Editing Ness (SSBM)

{{ArticleIcons|ssbm=y}}
{{disambig2|Ness's appearance in ''Super Smash Bros. Melee''|the character in other contexts|Ness}}
{{Infobox Character
|name         = Ness
|image        = [[File:Ness SSBM.jpg|Ness]]
|symbol       = preBrawl
|game         = Melee
|ssbgame1     = SSB
|ssbgame2     = Brawl
|ssbgame3     = SSB4
|ssbgame4     = Ultimate
|availability = [[Starter character|Starter]]
|tier         = D
|tierPAL      = H
|ranking      = 23
|rankingPAL   = 23
}}
'''Ness''' ({{ja|ネス|Nesu}}, ''Ness'') is a [[starter character]] in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]''. His inclusion was officially announced at [[E3]] 2001.

Makiko Ōmoto reprises her role as Ness in ''Melee'' with new voice clips.

Ness is currently ranked 23rd out of 26 on the [[tier list]], in D tier. This is a slight drop from his already low placement in ''Smash 64'', where he is 10th out of 12, and his worst placement to date. Ness' air combos and grab game are quite good, with solid [[throw]]s and fast aerials whose combo potential is bolstered by [[double jump cancel]]ing.

Ness is held back by having poor [[approach]] options, with below-average dash speed and lackluster [[range]] in most of his attacks, but by far his biggest flaw is having the worst [[recovery]] in the game. His swooping [[double jump]] and [[up special]] travel quite far, but their unusual mechanics and long startup make Ness remarkably vulnerable to edgeguarding. In addition, Ness possesses a thoroughly unimpressive set of specials with inconvenient attributes and narrow use cases, and he also has trouble [[Punishment|hard-punishing]] opponents due to possessing some of the weakest [[smash attack]]s.

As a result of his significant weaknesses, Ness has losing [[matchup]]s across the cast, few noteworthy placements in tournaments, and virtually non-existent representation in the modern metagame, with his best player {{Sm|Simna ibn Sind}} leaving the scene in 2020. Initially, Ness was regarded as a low-mid tier, ranking 17th overall, but his representation in the metagame was minimal, with even more sparse results. As a result, today, he is almost universally regarded as an unviable fighter, remaining as a mainstay in the tier list's bottom five, and even dedicated mains such as {{Sm|JoeyBats}} struggle to make high placements within competitive play.

==Attributes==
Ness is an unusual blend of character archetypes; many of his attributes are unique in comparison to other characters, such as his projectiles, his [[recovery]] and his midair [[jump]]. Ness has below average [[traction]] and a below average [[falling speed]], giving him an above-average [[wavedash]] that is relatively quick. Ness is a projectile-heavy character, as he has 3 projectiles: [[PK Flash]], [[PK Fire]], and [[PK Thunder]], while also having a healing move (as well as a highly niche, airborne-descent-stalling move) in his [[PSI Magnet]].

Arguably Ness's greatest strength is his combo game. Despite a poor [[SHFFL]] due to his high short hop and low falling speed, Ness has many ways to pressure and combo in the air, thanks to his [[double jump cancel]] (often abbreviated DJC). By cancelling out of his midair jump with an aerial, Ness can quickly and efficiently use his multiple aerial attacks; this is especially important considering the utility of his aerial attacks. His [[neutral aerial]] and [[forward aerial]] attacks act as potential combo starters (especially the latter) and his back, up and down air attacks serve as good KO moves. Due to this, his air approach is considered to be much better than his ground approach, save for his rather useful dash attack.

Although Ness has a poor ground approach, he still boasts two effective options: his grab game, as well as the [[Yo-yo glitch]]. Ness' throws all have excellent utility; his forward throw has extremely high base knockback, making it ideal for starting edgeguards. His down throw is a decent combo starter, having potential to lead into his DJC'd aerials. His up throw is a decent chain grab and can be used in conjunction with PK Thunder to rack up damage or play mindgames. Finally, his back throw is the 2nd strongest throw in the game, making it a deadly KOing option.  As for the Yo-yo glitch, Ness is the only character to have access to this technique. It is initiated through his up smash, and can be used to attack or grab with near limitless range, or attach certain single-hitbox attacks to Ness's body, including PK Thunder 2. This can significantly increase Ness' range and options when performed properly.

One of Ness' greatest flaws, however, is his significant range problems. All of his attacks (especially his tilts) have little range or small hitboxes, making hitting an opponent very difficult. Although wavedashing can help out this problem somewhat, Ness' ground based options have too little utility overall to be consistently applicable. When combined with his somewhat slow movement, Ness has significant trouble approaching opponents. Thus, his dash attack is considered to be his only reliable ground approach option, due to its decent range unlike most of his other attacks. Also, Ness's [[grab]] has the second shortest range in all of the game (only second to {{SSBM|Pikachu}}), thus making it difficult for him to take advantage of his versatile throws, while his dash grab is extremely laggy and barely improves its range. Finally, against opponents with particularly good spacing games, most notoriously {{SSBM|Marth}}, Ness can be easily overwhelmed in his attempts to approach opponents in the air despite the power of his DJC. Ness also, as a side note, can rely heavily on stage control, and as such can benefit from [[roll]]ing in towards the stage when cornered, despite this option often being quite punishable when expected.

