Dr. Mario (SSB4)

Dr. Mario in Super Smash Bros. 4
Universe	Mario
Other playable appearance	in Melee
Availability	Unlockable
Final Smash	Doctor Finale
Tier	E (51)

Dr. Mario (Dr. マリオ, Dr. Mario) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. 4. His return to the series was announced on SSB4's official website on October 9th, 2014, during which Dark Pit was also revealed. Charles Martinet reprises his role as Dr. Mario's voice actor, albeit via Mario's voice clips from Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Dr. Mario is currently ranked 51st out of 58 on the tier list, placing him in the E tier. This is a significant drop from his mid-tier placement in Super Smash Bros. Melee, where his ranking of 11th out of 26 placed him above his normal self. The implementation of multipliers to the majority of Dr. Mario's moveset and some of his attributes result in him functioning like a slower, yet stronger version of Mario. As a result, Dr. Mario's overall damage output is above-average for a character of his size and weight, which makes his KOing options much stronger than his normal self's. Like Mario, his overall frame is also very fast, which makes him difficult to punish and very potent at punishing.

However, the multipliers applied to Dr. Mario's walking speed, dashing speed, air speed, and air acceleration collectively result in him being noticeably slower and less nimble than Mario. Although it is largely unrelated to his moveset's multiplier, Dr. Mario's combo game is also inferior to Mario's, owing to his down throw being much less effective at starting combos compared to his normal self's.

Due to his weaknesses outweighing his strengths, Dr. Mario's representation and results have both been very sparse throughout SSB4's lifespan. Although he is considered non-viable in competitive play, especially in comparison to Mario, Dr. Mario has nevertheless achieved minor success, thanks to 2ManyCooks, Nairo, Koolaid, and B7Games.

How to unlock

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

• Play 60 VS Matches.
• Clear Classic Mode as Mario on Intensity 4.0 or higher.

After completing one of the two methods, Dr. Mario must then be defeated on Mushroomy Kingdom.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

• Play 50 VS Matches.
• Clear Master Orders on Hard difficulty.

After completing one of the two methods, Dr. Mario must then be defeated on Delfino Plaza.

Attributes

As a clone of a Mario, Dr. Mario is a middleweight that can wall jump. Although they share an overwhelming number of animations and the exact same in-game values, Dr. Mario's height is below average because of him being very slightly shorter than his normal self, while his crouch is not as low as Mario's. Unlike in Melee, Dr. Mario now fights like a stronger, yet slower version of Mario: multipliers are applied to his walking and dashing speeds (0.83×), air speed (0.81×), and air acceleration (0.82×), while both his jump and double jump are both lower than Mario's. As a result, these modified attributes collectively render Dr. Mario's overall mobility as sub-par. Outside of these attributes, he and Mario share the same falling and fast falling speeds, traction, and gravity.

However, a multiplier is also applied to almost the entirety of Dr. Mario's moveset: aside from his up tilt, forward aerial, clean back aerial, down aerial, up special, and down special, a multiplier (1.12×) is applied to the remainder of Dr. Mario's attacks. As a result, he is noticeably more efficient at KOing in comparison to Mario, as his smash attacks, clean forward aerial, clean back aerial, and clean Super Jump Punch are all excellent KOing options. When coupled with his frame data being very slightly slower than Mario's in regard to start-up lag, Dr. Mario is also difficult to punish and very potent at punishing.

Other noticeable differences between Dr. Mario and Mario are seen in their special moves. Megavitamins travel farther in the air without landing compared to Mario's Fireball, and they bounce twice instead of three times. Super Sheet has higher positioned hitboxes and its reflection hitbox has a longer duration compared to Cape, but has much less horizontal range and, most notably, no longer stalls him in midair like it did in Melee. To alleviate the removal of Super Sheet's recovery potential, Dr. Tornado is now a more integral part of Dr. Mario's recovery, since it grants him a decent amount of horizontal distance when it is button mashed sufficiently. Dr. Tornado deals damage unlike F.L.U.D.D. and can be used for edge-guarding, although it is noticeably riskier at doing so in comparison to F.L.U.D.D. Super Jump Punch functions similarly to Luigi's version instead of Mario's version, as it consists of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox instead of multiple hitboxes, and thus possesses KO potential unlike Mario's. Unlike Mario and Luigi's versions, Dr. Mario's Super Jump Punch can be B-reversed upon start-up, which potentially allows Dr. Mario to counter shielded attacks behind himself.

In regard to playstyle, Dr. Mario's combo game is very different from Mario's, as it is more difficult to land more attacks without correct reads. Although he has a higher overall damage output, Dr. Mario's overall slower movement speed and largely higher knockback make him less capable of chaining hits together in quick succession, especially against lightweight characters. Despite this, his down tilt is a useful combo starter: although it is short-ranged, it is very effective against middleweights, heavyweights, and certain fast-fallers, with follow-ups including itself, neutral attack, up smash, forward tilt, up tilt, Super Jump Punch, or Dr. Tornado. Outside of this, his neutral attack is among the fastest in the game, while his up tilt can combo into itself reliably like Mario's, although it cannot be performed as consecutively because of its higher knockback. Lastly, the horizontal launching angle of Dr. Mario's up smash enables it to initiate grounded combos at low percentages when uncharged.

Like his normal self, Dr. Mario boasts an effective grab game, thanks to his throws' respective uses. His forward throw is useful for initiating edge-guards, whereas his back throw is a viable KOing option at high percentages. His up throw is able to initiate aerial pressure, whereas his down throw is able to combo into his up aerial and a reverse aerial rushed back aerial from low to medium percentages, and even his forward aerial and Super Jump Punch at high percentages, although the latter two require very precise timing.

Dr. Mario's air game is also above-average. His neutral aerial is a "reverse sex kick": its clean hitbox deals minimal damage, whereas its late hitbox deals more damage. Thanks to it hitting on frame 3 and having low landing lag, its clean hitbox is ideal for follow-ups, whereas its late hitbox can be used for edge-guarding. Dr. Mario's back aerial is also fast and boasts a powerful clean hitbox, which make it viable for KOing and edge-guarding. His back aerials can also be auto-canceled with a short hop, making it useful for pressuring. Dr. Mario's forward aerial has considerable start-up lag, but it is the third strongest of its kind when landing its clean hitbox, making it lethal when it is SHFF'd while near the edge. Dr. Mario's up and down aerials, however, are different from Mario's in regard to utility. Both of them possess horizontal launching angles, which makes them capable of edge-guarding unlike his normal self's respective aerials. However, they also lack KO potential unlike Mario's respective aerials, while up aerial is also virtually useless for combos past low percentages.

Dr. Mario's flaws are significantly more noticeable when compared to Mario's. Although he boasts excellent KO power, his KO potential is inconsistent because of him having less guaranteed KO set-ups than Mario. Many characters also outperform Dr. Mario in several areas: Donkey Kong has more power, Luigi has much greater combo versatility, Villager and R.O.B. have stronger zoning abilities, and Captain Falcon has much better mobility. Out of these attributes, his most problematic ones are the latter two: his slow mobility compared to Mario gives him problems with approaching, which, when compounded by the poor range on his attacks, further prevents him from fighting at a safe distance compared to Mario.

