Bowser | Captain Falcon | Donkey Kong | Fox McCloud | Ice Climbers | Kirby | Link
| Learning Curve: | **** | | Power: | ***** | | Speed: | * | | Recovery: | ** | | Grab: | **** | | Offense: | **** | | Defense: | ** | | Comeback: | ** | | Overall: | *** |
|  |
| Comments: | The king of the Koopas has finally graced the realm of Smash Brothers. While at first he may seem slow and less than stellar, given the proper time and training, he can become a formidable opponent. His attacks are very powerful and many of them allow for combo opportunities as well. Bowsers only real downfalls come in his lack of speed and his minimal defensive skills. While his clear out attack works well, his roll is very short and his size makes him an easy target to hit. Combine that with his relatively long recovery time and beating faster characters becomes quite a difficult task. |
| Special Moves |
|---|
| Move | Button Press | Notes |
|---|
| Fire Breath | B | ground, stun |
| Extended Fire Breath | Hold B | ground, stun |
| Leaping Bowser Bomb | Down + B | clear out, ground, power hit |
| Bowser Bomb | Down + B | AIR, clear out, ground, power hit |
| Whirling Fortress | Up + B | air, behind, clear out, comeback, ground, power hit |
| Koopa Claw Slash | Forward + B | air, ground, juggle, power hit |
| Koopa Claw Grab | Forward + B | air, close |
| Bowser Bite | B | after Koopa Claw Grab, you can bite up to 8 times |
| Koopa Head Ram | Forward | after Koopa Claw Grab, juggle, stun |
| Koopa Toss | Back | after Koopa Claw Grab |
| Regular Attacks |
|---|
| Move | Button Press | Notes |
|---|
| Quick Slash | A | . |
| Quick Double Slash | A, A | . |
| Koopa Shell Spin | Down + A | behind, ground, juggle, smash attack, stun |
| Koopa Shell Slam | Down + A | AIR, ground, platform |
| Bowser Head Smash | Forward + A | ground, smash attack |
| Shell Hop | Up + A | behind, clear out, juggle, smash attack |
| Overhead Swipe | Hold Up, A | behind, juggle |
| Double Ground Swipe | Hold Down, A | ground |
| Koopa Punch | Hold Forward, A | . |
| Upward Swipe | Hold Up, A | AIR |
| Forward Swipe | Hold Forward, A | AIR |
| Shell Attack | Hold Back, A | AIR |
| Learning Curve: | **** | | Power: | **** | | Speed: | **** | | Recovery: | ** | | Grab: | ** | | Offense: | *** | | Defense: | ** | | Comeback: | ** | | Overall: | *** |
|  |
| Comments: | Falcon is one of the many returning characters from the original Smash Brothers. He's also more of an advanced character. Many of his attacks take some time to execute and therefore you need to have very precise timing to have any success with him. He does have his strong points in that many of his attacks distance the opponent from Falcon, giving you time to set up your next move. However, the Captain doesn't have a quick clear out attack when you're surrounded by a group of attackers. His new attack, the Falcon Dash Uppercut helps his juggling game a great deal. Just be careful of quick poking opponents as Falcon can easily be knocked out of this new move. The advantages of using Captain Falcon aren't enough to warrant the time it will take most players to become skilled with him. Ganondorf is very similar to Falcon, except his attacks seem to have better priority and dish out more damage. There are also other characters which are just as effective and take much less time to learn. |
| Special Moves |
|---|
| Move | Button Press | Notes |
|---|
| Falcon Punch | B | air, power hit |
| Falcon Kick | Down + B | air, ground, stun |
| Falcon Dive | Up + B | air, close, comeback, platform |
| Raptor Boost | Forward + B | . |
| Raptor Boost Uppercut | Forward + B | behind, close, ground, juggle, stun |
| Aerial Raptor | Forward + B | AIR, stun |
| Regular Attacks |
|---|
