A Star Knock-Out or Star Finish, abbreviated as Star KO is a type of KO. When a character falls off the top of the screen (save for a few exceptions, see below), they fly through the background, yell/scream/etc, and eventually disappear as a star. (There is a random chance of a Screen KO instead, where the opponent hits the camera.)
Exceptions
Members of a computer team (such as the Fighting Wire Frames) don't experience Star KOs, instead undergoing the usual colorful explosion (though it can happen in Event Match 37). Also, in the beginning of the second trailer for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Kirby uses his up smash to knock Mario and Link off the top of the screen, but the usual colored explosion occurs, instead of a Star KO. The Star KO is still in this game.
Note: In Super Smash Bros., members of a team (such as the Fighting Polygon Team) do get Star Ko'd.
Criticism
Although humorous, the idea of a Star KO has invoked some criticism. When a star KO occurs, the fighter is not actually KOed until they fully fade out. Although the animation is short, it can cause some problems. If two players, both on their last stock are hit with an explosion simultaneously, and player A hits the upper blast line just shortly before player B hits the side blast line, player A will win as he/she will be KOed after due to the Star KO.
Bonuses
Star KO: Star KO an opponent. Solar being: Get star KO'd.
Trivia
- The concept of a Star KO is from a very common anime trope, where a character or characters is struck or blasted high into the air, eventually disappearing as a twinkle in the sky.
- Any conditions on the character are seen in the Star KO, such as if a character is KO'd while frozen, or has a Smash Ball when they are KOd. In Flat Zone 2 and Hanenbow, conditions are not aligned with the character (ie. the frozen block and character fly off separately).
- Giant characters/Tiny characters who are Star KO'd remain giant/tiny while falling on the background (their "falling voice" remains deep/tiny as well). On the other hand, Star KO'd metal characters appear in normal conditions on the background (inc. voice). The only exceptions are the Metal opponents in Melee's 1 Player modes. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, when giant/tiny characters gets Star KO'd, they will return to normal size.
- If Kirby has copied someone's abilities and gets Star KO'd, he will appear as a normal Kirby while disappearing into the background.
- Giga Bowser can be Star KO'd if he is hit when above the upper blast line, as the upper blast line activates on hitstun (which he is not immune to).
- While it is generally impossible to self-destruct as a Star KO, there are a few ways: one can stand on a platform above the upper blast line or get launched upwards by Pikachu's Quick Attack in the highest platform of Hyrule Castle (only in Smash 64), Wario's fully charged Wario Waft, or Jigglypuff's Shield Jump.
- In the original if the character gets Star KO'd from hitting the hammer a certain way on a wall the character will flash different colors as they fall into the background.
- In Brawl, if one is using a Z-air move while they pass the top blast line, they will not get Star KO'd but instead receive a normal KO.