Dr. Mario's sluggish mobility compounds another notable weakness: his recovery. Despite now being able to wall jump, the combination of Dr. Mario's slower air speed, slower air acceleration, and the mediocre distance Super Jump Punch grants results in his recovery being predictable like Mario. Unlike the former, he can extend it by making use of Dr. Tornado, which allows him to gain slightly better horizontal distance compared to him, as well as helping on fending off edge-guarders. However, his recovery gains noticeably less vertical distance compared to Mario, which leaves him vulnerable to most meteor smashes as they may launch him low enough to be KO'd. As a result, it is best for him to read the opponent when trying to return to the stage knowing when and how to make use of Dr. Tornado. Additionally, even though he may not need to use his double jump to recover, any sufficiently strong attacks, particularly semi-spikes, may launch him too far away to recover back to the stage.

Dr. Mario benefits significantly from his custom moves. Like Mario, his custom moves define the fundamentals of customization, but in Dr. Mario's case, some of them alleviate his most significant flaws compared to how Mario's benefit him. Fast Capsule deals less damage and barely causes flinching, but covers more range at a much faster pace. Conversely, Mega Capsule has less range and is much slower, but deals repeated damage and lingers after being thrown. This allows it to shut down many approaches from characters that lack projectiles, as well as provide follow-ups. Breezy Sheet provides more safety when fighting near the edge but deals slightly less damage, whereas Shocking Sheet gives Dr. Mario another KOing option that has decent speed, but merely destroys projectiles instead of reflecting them.

Ol' One-Two gives Dr. Mario an extremely powerful KOing option that can KO at very low percentages, but at the cost of further hindering his already sub-par recovery. Conversely, Super Jump functions in the exact opposite way: it grants noticeably better recovery, but deals no damage. However, Soaring Tornado is arguably Dr. Mario's best custom move because of its utility. It grants noticeably better vertical recovery, has incredible edge-guarding potential thanks to its windbox and hitbox, and its hitbox is powerful enough to KO early either on-stage or off-stage. However, these benefits come at the cost of it granting no horizontal recovery. Conversely, Clothesline Tornado is effectively his worst custom move: it boasts impressive power, yet further hinders his recovery, has a shorter duration, and has slower start-up lag.

Overall, Dr. Mario functions like he was initially intended to in Melee: a slower, yet stronger version of Mario. These traits make Dr. Mario function like a slow, yet fairly powerful glass cannon, similarly to Zelda. As such, he performs optimally with a bait and punish playstyle, yet must remain on-stage more often than not because of his sub-par recovery. Although Dr. Mario's faults outweigh his strengths to the point that his tournament representation and results are both extremely sparse, he has nevertheless achieved some instances of success, thanks to 2ManyCooks, Nairo, Koolaid, and B7Games.

Changes from Melee

Dr. Mario received some of the most recognizable changes out of any veteran in the transition from Melee to SSB4, with all of his changes gearing him towards what he was intended to be in Melee: a slower, but stronger Mario. However, these changes result in Dr. Mario being nerfed significantly, as the nerfs to his speed and mobility have weakened his neutral game and approach despite having Megavitamins as a projectile. Many of his moves were also nerfed, with notable examples including his forward aerial and forward smash, which now require landing their sweetspots in order to be effective, and his Megavitamins, which now deal less damage and have noticeably higher lag.

Although Dr. Mario's punishment game is still potent, the post-Melee changes to game physics have also removed many of his set-ups into those potential sweetspots, making it much less effective as well. Furthermore, his recovery was nerfed because of Dr. Tornado's vertical coverage having decreased when used in the air (without the aid of his jump), while Super Sheet no longer stalls him in the air. As a result, Dr. Mario is forced to either mix up the usage of Dr. Tornado by using it early when recovering, or by using it with his double jump to cover more vertical distance. His new wall jump can also be used for recovery mix-ups, but this makes him predictable to edge-guard.

However, Dr. Mario has been buffed in other aspects. Like Mario, some of his moves had their ranges increased, which makes his matchups against characters with long/disjointed ranges somewhat less challenging. Dr. Mario's already high power has increased even further, thanks to the strengthening of some of his attacks' sweetspots. These changes, however, do not properly compensate for the overall decrease to his mobility. As a result, he is the only Melee veteran to have been truly nerfed in his transition, as Mewtwo has been significantly buffed via game updates, whereas Roy had already been buffed in various ways upon his return and was slightly buffed via game updates.

Aesthetics

• Dr. Mario's design is now a combination of his appearance as of Dr. Mario Online Rx, and his appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee. His fair skin, dark brown hair, fully buttoned white coat, red tie, and tawny shoes are from Online Rx and subsequent Dr. Mario games, whereas his white coat's loose sleeves and dark gray pants are from Melee.
• Dr. Mario's pants are now slightly rolled up at his ankles. His stethoscope's tubing and head mirror's headband are also dark gray and dark taupe, respectively, instead of steel blue and cordovan, respectively. These changes are original to SSB4.
• Dr. Mario now has an on-screen appearance, an up taunt, and a down taunt.
• Dr. Mario has a new idle pose. He punches his open palm with his fist. However, his stance while holding a light item is now identical to Mario's.
• Dr. Mario has a new victory pose. He now contemplatively rubs his chin with his hand. It replaces the "Here we go!" victory pose that he shared with Mario in Melee.

Attributes

• Dr. Mario is slightly shorter. This makes his hurtbox slightly smaller, but slightly hinders his range.
• Due to the majority of Mario's damage output having decreased since Brawl, the majority of Dr. Mario's damage output has also slightly decreased.
• Dr. Mario is lighter (100 → 98), as he now weighs as much as Mario as of Brawl. This makes him slightly less susceptible to combos, but slightly hinders his endurance.
• Dr. Mario walks slower (1.1 → 0.913).
• Dr. Mario dashes slower (1.5 → 1.328).
• Dr. Mario's traction is lower (0.6 → 0.45), as it is now identical to Mario's. This hinders his punishment game, especially from out of shield.
• Dr. Mario's air speed is faster (0.9 → 0.9315).
• Dr. Mario's falling speed is slower (1.7 → 1.5). This makes him less susceptible to combos, but hinders his vertical endurance.
• Dr. Mario's gravity is lower (0.095 → 0.08715). This slightly improves his horizontal endurance, but slightly hinders his aerial mobility.
• Rolls and air dodge have decreased ending lag (frame 31 → 30 (rolls), frame 48 → 33 (air dodge)).
• Sidestep has increased ending lag (frame 22 → 27).
• Rolls and air dodge have decreased intangibility frames (frames 4-19 → 4-16 (rolls), frames 4-29 → 3-27 (air dodge)).
• Sidestep has increased intangibility frames (frames 2-15 → 3-17).
• Short hop is lower and jump is higher, improving his air game and aerial maneuverability. Dr. Mario can also now wall jump.
• Jumpsquat is slower (4 frames → 5).
• Walk's animation has changed. It is now identical to Mario's as of Brawl.
• Backward jump's animation has changed. Dr. Mario now performs a Backward Somersault three times, instead of once.

