At the core of the Pokémon franchise are hundreds upon hundreds of the eponymous creatures. These are collectively called Pokémon and have many roles in the Pokémon RPGs, mainly as game pieces in Pokémon battling where the object is to defeat the opponent's enemy Pokémon with your own. Pokémon are introduced en masse once every several years as part of a new "Generation" of the franchise, along with the newest handheld RPG versions. Thus far there have been a total of four generations, with the grand total of species clocking in at 493 separate characters, and each Smash Bros. game features a selected assortment of Pokémon from all current generations existent at its time to serve a variety of roles, such as playable character, Assist Trophy-style character that is summoned from an item called the Poké Ball, collectible trophy or sticker, background characters in stages, and others.
All listed Pokémon that are bolded have the major roles of being playable characters or Assist Trophy-style characters. All that are not linked at all are barely glimpsed in the games.
First Generation
The Pokémon franchise began stateside in 1998 with 151 Pokémon species featured in the very first versions of the Pokémon RPGs, Pokémon Red and Blue for the original Game Boy. This was the only generation in effect when Super Smash Bros. was developed and released.
| Pokémon | Description. | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| #001 Bulbasaur | A small squat quadrupedal lizard with a plant-like bulb growing out of its back. | A trophy in SSBM. |
| #002 Ivysaur | A larger lizardlike quadruped whose bulb has begun flowering. | A playable character as part of Pokémon Trainer in SSBB. |
| #003 Venusaur | A massive quadruped with a fully blossomed flower. | A stage Pokémon in Saffron City in SSB, and a Poké Ball Pokémon, stage Pokémon in Poké Floats, and trophy in SSBM. |
| #004 Charmander | A small bipedal red lizard with a flame on the tip of its tail. | A stage Pokémon in Saffron City in SSB. |
| #006 Charizard | An orange dragon of charismatic firebreathing ability. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSB, a Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM, and a playable character as part of Pokémon Trainer in SSBB. |
| #007 Squirtle | A small blue bipedal turtle who can attack with water. | A stage Pokémon in Poké Floats and trophy in SSBM, and a playable character as part of Pokémon Trainer in SSBB. |
| #009 Blastoise | A large blue bipedal turtle who can shoot water out of its back cannons. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSB, and a Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #015 Beedrill | A four-legged hornet with stingers on its forearms as well as its abdomen. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSB. |
| #025 Pikachu | A yellow mouse with red cheeks who can store up and unleash electricity. | A playable character in SSB, a playable character with trophies in SSBM, and a playable character in SSBB. |
| #035 Clefairy | A small, pink fluffy creature who can randomly generate attacks. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSB, and a Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #039 Jigglypuff | A small, pink fluffy creature who can sing to induce hypnosis. | A playable character in SSB, and a playable character with trophies in SSBM. |
| #043 Oddish | A small blue plant Pokémon with green leaves on its top. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #051 Dugtrio | A linked trio of moles whose undersides are always covered by the ground. | A stage Pokémon in Pokémon Stadium 2 in SSBB. |
| #052 Meowth | A cat species with one particularly notable individual being able to talk. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSB, and a trophy in SSBM. |
| #054 Psyduck | A yellow duck with psychic powers who constantly suffers a splitting headache. | A stage Pokémon in Poké Floats in SSBM. |
| #061 Poliwhirl | A vaguely humanoid blue water creature with a swirl pattern on its belly. | A trophy in SSBM. |
| #063 Abra | A small psychic mystic whose eyes are constantly closed. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #066 Machop | A young humanoid very adept at karate. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #070 Weepinbell | A flower Pokémon resembling the head of a flycatcher flower. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #074 Geodude | A rocky head with attached arms, that can float around. | A stage Pokémon in Poké Floats in SSBM. |
| #079 Slowpoke | A small, dopey pink hippo-like specie that can use psychic power. | A stage Pokémon in Poké Floats in SSBM. |
