Super Smash Flash 2 (SSF2) version 0.9, first released on January 14, 2013, as Version 0.9a, was the final alpha revision of the popular fan-made browser game before its transition into the Beta phase. This version was a major milestone for McLeodGaming, introducing improved AI, more robust single-player modes, and broader platform compatibility. Key Features of Version 0.9
New Roster Additions: Characters such as Lara Croft, Marth, Meta Knight, Captain Falcon, Knuckles, Snake, and Peach were added to the lineup during this phase.
Enhanced AI: Computer-controlled opponents were significantly improved compared to Version 0.8b, providing a more competitive experience.
Mode Expansion: Solo mode received new "Events" and a dedicated Training mode. Stadium mode featured "Target Smash".
Technical Milestones: Version 0.9a was the first demo build compatible with Linux. Major Updates (0.9b)
Released in July 2014, Version 0.9b brought even more transformative features:
Online Mode: A major breakthrough that allowed players to compete via McLeodGaming's servers.
Special Smash: Introduced game modifiers like "Turbo" (allowing attack cancels on hit), "Mini," and "Slow".
Replay Functionality: Added the ability for players to save and watch their matches. Character Gameplay Changes super smash flash 2 0.9
Version 0.9 included significant balancing adjustments. For example, Tails saw a resurgence in high-tier rankings in 0.9a before stabilizing in 0.9b. Conversely, Sonic was notably nerfed in the 0.9b update, moving him toward the bottom of competitive tier lists due to reduced priority on his moves. Reception and Impact
The 0.9 demo peaked at over 1 million daily plays shortly after its launch and was featured as an indie showcase at the Apex 2013 worldwide tournament. Critics at the time, including writers from Polygon, praised its "low-fi pixel art aesthetic" and the sense of freedom it offered compared to official titles. Super Smash Flash 2 v0.9 Preview!
It is impossible to discuss the "platform fighter renaissance" (games like Rivals of Aether or Fraymakers) without mentioning Super Smash Flash 2 0.9. It proved that a non-profit, fan-made game could achieve mechanical depth rivaling official products.
Specifically, the "Z-Targeting" AI in 0.9’s single-player mode (where CPUs would actually edge-guard) became a benchmark for other indie fighters. Furthermore, the version 0.9 codebase was studied by aspiring game developers in online courses on "ActionScript 3 fighting game engines."
Version 0.9 refined the "Special" move inputs. Drawing inspiration from traditional fighting games (like Street Fighter), the developers ensured that moves had distinct "start-up" and "cool-down" frames. This introduced the concept of "frame data" to the SSF2 community. Players had to learn when it was safe to throw out a move (on shield) and when they would be punished, adding a layer of psychological depth absent in earlier demos.
The most immediate change in 0.9 was the feeling of weight. Characters fell faster, short hopping became more responsive, and dash dancing was finally viable. The hit-stun was recalibrated to allow for true combo strings—something previous Flash fighters struggled with due to frame rate dips. 0.9 managed to lock in a consistent 60 FPS experience on most browsers, which was an engineering marvel for Adobe Flash at the time.
While the later versions of SSF2 are objectively more balanced and feature-rich, Super Smash Flash 2 0.9 holds a sacred place in fighting game history. It was the scrappy, ambitious patch that proved the format worked. It turned a novelty flash game into a legitimate e-sport contender.
For those who remember staying up late, arguing on forums about whether Ichigo was overpowered, or landing that first zero-to-death combo with Fox—0.9 wasn't just a version number. It was a statement that fan games could be extraordinary. Super Smash Flash 2 (SSF2) version 0
If you can dig up an old laptop with a Flash projector, boot up SSF2 0.9 today. The sprites might be pixelated, and the roster might be missing your modern main, but the crisp, tight fighting engine is still as addictive as it was a decade ago.
Keywords used: Super Smash Flash 2 0.9, SSF2 0.9, McLeodGaming, browser fighting game, platform fighter, Flash game preservation.
For fans of the indie fighting game scene, Super Smash Flash 2 (SSF2) Version 0.9
holds a legendary status. Released in its initial alpha form in early 2013 and later refined through version 0.9b in 2014, it was the era that truly put McLeodGaming’s project on the map as a technical powerhouse.
Here’s a look back at why this specific version was such a game-changer for the community. 1. The Dawn of Online Play
Perhaps the most significant milestone of the 0.9b update was the introduction of Online Mode
. For the first time, players weren’t limited to local multiplayer or fighting CPUs. By registering an account on the McLeodGaming Network
(MGN), fans could finally challenge others across the globe, sparking a competitive scene that eventually led to major tournaments. 2. A Massive Roster Expansion Stages
Version 0.9 wasn’t just a maintenance update; it brought a heavy-hitting lineup of new fighters. Iconic additions included: Marth, Sheik, and Zelda: Bringing a more "Melee-esque" feel to the roster. Mega Man and Zero Suit Samus: Expanding the third-party and variant options. Chibi-Robo:
A surprise fan favorite that added a unique mechanical flair. Bomberman and Meta Knight:
These additions rounded out the cast, making it one of the most diverse rosters in flash gaming at the time. 3. Gameplay Refinement and New Mechanics
Before the "Beta" era, 0.9 introduced critical gameplay improvements that made the game feel less like a "flash game" and more like a professional fighter:
Prior to v0.9, the game was plagued by "infinites"—tactics that allowed a player to trap an opponent in a loop indefinitely (such as a rapid jab that the opponent could not escape). The v0.9 update introduced "knockback scaling" and hitstun deterioration. This mechanic ensured that as combos extended, the victim would eventually be launched away, preventing infinite locks and forcing the aggressor to "read" the opponent's landing rather than relying on exploits.
While later versions (v1.0 and beyond) would introduce online play via Adobe’s Cirrus (and eventually external launchers), Super Smash Flash 2 0.9 was the golden age of "couch versus" and forum tournaments.
Sites like Smashboards and the official McLeodGaming Forums were flooded with combo videos, tier list debates, and glitch discoveries. Without the latency issues of early online netcode, local play on school computers during lunch breaks became a rite of passage for a generation of flash game fans.
The v0.9 Tier List (Community Consensus):