Even when attempting to approach his opponents, Ness suffers from noticeable KOing problems, largely due to his poor power and range. He possesses a terrible set of smash attacks in the game: his up and down smashes are by far the weakest of their kind and his forward smash relies on a sweetspot at the tip of the bat to KO effectively. Outside of his smash attacks, most of his strongest finishers suffer from poor range (his back, up and down aerials, along with his back throw), long start-up and ending lag (his down aerial), low base knockback (up aerial and back throw), having small, unreliable sweetspots (his aforementioned forward smash), or simply being unsafe and situational (PK Flash and PK Thunder 2).

Ness' special moveset also has some problems: it is rather situational overall. PK Flash boasts extreme power when fully charged and is great for punishing poorly positioned opponents offstage, but it is limited to edgeguarding, due to it being very slow and difficult to land. PK Fire can trap opponents and leave them open for follow-ups, and can even gimp fast-fallers. However, it has short reach for a projectile and is very easy to SDI out of, making it easy to punish. PK Thunder is Ness' most useful special move; it is unique for controlling a thunder ball which can be moved in any direction, allowing for mindgames, offstage gimps, and even a powerful KOing option in PK Thunder 2. However it has one critical flaw: the player loses control of Ness during the move, leaving him open to extremely powerful attacks if he can't hit the opponent quick enough. Finally, PSI Magnet can heal Ness and put him in a better position defensively, but it is rather slow and completely dependent on the opposing character, as it only absorbs energy-based projectiles, which many characters lack.

Outside of his poor approach, Ness also suffers from a catastrophic recovery. Ness's recovery has its merits; he has one of the higher swooping [[Double_jump#Super_Smash_Bros._Melee|double jump]]s in the game, and his midair jump has unusual properties in its trajectory; PK Thunder 2 also grants a rather long distance, with a moderately large sweetspot and a long period of invincibility frames. The move is also very risky to block due to possessing KO power that reliably KOs at 90%. Despite these benefits, however, Ness's recovery is still cited as arguably the worst in the game, in spite of its decent length, due to possessing many notable flaws. If Ness uses an aerial to fend off edgeguarders, his double jump is cancelled and can prevent him from recovering. PK Thunder's projectile instantly disappears upon hitting opponents with the ball, and this is very easily abusable by edgeguarders, further worsened by PK Thunder 2's slow startup. In the process of having to start PK Thunder 2, characters with good recoveries (such as {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}} or {{SSBM|Samus}}) can merely jump into the projectile and take minor knockback and damage, immediately sending Ness into a state of [[helplessness]] (though this can be a risky strategy). Projectiles such as {{SSBM|Link}}'s Boomerangs and the {{SSBM|Ice Climbers}}' [[Ice Shot]] can easily disrupt the projectile as well, and in these cases, damage is not even inflicted to the opponent. PK Thunder 2 also suffers from a number of problems. Notably, it is difficult to angle correctly, and it can easily curve under lips of stages, most notably on {{SSBM|Battlefield}}. Its linear nature can also make it easy to read and edgeguard for many characters, despite the invincibility frames found within it, and attacks like Mario's [[Cape]] or Link's [[Spin Attack]] can easily intercept the attack as Ness charges to the stage. Finally, PK Thunder 2 has significant ending lag, and if Ness recovers directly onto the stage after using it, opponents can easily capitalize on this ending lag by landing a powerful hit on Ness that he often cannot hope to evade. However, with all these things considered, Ness still has a small, dedicated fan base who is passionately committed to him, despite his flaws.

==Changes from ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''==
Ness is now considered to be a low tier in ''Smash 64'', owing to his poor range, mobility, and most notably his poor recovery. However, he was initially considered to be top tier character in the game's early meta, due to the strength of his [[double jump cancel]], which gave him a powerful combo game, as well as giving him excellent [[shield]] pressuring potential. He has notably had one of the biggest drops in tier in a single ''Smash'' title throughout the entire series in ''Smash 64''. Likely as a result of this, Ness received a mix of buffs and nerfs in his transition from ''Smash 64'' to ''Melee'', but ultimately, he was [[nerf]]ed overall.

