-6 frames for the Wii and 5 on the Wii U.

But it's Super Smash Bros. Ultimate that has now pushed input lag to its highest level yet. According to their analysis, utilizing the exact same methods as with previous Super Smash Bros. titles, all controller types for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate reach between 6-7 frames of lag. Comparing average input lag between games in the franchise, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is almost a full frame slower than the second slowest game (Super Smash Bros. Brawl).

For Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players looking to optimize their input lag by choosing the best controller, it looks like the GameCube controller is the best choice. It's not going to bring those frames back down into Nintendo 64 or Melee territory, but an average input lag of 6 frames is still much better than an average input lag of 7 frames.

The best guess that GigaBoots has for why Super Smash Bros. Ultimate features such disappointing input lag is that Nintendo prioritized visuals for the game. And while Super Smash Bros. Ultimate looks great, the Nintendo Switch's hardware is understandably limited given its handheld/console nature. GigaBoots speculates that it's possible Nintendo could improve input lag through optimization patches but admits that it's very unlikely.

Finally, let's acknowledge that while GigaBoots does have experience with regards to analyzing input lag, his video is not necessarily up to scientific standards. That's not to say that his findings are inaccurate, but rather that there's likely unmeasured error involved. There will hopefully be more Super Smash Bros. Ultimate players attempting to reproduce GigaBoots findings in the coming weeks and months.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available now exclusively on Nintendo Switch.

Source: GigaBoots