Super Smash Bros. Brawl/Characters

Below is a list of all the known characters for Super Smash Bros. Brawl to date. Move lists for the characters are available here.

Bowser
The arch-nemesis of Mario and probably the most popular of the Nintendo villains makes its reappearance to SSBB since its success in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Bowser will still remain on the slow side, like from Melee, but will pack quite a punch to make up for his slow speed. Bowser is one of the more heavy characters, so it takes a lot to send him flying!
 * Series: Super Mario series
 * Original Game: Super Mario Bros. (NES) — 1985

For his final smash, Bowser will turn into Giga Bowser from Super Smash Bros. Melee for a short amount of time, wiping out anything in his path!

Captain Falcon
Captain Falcon returns for his third Smash Bros. appearance.
 * Series: F-Zero series
 * Original Game: F-Zero (SNES) — 1990

Captain Olimar
Captain Olimar comes for the first time to the Smash series as a playable character. He brings 5 pikmins of different colors to help him. If you run out of pikmins you won't be able to do even a Smash Attack. But don't worry because you will be able to pick pikmis from the ground. Every pikmin used will die, and if you don't use a pikmin for a certain amount of time it will also die. Captain Olimar can only carry 6 pikmins with him, and you can know which one will be the next one to be used because they line up behind you and the first one in the line is the next one. There are 5 different pikmins: easy to hit enemies with. sticking on when thrown. poison does additional damage.
 * Series: Pikmin series
 * Original Game: Pikmin (Gamecube) - 2001
 * Red Pikmin.
 * 1) High Attack Power.
 * 2) Attacks have incendary properties.
 * 3) Immune to fire.
 * Yellow Pikmin.
 * 1) Range of attack slightly larger than usual;
 * 1) Travels in slight arcs when thrown.
 * 2) Attacks have electrical properties.
 * Blue Pikmin.
 * 1) Strong when thrown.
 * 2) Slightly more durable than average.
 * Purple Pikmin.
 * 1) Doesn’t fly far when thrown.
 * 2) Slow.
 * 3) High attack power.
 * 4) Slams into enemies instead of
 * White Pikmin.
 * 1) Quick and light.
 * 2) When stuck on an opponent,

Diddy Kong
Donkey Kong's best buddy and partner arrives as a new character on the scene. Diddy Kong, Unlike Donkey Kong, is pretty lightweight, so can go flying pretty easily, but is very agile. Diddy isn't very powerful, but cannot be considered weak.
 * Series: Donkey Kong series
 * Original Game: Donkey Kong Country (SNES) - 1994

For his final smash, Diddy will bring back his Barrel Jetpack and Peanut Popgun from Donkey Kong 64 and fly around insanely, being trigger happy at the same time.

Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong is another character that comes back from Super Smash Bros. but has had a lot of changes since then. Donkey Kong will remain as he did in Super Smash Bros. meaning that he is still a bit on the heavy side, but packs a punch!
 * Series: Donkey Kong series
 * Original Game: Donkey Kong (Arcade) - 1981

For his final smash, Donkey Kong will whip out his bongos from Donkey Kong: Jungle Beat and blow all the other opponents away!

Falco
Falco Lombardi returns for his second appearance in the Smash series.
 * Series: Star Fox series
 * Original Game: Star Fox (SNES) — 1993

Fox McCloud
Since the lift off from Super Smash Bros., Fox McCloud makes his continuity consistent in Brawl. Though not much is currently known, it has been observed that Fox will have his laser gun in hand at all times, unlike earlier in the series where he only uses his laser gun upon invocation.
 * Series: Star Fox series
 * Original Game: Star Fox (SNES) — 1993

For Fox's final smash, he will get into the Landmaster from Star Fox 64 and will run over opponents while blowing them away with heavy firepower.