Ground attacks

• Neutral attack deals less damage (4% (hit 1)/3% (hit 2)/6% (hit 3) → 2.8%/1.68%/4.48%) and has increased ending lag (frame 16/19/23 → 23/25/36), hindering its jab canceling potential.
• Neutral attack transitions faster overall. Its first hit is also now a consecutive jab.
• All tilt attacks deal less damage (9% (upward)/8% (non-angled)/7% (downward) → 7.84% (all angles) (forward), 10% (clean)/8% (late) → 7.056% (up), 9% → 7.84% (body)/5.6% (foot) (down)) and have shorter durations (frames 4-8 → 5-7 (forward), frames 4-12 → 5-11 (up), frames 5-8 → 5-7 (down)).
• Forward and up tilts have increased start-up lag (frame 4 → 5).
• Due to having a consistent hitbox instead of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox, up tilt's angle has been altered (361° (clean)/100° (late) → 96°). This improves its combo potential, but hinders its versatility.
• Down tilt's angle has been altered (150° → 80°). This improves its combo potential, but removes its edge-guard set-up potential.
• Down tilt has decreased ending lag (frame 33 → 28).
• Dash attack deals less damage (9% (clean)/8% (late) → 8.96%/6.72%).
• Upward angled forward smash deals 0.008% less damage (20% → 19.992%), slightly hindering its KO potential.
• Non-angled and downward angled forward smash deal more damage (19% (non-angled)/18% (downward) → 19.04%/19.6112%), although their and upward angled forward smash's knockback has been compensated (30 (base)/97 (scaling) → 25/96).
• Forward smash has received a sourspot located at the blast of electricity that deals 16.464% (upward)/15.68% (non-angled)/16.1504% (downward). This increases its range.
• Forward smash has increased start-up (frame 12 → 15), ending lag (frame 42 → 48), and a shorter duration (frames 12-16 → 15-17).
• Due to the damage multiplier for fully charged smash attacks being increased from Melee to SSB4 (1.3671x → 1.4x), fully charged forward and up smashes deal more damage (27.342% (upward)/25.9749% (non-angled)/24.6078% (downward) (forward) → 27.9888%/26.656%/27.45568%, 21.8736% (clean)/17.7723% (late) (up) → 21.952%). This improves their KO potentials.
• Due to having a consistent hitbox instead of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox, up smash now deals consistent damage (16% (clean)/13% (late) → 15.68%).
• Due to its angle being altered (259° (clean/late) → 130°), up smash is no longer a spike. This improves its KO potential, but significantly hinders its combo potential.
• Up smash has a longer duration (frames 9-11 → 9-13) and increased intangibility frames (frames 9-11 → 9-13).
• Down smash's front hit deals less damage (18% (clean)/17% (late) → 11.2%). Additionally, down smash has increased ending lag (frame 38 → 44). Lastly, down smash's back hit has a shorter duration (frames 14-15 → 14).
• Due to consisting of a consistent hitbox instead of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox, down smash's back hit now deals consistent damage (15% (clean)/13% (late) → 13.44%). However, its knockback was somewhat compensated (45 (base)/75 (scaling) → 30/100).
• Due to its angle being altered (361° (front/back) → 32° (front)/30° (back)), down smash is now a semi-spike. This improves its edge-guarding potential.

Aerial attacks

• Neutral aerial deals less damage (10% (clean)/14% (late) → 5.6%/8.96%), removing its late hitbox's KO potential. It also has a shorter duration (frames 3-31 → 3-27).
• Neutral and forward aerials auto-cancel earlier (frame 36> → 34> (neutral), frame 44> → 43> (forward)).
• Due to its arm hitbox being removed, forward aerial now deals consistent damage (17% (arm)/16% (fist) → 16.8%). However, its knockback was somewhat compensated (50 (base)/100 (scaling) (arm)/40/100 (fist) → 30/102).
• Forward aerial has received an early hitbox and a late hitbox that deal 11.2% and 10.08%, respectively, and launch at 50°. This decreases its start-up lag (frame 18 → 16) and lengthens its duration (frames 18-22 → 16-22), but makes it more susceptible to punishment at low to medium percentages.
• Back aerial deals more damage (8% (clean)/7% (late) → 13.44%/7.84%), although its knockback was compensated (43 (base)/65 (scaling) → 10/95 (clean), 20 (base)/100 (scaling) → 7/90 (late)). These changes improve its clean hitbox's KO potential.
• Back aerial has increased ending lag (frame 29 → 34) and a shorter duration (frames 6-16 → 6-13). Due to its angle being altered (28° → 361°), clean back aerial is also no longer a semi-spike, hindering its edge-guarding potential.
• Up aerial deals 2.16% less damage (10% → 7.84%), although its base knockback was compensated (0 → 9).
• Up aerial has decreased ending lag (frame 34 → 32) and a longer duration (frames 4-9 → 4-12).
• Up aerial's angle has been altered (55° → 45°). This improves its edge-guarding potential, but significantly hinders its combo potential.
• Up and down aerials auto-cancel later (frame 16> → 18> (up), frame 33> → 45> (down)).
• Due to consisting of five hits instead of seven, down aerial deals 10.024% less damage (21% → 10.976%).
• Due to consisting of a consistent hitbox that re-hits every 4 frames instead of multiple hitboxes every 3 frames, down aerial's hits connect together better, but it has a shorter duration (frames 10-29 → 11-27).
• Down aerial has increased start-up (frame 10 → 11) and ending lag (frame 38 → 52).
• Down aerial has received a landing hitbox that deals 2.24% and launches at 361°, improving its safety.
• Down aerial now uses the auto-link angle. When coupled with the weakening of SDI, this makes it significantly more difficult to escape from.

Throws/other attacks

• All grabs have increased ranges.
• All grabs' animations have changed. Dr. Mario now reaches out with one hand, instead of using both to clinch the opponent.
• Standing and dash grabs have decreased start-up (frame 7 → 6 (standing), frame 11 → 8) and ending lag (frame 31 → 29 (standing), frame 41 → 36).
• Pummel deals 0.64% more damage (3% → 3.64%), making it the most damaging pummel in the game. It is also faster (24 frames → 23).
• Forward throw deals 0.04% less damage (9% → 8.96%) and it has decreased knockback scaling (72 → 60), hindering its spacing potential.
• Up throw deals 0.16% less damage (8% → 7.84%) and it has decreased knockback (70 (base)/80 (scaling) → 65/70). These changes slightly improve its combo potential at low percentages.
• Back throw deals more damage (12% (throw)/8% (collateral) → 12.32%/8.96%), although its knockback was compensated (80 (base)/72 (scaling) → 70/60). This hinders its KO potential in spite of its higher damage output.
• Down throw deals 0.4% less damage (6% → 5.6%), although its knockback scaling was compensated (40 → 45). Its angle has also been altered (90° → 80°). Altogether, these changes slightly improve its combo potential at low to medium percentages.
• The removal of chain grabbing hinders Dr. Mario's grab game and damage racking potential.
• Due to the introduction of tripping, Dr. Mario has received a floor attack when he trips.
• Front and back floor attacks deal 1.84% more damage (6% → 7.84%).
• Edge attack now deals consistent damage (6% (body)/8% (legs) → 7.84%).