Ness received a number of helpful buffs; his range was increased as a whole to help alleviate one of his main flaws from the previous game. This can most notably be seen with his altered dash attack and forward aerial, which have now become disjointed, multi-hitting moves. The former has become a decent combo starter and an edgeguarding tool, while the latter in particular has now become a solid spacing move, with good combo potential (something he was rather lacking in, in the previous game).

Ness' mobility has been drastically improved, possessing a much faster dashing speed and air speed, making it much easier for him to approach, run away and chase opponents. Ness also benefits from the introduction of [[air dodging]] for two reasons; it gives him a much needed additional recovery option and it gives him access to [[wavedash]]ing. Ness overall has a solid wavedash, due to his average traction and short jumpsquat, giving him a useful movement option. Ness overall has a better recovery outside of [[PK Thunder]], due to his aforementioned increased air speed and ability to air dodge, meaning that Ness does not have to rely on PK Thunder to recover as much.

Ness is also significantly heavier, which considerably improves his endurance, along with his higher falling speed, though these factors also make him more vulnerable to combos. Ness has also gained a useful up throw and down throw, with both throws being decent combo starters. Lastly, Ness now has access to the [[Yo-yo glitch]], if he charges his up smash and releases it at the right time. When performed correctly, Ness has access to much greater range, as well as having hitboxes attached to him and new mindgames, giving him a unique and unpredictable option.

However, Ness has received a much greater quantity of nerfs, which along with universal changes, have drastically crippled him overall. Ness' damage output has been reduced which has also hindered the KO potential of many of his moves. Some moves such as up aerial, forward smash and back throw simply KO later than in the previous game, while moves such as up smash, down smash, forward aerial and forward throw are now either practically useless moves for KOing, or much worse at it. This naturally hinders Ness' damage racking capabilities as well as his ability to close out stocks, and as a result of these changes, Ness' ability to KO opponents has gone from being disproportionately high to rather low.

Ness' aerial game has also been considerably toned down, both due to nerfs to his key aerials in the previous game, as well as various universal changes. All of Ness' aerials have increased landing lag and (with the exception of neutral aerial) worse auto-cancel windows. Due to the weakening of [[L-canceling]], these changes do impact Ness, hindering his aerial combo game when combined with the reduction of hitstun and the introduction of [[DI]], as well as making his aerials easier to punish. Ness is also one of the characters who was the most affected by the changes to [[shield]]s. With shields having more HP, taking less damage from attacks, and with shieldstun being significantly lower; this combined with the aforementioned weakening of L-canceling has greatly hindered Ness' shield pressuring potential with his DJC, completely removing his ability to perform [[shield break combo]]s. Ness' own out of shield options are also worse, due to his longer jumpsquat, slower grab and his slower down aerial.

Ness' down aerial in particular has seen rather drastic nerfs. Previously, it was an extremely fast and powerful meteor smash, which was a good combo starter as well as an excellent combo ender, edgeguarding tool and shield pressuring tool. In ''Melee'', the move has about 5x as much startup lag and 3x as much ending lag and the move no longer auto-cancels while its hitboxes are out, it now has decently high landing lag (although it still has one of the most lenient auto-cancel windows in the game). Being a [[meteor smash]], it also suffers from the addition of meteor cancelling, making it significantly easier to survive against, despite its much higher base knockback. When combined with the aforementioned changes to shields and L-canceling, this removes most of its KO potential and completely removes its use in shield break combos and DJC combos in general, significantly hurting its damage racking ability.

Despite already being an exploitable recovery move, PK Thunder has been made much worse. PK Thunder itself travels faster, but has received angling issues due to this change, and Ness can no longer auto-snap the ledge while using it, making it completely useless to use at the ledge, if Ness does not hit himself. PK Thunder 2 travels a much shorter distance and has increased ending lag, making it even easier to exploit than it already was. PK Thunder 2 is also much weaker as a KO move and has received a weaker late hit, reducing its utility outside of recovering. This makes Ness' recovery arguably the worst in the game.

Lastly, Ness' weaknesses from the previous game were not properly addressed. While the range in some of his attacks has increased, his range is still among the absolute shortest in the game, and his mobility is still mediocre, even though its not quite as poor as it previous was. As a result, Ness still has a difficult time approaching opponents and winning the [[neutral game]], as he can still easily be outspaced. His recovery also is, as previously mentioned, now among the absolute worst, as while he has better aerial mobility and he can airdodge to avoid having to use PK Thunder, PK Thunder retains all of the issues it had in the previous game, and has even become a considerably worse move, as well as recovery option altogether.

Overall, Ness still retains the weaknesses he had in the previous game, while the strengths he had were either toned down or removed. As a result of these changes, Ness, as it turns out, is one of the most nerfed characters and he remains one of the worst characters in the game.