| Move | Button Press | Notes |
|---|
| Jab | A | . |
| 1,2 Punch | A, A | . |
| 1,2, Knee, Multi-Punch Combo | A, A, A | . |
| Continuous Rapid Punches | Rapidly Tap A | during 1,2, Knee Multi-Punch Combo, stun |
| Double Vertical Kicks | Up + A | ground, juggle, smash attack |
| Double Soccer Kick | Down + A | behind, ground, smash attack only on first kick |
| Falcon Elbow | Forward + A | smash attack |
| Vertical Stomp Kick | Hold Up, A | behind, ground |
| Spin Sweep | Hold Down, A | ground, juggle |
| Spin Side Kick | Hold Forward, A | . |
| Flip Kick | Hold Up, A | AIR |
| Aerial Stomp | Hold Down, A | AIR, ground, juggle |
| Aerial Knee Stun | Hold Forward, A | AIR, stun |
| Aerial Back Fist | Hold Back, A | AIR |
| Learning Curve: | **** | | Power: | ***** | | Speed: | ** | | Recovery: | ** | | Grab: | ***** | | Offense: | ***** | | Defense: | *** | | Comeback: | *** | | Overall: | **** |
|  |
| Comments: | This is the Donkey Kong from his series on the Super Nintendo. He is one of the most powerful characters in the game. Use the wind-up punch at full power and anyone even close to 100% damage will be gone for good. Don't overuse it or else the other players will catch on and distance themselves when you've got it charged up. Try using it during jumps when your opponents aren't expecting it. His spinning move is also great for coming back from Smash Attacks and getting out of big groups. DK's new Smackdown attack is great for setting up combos and juggles. Old school DK players need to work this attack into their game. The only problems Donkey Kong has are his high learning curve and his size. Unfortunately DK is one of the hardest characters to master and it will take a DK player much longer to escape attacks because of his size. Use your shield to defend against long range attacks, and dash in to close gaps between opponents. |
| Special Moves |
|---|
| Move | Button Press | Notes |
|---|
| Windup | B | air |
| Giant Punch | B | during/after Windup, air, behind, power hit |
| Spinning Kong | Up + B | air, behind, clear out, comeback, ground |
| Hand Slap | Down + B | behind, clear out, ground, juggle, stun |
| Headbutt | Forward + B | air, juggle, stun |
| Regular Attacks |
|---|
| Move | Button Press | Notes |
|---|
| Side Swipe | A | . |
| Side Swipe, Uppercut | A, A | . |
| DK Clap | Forward + A | ground, smash attack |
| DK Double Fist | Down + A | behind, clear out, ground, smash attack |
| DK Overhead Clap | Up + A | juggle, platform, smash attack, stun |
| Horizontal Slap | Hold Forward, A | . |
| Low Slap | Hold Down, A | ground |
| Upward Swipe | Hold Up, A | behind, juggle |
| Aerial Spin Punch | A | AIR, behind |
| Aerial Head Butt | Hold Up, A | AIR |
| Aerial Foot Stomp | Hold Down, A | AIR, ground, juggle |
| Aerial Roll Punch | Hold Forward, A | AIR |
| Aerial Back Kick | Hold Back, A | AIR, behind |
| Learning Curve: | **** | | Power: | ** | | Speed: | ***** | | Recovery: | **** | | Grab: | *** | | Offense: | *** | | Defense: | **** | | Comeback: | ** | | Overall: | *** |
|  |
| Comments: | Fox is from Star Fox and Star Fox 64. He carries a laser gun which gives him the fastest projectile attack in the game. He's also equipped with a special shield that can serve two purposes. It can be used to damage your opponents if you're close enough, and it will also deflect projectile attacks. As one of the faster characters in the game, Fox can get out of tight situations with ease. You can occasionally use McCloud's Fire Fox move as a clear out, but without a true clear out attack you'll have to rely more heavily on his other abilities. McCloud's new attack is a quick ground dash. It's so fast, it almost appears as if Fox is teleporting. Use this move from mid-range and you should be safe against most counterattacks. |