| #080 Slowbro | A larger Slowpoke who has metamorphized with the Shellder on its tail. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #086 Seel | A white sea lion pup with a head horn and a tongue that sticks out a lot. | A stage Pokémon in Poké Floats in SSBM. |
| #095 Onix | A gigantic serpent made of rock, and one of the largest Pokémon species. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSB, and a stage Pokémon in Poké Floats in SSBM. |
| #096 Drowzee | A bipedal yellow tapir with psychic powers. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #098 Krabby | A small red crab with equally-sized pincers. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #101 Electrode | A large electric sphere with a face and a resemblance to the Poké Ball. | A stage Pokémon in Saffron City in SSB, and a Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #104 Cubone | A little, sensitive Pokémon who wears the skull of its deceased mother. | A stage Pokémon in Pokémon Stadium 2 in SSBB. |
| #106 Hitmonlee | A human-like entity that fights with its powerful, stretchable legs. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSB. |
| #108 Lickitung | A pink creature with a gigantic prehensile tongue. | A stage Pokémon in Poké Floats in SSBM. |
| #109 Koffing | A small floating limbless purple bag of noxious smoke. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSB. |
| #110 Weezing | Two Koffing fused together into a bigger and badder pile. | A Poké Ball Pokémon, stage Pokémon in Poké Floats, and trophy in SSBM. |
| #112 Rhydon | A bipedal rhinoceros composed of tough rocky matter. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #113 Chansey | A rare pink and kindred Pokémon who nurtures nutrutious eggs. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSB, and a Poké Ball Pokémon, trophy, and stage Pokémon in Poké Floats in SSBM. |
| #118 Goldeen | A small elegant goldfish with a horn on its head. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSB, a Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM, and a Poké Ball Pokémon and stage Pokémon in Poké Floats in SSBB. |
| #120 Staryu | An orange starfish with psychic powers and a smooth gem at its core. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM, and a Poké Ball Pokémon in SSBB. |
| #121 Starmie | A larger purple starfish with psychic powers and a large gem at its core. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSBM. |
| #125 Electabuzz | A yellow humanoid with black stripes and electric powers. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #126 Magmar | A red humanoid that is pretty much made entirely out of fire. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #127 Pinsir | A bipedal stag beetle with two large imposing crushing horns. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #132 Ditto | A featureless pink blob that can transform to appear as another Pokémon in the area. | A (cut-out) Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #133 Eevee | A small fox who can evolve into many different Pokémon based on element. | A trophy in SSBM. |
| #137 Porygon | An angular duck toy-like Pokémon man-made with computer code. | A stage Pokémon in Saffron City in SSB, and a stage Pokémon in Poké Floats in SSBM. |
| #143 Snorlax | A giant lazy glutton who only eats and hibernates. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSB, and a Poké Ball Pokémon, stage Pokémon in Poké Floats, and trophy in SSBM, and a Poké Ball Pokémon in SSBB. |
| #144 Articuno | The legendary blue bird of ice among the legendary trio of the First Generation. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #145 Zapdos | The legendary yellow bird of lightning among the legendary trio of the First Generation. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #146 Moltres | The legendary orange bird of fire among the legendary trio of the First Generation. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #150 Mewtwo | A powerful but twisted humanoid resulting from a genetic experiment involving Mew. | A playable character with trophies in SSBM. |
| #151 Mew | A legendary, powerful, and rare feline sprite described as the evolutionary ancestor to all Pokémon. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSB, and a Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
Second Generation
The Pokémon franchise entered its second generation in 2000 with 100 new Pokémon species added to the original 151 to form a total of 251 Pokémon, and all were featured in the RPGs Pokémon Gold and Silver for Game Boy Color. These two generations were in effect when Super Smash Bros. Melee was developed and released.
