Editing Knuckle Joe

{{ArticleIcons|ssbb=y|ssb4=y|ssbu=y}}

|image= [[File:SSBU spirit Knuckle Joe.png|325px]]

|caption=[[File:KirbySymbol.svg|50px|class=invert-dark]]

|lastappearance=''{{s|wikirby|Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe}}'' (2023)

|englishactor = {{s|wikipedia|Alésia Glidewell}}

|japanactor = {{s|wikipedia|Minami Takayama}}

[[File:KnuckleJoeKSS.png|thumb|left|''[[Kirby Super Star]]'' sprite]]

Knuckle Joe debuted as an enemy in ''[[Kirby Super Star]]'' (''Kirby's Fun Pak'' in PAL regions). He has a stout, humanoid appearance with spiky hair, wearing a bandanna and a bodysuit. Kirby can copy him to obtain the {{s|wikirby|Fighter}} ability, and can also summon him as the ability's {{s|wikirby|Helper}}. In ''Super Star'', enemy Knuckle Joes appear with red bodysuits and white hair, while friendly Knuckle Joes have blue bodysuits and blonde hair; later games use the Helper design in all instances, which is reflected in the ''Super Smash Bros.'' series.

 

Knuckle Joe's attacks as an enemy usually consist of moves such as Vulcan Jab (rapid punches), Smash Punch (a wide punch that acts like a projectile), and Rising Break (an uppercut). Kirby can utilize these same attacks with the Fighter ability. In ''Brawl'', ''SSB4'', and ''Ultimate'' Knuckle Joe appears as an Assist Trophy and performs these same maneuvers, calling out their names as he does so.

 

Knuckle Joe also appeared as a recurring character in the ''{{s|wikirby|Kirby: Right Back at Ya!}}'' anime. Reflecting his in-game appearance, he starts out as a minor antagonist before befriending Kirby and aiding him in later episodes. His Japanese actress in the anime, Minami Takayama, also provides his Japanese voice for ''Smash''.

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In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', Knuckle Joe is one of the supporting characters that spawns from the [[Assist Trophy]] [[item]]. When Knuckle Joe is summoned, he uses his "Vulcan Jab" technique, which is a series of rapid punches, on the nearest foe. Afterwards, he finishes the opponent off with one of two "finisher" attacks: the strong, short-ranged "Smash Punch", or the electricity-charged uppercut known as the "Rising Break" technique. The finisher he uses is chosen at random. He will use the finisher either the second or third time he did the Vulcan Jab. He could be considered one of the most powerful Assist Trophy characters, because if he manages to trap an opponent in his initial barrage, he can [[One-hit KO|KO them at 0%]].

|image=Knuckle Joe - Brawl Trophy.png

|desc=A martial artist known for amazing attacks like the Vulcan Jab. With his bandana, he looks and fights the part of a Muay Thai boxer. When Kirby copies Knuckle Joe, he gains the fighting techniques of a hand-to-hand-combat expert. Knuckle Joe also engages in friendly block-breaking competitions with Kirby. His other famous techniques are the Smash Punch and Rising Break.

|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|console1=SNES|game1=Kirby Super Star}}

|gamelist-pal={{Trophy games|console1=SNES|game1=Kirby's Fun Pak}}

}}

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{{Trophy

|image-3ds=KnuckleJoeTrophy3DS.png

|image-wiiu=KnuckleJoeTrophyWiiU.png

|desc-ntsc=A martial-arts master, Knuckle Joe can be inhaled by Kirby and his Fighter ability copied. If you summon him, he'll leap toward the enemy nearest you and unleash his powerful Vulcan Jab attack. He'll then finish off his target with a devastating Smash Punch or Rising Break.

|desc-pal=When Kirby copies this expert in all martial arts, he becomes a pro at hand-to-hand combat. Release Knuckle Joe in this game, and he'll jump towards the enemy nearest to you and unleash his mighty Vulcan Jab, then finish them off with a devastating Smash Punch or Rising Break!

|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|console1=SNES|game1=Kirby Super Star|release1=08/1996|console2=Wii|game2=Kirby's Return to Dream Land|release2=10/2011}}

}}

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Knuckle Joe reprises his role as an Assist Trophy, however the knockback of his Smash Punch and Rising Break have been considerably reduced, making his KO potential much weaker overall. Additionally, KOing him now earns a point. Knuckle Joe now faces the screen regardless of direction he turns towards. [[Training Mode]] describes his Assist Trophy: ''Opens with a Vulcan Jab, and then unleashes Smash Punch or Rising  Break.'' He cannot appear on [[Midgar]], [[Mute City SNES]], [[Norfair]], and [[Suzaku Castle]].

{|class="wikitable"

! No. !! Image !! Name !! Type !! Class !! Slots

! Ability !! Series

| 379 || {{SpiritTableName|Knuckle Joe}} || {{SpiritType|Attack}} || ★★★ || 1 || 2810 || 8472 || 1581 || 4766 || 1121 || 3381 || Fist Attack ↑ || ''Kirby'' Series

*In ''Brawl'', Knuckle Joe's official artwork has his mouth wide open, while his trophy has his mouth shut.

*Knuckle Joe is one of two {{uv|Kirby}} characters to be voiced in the Japanese version of the series by the actor who played them in the ''{{s|wikirby|Kirby: Right Back at Ya!}}'' anime, the other being [[Meta Knight]]. Both of them are also voiced by different actors in the English version of the series than they were in the anime.

*Rising Break has an electricity effect in ''Smash'', but not in the ''Kirby'' series. This is in reference to how its name in Japanese sounds like "Raijin Break" ({{s|wikipedia|Raijin}} is the god of thunder in Japanese).

*Knuckle Joe is the only [[Assist Trophy]] in ''[[SSB4]]'' who is a common enemy in his [[Kirby (universe)|home universe]] that is not an enemy in [[Smash Run]].