Ganondorf
Ganondorf is back for more after first appearing in Melee.
 * Series: Legend of Zelda series
 * Original Game: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time  (Nintendo 64) — 1998

Ice Climbers
Unexpectedly returning from Super Smash Bros. Melee, the hammer wielding Ice Climbers are here. The player mainly controls Popo (usually wearing a blue or purple parka), with Nana (pink parka) following automatically.
 * Series: Ice Climber
 * Original Game: Ice Climber (NES) — 1985

Ike
Another Fire Emblem character hits the Smash family. Ike's incredible strength lets him carry a two-handed sword in one hand. He can also perform "Aether", a move where he slashes an opponent with his sword.
 * Series Fire Emblem series
 * Original Game: Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (GameCube) — 2005

Jigglypuff
Jigglypuff returns to put her opponents to sleep with her sweet songs.
 * Series: Pokémon series
 * Original Game: Pokémon Red and Blue (Game Boy) - 1998

King Dedede
The king of Dream Land, King Dedede, makes his first appearance in the Smash Bros. series bringing with him his big, wooden hammer. He comes to join Bowser and DK in the heavyweight class, ready to finally defeat Kirby.
 * Series: Kirby series
 * Original Game: Kirby's Dream Land (Game Boy) - 1992

Kirby
Kirby is another classic character in the Super Smash Bros. Series. Although not much is known about his abilities, it is known that he will retain his ability to swallow enemies and use their powers.
 * Series: Kirby series
 * Original Game: Kirby's Dream Land (Game Boy) — 1992

Link
Link has been updated to match his recent "Twilight Princess" appearance. Some of his moves have been updated as well, as his Gale Boomerang can slightly pull opponents towards him, and he can charge his Spin Attack.
 * Series: The Legend of Zelda series
 * Original Game: Legend of Zelda (NES) — 1986

Lucario
Lucario comes for the first time to the Smash series, replacing Mewtwo as a playable character.
 * Series: Pokémon series
 * Original Game: Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (Nintendo DS) - 2007

Lucas
Lucas is a timid boy who has psychic abilities, similar to Ness.
 * Series: Mother series
 * Original Game: Mother 3 (Japan only) (GBA) - 2006

Luigi
Luigi has returned once again to battle alongside his brother.
 * Series: Super Mario series
 * Original Game: Mario Bros. (Arcade) - 1983

How to unlock:
 * Play 22 matches in Brawl mode, then fight and beat Luigi.
 * Beat Classic mode without using a continue, then fight and beat Luigi.
 * Get him to join your party in The Subspace Emissary.

Mario
Mario returns in the third entry of the Smash Bros. series, though he is not exactly the same as before, using the Mario Tornado as a normal move and the FLUDD as a special move in its place.
 * Series: Super Mario series
 * Original Game: Donkey Kong (Arcade) — 1981

Marth
Marth returns for his second Smash appearance.
 * Series: Fire Emblem series
 * Original Game: Fire Emblem: Ankoku Ryuu to Hikari no Tsurugi (Japan only) (NES) — 1990

How to unlock:
 * Play ten matches in Brawl mode, then fight and beat Marth.
 * Beat Classic mode on any difficulty level, then fight and beat Marth.
 * Get him to join your party in The Subspace Emissary.

Meta Knight
Kirby's arch-rival makes his debut in SSBB. He can fly like Kirby, but is a master swordsman. His cape will also deflect projectiles.
 * Series: Kirby series
 * Original Game: Kirby's Adventure (NES) — 1993

Mr. Game & Watch
Game & Watch returns for his second Smash appearance.

Ness
Ness reappears with his well known PK attacks.
 * Series: Mother series
 * Original Game: Earthbound (SNES) - 1994

How to unlock:
 * Play five matches in Brawl mode, then fight and beat Ness.
 * Reflect 10 projectiles, then fight and beat Ness.
 * Get him to join your party in The Subspace Emissary.

Peach

 * Series: Mario series
 * Original Game: Super Mario Bros. (NES) - 1985

Princess Peach returns with her trusty parasol and Toad shield. She can also perform her floating jumps just like last time.

