Smash Files

The Smash Files were a series of articles in Nintendo Power that briefly covered all of the confirmed characters in Super Smash Bros. Brawl at the time one by one in almost every volume from #206 to #221.

Volume 206 Smash Files #01 - Solid Snake

Snake's Smash File in volume #206

First Game Appearance:
Metal Gear - NES (1988), MSX (1987)

Known For:
Destroying nuclear-equipped bipedal tanks, asking short questions

Biography:
The enigmatic Solid Snake has earned his reputation as one of the world's greatest soldiers by bringing down terrorist cells nearly single-handedly and averting nuclear disaster on multiple occasions. Snake is a master of martial arts and a qualified expert at using most firearms and explosive devices, speaks six different languages, and boasts an IQ of 180. believe it or not, Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii isn't Snake's first fighting game foray; he also appeared in the Japanese-only released Mix TV World Fighters on GCN.

Volume 207 Smash Files #02 - Mario

Mario's Smash File in volume #207

First Game Appearance:
Donkey Kong - arcade (1981)

Known For:
Saving kingdoms, ingesting mushrooms, flower power

Biography:
A true icon of the video game world, Mario has done it all. When the pasta-loving plumber isn't rescuing Princess Peach and saving the Mushroom Kingdom from the villainous Bowser (as he's done on numerous occasions), he's racing, dancing, partying, playing all manner of sports, or fixing leaky pipes with his brother Luigi. Although Mario seems to be able to adapt to any situation, he's best known for his amazing jumping and fire-ball-throwing abilities–talents he's put to great use in previous Super Smash Bros. games.

Volume 208 Smash Files #03 - Pit

Pit's Smash File in volume #208

First Game Appearance:
Kid Icarus - NES (1987)

Known For:
Archery skills, toga partying, getting turned into an eggplant

Biography:
The head of the royal bodyguards for the goddess Palutena, Pit rose to prominence by saving Angel Land twice–first from the evil Medusa on NES, then from the demonic Orcos on Game Boy. Although Pit's fame has been overshadowed by that of other heroes in recent years, his time out of the limelight looks to have been well spent: In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Pit has matured into an adept fighter who can convert his Sacred Bow of Palutena into dual blades when necessary. In his previous adventures, Pit's wings were mostly for show, but in Brawl, they're likely to make him a master of aerial combat.

Volume 209 Smash Files #04 - Kirby

Kirby's Smash File in volume #209

First Game Appearance:
Kirby's Dream Land - Game Boy (1992)

Known For:
Voracious appetite, being a copycat, funny hats

Biography:
Pink, puffy Kirby may look harmless and cute, but no matter what he's up against, he always finds a way to turn adversity into an advantage–usually by inhaling foes with his "vacuu-breath" and spitting them out as a projectile or ingesting them to learn their skills. Hailing from Dream Land on the planet PopStar, Kirby is a Warpstar Knight-in-training who has saved the realm on numerous occasions, often from the incompetence of King Dedede, but also from darker forces. One of Kirby's main assets is his ability to float in the air, which has proven quite advantageous in his Smash Bros. battles.

Volume 210 Smash Files #05 - Wario

Wario's Smash File in volume #210

First Game Appearance:
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins - Game Boy (1992)

Known For:
Greed, greed, greed

Biography:
Originally appearing as the end boss in one of Mario's quests, Wario is essentially Mario's villainous counterpart–lazy, greedy, selfish, and with a less-well-groomed 'stache. After being show the error of his ways, Wario set off on adventures of his how (hoping to get rich quick, naturally) in which his bulk made him surprisingly resilient to the various hazards he encountered. He achieved his great success, however, by founding his own budget-minded software company. Wario's lust for riches may be matched only by his poor hygiene: his garlic breath and other gaseous emissions are especially potent.

Volume 211 Smash Files #06 - Pikachu

Pikachu's Smash File in volume #211

First Game Appearance:
Pokémon Red and Blue - Game Boy (1996); US: Game Boy Camera - Game Boy (1998)

Known For:
Saying only its name, frying Water- and Flying-type opponents, being really cutesy-patootsie

Biography:
As the chief mascot of the Pokémon franchise, Pikachu has just about done it all: television, movies, comic books, card games ... you name it. But the cuddly little creature is best known for its ubiquitous role in the video game series– the Electric-type has been in every Pokémon game ever made, and has had starring roles in Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition for Game Boy Color and Hey You Pikachu! for N64. When it comes to Smash Bros., Pikachu is anything but cute, however–its light-speed movements and assortment of electrifying moves make it one of the toughest foes in the game. A little trivia: Pikachu's name comes from a combination of two Japanese onomatopoeias: "pika" is a sound that represents sparkling bright light, and "chu" is the "squeak squeak" noise that mice make.

Volume 212 Smash Files #07 - Meta Knight

Meta Knight's Smash File in volume #212

First Game Appearance:
Kirby's Adventure - NES (1993)

Known For:
Chivalry, swordsmanship, stubby limbs

Biography:
Meta Knight's classified as a bad guy, but he's a bad guy with a code of honor. Unlike most of Kirby's foes, this mysterious swordsman believes in a fair fight–and considering his speed, agility, and substantial combat skills, it's not hard to understand why. In spite of his chivalry, Meta Knight has been known to use his minions to test his adversaries' strength, and he has no qualms about entering battle with his flying battleship, the Halberd, when necessary. Although Meta Knight has been a playable character in some Kirby games, Brawl will let the armored warrior truly test his skills against his puffy pink rival. Only time will tell if Meta Knight will one day reveal his true agenda.

