Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Pikachu (SSBU)

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This article is about Pikachu's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. For the character in other contexts, see Pikachu.
Pikachu
in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Pikachu
PokemonSymbol.svg
Universe Pokémon
Other playable appearances in SSB
in Melee
in Brawl
in SSB4
Availability Starter
Final Smash Volt Tackle
Pikachu (SSBU)

Pikachu (ピカチュウ, Pikachu) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It was confirmed on June 12th, 2018. As in SSB4, Ikue Ōtani's portrayal of Pikachu from Brawl was repurposed for Ultimate.

Changes from Super Smash Bros. 4

An icon used in notice templates. NOTE: SmashWiki is not speculative. Please refrain from adding detailed data values derived from pre-release gameplay footage, such as the E3 demo. Such data (damage values, launch trajectories, frame data, etc.) are subject to change before the official release.

Aesthetics

  • Change As with all veterans returning from SSB4, Pikachu's model features a more subdued color scheme. It more closely resembles its appearance in recent mainline Pokémon titles as a result.
  • Change Pikachu, like other veterans, is more expressive than before. It now appears angry during most attacks.
  • Change Pikachu's cheeks now flash white during electric attacks.
  • Change A female Pikachu - which has a heart-shaped tail - has been added as an alternate costume with two swaps: one where it wears Moon's Casual Cap from Pokémon Sun and Moon, and one where it wears the Libre costume from Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
  • Change Pikachu always faces the screen regardless of which direction it turns. This affects its moveset as well, all of which appears to be mirrored.
  • Change Pikachu's side and down taunts have tweaked animations; its down taunt is significantly shorter as a result.

Attributes

  • Buff Like all characters, Pikachu's jumpsquat animation now takes three frames to complete.

Ground attacks

  • Change All smash attacks can be charged longer like all the other returning characters.
  • Change Forward tilt has an electric effect.
  • Change Pikachu has a new up tilt which has Pikachu scooting its backside up to hit with its tail.
  • Buff Clean dash attack deals more damage and has less ending lag.
  • Nerf Down smash deals less damage.
  • Buff Down smash has reduced ending lag.

Aerial attacks

  • Buff Pikachu has a new neutral aerial: it releases an electric surge around itself in an all fours stance with its tail pointing upward, which hits multiple times, much like Mewtwo's neutral aerial. It has a better combo ability with much lower landing lag.
  • Buff Forward aerial deals more damage if all hits connect, with the last hit having more knockback.
  • Buff Back aerial ends much sooner with much less landing lag.
  • Change Back aerial has an altered ending animation.
  • Buff Down aerial can meteor smash opponents.[1]

Throws/other attacks

  • Buff Up throw deals more damage.[2]
  • Nerf Down throw has the same knockback, but it also deals less damage.
  • Change Forward throw has slightly more vertical knockback, which may help with edge guarding but hinder combos slightly.[3]

Special moves

  • Buff Aerial Thunder Jolt deals more damage. Thunder Jolt has slightly reduced start-up lag when used on the ground.
  • Change Quick Attack now has an angle indicator to telegraph Pikachu's trajectory.
  • Change The electricity discharged when the lightning from Thunder strikes Pikachu is yellow rather than blue, and has Pikachu flash with a dark tint.
  • Buff Thunder is stronger, and deals more knockback.
    • Change Additionally, Pikachu glows a bright yellow after zapping himself with said thunder.
  • Change Volt Tackle now involves it dashing quickly forward while surrounded by a ball of electricity. If it connects, it speeds around the stage at different angles, racking up damage before launching opponents with an electric blast at the end of the move as the ball disappears.

Alternate costumes

Pikachu Palette (SSBU).png

Gallery

Character Showcase Video

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Trivia

  • This is the first time Pikachu was not the first Pokémon character to be explicitly announced for a new Smash title, with Mewtwo being confirmed before it.
  • Pikachu's pose in its official artwork resembles its front sprite in the Generation III Pokémon games.

References