Mewtwo

For fighter info, see Mewtwo (SSBM), Mewtwo (SSB4), and Mewtwo (SSBU).

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 Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX (2020)
Console/platform of origin	Game Boy
Species	Mewtwo
Gender	Genderless
Place of origin	Kanto
Voice actor	Masachika Ichimura (Melee) Keiji Fujiwara (SSB4/Ultimate)
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, Super Smash Bros. 4, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Origin

Official artwork of Mewtwo from Pokémon Red and Blue Versions.

Mewtwo is a Psychic-type Pokémon that debuted in Generation I, and is categorized within the Pokédex at #150 as the "Genetic Pokémon". Unlike the overwhelming majority of Pokémon, Mewtwo was artificially created: a team of scientists performed genetic recombination on a sample of DNA derived from the Mythical Pokémon Mew in order to create the most powerful Pokémon in existence. Its creation is documented in a researcher's journals scattered across an abandoned mansion on Cinnabar Island.

However, this process resulted in Mewtwo's appearance and mentality drastically differing from Mew's. Despite being a feline with embryonic features like Mew, it has a large, humanoid physique with a gray and purple coloration, instead of the pink, petite appearance of its genetic source material. Mewtwo lacks Mew's capability to learn every Technical Machine, Hidden Machine, and Move Tutor move, but its modified genome results in its base statistic total noticeably exceeding Mew's.

Although Mewtwo is reclusive like Mew, this is the only personality trait they share: due to being created solely for battle, Mewtwo has a tendency to be vicious and, upon encountering an opponent, fights savagely while thinking only of defeating them. In comparison, Mew has a gentle temperament and willingness to reveal itself to the pure of heart. After violently escaping captivity, Mewtwo decided to seclude itself from civilization; most notably, it has been seen residing in the deepest depths of Kanto's Cerulean Cave, a small cave within Kalos' Pokémon Village, and a craggy, barren alternate dimension that is accessible via Ultra Space.

Due to being an immensely powerful genetic relative of a Mythical Pokémon, Mewtwo has the status of a Legendary Pokémon in spite of its man-made origin. In-game, Mewtwo was designed to be the final Pokémon of Generation I, and has traits that highlight its status as such: not only is it difficult to find and capture, it belongs to the notoriously powerful Psychic type and sports the highest base stat total in the entire game, with especially high Special and Speed stats. Thanks to its sheer strength making it a dominant force in the early competitive scene, as well as its leading role in the franchise's first movie, Mewtwo quickly garnered a good degree of fame and popularity among the Pokémon fanbase.

However, Mewtwo soon became a ubiquitous sight in competitions, upsetting the overall balance of the metagame. In response, Generation II adjusted the type interactions to balance the power of Psychic types, and split the Special stat into Special Attack and Special Defense to curb one of Mewtwo's most prominent advantages. Although its base stat total increased from 590 to 680 because of the stat redistribution, its prominence nevertheless waned in the wake of numerous other Legendary Pokémon appearing in subsequent generations.

After receiving Psystrike as a signature move in Generation V, Mewtwo's prominence underwent a resurgence in Generation VI, with it being among the initial handful of Pokémon to gain access to Mega Evolution. 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 depicted as a modified clone of Mew, instead of the culmination of genetic recombination on a sample of Mew's DNA. In this continuity, Mewtwo was also developed in collaboration with the criminal organization Team Rocket, giving the Pokémon a more sympathetic backstory. Because of its desire to be seen as a sentient being instead of the result of a science experiment, Mewtwo develops a hatred for humans and the concept of subservient Pokémon, to the point that it attempts to prove the superiority of clones over their source materials.

Upon recognizing the profound impact that Ash Ketchum's sacrifice had upon both the originals and their clones, Mewtwo has a change of heart following its realization that life is defined by one's actions instead of their origins. To this end, it begins to protect its fellow clones after whisking them away to Johto's Mount Quena, a mountain that is virtually inaccessible by humans. After stopping Team Rocket's attempt at recapturing it and subsequently erasing their memories of its existence, Mewtwo decides to travel the world in order to avoid detection and find a purpose in its life, whereas its fellow clones decide to live peacefully among natural Pokémon in the wild.

