Pikachu

For fighter info, see Pikachu (SSB), Pikachu (SSBM), Pikachu (SSBB), and Pikachu (SSB4).

Pikachu
Official artwork of Pikachu from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions.
Universe	Pokémon
Debut	Pokémon Red and Green Versions (1996)
Smash Bros. appearances	SSB Melee Brawl SSB4 Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearance	Pokémon Sun and Moon (2016)
Console/platform of origin	Game Boy
Species	Pikachu
Gender	Varies
Place of origin	Kanto
Created by	Atsuko Nishida
Designed by	Ken Sugimori
Voice actor	Ikue Ōtani
Article on Bulbapedia	Pikachu (Pokémon)

Pikachu (ピカチュウ, Pikachu) is a fictional creature in the Pokémon franchise of media. It is one of the most popular and well known Pokémon in the world, and is the main representative or mascot of the franchise and its anime. It appears as a playable fighter and starter in all four Super Smash Bros. games.

Creature description

File:PikachuArtworkRG.png

Pikachu's original artwork from Pokémon Red and Blue.

Pikachu is a small, rodent-like Pokémon with short, yellow fur and brown markings on its back, pointy, black-tipped ears, red circles on its cheeks, and a tail in the shape of a lightning bolt. The extensive variety of Pokédex entries available for Pikachu throughout the Pokémon series provide plenty of biological information, such as how it lives in forests in groups away from people, and how it keeps its tail raised as it monitors its surroundings. The tail is sometimes struck by lightning in this pose, and it will try to bite whatever yanks its tail. Its cheeks are electricity-storing pouches which appear to become electrically charged overnight while Pikachu sleeps. It occasionally discharges electricity when it is dozy after waking up. Shooting out stored-up electricity from its cheeks is its primary offensive measure; if threatened, angered, or attacked, it discharges the electricity from its cheeks at the offender. When it releases pent-up energy in a full-on burst, the electric power unleashed is equal to a bonafide lightning bolt. When several Pikachu gather together, the collective electricity among them may build and cause a lightning storm. It occasionally uses an electric shock to recharge a fellow Pikachu that is in a weakened state. An intelligent species, it electrocutes any new thing it comes across as a way of inspecting it. Whenever it comes across a hard berry, it uses its electricity to roast the berry to make it tender enough to eat. If one was to come across a blackened berry, it is evidence that a Pikachu mistook the intensity of its charge.

In the core series, Pikachu is a relatively weak Electric-type Pokémon that can be found early in the series' first generation of games: Pokémon Red, Green and Blue Versions. Unlike certain Pokémon that had plot elements wrapped around them, such as Mewtwo, Pikachu was just another Pokémon that could be caught, evolved into a stronger form (Raichu), and had no bearing on the story. However, Pikachu's popularity in the anime, where it was the first and primary Pokémon of the main character, Ash Ketchum, eventually led to it starring in Pokémon Yellow Version, a specialized remake of the Red, Green and Blue Versions that is largely based off the anime. In keeping with the anime, Pikachu is the first Pokémon that the player obtains and its digitized cry in the Yellow Version is replaced with voiced soundbites of it saying its name, provided by Ikue Ohtani. Pikachu's role in the game was intensely elaborated on, as several events on the game depended on how Pikachu felt towards the player. Depending on the player's actions towards Pikachu, it will exhibit a variety of emotions when spoken to, varying from frustration, to amusement, to complete adoration. Pikachu's happiness is sometimes a prerequisite for certain rewards in the game, most notably the acquisition of all three of the starter Pokémon from the Red, Green and Blue Versions: Bulbasaur (Pokémon), Charmander and Squirtle.

Pikachu has not had a starring role in any of the main games in the series since then, but it has been featured in every core series game since then and is usually associated with some new gameplay mechanic with each successive installment. It is also readily available to catch in all but four installments within the core series. In Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions, released for the Game Boy Color in 2000, Pikachu gained a new evolutionary phase in the form of Pichu. It also gained an item called the Light Ball, which doubled Pikachu's special attack statistic when held. However the item was only obtainable when trading a Pikachu over from the Yellow Version. Pokémon Emerald Version, the enhanced remake of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Versions granted Pikachu and its evolutionary relatives a signature move called Volt Tackle, which is an exceptionally powerful Electric-type attack with that deals recoil damage and can only be attained via breeding while a female Pikachu holds a Light Ball. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions for the Nintendo DS introduced cosmetic differences between genders for certain species of Pokémon, and Pikachu was one of them, with the females having a dent at the end of their tail. The Light Ball was also improved, as it now doubles both Pikachu's attack and special attack stats. Pokémon Black and White Versions are the first installments in the core series to not feature any wild Pikachu whatsoever, due to the Unova region being extremely distant from the previous four regions, although a Pikachu is depicted on a billboard in Castelia City. This trend continued in their sequels, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Versions, with the only way to attain Pikachu in any of these four games is via the Poké Transfer feature. However, wild Pikachu are readily available in Pokémon X and Y, where, like in the Yellow Version, its digitized cry is replaced with full voice acting by Ikue Ohtani. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire also introduced a special female Pikachu known as Cosplay Pikachu, which can don various costumes to use unique moves in battle. Pokémon Sun and Moon, the latest installments in the core series, feature a Z-Crystal exclusive to Pikachu called Pikanium Z, which grants it the ability to convert Volt Tackle into its own exclusive Z-Move: Catastropika. Sun and Moon are also the first installments in the series to make Volt Tackle readily available for Pikachu to learn, as it can be learned via move tutoring.

