10. NESS

Franchise / home series: EarthBound (Mother)

Notable non-Smash games: EarthBound / Mother 2 (1994)

Ness has appeared in the Smash series since the Nintendo 64 original, initially surprising players as a secret unlockable fighter from the niche cult classic EarthBound. His inclusion helped introduce many fans outside Japan to the Mother series, turning him into an unexpected but enduring favorite.

In Smash, Ness is defined by his PSI powers and unusual recovery mechanics. PK Fire, PK Thunder, and PK Flash provide distinctive projectiles, with PK Fire’s trapping properties and PK Thunder’s self-guided nature being especially memorable. Ness’s recovery involves steering PK Thunder into himself to launch his body, creating a high-skill, high-risk mechanic that has been a hallmark of his gameplay in every entry.

Over time, Ness has evolved from a lesser-used oddball pick to a strong, frequently seen character in Ultimate, where improvements to his normals and specials have made him a real competitive threat. His baseball bat, yo-yo attacks, and psychic abilities all reflect EarthBound’s quirky tone, making Ness one of Smash’s best examples of how a lesser-known RPG protagonist can gain long-term popularity through the crossover.