Dexterity Assessment Scores Vary with Controller Type but not Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Player Skill

Authors

Jacob D. Cervantes, California State University, Monterey BayFollow
Dillon Harris, Texas A&M UniversityFollow
Zachary R. McFadden, Arizona State University, TempeFollow
Steven B. Machek, California State University, Monterey BayFollow

Abstract

Within the expanding Esports industry, competitive Super Smash Bros Ultimate (SSBU) players require high neuromotor execution. They consequently select controllers and permit functional modifications to match the individual precision and dexterity preferences within their playstyle. PURPOSE: To examine how skill level and controller preference impact dexterity scores in SSBU players of differing skill relative to each other and non-gamers. METHODS: 56 (22 male casual CAS; 24y ± 4; play >4 hr per week, 15 male ES; 24y ± 4; top 150 globally- ranked competitive SSBU players, and 19 non-gamer controls NG; 24y ± 5; 16F/3M) subjects voluntarily participated in a manual pegboard dexterity test. They performed - in sequence - 30 seconds tests for right hand, left hand, both hands, and a 60 seconds building test, where each primary trial was preceded by a respective practice assessment. Controller preferences were collected from the CAS and ES groups and then stratified into unmodified and modified variations of the Nintendo Pro Controller (PC, Modified Pro Controller [MPC]) and GameCube Controller (GCC, Modified GameCube Controller [MGCC]),for subsequent analyses. Separate one-way ANOVAs for group (CAS, ES, NG) and controller type (PC, MPC, GCC, MGCC) were used to assess primary and primary-to-practice difference (∆) pegboard scores (right, left, both, building). Significant main effects (p>.05) were followed up with post-hoc Tukey HSD to examine pairwise comparisons and effect sizes reported as partial η². RESULTS: Analyses failed to reveal any statistically significant group nor controller type effects for primary scores (all p>.05). While there was similarly no significant group effect, a significant controller type effect on ∆ building scores (p=.0172, η_p²= .28) was detected. The PC scores [-4.0±12.8 points] were significantly higher versus the GCC (p=.0458, [4.23±3.19 points]) and the MGCC (p=.0097, [6.36±4.27 points]). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that dexterity does not play a significant role in SSBU skill, but may influence controller preference. Future research should expand upon these findings by examining a broader player skill range and more game-specific dexterity assessments, as well as exploring potential controller-specific long-term health effects.

Recommended Citation

Cervantes, Jacob D.; Harris, Dillon; McFadden, Zachary R.; and Machek, Steven B. (2025) "Dexterity Assessment Scores Vary with Controller Type but not Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Player Skill," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 5, Article 8.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss5/8