SUPER SMASH BROS. BRAWL

Super Smash Bros. Brawl continues two traditions from the first two games. Again Pikachu is available from the start, and Jigglypuff is unlockable. Unfortunately for some, Pichu and Mewtwo will not be returning as playable characters. For the first time ever a playable character will be appearing from the Pokemon universe that is not a Pokemon. Available from the start, it is Pokemon Trainer, loosely modeled on the male trainer from FireRed/LeafGreen. Pokemon Trainer also marks the first character in Smash Bros. history to not actively fight. Instead he stands in the background and uses his Pokemon to fight. Charizard, Squirtle, and Ivysaur are cycled through in that order by using their Down Special Attack, Pokemon Change. Also unlockable, alongside Jigglypuff is a Generation IV Pokemon, Lucario. Lucario is seen as the replacement for Mewtwo. For more information on characters, see the SSBB Characters page. Again, it should be noted that since this game is being released after Diamond and Pearl, all Pokemon through Generation IV are eligible to appear.

Brawl introduces a new, lengthy Adventure Mode called The Subspace Emissary. The mode includes a variety of bosses including Rayquaza.

Brawl includes three Pokemon themed stages, one of which is available from the beginning. The default form of the Stage is identical to the one found in Melee, the only difference is in its transformations. As opposed to the original’s Grass, Fire, Water, and Rock, Pokemon Stadium 2 cycles through Electric, Flying, Ground, and Ice. These elemental-themed variations also feature cameo appearances of Pokemon, listed here. In addition to the Pokemon featured in cameos are two fossils clearly visible in the Ground-type variation. They are visually similar to the Helix fossil and the Old Amber.

The original Pokemon Stadium stage from Melee returns as an unlockable stage, along with the new unlockable stage, Spear Pillar. In Diamond and Pearl, Spear Pillar was the location where the player encounters either Dialga or Palkia, and as such either Dialga or Palkia will appear out of what appears to be a space-time vortex. The legendary Pokemon will then periodically unleash its signature move on the fighters, Roar of Time for Dialga, and Spacial Rend for Palkia. Occasionally Cresselia will appear instead of Dialga or Palkia and use Psycho Cut. Uxie, Azelf, and Mesprit will sometimes make uneventful guest appearances as well.

New to Brawl is My Music. All stages in past games had their own music that was unchangeable. This is no longer the case. The following songs are available for playing as the background music for any of the Pokemon themed stages.

In keeping with tradition, Pokemon appear once again inside the Poke Ball item. They are listed along with what they do here. As the release date draws nearer, it is likely that more Pokemon that appear in this manner will become known. Unlike in Melee, Electrode now has the potential of being a dud, and not exploding. Bonsly and Electrode, like Electrode in Melee can be picked up and thrown. Pokemon with asterisks next to their name are being reported as not actually in the game. They will be left in this table until a full list can be confirmed.

Once again, Trophies make an appearance in Brawl. All of the playable characters get a trophy for beating Classic mode, and a trophy of their Final Smashes for beating All-Star mode. Pokemon Trainer also earns the trophies of whichever Pokemon he uses to finish Classic mode (Charizard, Ivysaur, or Squirtle). There is additionally a Poke Ball trophy as well as trophies for several other Pokemon. They are listed in the following table:

A brand new addition to Brawl are stickers. Stickers are similar to trophies, except that stickers may be applied to the base of a trophy to power-up the players character during The Subspace Emissary. The attributes that they power-up and the degree to which they power them up is unknown.