| Special Moves |
|---|
| Move | Button Press | Notes |
|---|
| Blaster | B | air |
| Fire Fox | Up + B | air, behind, clear out, comeback, directional, ground, platform, stun |
| Reflector | Down + B | air, behind, juggle |
| Fox Illusion | Forward + B | air, behind, clear out, ground, juggle, stun |
| Regular Attacks |
|---|
| Move | Button Press | Notes |
|---|
| Quick Jab | A | . |
| Double Punch Combo | A, A | . |
| Double Punch, Rapid Kick Combo | A, A, A | . |
| Continuous Rapid Kicks | Rapidly Tap A | during Double Punch, Rapid Kick Combo, stun |
| Flip Kick | Up + A | behind, ground, juggle, smash attack |
| Splits Kick | Down + A | behind, clear out, ground, smash attack |
| Flying Fox Kick | Forward + A | ground, juggle, smash attack |
| Vertical Back Kick | Hold Up, A | behind, juggle |
| Tail Spin | Hold Down, A | ground, juggle |
| Side Kick | Hold Forward, A | . |
| Aerial Flip Kick | Hold Up, A | AIR, juggle |
| Aerial Multi-Kick | Hold Forward, A | AIR |
| Downward Spin Kick | Hold Down, A | AIR, ground |
| Aerial Back Kick | Hold Back, A | AIR, behind |
| Learning Curve: | ***** | | Power: | ***** | | Speed: | **** | | Recovery: | ** | | Grab: | ** | | Offense: | *** | | Defense: | ** | | Comeback: | ** | | Overall: | *** |
|  |
| Comments: | Popo and Nana have returned from the land of lost video games. The Ice Climbers are back and out for revenge. This unique duo fight as a team. You choose which Ice Climber you wish to control, then the other mimics your actions. Both characters can be hit, but only the one you control takes damage. Even if the secondary character gets KO'd, you can still fight it out with just the primary Ice Climber. However, without your partner your attacks will not be as potent, and you'll have trouble coming back after getting launched out of the playing field. While you can jump right in and start hammering away with them, once you have a grasp on everything the two are capable of, they will become a fearsome pair. |
| Special Moves |
|---|
| Move | Button Press | Notes |
|---|
| Ice Shot | B | air, bounces |
| Ice Hammer | B | air, behind, close, juggle |
| Blizzard | Down + B | air, behind, ground |
| Belay | Up + B | air, comeback, secondary Ice Climber must be close |
| Squall Hammer | Forward + B | air, comeback, distance |
| Regular Attacks |
|---|
| Move | Button Press | Notes |
|---|
| Downward Hammer | A | . |
| Double Hammer Swing | A, A | behind |
| Hammer Smash | Forward + A | ground, smash attack |
| Hammer Sweep | Down + A | ground, smash attack |
| Vertical Hammer Smash | Up + A | juggle, smash attack, stun |
| Vertical Hammer Spin | Hold Up, A | ground, juggle |
| Mini Hammer Sweep | Hold Down, A | ground, juggle |
| Horizontal Hammer | Hold Forward, A | behind, juggle |
| Aerial Vertical Hammer | Hold Up, A | AIR |
| Hammer Drop | Hold Down, A | AIR, ground |
| Aerial Hammer Smash | Hold Forward, A | AIR, ground |
| Reverse Horizontal Hammer | Hold Back, A | AIR, juggle |
| Learning Curve: | *** | | Power: | **** | | Speed: | *** | | Recovery: | **** | | Grab: | *** | | Offense: | **** | | Defense: | **** | | Comeback: | ***** | | Overall: | ***** |
|  |
| Comments: | Kirby is of course from all of the various Kirby games. Although he may look like a cute little pink ball, he packs a mean punch. Most of his special moves act like power hits or chain hits together, and he can absorb an additional special move from his opponents. His throw also has strategic value as it can move you to a higher platform and out of danger. One of his special moves, the brick, even acts as a power hit and a shield. During this move, Kirby cannot take any damage unless thrown. He can even take out someone with the hammer if he attacks with this move. His new Melee attack gives him a hammer to swing at foes. On the ground, you may opt for a Smash Attack, but in the air, this multi-hit technique is very useful. If you're looking for an offensive character, Kirby will definitely do the job. |
