SMASH 64 STOCK ICONS PROFESSIONAL

Visually, Pikachu has barely changed at all from its Melee design, only being touched up slightly, and having the Generation I fat design removed. Once again, Pikachu is a character available from the start. It has gained Skull Bash as a side special move.

Its range has been nerfed from the transition from 64, but Quick Attack now has a hit box and Thunder Jolt can now travel under stages.

SMASH 64 STOCK ICONS PROFESSIONAL

That said, many professional smash players consider Pikachu to be the best character in the game. Pikachu, however, is very light and can be launched easily. Lastly, its down special move, Thunder, involves Pikachu striking itself with a thunderbolt that blasts anyone else standing in the way. Quick Attack is Pikachu's up special move, and while it's not capable of dealing damage (which was added in later incarnations), it has fantastic recovery distance, but is hard to master. Pikachu's neutral special move, Thunder Jolt, emits a bolt of electricity that bounces along the stage. Much like in mainline Pokémon games, Pikachu is built to be a very nimble fighter whose powers come from the electric attacks it throws out. Pikachu debuts as a member of the original 8 (12 if unlockables are counted).

Smash 64 stock icons