How to mimick super Smash Bros Countdown Style?

[lucaspf]

Hey GSAP community! 👋

I'm trying to recreate the iconic Super Smash Bros countdown animation (see attached GIF) using GSAP. The effect I'm after includes:

• Numbers that scale in with a punch/impact effect
• A slight bounce/elastic ease as they appear
• Quick fade out before the next number
• The dramatic "GO!" finale with extra emphasis

I've attached a green screen version of the countdown for reference. I'm wondering:

1. What's the best approach to sequence these number animations? Should I use a Timeline with staggered tweens?
2. How can I achieve that elastic "pop" effect when each number appears?
3. Is there a recommended way to sync the scale, opacity, and any rotation transforms for maximum impact?
4. Any tips on timing to make it feel as punchy as the original?

[mvaneijgen]

Hi @lucaspf welcome to the forum!

 

What have you tried already? We love to see what you can come up with, that way we can see your thought process and thus better help you understand the tools!

 

My advise open up a Codepen and start thinkering and see where you end up. I find the best way to learn is to get your hands dirty. 

 

10 hours ago, lucaspf said:

• What's the best approach to sequence these number animations? Should I use a Timeline with staggered tweens?

 That is the beauty of animating with code, you can just swap everything around. Pro tip check out GSdevtools https://gsap.com/docs/v3/Plugins/GSDevTools/

10 hours ago, lucaspf said:

• How can I achieve that elastic "pop" effect when each number appears?

To mee it seem seems like a clip-path animation. Check out the post below for mask tips 

 

 

10 hours ago, lucaspf said:

• Is there a recommended way to sync the scale, opacity, and any rotation transforms for maximum impact?

 

I would not really worry about a recommend way I would worry about a way, there is always time to optimise it later, but before that you just need to make it work first

10 hours ago, lucaspf said:

1. Any tips on timing to make it feel as punchy as the original?

Study the original. Open it is video software, slow it down and keep scrubbing between sections.  

 

If you're new to GSAP check out this awesome getting started guide https://gsap.com/resources/get-started/

 

Here is a starter template which loads all the plugins 

See the Pen aYYOdN by GreenSock (@GreenSock) on CodePen.

 

Hope it helps and happy tweening! 

[lucaspf]

@mvaneijgenThanks for the intro! Here's what i have so far

See the Pen GgqzEWK by pradelgorithm (@pradelgorithm) on CodePen.

[mvaneijgen]

Cool I would install GSdevtools this can really help you debug your animation 

 

See the Pen dPXaRRr?editors=0010 by mvaneijgen (@mvaneijgen) on CodePen.

 

I see you have a lot of variables and if statements to change certain things. This is great for optimized, but bad for readability and debugging (I find). I've written a whole post about this

 

 

Also if you have any questions try to create a demo that just focusses on that specific part of the code and try to make it as minimal as possible. Hope it helps and happy tweening!

[lucaspf]

Apologies that was the project code, here's a simpler version, im just not sure which tools i need to bring it 70-80% closer to what i want, right not is at 40% to my eyeballs @mvaneijgen

See the Pen bNezazj by pradelgorithm (@pradelgorithm) on CodePen.

[mvaneijgen]

To me it looks like the number are growing not shrinking, which is what you have in your example. Your code also looks really cool, which all those if statements which dynamically update their values, but what is their use if your animation isn't what you want? Again stop optimizing your code! Focus on the animation at first and when you're happy with that you can optimise it to your hearts content. 

 

 

Also as mention before it seems like the numbers are being revealed from the bottom up, this you can do with a clip-path (see this post). I really advise you to open the gif in a video program, slow it way down and really study what is happening and then try to make that. Just write out each tween by hand, so you can really play with the animation an tweak it, this is impossible with optimized code or will take so much longer! There is always time to optimise later! 

 

Then when you get stuck post back here with a specific question. Like "I cant get the numbers the reveal from he bottom", missing 60% form the whole animation is a bit much to dive in to for us, but we're happy to help with specific questions. Hope it helps and happy tweening! 

 

See the Pen OPXdeoM?editors=0010 by mvaneijgen (@mvaneijgen) on CodePen.