Special moves

• Megavitamins deal less damage (8% → 5.6% (early)/4.48% (late)). Additionally, they have increased start-up (frame 12 → 17) and ending lag (frame 44 → 53). Lastly, they have a shorter duration (frames 12-87 → 17-69).
• Megavitamins are slightly larger, cover more distance, and are no longer absorbable.
• Aerial Megavitamins descend faster.
• Megavitamins' visual effects have changed. They are significantly more vibrant, more rounded, and lack a translucent half.
• Super Sheet deals less damage (10%/12% → 7.84%) and has decreased knockback (30 (base)/80 (scaling) → 0/0). It also has a significantly smaller hitbox, and its hitboxes behind Dr. Mario have been removed.
• Super Sheet can now reflect projectiles behind Dr. Mario.
• Aerial Super Sheet no longer stalls Dr. Mario, removing its recovery potential.
• Due to having a clean hitbox and a late hitbox instead of five consecutive hitboxes, Super Jump Punch has an altered damage output (5% (hit 1)/2% (hits 2-4)/3% (hit 5) → 13.44% (clean)/6.72% (late)).
• Clean Super Jump Punch deals 10.44% more damage than its last hit in Melee (3% → 13.44%). This grants it KO potential in spite of its lower knockback (40 (base)/160 (scaling) → 30/100).
• Super Jump Punch has increased landing lag and a shorter duration (frames 3-21 → 3-19).
• Super Jump Punch can now be moved in the opposite direction upon hitting with its clean hitbox, which allows Dr. Mario to potentially avoid being punished after hitting with it or hit another opponent with its clean hitbox. However, it can no longer be canceled.
• Super Jump Punch's visual effects have changed. It no longer produces Coins upon contact.
• Dr. Tornado deals less damage (13% (all grounded hits)/14% (all aerial hits) → 8.736% (all hits)) and has increased start-up lag (frame 8 → 10).
• Dr. Tornado has decreased ending lag (frame 80 → 75). Its last hit also has increased knockback (75 (base)/120 (scaling) (grounded), 80 (base)/120 (scaling) (aerial) → 80/130 (both)) and its angle has been altered (361° → 45°), improving its edge-guarding potential.
• Due to consisting of a single hitbox that re-hits every 6 frames instead of multiple hitboxes with short durations, Dr. Tornado's hits connect together better, but it has a shorter duration (frames 8-39 → 10-40).
• Dr. Tornado now uses the auto-link angle. When coupled with the weakening of SDI, this makes it significantly more difficult to escape from.
• Dr. Tornado's loop hits have lost their transcendent priority, whereas its last hit has received transcendent priority. This allows its last hit to cancel out non-transcendent attacks, but hinders its approach potential.
• Dr. Mario now has a Final Smash, Doctor Finale. Dr. Mario rears his arms back before thrusting them forward to generate and then launch two gigantic Megavitamins that move across the screen in a spiraling motion, which trap and repeatedly damage any opponents in their path. Aesthetically, it functions identically to Mario Finale.

Differences from Mario

Aesthetics

• Dr. Mario's stance is identical to Mario's, albeit slower.
• Dr. Mario is less vocal than Mario and some of his attacks emit different sound effects.
• Dr. Mario's on-screen appearance, taunts, idle poses, and victory poses are different from Mario's.
• Dr. Mario keeps his fingers close to each other during his screen KO, whereas Mario spreads his apart during his screen KO.

Attributes

• Dr. Mario is slightly shorter than Mario.
• Aside from his up tilt, forward aerial, clean back aerial, down aerial, up special, and down special, Dr. Mario's other attacks use a multiplier of 1.12×. As a result, he is significantly stronger than Mario. However, this multiplier does not apply to items or reflected attacks.
• Dr. Mario's walking and dashing speeds use a multiplier of 0.83×, his air speed uses a multiplier of 0.81×, and his air acceleration uses a multiplier of 0.82×. His jump and double jump are also lower than Mario's. As a result, he is significantly less mobile than Mario.
• Dr. Mario does not crouch as low as Mario.

Ground attacks

• Neutral attack's first two hits have more weight-based knockback (15/10/15 (hit 1)/18/15/18 (hit 2) → 30 (both)), making it slightly more effective at jab canceling.
• Dr. Mario's neutral attack's first two hits can launch the opponent diagonally or vertically (60°/70°/80° (hit 1), 70°/78°/88° (hit 2)), whereas Mario's can launch the opponent horizontally or vertically (361°/361°/80° (both)). Neutral attack also has more ending lag (frame 20 → 23 (hit 1), frame 22 → 25 (hit 2), frame 34 → 36 (hit 3)). These differences make it unusable for jab locking, and can result in lightweight and floaty characters escaping its entirety at high percentages.
• Forward tilt has a longer duration (frames 5-6 → 5-7).
• Up tilt deals 1.556% more damage (5.5% → 7.056%).
• Dash attack has different knockback (100 (base)/40 (scaling) → 90/42). Dr. Mario's dash attack also launches the opponent vertically (90° (clean/late)), whereas Mario's can launch them diagonally or horizontally (60° (clean)/110° (late)). These differences make it more effective for set-ups at low percentages.
• Due to its higher damage output, forward smash is more effective at KOing in spite of its lower knockback scaling (99 (sweetspot)/103 (sourspot) → 96/100).
• Dr. Mario's forward smash's sweetspot is on his arm, whereas Mario's is on the flame. This means that Dr. Mario has to be closer to the opponent to hit with its sweetspot.
• Dr. Mario's forward smash has an electric effect, whereas Mario's has a flame effect. This makes it safer on shield, but easier to DI.
• Dr. Mario keeps his fingers outstretched while using forward smash, whereas Mario curls his fingers.
• Up smash has different knockback (32 (base)/94 (scaling) → 0/117). Dr. Mario's up smash also launches the opponent horizontally (130°), whereas Mario's launches them vertically (83°). These differences make it significantly more effective for combos at low percentages and KOing while near the edge, but make it significantly less effective at KOing from anywhere else on-stage.
• Up smash has a longer duration (frames 9-12 → 9-13) and slightly more range.