Volume 213 Smash Files #08 - Link

Link's Smash File in volume #213

First Game Appearance:
The Legend of Zelda - NES (1987)

Known For:
Courage, wisdom, power

Biography:
Link is the very definition of a hero. Garbed in the traditional green tunic and armed with a blade that can smite evil, Link is a versatile adventurer and skilled swordsman who as the blood of Hyrulian legends coursing through his veins. Throughout the ages, a brave youth named Link has appeared whenever the wicked Ganon or other dark forces have threatened the land–to date, Link has vanquished Ganon, rescued Princess Zelda, and saved the Triforce on numerous occasions. The latest incarnation of link is more mature than most of his counterparts, and he has the ability to transform into a wolf–although it remains to be seen if Link utilizes this power in Brawl.

Volume 214 Smash Files #09 - Fox

Fox's Smash File in volume #214

First Game Appearance:
Star Fox - Super NES (1993)

Known For:
Piloting skill, marksmanship, animal magnetism

Biography:
Following in the footsteps of his father James, Fox McCloud is an expert pilot and leader of the Star Fox team. Alongside his teammates Slippy Toad, Falco Lombardi, and Peppy Hare, Fox earned a reputation as one of the galaxy's most skilled mercenaries by completing numerous seemingly impossible missions, including thwarting the ambitions of the evil Emperor Andross on several separate occasions. Although Fox's main claim to fame is his talent in the cockpit of his Arwing fighter, his prowess on foot is equally impressive–as evidenced by his mission onto Dinosaur Planet, where he met his love interest, Krystal. Fox's speed and aptitude with a laser rifle make him a furious fighter.

Volume 215 Smash Files #10 - Samus

Samus' Smash File in volume #215

First Game Appearance:
Metroid - NES (1987)

Known For:
Collecting bounties, bashing brains, being surprisingly female

Biography:
Respected by friend and foe alike, Samus Aran is known and feared as one of the toughest bounty hunters in the galaxy. Samus's battles against the parasitic Metroid life-forms and the vile Space Pirates are nothing short of legendary–she's encountered and thwarted both numerous times while on missions for the Galactic Federation. Even though she's human, Samus was raised by the Chozo–the same alien race responsible for creating her intimidating Power Suit. Not only does the suit act as armor, but it can be equipped with an assortment of upgrades that grant Samus a wide array of offensive, defensive, and reflex-enhancing capabilities.

Volume 216 Smash Files #11 - Zero Suit Samus

Zero Suit Samus' Smash File in volume #216

First Game Appearance:
Samus Aran: Metroid - NES (1987)
In Zero Suit: Metroid: Zero Mission - Game Boy Advance (2004)

Known For:
Resourcefulness, dexterity, skin-tight clothing

Biography:
Although galactic bounty hunter Samus Aran is most recognizable in her red-and-yellow Power Suit, in one of her earliest missions her ship was shot down following a harrowing escape from planet Zebes, and her armor was destroyed. As Samus continued her battle against the Space Pirates, she stealthily infiltrated her foes' mothership and proved that she had the ability to come out on top, even without raw firepower. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Samus will shed her Power Suit and reveal her Zero Suit form under certain conditions. If her opponents think that leaves her vulnerable, she's prepared to prove them wrong with her enhanced speed and transfigurable pistol.

Volume 220 Smash Files #12 - Yoshi

Yoshi's Smash File in volume #220

First Game Appearance:
Super Mario World - Super NES (1991)

Known For:
His eggs, his appetite, his island

Biography:
The first time gamers heard of Yoshi was when he appeared as a rideable sidekick for Mario after Bowser invaded the friendly green dino's homeland and encased his friends in eggs. It turned out, however, that Mario and Yoshi go back a long way: Yoshi proved himself to be the world's most tolerant babysitter when he took Baby Mario under his wing–er, tail–and helped him rescue Baby Luigi. Yoshi went on many subsequent adventures, where he put his myriad talents (including eating enemies, launching eggs, and hovering by kicking his legs wildly) to heroic use. Yoshi is a staunch ally of the Mario Bros. and can often be found joining them for a kart race, a party, or a competitive sport.

Volume 221 Smash Files #13 - Diddy Kong

Diddy Kong's Smash File in volume #221

First Game Appearance:
Donkey Kong Country - Super NES (1994)

Known For:
Monkeying around with Donkey Kong, not wearing pants

Biography:
Diddy Kong bursts onto the scene as DK's playful little chimpanzee buddy in Donkey Kong Country, in which he used his speed and agility to help reclaim the big ape's banana horde from King K. Rool's Kremlings. After a few more battles against the Kremlings, Diddy set of on a racing adventure without Donkey Kong, but he's always quick to reunite with his simian comrades (and lay down some heat with his peanut popguns) when the situation calls for it. Diddy often competes with Mario and pals, and he's been known to rock out with his guitar in the free time.