I grew up playing brawlers in the 90's on Sega and Nintendo platforms. Its no different, outside of hit point percentages. The games dont even use health bars. You can also stay in a match potentially beyond a 100% damage rating (which does not occur in fighters)

Besides...Sakurai has something to say about it...

http://www.eventhubs.com/news/2013/jun/21/sakurai-says-smash-bros-isnt-fighting-game-completely-different-label-talks-game-development-fighting-genre-and-value-unpredictability/

He didnt make it a legitimate fighter because he didnt want it to be niche. When he created it fighters were starting to lose popularity, so he created something for a wider audience. As you'll see there he created the game for non-hardcore gamers who just want something to play and have fun.

I never understood the argument that Smash isn`t a fighter. Take out the items, 2 player, and Final Destination, and you have a fighter like the others, but different mechanics.

Most likely Street Fighter.

Most people point to tht link, but Sakurai and staff said so many times its a fighter as well. Even in the game it says its a fighting game by many references. 

How is it no different outside of a health meter? What games played exactly like SSB? I cant think of any. 

I guess its on you if you dont believe its a fighter (and others too of course). Its at Fighting Tournaments, Its under Fighting Genre, it plays like a fighter, just not a traditional 2D One. 

Mario Kart shouldnt be considered a Racer since its in the same boat as SSB (but for different genres).

No robust movelist, hit percentages replace life bars, half of the match is survival. Its concept is simpler than a fighter in fundamentals, but actually...in a sense its actually much larger. It allows it to appeal to most people.

Actually I think characters do have good varied movesets which allows for some varied, tough matches, and while the life bar is different, it still encourages the same KO aspect of fighters. I`d still consider it a fighter. Well, not a traditional one, but still fits in the fighter category.

Mario Kart is a racer, but if you consider it close to other racers that aren't given a cutesy look its like many other arcadey death battle racers. FIrst to get to the destination without dying or getting knocked off course wins. Twisted Metal does something similar, except it doesnt care who reaches the finish line, but rather only who survives. What about Road Rash in the 90's?

Oh damn you for giving me logical statements... Damn You!!!!!!!!!!

You can survive a mach beyond a 100% damagerating. The game is purely about survival, which makes it have a higher climax rate as your friends because you never truly know when the person is down and out. It makes it more fun and gives people more chances are survival. As sakurai says he sees the game as a four player battle royale.

I would bet in Street Fighter V.