Aerial attacks

• All aerials have more landing lag (10 frames → 12 (neutral), 26 frames → 28 (forward), 12 frames → 16 (back), 12 frames → 14 (up), 19 frames → 21 (down)).
• Dr. Mario's neutral aerial deals more damage and has higher knockback the longer it is active, whereas Mario's functions oppositely.
• Neutral aerial can lock until ≈40%.
• Neutral aerial has a shorter duration (frames 3-29 → 3-27).
• Clean and late forward aerials deal more damage (14% (clean)/10% (late) → 16.8%/10.08%). Forward aerial also has more knockback scaling (80 (early/late)/78 (clean) → 95/102).
• Early forward aerial deals 0.8% less damage (12% → 11.2%).
• Clean forward aerial has less base knockback (32 → 30).
• Clean and late forward aerials have shorter and longer durations, respectively (frames 17-19 → 17-20 (clean), frames 20-22 → 21 (late)).
• Dr. Mario's clean forward aerial launches the opponent diagonally (50°), whereas Mario's meteor smashes them (280°).
• Clean back aerial deals 2.94% more damage (10.5% → 13.44%), making it better at KOing in spite of its lower knockback (12 (base)/106 (scaling) → 10/95).
• Back aerial has a longer duration (frames 6-10 → 6-13).
• Up aerial has less knockback (10 (base)/135 (scaling) → 9/100), making it significantly less effective for KOing in spite of its higher damage output.
• Up aerial has less ending lag (frame 24 → 20) and a longer duration (frames 4-8 → 4-12).
• Dr. Mario's up aerial launches the opponent diagonally (45°), whereas Mario's launches them vertically (75°). This makes it capable of edge-guarding, but significantly less effective for combos and juggling.
• Dr. Mario retains his diagonal corkscrew dropkick as his down aerial, whereas Mario's has been Mario Tornado as of Brawl.
• Down aerial's loop hits deal 0.904% more damage (1% → 1.904%).
• Down aerial's last hit deals 1.64% less damage (5% → 3.36%) and has different knockback (80 (base)/100 (scaling) → 50/120). These differences make it less effective at KOing.
• Dr. Mario's down aerial's last hit launches the opponent diagonally (45°), whereas Mario's launches them vertically (75°). This makes it capable of edge-guarding, but significantly less effective for combos and juggling.
• Dr. Mario's down aerial has more start-up (frame 5 → 11), ending lag (frame 13 → 27), less vertical range, and cannot auto-cancel with a short hop.

Grabs and throws

• Due to its higher damage output, back throw is as effective at KOing in spite of its lower knockback scaling (66 → 60).
• Up throw has less knockback (70 (base)/72 (scaling) → 65/70), making it slightly more effective for combos at low percentages.
• Down throw has different knockback (40 (base)/90 (scaling) → 75/45), making it significantly less effective for combos.
• Dr. Mario's down throw launches the opponent vertically (80°), whereas Mario's launches them diagonally (68°).

Special moves

• Unlike Fireball, Megavitamins are physical projectiles, and thus cannot be absorbed.
• Megavitamins bounce twice and at a higher angle, whereas Fireball bounces three times and at a lower angle.
• Dr. Mario keeps his fingers outstretched while using Megavitamins, whereas Mario curls his while using Fireball.
• Compared to Cape, Super Sheet's reflection hitbox has a longer duration (frames 6-20 → 6-22), making it safer against projectiles.
• Compared to Cape, Super Sheet's hitbox is positioned slightly upward. This results in it having slightly more vertical range, but slightly less horizontal range.
• Unlike aerial Cape, aerial Super Sheet does not stall Dr. Mario, making it unusable for recovery.
• Dr. Mario's Super Jump Punch consists of a clean hitbox and a late hitbox, whereas Mario's consists of six hitboxes.
• Due to its higher damage output, Dr. Mario's clean Super Jump Punch is significantly more effective at KOing in spite of its lower knockback (30 (base)/100 (scaling) → 52/145). Dr. Mario's Super Jump Punch also has a longer duration than Mario's (frames 3-11 → 3-19).
• Dr. Mario's Super Jump Punch retains its vertical distance from Melee, whereas Mario's has increased, making it less effective for recovery.
• Unlike Mario's Super Jump Punch, Dr. Mario's Super Jump Punch lacks intangibility on start-up.
• Dr. Mario's Super Jump Punch no longer produces Coins upon contact, whereas Mario's now produces Star Coins upon contact.
• Dr. Mario retains Dr. Tornado as his down special, whereas Mario's has been F.L.U.D.D. as of Brawl.
• Unlike F.L.U.D.D., Dr. Tornado deals damage. Compared to F.L.U.D.D., Dr. Tornado is significantly more effective for recovery.
• Compared to F.L.U.D.D., Dr. Tornado has significantly less range, making it less effective at edge-guarding. It additionally cannot be reliably combined with his side special, unlike Mario's.
• Doctor Finale produces 2D and 3D Megavitamin-based effects and emits Megavitamins' contact sound effect, whereas Mario Finale produces 3D fiery effects and emits a burning sound effect.

Other

• Dr. Mario uses Ties as defensive Equipment, whereas Mario uses Overalls.

Update history

Dr. Mario has received a handful of buffs from game updates. Updates 1.0.4 and 1.0.6 increased his forward aerial's damage output and knockback, which allow it to KO earlier. His KO potential was further improved in update 1.1.0, which increased his up smash's duration and knockback. Unlike Mario, the changes on shieldstun in update 1.1.1 both help and hinder Dr. Mario: his above-average damage output makes his most powerful moves much safer on shield in comparison to Mario's, but the increased shieldstun makes it harder for him to punish from out of shield because of his traction being as low as Mario's.

1.0.4

• Forward aerial has increased knockback scaling (85 (early/late)/95 (clean) → 95/102)
• Down aerial's loop hits deal 0.336% more damage (1.568% → 1.904%)
• Down aerial has less landing lag (24 frames → 21).
• Down aerial deals less damage overall due to having two less hits (14.336% → 12.88%).

1.0.6

• Up smash's angle has been altered (110º →130º)
• Up smash knockback growth increased (105 →117)
• Sweetspotted forward aerial deals 1.12% more damage: 15.68% → 16.8%.

1.1.0

• Up smash's knockback scaling increased: 108 → 117, improving its KO potential.
• Up smash's duration increased: frames 9-12 → 9-13.

1.1.1

• Clothesline Tornado deals 1% more damage: 10.2% (first)/12.44% (last) → 11.2%/13.44%.
• Clothesline Tornado's first hit's knockback altered: 60 (base)/120 (scaling) → 100/70. This improves its spacing potential, but hinders its KO potential.
• Clothesline Tornado's first hit's hitbox size increased.

Moveset

• Aside from his up tilt, forward aerial, clean back aerial, down aerial, up special, and down special, Dr. Mario's other attacks deal 1.12× more damage than Mario's respective attacks. This does not apply to items or reflected attacks.
• Dr. Mario can wall jump.