Pikachu has also been in virtually every Pokémon-related spin-off game ever released, sometimes as the star or a main character, and other times just featured among the hundreds of other Pokémon in the series. Notable Pikachu-centric games include Hey You, Pikachu! for the Nintendo 64, where the player could talk to Pikachu using the microphone, Pokémon Channel, which is usually regarded as a spiritual sequel to the previous title, PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure that has Pikachu as the main character and the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games, where Pikachu is one of the Pokémon that the player can start out as. Pikachu has also been made into a Tamagotchi-style virtual pet called the Pocket Pikachu, which was a little LCD device that owners can clip onto their belt. Whenever the user took a step, it would register on the system, which would give Pikachu points in the form of "watts". It is described as quadrupedal. Much like its fighting game appearances in the Super Smash Bros. series, Pikachu is one of the playable Pokémon in Pokkén Tournament; while the initial arcade release features a male Pikachu, Cosplay Pikachu (wearing its Pikachu Libre costume) was later introduced as an additional character with a different moveset.

In Super Smash Bros.

As a playable character

Official artwork of Pikachu in Super Smash Bros.

Pikachu's debut to the Smash Bros series is as one of the eight Starter characters. Just like in the games that Pikachu originates from, it is a small, fast character whose play style is prominently dependent on its speed and powerful electric attacks. Pikachu is ranked number one on the original Smash 64 tier list. Pikachu is notable for having several advantages, its amazing edgeguarding capabilities that could even go way offstage, its fantastic recovery skills with Quick Attack covering a outstanding distance, powerful smash attacks and back throw, and its fast and powerful aerial attacks that can combo very well. Pikachu's neutral special move, Thunder Jolt, shoots a beam of electricity that bounces along the stage. This gives Pikachu incredibly favorable matchups with no negative or even matchups. Its up special move is a fast recovery move dubbed the Quick Attack, and its down special move involves Pikachu striking itself with Thunder, which blasts anyone else standing in the way and it is used in a effective combo named Thunderspiking, where Pikachu uses its up smash to sent an opponent upwards to the upper blast line and follows up with Thunder to KO them.

In-game description:

Pikachu

Mouse PKMN

Height 1'4"

Weight 13lbs

When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity could cause lightning storms.

(Pokédex excerpt)

Works:

• Pokémon (GB)

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

As a playable character

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

Pikachu returns to Melee, once again as a starter character. While its play style is still incredibly similar to its first appearance in the Smash series, Pikachu is not quite as deadly as it used to be. However, it is still a powerful, agile character and a force to be reckoned with, ranking it 9th on the tier list in C tier. Pikachu gains Skull Bash as its new side special move.

Trophies

In line with the other playable characters, there are three Pikachu trophies obtained by defeating the single-player modes - a normal trophy from Classic Mode, and "Smash Red" and "Smash Blue" trophies from the Adventure and All-Star modes, respectively. The Classic mode trophy reads:

Pikachu

It's safe to say that Pikachu is the most famous and popular of all Pokémon. It has electric pouches in both cheeks; when in danger, it shoots electricity at its enemies. Although Pikachu can evolve into Raichu by exposure to a Thunderstone, many trainers like Pikachu so much that they don't let it evolve.

• Pokémon Red & Blue 9/98 (GB)

• 

  Trophy [Classic Mode]

• 

  Smash Red trophy [Adventure Mode]

• 

  Smash Blue Trophy [All-Star Mode]

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

As a playable character

Pikachu, as it appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Pikachu returns once again as a starter character in Brawl. Visually, Pikachu has barely changed at all from its Melee design, only being touched up slightly. However, Pikachu was improved from Melee, becoming more powerful and gaining many new techniques such as Quick Attack canceling and two chain grabs. As a result, Pikachu is ranked 8th on the tier list in B tier. It has all of its moves from the first two games. Like the rest of Brawl's cast, Pikachu also has a Final Smash, a new kind of special attack that was added for Brawl. Pikachu's Final Smash is called Volt Tackle, which involves it generating a giant ball of electricity around itself that can be controlled by the player.