===Aesthetics===
*{{change|Ness has a slightly larger head and rotund body. The straps on his backpack have small holes in them. His baseball cap has a white button on the top and stitchings which reveal separate panels. The indigo on his clothing has become blue. He also an indigo hue in his eyes.}}
*{{change|Ness's grounded jump is no longer psychokinetic.}}
*{{change|Ness has new voice samples.}}
*{{change|Ness now faces the screen if he uses his [[taunt]] while facing left. It also has a new voice clip.}}
*{{change|Ness now consistently smiles instead of only doing it during his taunt and victory poses.}}

===Attributes===
*{{buff|Ness [[walk]]s faster (0.7467 (22.4) → 0.84), no longer being the slowest.}}
*{{buff|Ness [[dash]]es significantly faster (1.067 (32) → 1.4), no longer being the slowest.}}
**{{nerf|However, Ness' initial dash is drastically slower (2.267 (68) → 1.3) and covers less distance.}}
*{{change|Ness' [[traction]] is slightly lower (0.0667 (2) → 0.06). Compared with the returning veterans, however, his traction is significantly lower, making it harder for him to punish [[out of shield]], but giving him a respectable [[wavedash]].}}
*{{nerf|Ness' [[jumpsquat]] is longer (3 frames → 4).}}
*{{buff|Ness' [[air speed]] has been unchanged (0.933 (28) → 0.93). Compared with the returning veterans, however, his air speed is faster, going from the 2nd (JPN/NA) / 4th (AUS) / 3rd (EUR) slowest out of 12 characters to the 11th fastest out of 26.}}
*{{nerf|Ness' [[air acceleration]] is much lower (0.1067 (3.2) → 0.06).}}
*{{nerf|Ness jumps slightly lower (40.15 (1204.5) → 35.98).}}
**{{buff|Compared with the returning veterans, however, he jumps significantly higher, going from the 3rd lowest out of 12 characters to the 5th highest out of 26.}}
**{{change|Ness' [[short hop]] is drastically lower (23.5367 (706.1) → 13.26), improves his ability to hit opponents low on the ground with short hop aerials, as well as his ability to quickly land and continue aerial pressure, but also hinders his ability to [[auto-cancel]] his aerials.}}
*{{nerf|Ness' [[fast-fall]]ing speed is significantly slower (2.95 (88.5) → 2.2). The difference between his falling speed and fast falling speed is much lower (increase: 60.5% → 20.2%), which makes it more predictable when landing and gives him fewer options in the air.}}
*{{buff|Ness is drastically [[weight|heavier]] (81.818181 (1.1) → 94) which significantly improves his endurance.}}
**{{nerf|However, this also makes him much more vulnerable to combos and makes him susceptible to {{SSBM|Fox}}'s waveshine combos.}}
*{{buff|The introduction of [[air dodging]] benefits Ness as it gives him a much needed additional recovery option as well as an additional movement option in the form of [[wavedash]]ing.}}