		Name	Damage	Description
Neutral attack			2.8%	The Punch + Punch + Kick combo from Super Mario 64. Its first two hits have set knockback that launch the opponent vertically, which enable its first hit to jab cancel quite reliably. Its most notable follow-ups are itself, down tilt, and Super Jump Punch.
			1.68%
			4.48%
Forward tilt			7.84%	A wheel kick. It can be angled and is useful for spacing beginning at 50%.
Up tilt			7.056%	A spinning uppercut. Like his normal self's up tilt, it is useful juggling and can combo into itself repeatedly at low percentages, or into an aerial attack at low to medium percentages. Unlike Mario's, however, it can also function as a situational KOing option. It KOs middleweights at 165% from anywhere on Final Destination in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, and at 156% in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. It appears to be based on the second hit of the Mega Glove's combo from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
Down tilt			5.6% (foot), 7.84% (body)	A legsweep. It is Dr. Mario's best combo starter, as it can combo into any grounded attack, a grab, or Super Jump Punch at low percentages, and any aerial attack or Super Jump Punch at medium to high percentages.
Dash attack			8.96% (clean), 6.72% (late)	The Slide Kick from Super Mario 64. It clean and late hitboxes both launch opponents at 90°, which give it better follow-up potential than his normal self's dash attack. However, it has a fair amount of ending lag like Mario's.
Forward smash	↗		19.992% (arm), 16.464% (hand)	A palm thrust that produces a blast of electricity. Its range has increased since Melee, but it now consists of a sweetspot and a sourspot. Its sweetspot is on Dr. Mario's arm, whereas its sourspot is the blast of electricity. Its sweetspot's impressive damage output and high knockback scaling make it Dr. Mario's strongest smash attack. While near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, its upward angled, non-angled, and downward angled sweetspot KOs middleweights at 72%, 78%, and 74%, respectively. In comparison, it KOs middleweights at 64%, 69%, and 66% when angled upward, not angled, and angled downward, respectively, while near the edge in the Wii U version. Although its sourspot deals less damage, it is nevertheless powerful enough to also KO reliably. While near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, its upward angled, non-angled, and downward angled sourspot KOs middleweights at 89%, 94%, 90%, respectively. In comparison, it KOs middleweights at 80%, 85%, and 82% when angled upward, not angled, and angled downward, respectively, while near the edge in the Wii U version. Due to it hitting on frame 15 and having 30 frames of ending lag, however, it is very punishable.
	→		19.04% (arm), 15.68% (hand)
	↘		19.6112% (arm), 16.1504% (hand)
Up smash			15.68%	An upward headbutt. It hits on frame 9, which is quite fast for a smash attack, and renders Dr. Mario's head intangible throughout its duration like his normal self's up smash. However, it has a slightly longer duration and more range than Mario's, as it can hit opponents behind Dr. Mario. It also launches at 130°, which makes it combo potential more varied than Mario's. When uncharged, it can combo into itself, up tilt, and Super Jump Punch at 0%-10%, and into forward and down tilts at 10%-15%. It KOs middleweights at 105% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 96% in the Wii U version. However, its launching angle also makes it reliable at KOing only while near the edge, whereas Mario's can KO reliably from anywhere on a stage. In addition, its 39 frames of ending lag make it very punishable.
Down smash			11.2% (front), 13.44% (back)	The Sweep Kick from Super Mario 64. Due to it hitting on frame 5, it is tied with Pit, Dark Pit, Zelda, Ryu, and his normal self's down smashes for the second fastest smash attack of any kind in the game, being surpassed only by Meta Knight's buffered down smash. It is also a semi-spike, which makes it excellent for edge-guarding, especially when landing its back hit. Depending on the opponent's position, both of its hits can potentially hit them. Its back hit KOs middleweights at 97% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 88% in the Wii U version. Although its front hit deals less damage, it is still powerful, as it KOs middleweights at 121% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 110% in the Wii U version. However, it is Dr. Mario's least damaging smash attack, and its 29 frames of ending lag make it punishable.
Neutral aerial			5.6% (clean), 8.96% (late)	A flying kick. Like in Melee, it is a "reverse sex kick": its late hitbox deals more damage and has more knockback, whereas its clean hitbox deals less damage and has less knockback. As a result, its late hitbox is useful for edge-guarding, whereas its clean hitbox is useful for combo breaking. It can also auto-cancel with a short hop.
Forward aerial			11.2% (early), 16.8% (clean), 10.08% (late)	Rears back his fist and then throws an overhand. It is useful for edge-guarding and, with a proper read, against on-stage opponents when SHFF'd. Unlike his normal self's forward aerial, its clean hitbox is not a meteor smash, but instead launches at 50°. Regardless, Dr, Mario's clean forward aerial is the third strongest forward aerial in the game, to the point that it is capable of KOing middleweights at 92% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 84% in the Wii U version. Unlike in Melee, however, it now has early and late hitboxes, which are much weaker despite their respectable damage outputs.
Back aerial			13.44% (clean), 7.84% (late)	A dropkick. Its hits on frame 6, while its clean hitbox's respectable damage output and high knockback scaling make it effective for spacing when used as part of a reverse aerial rush, or edge-guarding. It also has a moderately longer duration compared to his normal self's back aerial. Its clean hitbox KOs middleweights at 134% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 123% in the Wii U version.
Up aerial			7.84%	A bicycle kick. It can auto-cancel with a short hop, and has slightly less ending lag and a moderately longer duration compared to his normal self's up aerial. It also launches at 45°, which makes it capable of edge-guarding or acting as a set-up into Super Jump Punch unlike Mario's. However, this also makes it less suitable for juggling past medium percentages compared to his.
Down aerial			1.904% (hits 1-4), 3.36% (hit 5), 2.24% (landing)	A diagonal corkscrew dropkick. It hits multiple times, similarly to Mario Tornado. Its last hit also launches the opponent at 45°, which makes it significantly better than Mario Tornado in regard to edge-guarding. Unlike Mario Tornado, however, it cannot auto-cancel with a short hop.
Grab			—	Reaches out. Like his normal self, Dr. Mario's overall grab range is average.
Pummel			3.64%	A headbutt. Moderately slow, but it is the most damaging pummel in the game. While Olimar and Shulk's pummels can deal more damage, this only occurs if they are using White Pikmin and the Buster Art, respectively.
Forward throw			8.96%	Spins the opponent around once and throws them forward. It is useful for setting up an edge-guard, but can also be followed up with a dash attack at low percentages, or an aerial attack at certain percentages.
Back throw			12.32% (throw), 8.96% (collateral)	Spins the opponent by their legs three times before throwing them backward. While its knockback has decreased since Melee, it is still strong, as it KOs middleweights at 154% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 146% in the Wii U version. It also can hit nearby opponents during the spin. It is based on the throw that Mario uses against Bowser in Super Mario 64.
Up throw			7.84%	Heaves the opponent directly overhead with both hands. It is decent against heavyweights and fast-fallers for aerial follow-ups.
Down throw			5.6%	A body slam. Due to having average base knockback and low knockback scaling, it is better for aerial combos compared to his normal self's down throw, but much worse for grounded combos compared to Mario's. It can combo into forward, up, reverse aerial rushed back, and down aerials, Super Jump Punch, and Dr. Tornado up to medium percentages, although the forward aerial combo requires a hard read. In comparison, its only reliable grounded combo is into up smash, which is effective at 0%-10% and only against characters with above average falling speeds and/or large hurtboxes.
Forward roll Back roll Spot dodge Air dodge		—	—
Techs		—	—
Floor attack (front) Floor getups (front)			7.84%	Kicks behind himself and then in front of himself while getting up.
Floor attack (back) Floor getups (back)			7.84%	Punches behind himself and then in front of himself while getting up.
Floor attack (trip) Floor getups (trip)			5.6%	Kicks behind himself and then in front of himself while getting up.
Edge attack Edge getups			7.84%	Performs an upward dropkick while climbing up.
Neutral special	Default	Megavitamins	5.6% (early), 4.48% (late)	Throws a Megavitamin. Megavitamins travel on a bouncing arc and are able to lock, similarly to his normal self's Fireball, although their arc is unique and allows them to cover different angles in comparison. Unlike Mario's Fireball, they cannot be absorbed.
	Custom 1	Fast Capsule	3.36% (early), 2.576% (mid), 1.68% (late)	Throws a smaller Megavitamin that flies straight ahead, similarly to Blaster. It is very spammable, thanks to its significantly lower start-up and ending lag. However, it deals less damage and hitstun.
	Custom 2	Mega Capsule	1.68% (per hit)	Throws a much larger Megavitamin that damages any opponent it hits in its predetermined path until it vanishes. Unlike Megavitamins and Fast Capsule, it does not disappear upon impact, which grants it decent set-up potential. However, it has significantly shorter range, as well as significantly more start-up and ending lag.
Side special	Default	Super Sheet	7.84% (sheet), 1.5× (reflected projectiles)	Waves a white sheet in front of himself. It deals damage, reflects projectiles with 50% more power than they originally had, and reverses opponents. Its hitbox is much smaller than Cape's, but its reflection hitbox has a slightly longer duration. Unlike in Melee, however, it lacks recovery potential because it no longer stalls him in midair.
	Custom 1	Shocking Sheet	12.544%	The sheet discharges electricity, which launches opponents and destroys projectiles instead of reversing them and reflecting them, respectively. It deals noticeably more damage, and is strong enough to KO middleweights at 109% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version. However, it has more ending lag.
	Custom 2	Breezy Sheet	5.6% (sheet), 1.5× (reflected projectiles)	The sheet has slightly emits a small gust of wind that pushes opponents back. It is one of the best edge-guarding options in the game, thanks to the sheet itself possessing an extremely strong pushbox. However, it deals less damage and has slightly more ending lag.
Up special	Default	Super Jump Punch	13.44% (clean), 6.72% (late)	A jumping uppercut. It covers less distance than his normal self's Super Jump Punch, but consists of clean and late hitboxes like Luigi's Super Jump Punch, which grants much greater KO potential compared to Mario's. Dr. Mario's Super Jump Punch also has the unique perk of allowing him to move himself in the opposite direction upon landing its clean hitbox, which makes it less punishable than Mario and Luigi's. Its clean hitbox KOs middleweights at 122% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, and at 112% in the Wii U version.
	Custom 1	Super Jump	—	Covers significantly more vertical distance and, when moved left or right during start-up, more horizontal distance. However, it deals no damage and has slightly more ending lag.
	Custom 2	Ol' One-Two	8.96% (hit 1), 14.56% (hit 2)	A flaming version that is significantly stronger. Its first hit leads reliably into its second hit, but it is not strictly necessary to use, as simply landing the second hit is typically sufficient enough to score a KO, thanks to its higher damage output, knockback and vertical angle. Altogether, these traits make it an even better KOing option than Super Jump Punch, as it KOs middleweights at 96% from anywhere on Final Destination in the 3DS version. However, it covers significantly less vertical distance, and almost no horizontal distance.
Down special	Default	Dr. Tornado	1.344% (hits 1-4), 3.36% (hit 5)	Rapidly spins around, trapping opponents and damaging them with a series of discus clotheslines and spinning backfists before assuming a spread-eagle position to launch them. On the ground, Dr. Tornado allows Dr. Mario to slightly move left or right, while button mashing will make him leap into the air. In the air, button mashing immediately after the apex of a jump will make him ascend, thus helping his recovery. However, aerial Dr. Tornado can only be used once for recovery: if it is used at the apex of his first jump, using it at the apex of his second jump will result in him descending instead of ascending. Despite hitting on frame 10 and having 35 frames of ending lag, its loop hits' usage of the auto-link angle and lack of transcendent priority enable it to reliably trap opponents. Although its last hit has a very low damage output, it possesses very high knockback scaling, transcendent priority, and launches opponents at 45°. As a result, it can function as a risky, yet very potent off-stage edge-guarding option, as it KOs middleweights at 82% while near Final Destination's left/right blast lines in the 3DS version, and at 75% in the Wii U version. It resembles the Spin Jump.
	Custom 1	Soaring Tornado	6.72%	Covers significantly more vertical distance, especially when button mashed, and has slightly less start-up lag. Unlike Dr. Tornado, it consists of a windbox and a hitbox, the latter of which deals twice as much damage and significantly more knockback than Dr. Tornado's last hit. Altogether, these traits make it much more efficient for recovering and edge-guarding compared to Dr. Tornado, as it KOs middleweights at 49% while near Final Destination's left/right blast lines in the 3DS version. However, it does not cover any horizontal distance, cannot punish rolls because of its windbox, and has more ending lag.
	Custom 2	Clothesline Tornado	11.2% (first), 13.44% (last)	Deals significantly more damage and higher knockback. Its first hit has deceptive range and is a semi-spike, which allows it to hinder approaches. Conversely, its last hit launches opponents vertically and is extremely powerful, as it KOs middleweights at 72% from anywhere on Final Destination in the 3DS version. However, its first hit does not KO middleweights until 151% while near the edge of Final Destination in the 3DS version, whereas its second hit is very difficult to land because of its first hit's long duration. In addition, it has significantly more start-up and ending lag, which make it unusable for recovering or edge-guarding.
Final Smash		Doctor Finale	3.36% (big Megavitamin), 2.24% (small Megavitamin)	Rears his arms back before thrusting them forward to generate and launch two gigantic Megavitamins that move across the screen in a spiraling motion, which trap and repeatedly damage any opponents in their path. It functions identically to Mario Finale, but deals slightly more damage.