| Special Moves |
|---|
| Move | Button Press | Notes |
|---|
| Inhale | B | air |
| Star Spit | A | after Inhale |
| Absorb | B | after Inhale |
| Absorb Cancel | Taunt | after Absorb |
| Final Cutter | Up + B | air, behind, comeback, directional |
| Stone | Down + B | air, clear out, ground, power hit |
| Hammer Swing | Forward + B | behind, ground, power hit from behind |
| Hammer Spin | Forward + B | AIR, behind, ground stun |
| Regular Attacks |
|---|
| Move | Button Press | Notes |
|---|
| Jab | A | . |
| 1,2 Punch | A, A | . |
| Rapid Punch Combo | A, A, A | stun |
| Continuous Rapid Punch | Rapidly Tap A | during Rapid Punch Combo, stun |
| Flip Kick | Up + A | behind, ground, juggle, smash attack |
| Spin Sweep | Down + A | behind, clear out, ground, smash attack |
| Lunge Kick | Forward + A | ground, juggle, smash attack |
| Vertical Kick | Hold Up, A | behind, ground, juggle |
| Low Kick | Hold Down, A | ground |
| Spin Kick | Hold Forward, A | ground |
| Aerial Vertical Kick | Hold Up, A | AIR, behind, ground |
| Downward Spin Kick | Hold Down, A | AIR, ground |
| Aerial Multi-Kick | Hold Forward, A | AIR |
| Aerial Back Kick | Hold Back, A | AIR, behind |
| Learning Curve: | ** | | Power: | **** | | Speed: | *** | | Recovery: | ** | | Grab: | ** | | Offense: | ***** | | Defense: | **** | | Comeback: | **** | | Overall: | ***** |
|  |
| Comments: | As one of the most popular characters in the original Smash Brothers, Link remains one of the easier characters to learn and master. He's one of the more powerful characters, his clear out move has a wide range, and he now has three projectile attacks. The bomb has been toned down a bit, but is still very useful. The boomerang can hit opponents going out or coming back and will stun opponents. His new Arrow Shot covers more distance than the bomb, and does more damage than the boomerang. Link's grab is also long range, which can be good or bad depending on how you play. However, his best addition is his ability to grab edges with the hook shot. Link players no longer have to rely on the sword spin as a comeback move. Once mastered, Link can be very difficult to defeat. |
| Special Moves |
|---|
| Move | Button Press | Notes |
|---|
| Silver Arrow | B | air, charge, distance |
| Sword Spin | Up + B | air, behind, clear out, comeback, ground |
| Bomb Pull | Down + B | air |
| Bomb Throw | Down + B | after Bomb Pull, explodes on impact, air, stun |
| Bomb Toss | A | after Bomb Pull, explodes on impact, air, directional, distance, stun |
| Boomerang | Forward + B | air, bounces, directional, ground, stun |
| Regular Attacks |
|---|
| Move | Button Press | Notes |
|---|
| Sword Swipe | A | . |
| Double Sword Swipe | A, A | . |
| Sword Swipe Combo | A, A, A | . |
| Rapid Sword Combo | Rapidly Tap A | close, stun |
| Continuous Rapid Sword | Rapidly Tap A | during Rapid Sword Combo |
| Sword Thrust | Forward + A | ground, smash attack |
| Double Sword Thrust | Forward + A, A | ground, smash attack |
| Double Low Swipe | Down + A | behind, clear out, ground, smash attack |
| Triple Upward Swipe | Up + A | behind, ground, juggle, smash attack |
| Upward Thrust | Hold Up, A | behind, clear out, ground, juggle |
| Low Swipe | Hold Down, A | ground, juggle |
| Sword Swipe | Hold Forward, A | behind |
| Kick | A | AIR |
| Upward Stab | Hold Up, A | AIR, platform |
| Spin Swipe | Hold Forward, A | AIR, behind |
| Double Back Kick | Hold Back, A | AIR, behind |