Despite the species' one-of-a-kind nature within the core series, other Mewtwo have appeared across the various Pokémon continuities ever since. Two other Mewtwo have fully-voiced appearances: one in the sixteenth movie that is capable of undergoing Mega Evolution, and one in both the Detective Pikachu spin-off game and the live-action movie of the same name.

Although Mewtwo is genderless like Mew within the games, this is not depicted consistently in other media. In the anime, the telepathically-generated voice for the first Mewtwo is male (which is reflected in the Super Smash Bros. series), whereas the second Mewtwo featured in the sixteenth movie has a feminine voice. In comparison, the Detective Pikachu film's Mewtwo possesses an artificial, androgynous voice, but is referred to with male pronouns nonetheless.

In Super Smash Bros.

Although Mewtwo does not make any sort of appearance in Super Smash Bros., the game's Japanese website included it in a poll to gauge interest for potential playable characters in a sequel. According to Super Smash Bros. series creator Masahiro Sakurai, Mewtwo was indeed planned to be included as a playable character alongside Bowser and King Dedede. Unlike Bowser and Dedede, however, Mewtwo did not undergo any playable development prior to being cut.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

As a playable character

Mewtwo, as it appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Mewtwo appears as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee. It can be unlocked after playing 20 cumulative hours of Versus Mode matches (5 hours for 4 players) or playing 700 Versus Mode matches.

Mewtwo is very floaty and possesses a decent combo game, a very good wavedash and grab game, above-average dodges, a strong projectile in Shadow Ball, and one of the best recoveries in Teleport. Mewtwo also possesses a reflection-capable move in Confusion, while Disable stuns any close-range opponent that directly faces Mewtwo. On the other hand, Mewtwo has a flawed combination of large size and light weight; this not only results in it being an easy target to hit and combo, but also especially easy to KO despite its recovery and defensive prowess. Mewtwo also has general awkwardness in its mobility and moveset, the latter of which is burdened with minimal utility and a small number of KOing options.

As a result of its weaknesses outweighing its flaws, Mewtwo infamously sat in the bottom tier of Melee's tier list for most of the game's lifespan, to the point that it was even considered the worst character in the entire game at several points in Melee's lifespan. However, the efforts of Taj resulted in Mewtwo being reassessed as a low tier character; this has been reflected with its current ranking of 21st out of 26 on the tier list, placing it 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 Adventure Mode and All-Star Mode, 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 does not appear as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, despite not being a clone like the other cut characters. Although Mewtwo was unpopular among Melee's competitive community, its departure nevertheless resulted in a significant amount of fan outcry, as the majority of players saw it as an unjustified cut. It should be noted that Lucario, a newcomer and fellow Pokémon series representative, was widely perceived as similar to Mewtwo in many aspects, to the point that it was generally viewed as Mewtwo's successor in the Super Smash Bros. series.

Unfinished data

Despite Mewtwo's absence as a playable character, 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 some of these 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 a late cut to Brawl's roster.

Trophy

Mewtwo's trophy can be obtained by completing All-Star Mode on Intense difficulty. The trophy describes Mewtwo's appearance in the Pokémon games, but 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

In Super Smash Bros. 4

As a playable character

Mewtwo, as it appears in Super Smash Bros. 4.

Mewtwo appears as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. 4, and was formally announced alongside Bowser Jr. during the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U 50-Fact Extravaganza on October 23rd, 2014. Notably, it is the first character in Super Smash Bros. series history to be downloadable content, and was released on April 28th, 2015. However, those who registered both Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U on Club Nintendo before March 31st could download it for free as early as April 15th.

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 appear in the base version of SSB4 as a playable character, and instead returned as a trophy. Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y also appear together as a singular trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

In regard to characters who did not return in a playable capacity for SSB4, Super Smash Bros. series creator Masahiro Sakurai said that "Mewtwo was particularly popular, and it was clear many people wanted him back. Unfortunately, it wasn't possible to include him in the retail release." Sakurai also mentioned Mewtwo's return in a playable capacity as an example of acknowledging "that developing the Smash games is the best way to satisfy the most players worldwide." Furthermore, Sakurai said that he and the development team "originally decided to create Mewtwo on the premise that we would distribute him as a special thanks to users who bought both versions of Sm4sh", but instead decided to make Mewtwo available to other players as well over what they perceived as a logical flaw regarding Mewtwo's initial distribution plan.