Trophy Info

Pikachu's trophy in Brawl

Pikachu

A Mouse Pokémon. Its lightning-bolt tail and round cheeks are its trademarks. When danger draws near, it uses tiny electric pouches within its cheeks to discharge electricity. When it's really fired up, it unleashes thunderbolts on its rivals. It's said to recharge when it's sleeping. It evolves into Raichu.

: Pokémon Red/Blue

: Pokémon Diamond/Pearl

Sticker

Name	Game	Effect	Character(s)
Pikachu	Pokémon series

Pikachu (Pokémon series)

In Super Smash Bros. 4

Pikachu as it appears in Super Smash Bros. 4

Pikachu returns as a playable starter character. Pikachu's design has been updated to look like its more recent appearances, being less chubby and having a brighter color than previous games.

Pikachu ranks 12th out of 58 on the SSB4 tier list. Pikachu received some nerfs in the transition from Brawl, such as its powerful down throw and forward throw chain grabs (which were a large part of Pikachu's previous success in Brawl) being removed, and lower damage outputs on some moves. In return, Pikachu benefits from the changes to hitstun canceling, which grant an improved combo game by enabling its attacks to chain together easier. Some of its attacks were also given better ranges, and some of its attacks have better KO potentials. However, Pikachu's placement is contested among the playerbase: although Pikachu was a high-tier character in Brawl, some consider it to be even better in SSB4, while others view its placement as being too high. Despite having a rather small playerbase in competitive play, Pikachu is still considered a dominant force in the metagame thanks to players such as ESAM.

Trophies

Pikachu

Recognized the world over, Pikachu is an Electric-type Pokémon that stores energy in its cheeks for use in battle. In Smash Bros., Pikachu is a well-rounded fighter with speedy, powerful electric attacks. Quick Attack can be used twice in a row if two directions are input, one after another.

Pikachu is famous worldwide as the face of the Pokémon series. There's a lot of electricity stored in those rosy cheeks, and in this game, that allows for some devastating attacks, like Thunder Jolt. Tip: Input another direction after using Quick Attack to get a second burst. It's top-notch for recoveries!

Pikachu (Alt.)

Pikachu's Thunder Jolt fires off a ball of electricity that bounces across the stage, getting weaker as it travels. It does more damage to enemies in the air. The default down special, Thunder, causes a lightning strike that both shocks opponents and turns Pikachu invincible for a split second.

Pikachu's Thunder Jolt fires off a ball of electricity that bounces across the stage, getting weaker as it travels. Airborne enemies will take extra damage from it and get launched further. The default down special, Thunder, causes a lightning strike that both shocks opponents and turns Pikachu invincible for a split second.

• 

  Classic (3DS)

• 

  Classic (Wii U)

• PikachuAllStarTrophy3DS.png

  Alt. (3DS)

• 

  Alt. (Wii U)

Trivia

• Pikachu is the only playable Pokémon in the Super Smash Bros. series to have a visible gender difference. A male Pikachu looks like the one in the Super Smash Bros. series, while a female has a dent at the tip of her tail. However, gender differences in the Pokémon series were introduced in Generation IV, which came well after SSB and Melee did. Given this, and the fact that its alternate costumes include hats worn by male characters, the Pikachu in the Super Smash Bros. series is effectively male.
  • However, Pikachu is not listed under a specific gender per Nintendo's stance on, for the most part, using gender neutral pronouns for all Pokémon, regardless of a species' appearance/gender ratio or lack thereof.
• Pikachu is the only character in the entire Super Smash Bros. series to only have four alternate costumes in the first three Super Smash Bros. games. It has eight alternate costumes in SSB4, just like every other fighter aside from Little Mac and the Mii Fighters.
• As of the current tier lists for each installment of Super Smash Bros., Pikachu and Fox McCloud are the only characters who are ranked no lower than the upper portion of the mid-tier within the tier lists. Coincidentally, they have also been ranked at the top of a tier list before (SSB for Pikachu and Melee for Fox).
• Pikachu is the only Pokémon to be a starter character in every Super Smash Bros. game.
• Pikachu's poses in its Classic trophy in Melee and its official artwork for SSB4 are based on the sprite of Red's Pikachu from Pokémon Yellow Version.
• Pikachu's Final Smash, Volt Tackle, is based on an attack used by Pulseman, the protagonist of Template:Wp. This is further referenced with Volt Tackle's Japanese name, ボルテッカー Volteccer. Additionally, both attacks are also references to Template:Wp, whose signature attack is called Voltekka.