On-screen appearance

• A large stack of Megavitamins appears on-stage. Another Megavitamin then lands on the top, causing a chain reaction which disintegrates the entire stack, revealing Dr. Mario behind them. Initially, Dr. Mario appears to be thinking with his eyes closed, but then opens his eyes with a surprised expression once the entire stack of Megavitamins disappears.

Taunts

• Up taunt: Grinds the sole of his shoe on the ground.
• Side taunt: Pulls out a randomly colored Megavitamin, rolls it down his arm, uses his shoulder to toss it into the air, then catches it.
• Down taunt: Lightly pounds his shoulder with his fist.

Up taunt	Side taunt	Down taunt

Idle poses

• Pounds his fist into his palm.
• Sways his head around, doing a basic neck exercise.

Crowd cheer

	English	Japanese
Cheer
Description	Go Doc!	Doc-tor!
Pitch	Group chant	Group chant

Victory poses

A flourished remix of the Course Clear Fanfare used in Super Mario Bros.

• Throws two randomly colored Megavitamins, dusts off his gloves, and then pulls out two more Megavitamins that are the same color as the ones he threw.
• Holds out his stethoscope and points it in front of himself, then to his left, and then in front of himself again.
• Contemplatively rubs his chin and then suddenly glances at the screen while continuing to rub his chin.

