08. PIKACHU

Franchise / home series: Pokémon

Notable non-Smash games: Pokémon Red & Blue (1996); Pokémon Yellow (1998); Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! (2018)

Pikachu has appeared in every Smash game as the primary mascot representative of the Pokémon series. With its global recognition from games, anime, and merchandise, Pikachu is one of the most instantly recognizable characters on the roster and often takes center stage in cross-promotional material and marketing.

In Smash, Pikachu is designed as a small, nimble fighter with strong mobility and tricky edgeguarding tools. Signature moves like Thunder Jolt, Quick Attack, and Thunder translate electric-type abilities into a platform-fighter context, giving Pikachu powerful off-stage pressure and combo starters. Across multiple entries, Pikachu has frequently been regarded as a high-tier or top-tier character thanks to its strong recovery, small hurtbox, and devastating combo routes.

Pikachu’s visual design has gradually updated to match the more rounded, modern Pokémon style, while its moveset has been polished to feel both faithful and competitively robust. As a result, Pikachu embodies the accessibility and depth of Smash: simple enough for casual players to enjoy, yet deep and technical enough to support elite-level tournament play.