Mewtwo

Mewtwo
Official artwork of Mewtwo from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions.
Universe	Pokémon
Debut	Pokémon Red and Green Versions (1996)
Smash Bros. appearances	Melee Brawl SSB4 Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearance	Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (2017)
Console/platform of origin	Game Boy
Species	Mewtwo
Gender	Genderless
Place of origin	Kanto
Voice actor	Masachika Ichimura (Melee) Keiji Fujiwara (SSB4)
Article on Bulbapedia	Mewtwo (Pokémon)

Mewtwo (ミュウツー, Mewtwo) is a fictional creature from the Pokémon series. It debuted in the series' first generation, and represents that generation as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. 4.

Character description

Original artwork of Mewtwo from Pokémon Red and Green Versions.

Mewtwo is Pokémon #150 in the Generation I Pokédex, the final Pokémon in the list when not counting the generally unobtainable Mew which is #151 in the Pokédex. It is a clone of Mew that has been altered by unscrupulous scientists in order to increase its power and make it solely oriented for battling. As a result, it retains Mew's feline features, but instead sports a grey and purple coloration, a large, humanoid physique and even stronger psychic abilities, due to the alterations to its genetic source material. It's design in general is believed to be based on the Mother/Earthbound character [Giegue], as they have similar body structures and psychic powers, and the developers of Earthbound, Ape Inc., became Creatures Inc., a major developer of the Pokémon games.

Mewtwo's mentality also vastly differs from Mew's: the last journal entry written by a researcher who oversaw Mewtwo's origin mentions that its viciousness lead to it violently escaping captivity, while Pokédex entries in Generations I and II establish that it thinks only of defeating its opponents and supplements this intention with a propensity for focusing its powers and resting in undiscovered areas.

In-game, Mewtwo was designed to be the final Pokémon of the Generation I games and has traits that highlight its status as such: it is a Psychic-type (a typing notorious for being difficult to contend with in Generation I) that sports an immense Special stat (controlling the offensive power of Psychic-type moves), a very high Speed stat, and the highest base stat total of 590 (which increased to 680 once Generation II reformatted stat distributions to the standard used today). As a result, Mewtwo was an overly centralising force that unbalanced the metagame until the aforementioned reformation to stat distributions split the Special stat into Special Attack and Special Defence, and altered type interactions (which were also brought about in Generation II) collectively brought balance to the metagame.

While Mewtwo's prominence waned in the wake of numerous other Legendary Pokémon appearing in subsequent Generations, it nevertheless enjoyed a good degree of fame and popularity among the Pokémon fanbase, thanks to its significance as the original "uber-tier" Legendary Pokémon and for its prominence in the franchise's first movie.

After receiving a signature move, Psystrike, in Generation V, Mewtwo's prominence underwent a resurgence in Generation VI thanks to it being among the initial handful of Pokémon to gain access to the new Mega Evolution transformation. Unlike most Pokémon who can Mega Evolve, it has two Mega Evolutions, a trait shared with Charizard. In Mewtwo's case, it will Mega Evolve into the larger and bulkier Mega Mewtwo X while holding Mewtwonite X, which also changes it into a Psychic/Fighting-type. Conversely, it will Mega Evolve into the smaller and lighter Mega Mewtwo Y while holding Mewtwonite Y.

In the Pokémon anime and movies, Mewtwo is, at the time of the first movie, a one-of-a-kind Pokémon that develops a hatred for humans and the concept of subservient Pokémon, and attempts to prove the superiority of clones over their original counterparts. It later has a change of heart and becomes a sort of antihero, mostly keeping to itself and trying to find a purpose to its existence. Despite the species' purported one-of-a-kind nature, other Mewtwo have appeared across the various Pokémon continuities ever since, including one in the sixteenth movie that is capable of undergoing Mega Evolution.

