List of Super Smash Bros. Melee characters

The following are a list of characters that were present in the best selling GameCube video game Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Default characters

Mario

Undeniably the most famous video game character, Mario is usually the first character that newcomers choose when playing the Super Smash Bros. series. He's an all around character with a good variety of special attacks. He was announced to be a playable character at E3 2001. Compared to others, Mario has a terrible recovery, though this is one of the only cons. Mario has one of the most impressive wave dashes, can easily rack up the enemies' damage, can wall jump, and has a cape that reflects objects and turns players around. Mario is involved in six missions, and five different color variations. His special moves consist of:

• B: Fireball - Mario will shoot a single fireball from his hand.
• Side B: Cape - Mario will use his cape to reflect objects or turn characters around. If it connects with a character it will deliver a small amount of damage.
• Up B: Super Jump Punch - Mario's recovery move.
• Down B: Mario Tornado - Mario will spin around and attack players from both sides.

Donkey Kong

The King of Kongs returns to the brawl with an updated look.

• B: Giant Punch - Donkey Kong winds up his arm to launch a devastating punch.
• Side B: Headbutt - Can bury opponents.
• Up B: Spinning Kong - Donkey Kong spins around like the blades of a helicopter.
• Down B: Hand Slap - Donkey Kong slaps the ground multiple times, causing other fighters to take damage when around him.

Link

Link returns from the first game.

B: Bow - Link shoots an arrow. Can be charged to do more damage.

Side B: Boomerang - Link throws a boomerang. Does a decent amount of knockback.

Up B: Spin Attack - Leaps and does a spin. Can be used in the air and on the ground.

Down B: Bomb - Link uses a bomb.

Samus Aran

Samus, also known as サムス (Samus), is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee. She is an original character and a returning fighter from the previous game. Like Link, Samus excels in close-quarters combat and has a wide range of long-range attacks.

Neutral Special [Charge Shot]- When the B button is pressed, Samus initiates the process of charging a ball of energy. This energy ball gradually increases in size, strength, and speed as it continues to charge. If the B button is pressed again during the charging process, the charge is canceled and the shot is fired. Alternatively, pressing the L or R button will also cancel the charge, allowing Samus to store her current charge for later use. To resume the charging process, simply press the B button again. Once fully charged, the shot possesses the potential to knock out opponents. If used while in mid-air, Samus will immediately fire the shot, regardless of the charge level or how long the B button is held down.

Side Special [Missile]- Firing a forward-moving missile is possible with two variations: homing and Super Missile. To activate the homing missile, press B while tilting the control stick. For the Super Missile, press B while smashing the control stick forward. Unlike the homing missile, the Super Missile travels straight ahead and is faster and more powerful. It can also produce knockback when it hits.

Up Special [Screw Attack]- Samus uses the "Screw Attack" ability to quickly ascend and spin, delivering multiple hits but little knockback. It's mainly used for recovery and can be escaped with SDI. If hit during the move, her charge shot will vanish

Down Special [Bomb]- Samus can use Morph Ball mode to drop a timed bomb that explodes after a short time. The bomb doesn't do much damage or knockback, but it can be used to boost Samus's horizontal recovery. It also has a weak downward effect that can disrupt opponents with weaker recoveries.

Yoshi

Yoshi is one of the starting characters in Super Smash Bros. Melee. He was revealed as a playable character during E3 2001.

Neutral Special [Egg Lay]- Yoshi consumes the enemy and transforms them into an egg.

Side Special [Egg Roll]- Yoshi transforms into an egg and rolls around, causing damage based on his speed. If Yoshi starts the move in mid-air, it won't cause any damage until he lands on the ground. However, if Yoshi finishes the move in mid-air, he becomes vulnerable and the move becomes ineffective for recovery. If the egg hits a ledge or wall, it breaks and the attack ends.

Up Special [Egg Throw]- Yoshi's windup allows you to control the strength and angle of the egg throw. Hold the B button to adjust the strength and tilt the control stick to change the angle.

Down Special [Yoshi Bomb]- Yoshi falls straight down when used in the air, creating stars upon landing. He can only sweetspot the ledge if facing towards it.

Kirby

Kirby is a character that you can start with in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Makiko Ōmoto is the voice actor for Kirby in Melee. Some of the voice clips from SSB were reused, but there are also some new, higher-pitched ones.

Neutral Special [Swallow]- Kirby inhales his enemy, then can either release them as a star to cause harm, or mimic their basic special move. The star Kirby shoots out can hit enemies as a projectile and cause damage. The amount of damage the star inflicts is based on the opponent's weight.

Side Special [Hammer]- Kirby wields his hammer, with the head being the sweetspot and the handle being the sourspot. When airborne, Kirby performs a spinning attack vertically, striking multiple times.

Up Special [Final Cutter]- Kirby executes his Final Cutter move by jumping up with a hitbox, then diving down until hitting a platform. This move cannot be interrupted. When Kirby hits the ground, a beam is released forward as a projectile.

Down Special [Stone]- Kirby transforms into a heavy object using his Stone ability, dropping to the ground and sliding on uneven surfaces. While in this state, only grabs can harm Kirby. The transformation will end after a brief period, and can be stopped by using the move again.

Fox McCloud

Fox McCloud makes his return from Super Smash Bros.

• B: Laser - Fox shoots his laser gun.
• Side B: Fox Illusion - Fox goes really fast, damaging anyone in his way.
• Up B: Fire Fox - Fox becomes surrounded in flames and then flies in one of eight directions.
• Down B: Reflector - Fox uses his Reflector which can block projectiles.