Pikachu

 * Series: Pokémon series
 * Original Game: Pokémon Red and Blue (Game Boy) — 1996

Pikachu comes back with its new Final Smash attack.

Pit

 * Series: Kid Icarus series
 * Original Game: Kid Icarus (NES) — 1992

Pit fights using his bow, which can be split into two knife type weapons.

Pokémon Trainer

 * Series: Pokémon series
 * Original Game: Pokémon Red and Blue (Game Boy) - 1996

The Pokémon Trainer finally hits the Smash field, but not exactly. He comes out and stays on the sidelines cheering the three Pokémon he brought with him on. He brought with him Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard. One Pokémon is out at a time and when you want to switch, you perform the Pokémon Change. The change cycle goes like the order that the Pokémon had just been named, and each one has their own attacks.

R.O.B.
R.O.B. makes his official debut with Brawl.
 * Series: R.O.B. series
 * Original Game: Stack-Up (NES) - 1985

Samus Aran

 * Series: Metroid series
 * Original Game: Metroid (NES) — 1986

The female bounty hunter Samus Aran returns to the Smash Bros. arena. for the third time. She will still have the ability to charge up shots and use a grappling laser to grab foes and hook onto walls.

Samus' final smash will shoot a giant blast of energy, in turn, making her armor fall off and turning her into Zero Suit Samus (see below).

Zero Suit Samus

 * Series: Metroid series
 * Original Game: Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA) — 2004

To use Zero Suit Samus you must play with Samus and use her Final Smash (Zero Laser). After that your space suit will fall and you will only be able to use the Zero Suit. You'll be faster and the pieces of your space suit can be picked up and thrown like items. You will be able to use a small hand held gun that can also turn into a laser whip.

If you want to start using Zero Suit Samus, press and hold a shield button in the character-selection screen and continue to the next screen. To regain your Power Suit press the Taunt buttons up, down, up in that order or use her final smash.

Sonic

 * Series: Sonic the Hedgehog series
 * Original Game: Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Genesis) - 1991

Sonic the Hedgehog makes his Smash debut by popular demand. Sonic will utilize his well known spin balls to rapidly attack his enemies.

How to unlock
 * Beat for the first time, in any difficulty, the Subspace Emissary.

Solid Snake

 * Series: Metal Gear series
 * Original Game: Metal Gear (MSX2/NES) — 1987

Solid Snake makes an unexpected appearance in Brawl, being the first third-party character to ever debut in a Super Smash Bros. game. In Brawl, Snake does not use real-world guns, but still utilizes explosives.

Toon Link

 * Series: Legend of Zelda series
 * Original Game: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (Nintendo GameCube) — 2002

Young Link returns for Brawl with a new appearance as Link from Wind Waker. This character is called "Toon Link" in Japan and his English name has not been officially released.

Wario

 * Series: Wario series
 * Original Game: Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (Game Boy) — 1992

Brawl is Wario's first debut in the world of Smash Bros. (although he appeared as a mere trophy in Melee). He wears the costume from the WarioWare games, as opposed to his traditional outfit. Nintendo stated that they aimed to give Wario some rather excessive movements, such as his motorcycle and flatulence.

Wolf

 * Series: Star Fox series
 * Original Game: Star Fox 64 (Nintendo 64) — 1997

Wolf makes his first appearance in a Smash Series with Brawl.

Yoshi

 * Series: Mario series
 * Original Game: Super Mario World (SNES) - 1991

Yoshi is back from Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee and he is cuter than ever, with more airtime for his egg-throwing abilities.

Zelda

 * Series: The Legend of Zelda series
 * Original Game: Legend of Zelda (NES) — 1986

Zelda, like Link, has changed between Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Sheik
As you may know, Sheik didn't appear in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, but the costume was brought up during the development of that game.
 * Series: The Legend of Zelda series
 * Original Game:  The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64) - 1998