Because of it's famed, violent mentality, 'final boss' status in multiple games, and role in the early Pokémon movies, Mewtwo is often described as a villain or antagonist. This is arguably inaccurate, as it undergoes multiple changes in personality throughout the series to playing a protagonist role in the sixteenth movie, and only committing it's acts of violence due to it's hatred for the scientists that created it essentially abusing and tormenting it, falling into the 'misunderstood' category instead of a true villain.

Despite being genderless like Mew, Mewtwo in the anime assume gender roles, much like other Legendary Pokémon that can speak human languages. In this case, the voice for Mewtwo in the initial adaptation is often male (which is reflected in the Super Smash Bros. series), with the exception being the one in the sixteenth movie having a feminine voice. It is also worth noting that gender in Pokémon is treated as sex, meaning that Pokémon without a gender can still have a sex, leading the masculine or feminine voice.

In Super Smash Bros.

Mewtwo does not appear in SSB in any capacity. However, according to a page on the game's Japanese site, it was planned for inclusion in the roster. Unlike Bowser and King Dedede, however, no development was made for Mewtwo in regard to being a playable character.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

As a playable character

Mewtwo's appearance in Melee.

Mewtwo made its Super Smash Bros. series debut as an unlockable character in Melee. It is much more tedious to unlock than most other secret characters in Melee, however; it can be unlocked after either playing 20 cumulative hours of Versus Mode matches (5 hours for four players), or playing 700 Versus Mode matches.

Mewtwo is very floaty and includes a decent variety of combos, strong throws, a very good wavedash, above average dodges, a strong projectile in Shadow Ball, and one of the best recoveries in Teleport. On the other hand, it has a bad combination of large size and light weight, which results in it being an easy target to hit and combo while being especially easy to KO, giving Mewtwo some of the worst survivability in Melee despite its recovery and defensive prowess. In addition to this crippling problem, it has general awkwardness in its moveset and movement, with most of its moves being not very useful or outright near useless attacks. To compound this, it lacks solid KOing options, and has slow movement speed.

As a result, Mewtwo has infamously sat in the bottom-tier of Melee's tier list for most of the game's lifespan, being among the game's most unpopular characters and considered the worst character at several points in the game's lifespan. However, the efforts of Taj have resulted in Mewtwo being reassessed as a low-tier character, which is reflected with its ranking of 21st and its placement in the F tier.

Trophies

Mewtwo, as a playable character, has three trophies - a main trophy acquired by clearing Classic mode with Mewtwo on any difficulty, and the two Smash trophies are by clearing the Adventure and All-Star modes, respectively. Its Classic mode trophy reads:

Mewtwo

A genetically created Pokémon, Mewtwo is the result of many long years of research by a solitary scientist. Although Mewtwo was cloned from the genes of the legendary Pokémon Mew, its size and character are far different than its ancestor. Its battle abilities have been radically heightened, making it ruthless.

• Pokémon Red & Pokémon Blue, 9/98 (GB)

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  Mewtwo [Classic Mode] trophy

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  Mewtwo [Smash, Adventure Mode] trophy

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  Mewtwo [Smash, All-Star Mode] trophy

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Mewtwo did not return in Brawl as a playable character, despite not being a clone like the other cut characters. This resulted in a significant amount of fan outcry in spite of Mewtwo's lack of popularity among the competitive community, as the majority of players saw it as an unjustified cut.

Trophy

Mewtwo appears in Brawl as a collectible trophy, obtained by completing All-Star Mode on Intense difficulty. The trophy describes Mewtwo's appearance in the Pokémon games, and makes no reference whatsoever to its appearance in Melee:

The Mewtwo trophy from Brawl.

Mewtwo

A Genetic Pokémon. This legendary Pokémon was based on a recombination of Mew's DNA, created by a scientist after years of research. However, Mewtwo greatly differs from Mew in both size and personality and it is said to have the most twisted and savage heart among all Pokémon. Mewtwo has incredibly high combat abilities and uses Psychic-type attacks.