===Ground Attacks===
*[[Neutral attack]]:
**{{buff|Neutral attack's first hit deals more damage (2% → 3%).}}
**{{buff|Neutral attack transitions sooner into the later hits (frame 10 → 5 (hit 1), frame 8 → 6 (hit 2)).}}
**{{buff|The third hit has increased base knockback (10 → 16).}}
**{{nerf|All three hits of neutral attack have more startup lag with the second and third hits also having a shorter duration (frames 2-3 (hit 1)/3-5 (hit 2)/6-11 (hit 3) → 3-4/4-5/7-10).}}
**{{nerf|All three hits have more ending lag (FAF 18 (hit 1)/20 (hit 2)/ 25 (frame 3) → 20/21/31).}}
**{{nerf|Ness can no longer cancel the first hit into grab.}}
*[[Forward tilt]]:
**{{buff|Forward tilt deals more damage (9%/10%/11% → 10%/11%/12%) and has increased base knockback (10 → 12).}}
*[[Up tilt]]:
**{{buff|Up tilt has less ending lag (FAF 35 → 32).}}
**{{change|Up tilt's angle has been altered (100° → 96°).}}
**{{change|Up tilt deals more knockback (80 (base), 40 (scaling) → 42/126).}}
***{{buff|This improves its KO potential (though it still cannot reliably KO).}}
***{{nerf|However, this along with the reduction of [[hitstun]] and the introduction of [[DI]] significantly hinders its combo potential.}}
**{{nerf|Up tilt has a much shorter duration (frames 5-19 → 5-9) hindering its use as an anti air and giving it more cooldown.}}
**{{nerf|Ness's head has less [[intangibility]] (frames 5-19 → 5-6) further hindering up tilt's use as an anti-air.}}
*[[Down tilt]]:
**{{buff|Down tilt has less startup lag (frame 4 → 3) and Ness can perform another down tilt sooner (frame 11 → 8).}}
**{{change|Down tilt deals more knockback (2 (base), 20 (scaling) → 4/50).}}
***{{buff|This make it safer on hit and chain into itself more reliably at lower percents.}}
***{{nerf|However, this makes it chain into itself less reliably at higher percents.}}
**{{nerf|Down tilt has a shorter duration (frames 4-8 → 3-5).}}
*[[Dash attack]]:
**{{change|Dash attack is now a multi-hitting move where Ness produces three PSI rings in front of him.}}
**{{buff|Dash attack deals slightly more damage if all hits connect (12% (clean)/9% (late) → 5% (hit 1)/4% (hits 2 & 3)/12.28% (total)) and has significantly more range and overall utility.}}
**{{change|The final hit of dash attack has higher base knockback (16 → 70) and launches opponents vertically (361° → 100°) improving its combo potential but hindering its KO and edgeguarding potential when combined with its lower damage.}}
**{{nerf|Dash attack has a shorter duration (frames 8-11 (clean)/12-25 (late) → 8/15/22) and each hit has high base knockback making it extremely difficult to connect properly.}}
**{{nerf|Dash attack has more ending lag (FAF 38 → 40).}}
*[[Forward smash]]:
**{{buff|Forward smash has increased horizontal range.}}
**{{buff|Forward smash has less startup lag (frame 18 → 16).}}
**{{buff|Forward smash no longer deals consistent damage with the tipper of the bat being the strongest (18% → 18%/20%/22%/24%).}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash deals less knockback (70 (base), 65 (scaling) → 50/62) drastically hindering the sourspots' KO potential at high percentages.}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash has a shorter duration (frames 18-21 → 16-17), increasing its ending lag.}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash's reflector has a shorter duration (frames 16-21 → 16-17).}}
**{{nerf|Ness's bat will now clash with projectiles if it hits them, making forward smash much less reliable as a reflector.}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash has a reduced reflection multiplier (1.8x → 1.5x) much like its Japanese ''Smash 64'' counterpart.}}
**{{nerf|Forward smash's reflector can now only deal up to 50% damage and the reflector will break if Ness reflects a projectile which deals over 50% (much like Fox's).}}
*[[Up smash]]:
**{{buff|Up smash has less startup lag with a longer duration (frames 13-25 → 12-31).}}
**{{buff|Ness can use up smash to perform the [[Yo-yo glitch]] improving its utility.}}
**{{change|Up smash no longer has a mid hit.}}
**{{buff|The late hit launches opponents at a slightly higher angle compared to the previous mid hit (78° → 80°).}}
**{{nerf|Up smash has less range.}}
**{{nerf|The clean hit has a shorter duration (frames 13-17 → 12-14).}}
**{{nerf|The clean hit no longer launches opponents towards Ness (110° → 70°).}}
**{{nerf|Up smash deals significantly less damage (17% → 9% (clean), 15%/13% → 6% (late)). The clean hit's knockback was not fully compensated (20 (base), 100 (scaling) → 80/80) while the late hit deals less knockback (0 (base), 100 (scaling) → 60/45) completely removing its KOing capabilities and making it completely useless and unsafe.}}
**{{nerf|Up smash has more ending lag (FAF 40 → 49).}}
*[[Down smash]]:
**{{buff|Down smash has less startup lag (frame 13 → 12).}}
**{{change|Down smash now launches opponents vertically (361° → 70°).}}
**{{nerf|Down smash has less range.}}
**{{nerf|Down smash has a much shorter duration (frames 13-52 → 12 (clean), 13-31 (late)) and now has a drastically weaker late hit.}}
**{{nerf|Down smash deals drastically less damage (19% → 11%/7%) and its knockback was not fully compensated (0 (base), 100 (scaling) → 70/80 (clean), 70/60 (late)) completely removing its KO potential.}}
**{{nerf|Down smash has more ending lag (FAF 55 → 59).}}

