12. JIGGLYPUFF

Franchise / home series: Pokémon

Notable non-Smash games: Pokémon Red & Blue (1996); various anime appearances as a recurring character

Jigglypuff has been part of the roster since the original Smash, chosen not just as a Pokémon but also due to its balloon-like body perfectly fitting the series’ aerial, knockback-heavy gameplay. It gained extra popularity through the Pokémon anime, where it humorously tried to sing for recognition and drew on sleeping listeners.

In Smash, Jigglypuff is characterized by extreme air mobility, multiple jumps, and a very light weight. Its signature moves include Rollout, Sing, and Rest—the last of which is a small, point-blank attack that delivers enormous knockback if landed correctly. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Jigglypuff rose to top-tier status, thanks to its aerial drift, wall-of-pain edgeguards, and Rest confirms, making it one of the most feared tournament characters.

Later entries adjusted its power, but Jigglypuff’s core identity as an aerial-centric, off-stage monster remains. The character rewards precise spacing and strong understanding of knockback, offering a unique playstyle compared to most of the cast. Through Smash, Jigglypuff evolved from a somewhat joke choice into a legitimate competitive threat and an icon of high-level aerial play.