: Pokémon Red/Blue

: Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen

Unfinished data

While Mewtwo does not appear as a playable character in Brawl, there are several empty files on the game disc bearing its name. These include a graphic effects file (ef_mewtwo.pac), a victory theme (snd_bgm_Z38_MYU2), and a Wii Remote selection sound (which no other cut character has). While it is possible that the files are leftover data imported from Melee for referential purposes, the prevailing theory is that Mewtwo was planned to be playable, but ended up being cut. As Mewtwo has the most unused content of any scrapped character, it can be assumed that Mewtwo was the last cut made to Brawl's roster.

In Super Smash Bros. 4

Mewtwo as it appears in Super Smash Bros. 4.

During development of the game, an appearance of Mewtwo's Mega Evolution was reportedly considered by Masahiro Sakurai. During the Pokémon X and Y Developer Roundtable at E3 2013, an audience member asked if developers wanted to see Mega Mewtwo in the next Super Smash Bros. game. While the developers stated that they had nothing to report about the question, Sakurai, who was in the audience at the time, reportedly said "We are thinking about it." Despite this, Mewtwo did not initially make the final cut of the game as a playable character, returning only as a collectible trophy. Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y also appear together as a singular trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Mewtwo was later announced in the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U 50-Fact Extravaganza to be a playable character, while its return to the series was notable for being the first time in Super Smash Bros. history that a character has been made available as downloadable content. Consumers who registered both Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U on Club Nintendo before March 31, 2015 could download it for free as of April 15th, while others were able to purchase it beginning on April 28th. Its moveset is mostly unchanged from Melee, aside from the addition of a Final Smash.

Mewtwo is ranked 10th out of 55 on the SSB4 tier list, placing it in the A tier. Upon its return to the series, Mewtwo had been poorly regarded by the competitive scene, as its already light weight was lowered further and its already tall hurtbox was slightly increased in height. However, Mewtwo did see improvements to Confusion and Disable, two of its most arguably least used moves: the former now functions as a traditional reflector, while the latter's stun effect has a longer duration. Despite the aforementioned poor competitive view, Mewtwo saw a turning point thanks to game updates. Update 1.1.3 increased Mewtwo's grounded and aerial speeds, as well as improved its already potent forward smash and aerial attacks. Although update 1.1.5 provided very few changes, they were effective regardless: Mewtwo's weight was marginally increased, its already fast dashing speed was increased to the point of becoming the seventh fastest in the game, and both its up smash and neutral aerial were made safer thanks to adjustments to their ending lag and hitbox sizes, respectively.

As a result of these very substantial buffs, opinions on Mewtwo have been much more positive: it has been reassessed as a top-tier character, has managed to earn some noteworthy representation, and it consistently achieves high placings at all levels of play.

Trophies

Mewtwo

Created from modified Mew DNA, Mewtwo was designed to be the ultimate Pokémon. It didn't take on any of Mew's kinder traits and only uses its intelligence to destroy its enemies. Or...so it seems. Perhaps it just feels frightened or even tormented, and that's why it lashes out. Whatever the reason, Mewtwo is not to be messed with.

Mewtwo (Classic)

Mewtwo puts its psychic powers to great use in this game. Not only does it have floaty jumps, but its telekinesis gives its attacks extra reach and its throws added power. However, its light body makes it easy to launch, so if you're willing to risk getting in close, it might just be worth it!

Mewtwo puts its psychic powers to great use in this game. Not only can it float in midair, but its telekinesis gives its attacks extra reach and its throws added power. However, its light body makes it easy to launch, so if you're willing to take the risk of getting in close, it might just be worth it!

Mewtwo (Alt.)

Mewtwo's Confusion side special not only repels projectiles—it also reflects the damage back on your opponent. Its down special, Disable, stuns an enemy for longer the higher its damage is. Disable only works on foes that are facing Mewtwo.

Mewtwo's Confusion Side Special not only lets you repel projectiles, it also reflects the damage back on your opponent. Its Down Special, Disable, stuns an enemy for longer the higher its damage is. As it works by having Mewtwo glare at its foe, this only works if they make eye contact.