In competitive play

Official Custom Moveset Project

Character	Custom sets available
Dr. Mario	2312	2332	2212	2232	2211
	1311	1332	1212	1211	2322

Notable players

Active

•  B7Games - Placed 49th at 2GGT: Abadango Saga and 33rd at 2GGC: Midwest Mayhem Saga. He has taken a set off of Abadango.

Inactive

•  2ManyCooks - Placed 49th at Get On My Level 2016 and 33rd at 2GGT: ZeRo Saga before switching to Mario.
•  Atomsk - Placed 9th at KTAR XIV and 17th at Do or DI before his hiatus.
•  Koolaid - Placed 7th at CLASH Online Invitational Finals, 4th at KTAR XV, and 25th at Shine 2016 before switching to Sheik.
•  Nairo - Placed 1st at MLG World Finals 2015 before dropping Dr. Mario.
•  Pwii - Placed 9th at TGC 5 before switching to Lucario.

Tier placement and history

Upon SSB4's release, Dr. Mario's slower mobility, lack of reliable KO set-ups, lower damage output, worsened combo game and recovery, and his inability to successfully adapt to SSB4's game physics collectively saw him widely perceived as a low-tier or even bottom-tier character. Despite his poor perception, Nairo surprisingly utilized Dr. Mario for some matches at MLG World Finals 2015 alongside Zero Suit Samus, with a notable example being a set against ESAM that concluded with Nairo winning 3-0 against him in Losers Finals after using Dr. Mario to defeat ESAM's Pikachu for the first two matches, and his Samus for their final match. Other professionals, such as 2ManyCooks, would also proceed to achieve decent results with him.

Despite these flashes of success and vocal support of Dr. Mario because of his Super Jump Punch combos, his back aerial granting him a niche over Mario in very specific matchups, and his frame data being mostly identical to Mario's, Dr. Mario's metagame has remained stagnant. This is because of both his tournament results and representation being considered among the most sparse in the game, even more so than a few characters ranked below him. These aspects have been reflected in his tier placement, in which he was ranked 45th on the first tier list, before dropping to 48th on the second tier list.

Due to Dr. Mario's representation and results still remaining very sparse, as well as his best player, 2ManyCooks, dropping him in favor of Mario, he is now ranked 51st on the third and current tier list. However, it is unlikely that Dr. Mario will drop any further down the tier list, largely because of his strengths being greater than those of the characters ranked below him.

Trophies

Dr. Mario

In the 1990 puzzle game Dr. Mario, Mario threw on a white coat and decided to take a shot at that whole "medicine" thing. In this game, he's a balanced fighter who can throw Megavitamin capsules and nimbly deflect blows with his Super Sheet. He's not quite as quick as normal Mario, but his attacks deal a bit more damage.

In Dr. Mario, released in Europe in 1991, Mario threw on a white coat and decided to have a bash at the whole medicine thing. In this game, he's an all-rounder who can throw Megavitamin capsules and nimbly deflect blows with his Super Sheet. He's not quite as quick as normal Mario, but his attacks deal a bit more damage.

: Dr. Mario 10/1990

: Dr. Mario Online Rx 05/2008

Dr. Mario (Alt.)

Mario and Dr. Mario are only slightly different. Basically, Dr. Mario is stronger, but his MD slows his speed and lowers his jump. He also has a move Mario doesn't: Dr. Tornado, a down special that can trap opponents before launching them. You can move left and right while doing it and press the button repeatedly to rise into the air.

Mario and Dr. Mario are only slightly different. Basically, Dr. Mario is stronger, but his heavy coat affects his speed and jumping. He also has a move Mario doesn't: Dr. Tornado, a down special that can trap opponents before launching them. You can move left and right while doing it and press the button repeatedly to rise into the air.

: Dr. Mario 10/1990

: Dr. Mario Online Rx 05/2008

Doctor Finale

In Dr. Mario's Final Smash, he spreads his arms wide and then lets loose a pair of giant vitamin capsules that spiral through the air, taking out any pesky "viruses" in their path. The wide range makes it tough for foes to avoid, and opponents they strike will take multiple hits, possibly even being pushed right off the screen!

• 

  Classic (3DS)

• DrMarioAllStarTrophy3DS.png

  Alt. (3DS)

• 

  Classic (Wii U)

• 

  Alt. (Wii U)

• 

  Doctor Finale

In Event Matches

Solo Events

• All-Star Battle: Secret: Dr. Mario is one of the opponents fought in this event. All of the opponents have been unlockable characters in previous Super Smash Bros. games.
• Doctor Schmoctor: As Wario, the player must defeat Dr. Mario before Wario's health is depleted via flowering.

Co-op Events

• Viral Visitors: Dr. Mario and Peach must defeat four Kirbys.
• The Ultimate Battle: Two players select a character and must defeat the entire roster.

Alternate costumes

Gallery

• 

  Dr. Mario's amiibo.

• 

  Dr. Mario in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

• 

  Attempting to grab Charizard.

• 

  Using his forward smash on Mega Man.

• 

  Using Super Jump Punch on Bowser.

• 

  Alongside a prone King Dedede, a prone Kirby, Wii Fit Trainer, and some food.

• 

  Using his dash attack on Fox.

• 

  Using his side taunt alongside Little Mac and Captain Falcon.

• 

  Using Doctor Finale, his Final Smash, on Olimar, Marth, and Zero Suit Samus.

• SSB4 - Dr. Mario Screen-9.jpg

  His on-screen appearance.

• SSB4 - Dr. Mario Screen-10.jpg

  Using Megavitamins on two Kirbys, in reference to the viruses from his eponymous game.

Trivia

• Like Dark Pit and Lucina, Dr. Mario was originally planned to be an alternate costume. However, all three were instead converted into being clones late in SSB4's development, with Masahiro Sakurai explaining that the reason for doing so in regard to Dr. Mario was in order to appeal to his fanbase from Super Smash Bros. Melee.
• Dr. Mario is the first of three Melee characters that were cut from Brawl to return for SSB4, followed by Mewtwo and Roy. However, he retains his status as an unlockable character, whereas Mewtwo and Roy are now downloadable content.
• Dr. Mario's amiibo description on the official amiibo website is a combination of his Classic Mode trophy descriptions from Melee and SSB4.
• In Dr. Mario's official artwork, his collar and tie are done up, while his stethoscope's tubing and head mirror's headband are black. However, his in-game model shows his collar open and tie loose, while his stethoscope's tubing and head mirror's headband are dark gray and dark taupe, respectively.
• Dr. Mario, Bowser, and Lucina are the only characters who are not playable in a solo event unless selected.
• Dr. Mario is the only character to have two challenges exclusive to him in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
• Dr. Mario and Lucario are the only characters that lack a meteor smash of any kind, including unconventional meteor smashes.
• Dr. Mario and Pac-Man are the only characters who have a taunt that aesthetically changes each time it is performed. In Dr. Mario's case, his side taunt creates a randomly colored Megavitamin each time it is performed.