I really enjoyed having the smash ball as it required a combination of luck and skill to KO an opponent or deal damage with the specific character's special move. However, I could get use to the more handicapped version with the smash meter. I guess it prevent absolute thrashings, which would result in more fun, even matches overall. So, overall, the smash meter would be the better option. It would make me feel less insulting to the opponent and vice versa.