Mega Mewtwo X & Y

It's almost no surprise that a Pokémon as powerful as Mewtwo wouldn't be limited to a single Mega Evolution. Mega Mewtwo X has strong arms and legs, while Mega Mewtwo Y has a whiplike, slender head. The differences aren't just physical - X brings improved fighting power, while Y can unleash even more psychic power.

Mega Mewtwo comes in two forms rather than just one. Mega Mewtwo X has visibly strengthened limbs, which greatly boost its physical abilities in battle. Mega Mewtwo Y, on the other hand, has a whip-like tendril extending from the back of its head, which augments its psychic powers.

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  Mewtwo (3DS)

• 

  Mewtwo (Wii U)

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  Classic (3DS)

• 

  Classic (Wii U)

• 

  Alt. (3DS)

• 

  Alt. (Wii U)

• 

  Mega Mewtwo X & Y

Trivia

• Like Charizard in Super Smash Bros. 4 and Lucario, Mewtwo draws inspiration from a particular member of its species depicted in the Pokémon anime. In Mewtwo's case, it is based on the Mewtwo from Pokémon: The First Movie: Mewtwo Stikes Back and the TV Special Mewtwo Returns, although it also makes some references to the Mewtwo from Mewtwo — Prologue to Awakening and Genesect and the Legend Awakened:
  • It is voiced by Masachika Ichimura in Super Smash Bros. Melee, the Japanese voice actor for the first Mewtwo, which is emulated by Keiji Fujiwara in SSB4. Its quotes in the Japanese versions of both games have it boast about its power and question its existence, much like the first Mewtwo did on several occasions.
  • It can use Shadow Ball like the first Mewtwo. Its presence in Mewtwo's moveset is notable, as it appeared in the first movie before it even appeared in the mainline Pokémon series.
  • It can undergo Mega Evolution into Mega Mewtwo Y like the second Mewtwo.
    • This creates a coincidental resemblance to the Mewtwo of the Pokémon Adventures manga, which is likewise depicted similarly to the original series' Mewtwo but can Mega Evolve into both Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y.
  • It can use its signature move, Psystrike, like the second Mewtwo. However, Psystrike has a unique design and functions differently in SSB4 compared to how it looks and functions in the games and the anime, and Psystrike's animation in Pokémon Sun and Moon was updated to more closely resemble its SSB4 version.
  • Its character introduction tagline in SSB4, "Mewtwo Strikes Back!", references The First Movie's full English title.
  • Its Boxing Ring character title, "A Legend Reawakens", references Genesect and the Legend Awakened's English title.
• Mewtwo is the only playable Legendary Pokémon in the Super Smash Bros. series. As such, it is also the only playable Pokémon without evolutionary relatives.
  • Despite this, it does have a form of kinship with another Pokémon. In Mewtwo's case, it is one half of a Legendary Duo, alongside Mew.
• Mewtwo's status as a lightweight in the Super Smash Bros. series contradicts its weight in the Pokédex, where it is listed as weighing 269 pounds. This is seemingly due to its telekinetically-induced anti-gravity.
• Mewtwo is the only playable Pokémon in the Super Smash Bros. series not to be voiced by its international voice actors in non-Japanese versions. Pikachu, Pichu and Charizard retain their Japanese voice actors in almost all international media.
• Jean-Marc Delhausse, the French voice actor for the announcer (in Super Smash Bros. only), Lucario, and some Poké Ball Pokémon, voices Mewtwo in the French dub of the Pokémon anime. However, he does not voice Mewtwo in the French versions of Super Smash Bros. Melee and SSB4, as the respective Japanese voice actors' grunts are present in all Western language versions.
• Like Lucario, Mewtwo has a special move that is super effective against its own typing. In Mewtwo's case, this special move is Shadow Ball.
• Mewtwo is the only playable Pokémon in SSB4 to not readily appear in any capacity in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Instead, it must be transferred over via Pokémon Bank. Charizard and Greninja, while unobtainable under normal gameplay conditions, appear as a Ride Pokémon and a member of Red's team, and as a gift Pokémon from Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version, respectively. However, it appears in-game in the direct sequels, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.