The cult favorite PSI kid returns to Smash! Even though he is one of the more unwieldy and odd characters in the game, Ness has been considerably strengthened and streamlined, making him easier to pick up and more rewarding to master. Ness's talents are fairly well-rounded, with s mix of good range from his psychic attacks, useful projectiles and strong KO moves. Ness's main strength lies in his throws, able to pull off damaging combos off of a grab and possessing the best KO throw in the game. Unfortunately, Ness's greatest weakness is his terrible recovery, one that requires some mastery and can still be easily countered by most characters. Nevertheless, Ness is a solid, balanced character suitable for novices, while still remaining a threat at higher levels of play.
Basic attributes
Ness is, as you might expect, a middleweight leaning toward the lightweight end of the spectrum. His dash speed is poor while his air speed is slightly below average, and he is one of the floatier characters in the air. Like Yoshi, Ness has an extra high midair jump to make up for his unconventional Up Special, but lacking Yoshi's heavy armor state, he has to be more careful not to get hit out of his jump early.
Moveset Analysis
Standard Attacks
Control |
Attack |
Info
|
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller |
Wii Remote + Nunchuk |
Wii Remote (sideways)
|
Wii Classic Controller |
GameCube Controller |
Nintendo 3DS
|
(+)
|
(+)
|
(+)
|
Kid Combo
|
Ness punches with both hands, then kicks.
|
(+)
|
(+)
|
(+)
|
( or )+
|
( or )+
|
( or )+
|
Sideways Kick
|
Ness kicks in front of him.
|
( or )+
|
( or )+
|
( or )+
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
Upward Spark
|
Ness hops up with his arms raised and charged with energy.
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
Rapid Stomp
|
Ness kicks low at high speed.
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
while dashing
|
while dashing
|
while dashing
|
PSI Pulse
|
Ness lunges forward while sending sparkles out of his hands.
|
while dashing
|
while dashing
|
while dashing
|
while hanging
|
while hanging
|
while hanging
|
|
Ness climbs up and kicks
|
while hanging
|
while hanging
|
while hanging
|
Smash Attacks
Control |
Attack |
Info
|
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller |
Wii Remote + Nunchuk |
Wii Remote (sideways)
|
Wii Classic Controller |
GameCube Controller |
Nintendo 3DS
|
Smash ( or )+
|
Smash ( or )+
|
( or )++
|
Bat Swing
|
Ness swings his trusty bat. The attack is strongest at the tip.
|
Smash ( or )+
|
Smash ( or )+
|
Smash ( or )+
|
Smash +
|
Smash +
|
++
|
Around the World
|
Ness swings his yoyo over him.
|
Smash +
|
Smash +
|
Smash +
|
Smash +
|
Smash +
|
++
|
Walking the Dog
|
Ness swings his yoyo behind, then in front of him.
|
Smash +
|
Smash +
|
Smash +
|
Air Attacks
Control |
Attack |
Info
|
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller |
Wii Remote + Nunchuk |
Wii Remote (sideways)
|
Wii Classic Controller |
GameCube Controller |
Nintendo 3DS
|
|
|
|
Twirl Attack
|
Ness spins around in the air with his arms extended.
|
|
|
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
Front Spark
|
Ness discharges PSI energy in front of him.
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
PSI Kick
|
Ness kicks backward.
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
Heavy Headbutt
|
Ness swings his head upward.
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
Sneaker Stomp
|
Ness kicks downward with PSI on his feet.
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
Throws
Control |
Attack |
Info
|
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller |
Wii Remote + Nunchuk |
Wii Remote (sideways)
|
Wii Classic Controller |
GameCube Controller |
Nintendo 3DS
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
Cap Butt
|
Ness headbutts the grabbed opponent.
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
Psychic Spin
|
Ness spins the grabbed opponent, launching them forward.
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
Forceful Spin
|
Ness spins the grabbed opponent, launching them backward.
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
Spin Launch
|
Ness spins the grabbed opponent, sending them upward.
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
Ground Blaze
|
Ness burns the grabbed opponent with psychic energy.
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
after grab
|
Special Attacks
Control |
Attack |
Info
|
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller |
Wii Remote + Nunchuk |
Wii Remote (sideways)
|
Wii Classic Controller |
GameCube Controller |
Nintendo 3DS
|
|
|
|
PK Flash
|
Ness sends out concentrated psychic energy that must be held to charge, unleashing it when he releases. The projectile travels in a slightly controllable arc while charging, but cannot fall lower than the height it was initiated on.
|
|
|
|
Rising PK Flash
|
The projectile has a bigger radius but can only keep moving upward.
|
PK Freeze
|
The projectile is a lot weaker, but gives you greater control over its trajectory and freezes foes it hits.
|
( or )+
|
( or )+
|
( or )+
|
PK Fire
|
Ness launches a bolt forward, diagonally downward if he's in the air. If it strikes an enemy, it will burst into a flame pillar that does multiple hits.
|
( or )+
|
( or )+
|
( or )+
|
PK Bonfire
|
The move is slower and has less range, but the resulting fire pillar is stronger and lasts longer.
|
PK Fire Burst
|
The bolt will always travel straight even while airborne. Instead of a fire pillar, it simply explodes on hit, knocking foes away.
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
PK Thunder
|
Ness sends out an electric projectile that can be guided with the control stick. He can guide the ball at himself to launch him with great force.
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
Lasting PK Thunder
|
The electric ball turns tighter and can travel though foes. When launching himself, Ness does less knockback on contact but pierces foes.
|
Rolling PK Thunder
|
Both the ball and Ness when launching himself is made stronger, but the distance he travels is reduced.
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
PSI Magnet
|
Ness surrounds himself with a psychic void that draws in energy projectiles to heal himself. It pushes foes away when he ends the move.
|
+
|
+
|
+
|
PSI Vacuum
|
Ness can no longer absorb projectiles, but he can suck foes closer and cause an explosion when he ends the move.
|
Forward PSI Magnet
|
Ness holds the void in front of him, leaving his back vulnerable. Releasing the button zaps opponents in the void.
|
Taunts
Control |
Info
|
Wii U GamePad / Pro Controller |
Wii Remote + Nunchuk |
Wii Remote (sideways)
|
Wii Classic Controller |
GameCube Controller |
Nintendo 3DS
|
|
|
+
|
Ness says "Okay!" while nodding.
|
|
|
|
( or )
|
+
|
|
Ness swipes his finger around, scattering PSI sparkles.
|
( or )
|
( or )
|
( or )
|
|
|
+
|
Ness holds out his bat.
|
|
|
|
Final Smash - PK Starstorm
Ness calls down a barrage of stars from above, sending foes sideways when they are hit. This move has changed a lot from its counterpart in Brawl. The stars only take up a narrow cylindrical area, but can be slowly directed left or right to aim at enemies. Since Ness is invincible during the attack, your only concern is to guide where the stars will hit. The area of effect is just wide enough that foes can't easily roll through the whole thing. Try to sweep from inward out, progressively forcing your opponents off the stage until they have no space left to avoid it.