===Aerial Attacks===
*{{nerf|All aerials have increased landing lag (14 frames → 22 (neutral), 16 frames → 18 (forward), 15 frames → 18 (back), 4/8 frames → 18 (up), 4/8 frames → 28 (down)).}}
*{{nerf|All aerials except neutral aerial [[auto-cancel]] later (frame 27 → 30 (forward), frame 20 → 25 (back), frame 1 → 27 (up), frame 1 → 29 (down)).}}
*{{nerf|The weakening of [[L-canceling]] has hindered Ness's combo game with landing aerials as well as their safety with the increasing landing lag and worse auto-cancel windows on his aerials only further exacerbating this.}}
**{{nerf|This combined with the changes to [[shield]]s has severely harmed Ness's shield pressuring potential; making his aerials much less safe against shield and completely removing his ability to perform [[shield break combo]]s.}}
*[[Neutral aerial]]:
**{{change|Ness has a new neutral aerial: a spin with his arms outward.}}
**{{buff|Neutral aerial has less ending lag (FAF 40 → 36).}}
**{{buff|Neutral aerial auto-cancels earlier (frame 40 → 27).}}
**{{nerf|Neutral aerial deals less damage (14% → 11% (clean), 11% → 8% (late)) hindering its KO potential.}}
***{{buff|However this combined with Ness's superior aerial mobility improves its combo potential.}}
**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has a shorter duration (frames 5-39 → 5-23).}}
**{{nerf|Neutral aerial has less range and is less safe due to Ness's head being farther in front than the move's hitboxes.}}
*[[Forward aerial]]:
**{{change|Forward aerial has been altered: Ness now produces five PSI rings in front of him with the move being a multi hit.}}
**{{buff|Forward aerial has less startup (frame 10 → 8) and ending lag (FAF 42 → 40).}}
**{{buff|Forward aerial deals more damage if all hits connect (12% (clean)/10% (late) → 3%/2% (hits 1-4)/5% (hit 5)/15.74% (total)).}}
**{{buff|Forward aerial has considerably more range.}}
**{{buff|Forward has much better combo potential due to its multi-hit properties as it can now chain into itself or other aerials.}}
**{{nerf|Forward aerial is less reliable due to being a multi-hit.}}
**{{nerf|The knockback on the final hit was not fully compensated (16 (base), 100 (scaling) → 24/135) hindering forward aerial's KO potential.}}
*[[Back aerial]]:
**{{buff|Back aerial has less ending lag (FAF 40 → 36).}}
**{{buff|The sweetspot has increased base knockback (10 → 16).}}
**{{nerf|The animation makes it so Ness's body no longer shrinks as much during Back aerial's startup lag and does not extend as far, giving it less range and hindering its safety.}}
**{{nerf|The sweetspot has a shorter duration (frames 10-13 → 10-11) with the late hit's duration being compensated (frames 14-19 → 12-19).}}
**{{nerf|The sweetspot now has an electric effect, giving it more hitlag (1x → 1.5x) and making it easier to DI.}}
*[[Up aerial]]:
**{{nerf|Ness's head is no longer intangible while performing up aerial.}}
**{{nerf|Up aerial deals less damage (15% → 13%) and its knockback was not fully compensated (10 (base), 110 (scaling) → 13/109).}}
**{{nerf|Up aerial has a shorter duration (frames 8-16 → 8-11).}}
**{{nerf|Up aerial no longer auto-cancels for its entire duration, now having 18 frames of landing lag (9 if L-cancelled).}}
*[[Down aerial]]:
**{{buff|Down aerial has much higher base knockback (10/0 → 90), improving its edgeguarding potential at lower percents.}}
**{{nerf|Down aerial has drastically increased start-up lag with a shorter duration (frames 4-20 → 20-28).}}
**{{nerf|Down aerial has twice the amount of ending lag (FAF 30 → 60) no longer being possible to perform twice in a short hop or even out of a full height double jump.}}
**{{nerf|Down aerial deals 3% less damage (15% → 12%) and has much lower knockback scaling (120 → 70), weakening the meteor smash's power at high percents and removing its KO potential on-stage..}}
**{{nerf|Down aerial no longer auto-cancels while the hitbox is out, now having 28 frames of landing lag (14 if L-cancelled).}}
**{{nerf|The addition of [[meteor canceling]], when combined with down aerial's new angle (-90° → 280°) allows it to be meteor cancelled.}}
***{{nerf|Altogether, these changes drastically worsens the move's utility and reliability, hindering its use in combos and in shield pressure while being much more unreliable as a KO move.}}

===Throws/other attacks===
*[[Grab]]s:
**{{buff|Ness has been given an [[pummel]], [[up throw]], and a [[down throw]], improving his grab's utility. Both of these new throws can be used as combo starters.}}
**{{nerf|Ness's grabs have more startup lag (frame 6 → 8 (standing), 10 (dash)) and ending lag (FAF 16 → 31 (standing), 41 (dash)).}}
*[[Forward throw]]:
**{{change|Forward throw deals less damage (16% → 11%) and while it has increased base knockback (90 → 120), it also has drastically lower knockback scaling (70 → 10). This completely removes its combo potential, as well as not being able to ko until beyond sudden death percents (no longer being the strongest forward throw), but is much more effective and consistent as a edgeguarding tool at low and mid percents, as well as being much safer and. Lastly, it is now the strongest forward throw at low percents.}}
**{{nerf|Forward throw has more ending lag (FAF 45 → 53).}}
**{{nerf|Forward throw no longer has a collateral hit which can hit bystanders.}}
*[[Back throw]]:
**{{change|Back throw deals less damage (16% → 11%) and its knockback was not fully compensated (90 (base), 70 (scaling) → 15/130). This significantly hinders it's safety and edgeguarding potential at low and mid percents to the point that it is now the weakest back throw at low percents, but makes it more reliable as combo tool and also a much stronger ko tool at higher percents, now being the strongest back throw in the game.}}
**{{nerf|Back throw has more ending lag (FAF 45 → 53).}}
**{{nerf|Back throw no longer has a collateral hit which can hit bystanders.}}