Pikachu

Pikachu is one of the starting characters in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Ikue Ōtani returns as Pikachu in Melee, providing new voice clips.

Neutral Special [Thunder Jolt]- Pikachu's primary attack is shooting an electric bolt. The bolt moves forward and bounces on the ground, and it can also move on walls, below the edge, and on ceilings. If used in the air, it will move diagonally downwards. It disappears after about 3 seconds. It can be used to hinder certain recoveries.

Side Special [Skull Bash]- When the B button is released, Pikachu charges and propels itself forward like a missile. It has strong knockout power when fully charged or almost fully charged. This move can also help Pikachu extend its recovery, but it does have some delay. On the ground, the attack has a significant delay and can be easily shield grabbed, similar to a dash attack. Using the move like a smash attack will make it finish charging faster.

Up Special [Quick Attack]- Pikachu has a move called warp speed that can be used in two different directions. The control stick is used to select the direction. This move is Pikachu's main recovery move and is very quick and unpredictable. The second warp is optional, but if used, it must be at least 38 degrees different from the first direction. However, it is possible to move in the same direction twice by pointing the control stick at precise coordinates. The speed of the warps depends on how strongly the control stick is tilted. Pikachu can do shorter warps by tilting the stick less. This move can be used to warp to the ledge and set up an edgehog, but if not done correctly, Pikachu will be left helpless.

Down Special [Thunder]- Pikachu yells "PIKA!" and a big thunderbolt strikes down on it. The move is slow, but if the opponent gets caught in the shockwave around Pikachu when the thunderbolt hits, it sends them flying horizontally. If the opponent is hit by the bolt directly, it sends them upwards, potentially KOing them from the top (known as Thunderspiking - can be comboed with an up smash). It's possible for the bolt to miss Pikachu if it moves in the air after using the move. This attack has top priority. The bolt can hit up to 4 times (though it's rare), and touching Pikachu itself deals damage during the first part of the attack.

Ness

Ness makes a return as a playable fighter in Melee. This time, he is a starter character. He was planned to be replaced by Lucas, but due to Mother 3 being cancelled, Ness stayed.

• B: PK Flash - A green light. Can be charged to do more damage.
• Side B: PK Fire - A lightning-shaped projectile that sets an opponent ablaze.
• Up B: PK Thunder - A projectile-based recovery that can be used to damage opponents and send Ness flying towards them, strong enough for a KO.
• Down B: PSI Magnet - A field that heals Ness when in contact with energy-based projectiles.

Captain Falcon

Captain Falcon

Captain Falcon, also known as C. Falcon, is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee. He can be selected from the character select screen and is available from the beginning of the game.

Neutral Special [Falcon Punch]- Winds up and then unleashes a strong, blazing punch, with his fists covered in a flame shaped like a falcon. Causes significant damage and knockback, and serves as the finishing move after a fair in the Sacred Combo. However, it is slower compared to SSB64 and can be easily predicted and punished (the charging can also be interrupted by most attacks).

Side Special [Raptor Boost]- Dashes forward. If he doesn't hit an opponent, he falls over. If he hits an opponent on the ground, he launches a fiery uppercut, knocking them into the air. If he hits an opponent while in midair, he punches downward, meteor smashing them. However, this move always makes him helpless, so it is very risky to use offstage.

Up Special [Falcon Dive]- Captain Falcon's recovery move allows him to grab the ledge even when facing the opposite direction. While it usually leaves him vulnerable, if he manages to grab an opponent, he can unleash a fiery blow before using the move once more.

Down Special- [Falcon Kick]- Rushes forward with a fiery kick, dashing even when off a ledge. If used in midair, kicks diagonally downwards. Can restore midair jump, making it useful for long-distance horizontal recovery. However, the aerial version's hitboxes are incorrectly programmed, located on Falcon's right leg while he performs it with his left leg. This causes the hitboxes to be to the side and behind him, even if they were programmed correctly.

Bowser

Princess Peach

Princess Peach makes her Smash Bros. debut in Melee.

• B: Toad - Used as a counter.
• Side B: Peach Bomber - Peach lunges forward.
• Up B: Peach Parasol - Peach uses her parasol, slowly moving downwards to the ground.
• Down B: Vegetable - Peach picks up a vegetable to throw at other Fighters. Does varying amounts of damage.

Princess Zelda

Unlockable characters

Luigi

Jigglypuff

Jigglypuff makes her return from the first Super Smash Bros.

• B: Rollout - hold down the B button to charge and release the button to use the charge.
• Side B: Pound - Jigglypuff slaps her opponent(s), dealing a high amount of damage.
• Up B: Sing - Jigglypuff uses Sing, making those around her fall asleep.
• Down B: Rest - Jigglypuff goes to sleep. If she is touching an enemy when this happens, they will receive a very high amount of knockback.

Mewtwo

Mr. Game & Watch

Falco Lombardi

Pichu

Pichu is one of the few playable Pokémon characters in the whole Super Smash Bros series, also one of the few to be taken out of Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii. Pichu was one of many clones, or copies of other characters. He was like Pikachu, Pichu was faster, was the lightest character in the game and it hurt itself. Pichu was a major distraction, as well as being a hard-to-use fighter, So they took them out (Until Ultimate).

• B: Thunder Jolt - Pichu's main projectile.

• Side B: Skull Bash - Does more damage and goes farther when fully charged, but takes longer to fully charge.
• Up B: Quick Attack - Moves slower than Pikachu's and does no damage.

• Down B: Thunder - Hits multiple times and has more vertical knockback, but is laggy.