Clone characters are playable characters whose entire movesets (both normal and special) are identical to another's with only minor variation and/or effects. Creating a larger roster is usually the reason for the creation of clone characters but unique movesets are more desirable. While often thought as one by many due to the similarity of his special moves with those of Mario's, Luigi is not considered a clone due to his unique normal moveset (and side special move in Melee). Clone characters' portraits appear next to and slightly lower to those of their counterparts on the Melee character select screen. As of now, only unlockable characters in the Smash Bros. series have been considered clones.
List of Clone Characters in Melee
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Sakurai suggested that any returning clones in Brawl might be "decloned" with new moves. Upon the Japanese release of the game, this has been confirmed to technically be the case, in that no characters share complete movesets as in Melee. However, to the dismay of some fans, several characters remain "semi-clones"-- based off the design of others and sharing variations of special movesets and fighting styles while still retaining other unique moves. Prior to Brawl, Luigi was the only character of this kind.
List of Semi-Clone Characters in Brawl
- Luigi: a semi-clone of Mario
- Falco: a semi-clone of Fox
- Wolf: an alternate semi-clone of Fox
- Ganondorf: a semi-clone of Captain Falcon
- Lucas: a semi-clone of Ness
- Ike: a semi-clone of Marth
- Toon Link: a semi-clone of Link
- Zero Suit Samus: a semi-clone of Sheik