| Pokémon | Description. | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| #152 Chikorita | A small girlish plant creature with a leaf on its head. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM, and a Poké Ball Pokémon and Stage Pokémon in Poké Floats in SSBB. |
| #155 Cyndaquil | A small echidna with the ability to generate fire off its back. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #158 Totodile | A small blue bipedal alligator with the proclivity to dance. | A trophy in SSBM. |
| #161 Sentret | A squirrel who can stand on its own tail to keep on the lookout. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #169 Crobat | A large purple bat with four wings arranged in the shape of a cross. | A trophy in SSBM. |
| #172 Pichu | An even smaller electric mouse whose inexperience causes it to damage itself at times. | A playable character with trophies in SSBM. |
| #173 Cleffa | An even younger and smaller form of Clefairy. | A trophy in SSBM. |
| #174 Igglybuff | An even younger and smaller form of Jigglypuff. | A trophy in SSBM. |
| #175 Togepi | A baby Pokémon not even broken out of its shell, it can have mysterious power. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #177 Natu | A tiny green psychic bird whose head is its whole body. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #182 Bellossom | A small but effective flower Pokémon adept at dancing. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #183 Marill | A rotund little blue mouse that can use water powers. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #185 Sudowoodo | An odd rocky Pokémon who attempts to disguise itself as a tree. | A stage Pokémon in Poké Floats and trophy in SSBM. |
| #194 Wooper | A blue, whiskered water creature with an affinity to muddy environments. | A stage Pokémon in Poké Floats in SSBM. |
| #201 Unown | A bizarre collection of heiroglyphic Pokémon that come in 26 (later 28) varieties. | A Poké Ball Pokémon, stage Pokémon in Poké Floats, and trophy in SSBM. |
| #202 Wobbuffet | A stiff blue balloon-like Pokémon that can magically reflect offenses back at its attacker. | A Poké Ball Pokémon, a stage Pokémon in Poké Floats, and a trophy in SSBM. |
| #204 Pineco | A green pinecone with many square-shaped outgrowths. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #207 Gligar | A light-purple scorpion who can fly around with its wings. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #208 Steelix | A metallic snake even bigger than its pre-evolved form Onix, with a huge jaw. | A trophy in SSBM. |
| #209 Snubbull | A pink bipedal pug dog who's classified as a fairy. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #212 Scizor | A red humanoid metallic mantis with crab-like pincers for hands. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #214 Heracross | A blue bipedal rhinoceros beetle with a tough and impressive horn. | A trophy in SSBM. |
| #217 Ursaring | A lumbering bipedal bear with a circle pattern on its torso. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #227 Skarmory | A bird who is mostly comprised of silvery metal. | A stage Pokémon in Pokémon Stadium 2 in SSBB. |
| #231 Phanpy | A small playful blue elephant that doesn't quite know its own power. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #233 Porygon2 | The smoother form of Porygon, and hence more powerful. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #239 Elekid | A small electric Pokémon with a pair of power conduits growing out of its head. | Glimpsed in SSBM's opening FMV. |
| #243 Raikou | The legendary yellow beast of lightning among the legendary trio of the Second Generation. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #244 Entei | The legendary red beast of fire among the legendary trio of the Second Generation. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #245 Suicune | The legendary blue beast of water among the legendary trio of the Second Generation. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #249 Lugia | The legendary dragon-like beast of the seas. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #250 Ho-Oh | The legendary phoenix-like bird of rainbows. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
| #251 Celebi | The rare and legendary green insectoid sprite residing in forests. | A Poké Ball Pokémon and trophy in SSBM. |
Third Generation
The Pokémon franchise entered its third generation in 2003 with 135 new Pokémon species added to the previous 251 to form a total of 386 Pokémon, and all were first featured in the RPGs Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire for Game Boy Advance. Ironically, this generation's first appearance in a Smash Bros. game, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, is also the first appearance of the fourth generation that was put in effect an entire four years later.
| Pokémon | Description. | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| #255 Torchic | A small orange wingless chick that can breathe fire to a degree. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSBB. |
| #282 Gardevoir | A feminine humanoid Pokémon with great psychic powers. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSBB. |
| #380 Latias | A legendary red-white dragon-like bird who's the female counterpart to Latios. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSBB. |
| #381 Latios | A legendary blue-white dragon-like bird who's the male counterpart to Latias. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSBB. |
| #382 Kyogre | The legendary blue winged whale that personifies the torrential oceans. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSBB. |
| #383 Groudon | The legendary red rocky behemoth that personifies the land and dryness. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSBB. |
| #386 Deoxys | A legendary humanoid extraterrestrial who can change between several configurations. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSBB. |
Fourth Generation
The Pokémon franchise entered its most recent generation in 2007 with 107 more new Pokémon species added to the previous 396 to form the current grand total of 493 Pokémon species, and all are featured in the newest Pokémon RPGs, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl for Nintendo DS. Both this and the previous generation make their Smash Bros. debut in Brawl.
| Pokémon | Description. | Appearances |
|---|---|---|
| #393 Piplup | A small blue penguin that can use water powers. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSBB. |
| #425 Drifloon | A small ghostly balloon with diminutive legs. | A stage Pokémon in Pokémon Stadium 2 in SSBB. |
| #446 Munchlax | The younger form of Snorlax; as much of a glutton but much more hyperactive. | A Poké Ball Pokémon in SSBB. |