===Special Moves===
*[[PK Flash]]:
**{{change|Ness now has a new neutral special: PK Flash. A chargeable green ball of light that increases in power and moves downward the longer the button is held. Once it reaches full power, it explodes, dealing huge knockback. It grants Ness a new powerful KO and edgeguarding option, although the move is ineffective due to its extremely poor speed and how vulnerable it leaves Ness when he uses it.}}
*[[PK Fire]]:
**{{change|As a result of PK Flash now being Ness's neutral special, PK Fire is now Ness's side special.}}
**{{buff|PK Fire has less ending lag (FAF 72 → 70).}}
**{{buff|PK Fire pillar's duration is slightly longer (frame 98 -> 100).}}
**{{buff|PK Fire pillar's hitboxes are larger and no longer shrink as its lifetime decreases.}}
**{{buff|PK Fire spark is less likely to knock opponents away from the pillar at higher percents.}}
**{{buff|PK Fire spark travels farther.}}
**{{nerf|PK Fire spark disappears one frame early if summoned over even ground.}}
**{{nerf|PK Fire spark has a smaller hitbox and now relies on the assistance of a hurtbox to activate the fire pillar.}}
***{{nerf|Its reliance on the hurtbox makes it possible for attackers to hit the projectile, causing it to undergo 16 frames of hit cooldown; it also doesn't go off if the opponent and the hurtbox do not interact.}}
***{{buff|However, this also means that the PK Fire spark can absorb projectiles with transcendent priority.}}
**{{nerf|PK Fire deals less damage (4% (spark)/3% (pillar hits 1-7) → 2% (spark)/3% (pillar hit 1)/2% (pillar hits 2-7)), and it is now considerably easier to SDI out of.}}
*[[PK Thunder]]:
**{{buff|PK Thunder has less startup lag (frame 24 → 20).}}
**{{buff|PK Thunder now auto-cancels once Ness enters free fall; drastically reducing its landing lag (42 frames → 4).}}
**{{buff|PK Thunder travels faster and deals 2% more damage (6% → 8%).}}
**{{buff|PK Thunder now has transcendent priority.}}
**{{nerf|PK Thunder has a shorter duration (frames 24-182 → 20-138).}}
**{{nerf|PK Thunder has more ending lag once it disappears (FAF 46 → 55).}}
**{{nerf|Ness will no longer auto-snap the ledge when using PK Thunder near a ledge.}}
**{{nerf|Ness will not auto-snap the ledge after PK Thunder despawns until he has performed an aerial somersault.}}
***{{nerf|Altogether, these changes make it much riskier to use PK Thunder near the ledge.}}
**{{buff|PK Thunder 2 has a longer duration (frames 1-18 → 1-36).}}
**{{change|PK Thunder 2 now grants Ness intangibility rather than [[invincibility]].}}
**{{change|The crowd no longer gasps when Ness hits himself with PK Thunder.}}
**{{nerf|PK Thunder 2 travels a much shorter distance.}}
**{{nerf|PK Thunder 2 deals less damage when hitting an opponent (30% → 25%) and knockback (40 (base), 84 (scaling) → 60/70) significantly hindering its KO potential.}}
**{{nerf|PK Thunder 2 now has a drastically weaker late hitbox that deals less damage (30% → 20%) and knockback (40 (base), 84 (scaling) → 45/65).}}
**{{nerf|PK Thunder 2's clean hit has a shorter duration (frames 1-18 → 1-10).}}
**{{nerf|PK Thunder 2 has much more ending lag (FAF 44 → 100 (ground)/70 (air)) especially if Ness ends PK Thunder 2 on the ground or if he lands while in the middle of the animation of PK Thunder 2 and before he transitions into free fall.}}
*[[PSI Magnet]]:
**{{change|Physic-Magnet has been renamed to PSI Magnet.}}
**{{buff|PSI Magnet has less startup lag (frame 15 → 11).}}
**{{change|The color of PSI Magnet is now blue instead of green.}}
**{{change|The crowd no longer cheers when Ness absorbs a projectile with PSI Magnet. The screen additionally no longer flashes when this occurs either.}}
**{{nerf|PSI Magnet has 10 frames extra frames of ending lag when Ness drops the magnet.}}
**{{nerf|PSI Magnet has more ending lag when Ness' absorbs a projectile (FAF 25 → 41).}}
**{{nerf|Ness can no longer auto-snap the ledge while using PSI Magnet.}}