As in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Mewtwo falls under the glass cannon archetype: it boasts powerful attacks, yet its light weight and floatiness collectively burden it with unimpressive endurance. Like its fellow veterans, Mewtwo now has a Final Smash; in Mewtwo's case, it is Psystrike, which consists of it Mega Evolving into Mega Mewtwo Y before performing its signature move of the same name. In regard to picking Mega Mewtwo Y instead of Mega Mewtwo X for Psystrike, Sakurai jokingly mentioned that "X wasn't even an option" because of how "Mega Mewtwo X is about physical offense, which completely clashes with the concept I had for Mewtwo."

Upon its return to the series, Mewtwo was poorly regarded by the competitive scene, as its already light weight was lowered further and its already large hurtbox became slightly taller. However, Mewtwo did see improvements to Confusion and Disable, two of its arguably least used moves: the former now functions as a traditional reflector, while the latter's stun effect has a longer duration.

However, Mewtwo underwent a considerable turning point thanks to game updates. Update 1.1.3 noticeably increased its walking, dashing and air speeds, as well as improved several moves via hitbox adjustments and/or lag deceases. Although update 1.1.5 provided very few changes in comparison, 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 became safer thanks to their decreased ending lag and enlarged hitboxes, respectively.

Due to these very substantial buffs, opinions on Mewtwo's viability drastically improved, as it has managed to earn some noteworthy representation and consistently achieves high placings at all levels of play. As a result, Mewtwo is currently ranked 10th out of 55 on the tier list, placing it in the A tier and positing it as a top tier character.

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)

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  Mewtwo (Wii U)

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  Classic (3DS)

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  Classic (Wii U)

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  Alt. (3DS)

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  Alt. (Wii U)

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  Mega Mewtwo X & Y

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

As a playable character

Mewtwo, as it appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Mewtwo returns as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It was formally announced alongside the rest of the cast via Ultimate's E3 2018 trailer on June 12th, 2018. Much like in Melee, it is one of the very last characters to be unlocked, as all three of its unlock methods (Smash battles, Fox's Classic Mode unlock tree, and World of Light) designate it as one of the last characters encountered.

Spirits

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  411. Mewtwo

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  464. Mega Mewtwo 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 Strikes 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.
  • Despite its two counterparts having English voice actors, Mewtwo from Super Smash Bros. series has yet to receive a proper English voice actor. In non-Japanese versions, Mewtwo's voice clips are mostly modified grunts from its respective Japanese voice actor.
  • 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 core 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, albeit with the capability to 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.
    • Incidentally, Psystrike's animation was updated in Generation VII to resemble its depiction in SSB4.
  • 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 the Mew duo.
• 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 attributed to its telekinetically-induced anti-gravity.
• Mewtwo and Lucario are the only two playable Pokémon characters whose on-screen appearance does not involve them emerging from a Poké Ball.
• 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 and Incineroar, Mewtwo has a special move that is super effective against its own typing. In Mewtwo's case, this special move is Shadow Ball.
  • Unlike both Lucario and Incineroar, Shadow Ball is the only move in Mewtwo's arsenal with this distinction.
• In all its appearances, Mewtwo only holds one item with its hands. In this case, it is the Parasol while gliding down. Otherwise, it uses telekinesis to make items float in front of it (for the Hammer and the Golden Hammer, Mewtwo makes them spin around it with the head pointed forward).
• Mewtwo has the fastest air speed of every Melee newcomer by default.
  • It also has the third fastest air speed to Jigglypuff and Yoshi, despite having the same air speed as the latter in Melee, thus also making it the second fastest Pokemon character in every Smash game where it is playable.
• Mewtwo is the only Pokémon not to share a reveal trailer with another character.
• Mewtwo is the only genderless playable character from the Pokémon series. While all Pokémon in the Super Smash Bros. series are generally referred to with gender-neutral pronouns, all other playable Pokémon can be male or female, with some playable Pokémon even having gender-specific alternate costumes in Ultimate.
• Mewtwo is the first playable Pokemon character whose alternate costumes solely change its coloration.
• Mewtwo, Zero Suit Samus and Bayonetta are the only characters whose down smash attacks only hit the opponent in front of them, as opposed to hitting opponents on both sides. Although Lucas and Robin's down smashes function similarly, the first hitbox of Lucas' can potentially hit a character behind him, whereas Robin's can hit opponents on both sides while he is wielding the Levin Sword.