38. OLIMAR

Franchise / home series: Pikmin

Notable non-Smash games: Pikmin (2001); Pikmin 2 (2004); Pikmin 3 (2013); Pikmin 4 (2023)

Captain Olimar debuted in Brawl as the representative of the Pikmin series, a real-time strategy-inspired franchise focused on commanding small plant-like creatures. His inclusion brought one of the most mechanically unique and micro-management-heavy playstyles into Smash.

In Smash, Olimar fights alongside Pikmin that he plucks from the ground, each color with different properties such as damage, knockback, or element. His normals and throws depend heavily on which Pikmin are currently in his lineup, creating a constantly shifting resource management game. Properly managing Pikmin order, survival, and usage is central to his strategy.

Across entries, Olimar has ranged from niche oddball to top-tier threat, particularly in games where his Pikmin latch damage and disjointed hitboxes are especially effective. His design showcases Smash’s willingness to integrate complex mechanics from non-traditional genres, turning a strategy series into a deeply technical fighter while preserving its core identity of commanding small allies in battle.