==Moveset==
''For a gallery of Ness's hitboxes, see [[Ness (SSBM)/Hitboxes|here]].''
[[File:NessAerialAttacksSSBM.png|thumb|Ness's aerial attacks]]
{{MovesetTable
|game=SSBM
|neutralcount=3
|neutralname=Hook ({{ja|ジャブ|Jabu}}, ''Jab'')<br>Straight ({{ja|ストレート|Sutorēto}})<br>Kick ({{ja|ミドルキック|Midoru Kikku}}, ''Middle Kick'')
|neutral1dmg=3%
|neutral2dmg=2%
|neutral3dmg=4%
|neutraldesc=Punches forward twice, then kicks.
|ftiltname=Short Kick ({{ja|ショートキック|Shōto Kikku}})
|ftiltangles=3
|ftiltupdmg=12%
|ftiltsidedmg=11%
|ftiltdowndmg=10%
|ftiltdesc=Does a roundhouse kick forward. Can be angled up or down.
|utiltname=Push Up ({{ja|トス|Tosu}}, ''Toss'')
|utiltdmg=7%
|utiltdesc=Thrusts both his hands upward as he jumps in place. Ness's head is intangible during the early part of the animation. Can combo into itself, as well as double jump canceled up aerials.
|dtiltname=Squat Kick ({{ja|クラウチングキック|Kurauchingu Kikku}}, ''Crouching Kick'')
|dtiltdmg=3%
|dtiltdesc=Thrusts his leg downward, then pivots his foot to hit the opponent. Can combo into itself by very rapidly [[mash]]ing the [[A button]] after the move is executed, and even [[lock]] some characters on certain walls.
|dashname=PK Shove ({{ja|ＰＫハンドスタンプ|Pīkei Hando Sutanpu}}, ''PK Hand Stamp'')
|dashdmg=5% (hit 1), 4% (hits 2-3) (≈12.28% total)
|dashdesc=Throws his hands forward, sending three sparks of PSI energy in front of himself. It has good, disjointed range. The 1st hit powerfully semi-spikes opponents, the 2nd hit does very weak vertical knockback and the last hit deals powerful vertical knockback. It is among his better moves and can allow for follow-ups.
|fsmashname=Home Run Swing ({{ja|バットスイング|Batto Suingu}}, ''Bat Swing'')
|fsmashdmg={{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|18}} (body), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|20}} (bat base), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|22}} (bat mid), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|24}} (bat tip)
|fsmashdesc=Swings his bat forward. Has high knockback and damage at the tip of the bat, but has very weak knockback for a smash attack when untipped and has a little bit of start-up lag. There is a hitbox around Ness which can [[reflect]] projectiles,  but it is only out for 2 frames, so it's very difficult to use reliably.
|usmashname=Around the World ({{ja|シャトルループ|Shatoru Rūpu}}, ''Shuttle Loop'')
|usmashdmg=9% (startup), 4% (charging), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|6}} (attack)
|usmashdesc=Does a variation on the "around-the-world" yo-yo trick, swinging his yo-yo above his head. Has good range and speed, but low power. Is used to perform the extremely powerful [[Yo-yo Glitch]], but has little utility otherwise. Like his down smash, this attack is incapable of KOing unless his opponent is over 200%, and the swinging part even has almost non-existent knockback, not KOing until at least 500%, though this allows it to act as an unorthodox combo-starter at mid to high percents. The attack has a hitbox while charging and can hang over ledges if spaced correctly, allowing for potential edgeguard situations. If Ness is too close to the ledge, however, and facing said ledge, he cannot charge the move.
|dsmashname=Walk the Dog ({{ja|ヨーヨーショット|Yōyō Shotto}}, ''Yo-Yo Shot'')
|dsmashdmg=11% (startup), 4% (charging), {{ChargedSmashDmgSSBM|7}} (attack)
|dsmashdesc=Sends his yo-yo backwards and "walks-the-dog" with it before pulling the yo-yo back. Has good range and speed, however, this attack is incapable of KOing unless his opponent is over 180%. More powerful than the up smash in terms of knockback, but still extremely weak. The attack has a hitbox while charging. The swinging part of the attack has barely any base knockback and can't KO until the ~430% range. Overall less utility than up-smash, due to the yo-yo starting out behind Ness. If Ness is too close to the ledge, and facing away from it, he cannot charge the move.
|nairname=Ness Spin ({{ja|ネススピン|Nesu Supin}})
|nairdmg=11% (clean), 8% (late)
|nairdesc=Spins around, arms stretched out. Has good knockback and is very fast with high combo potential, but has rather poor range.
|fairname=Flying PK Shove ({{ja|空中ＰＫハンドスタンプ|Kūchū Pīkei Hando Sutanpu}}, ''Midair PK Hand Stamp'')
|fairdmg=3% (hits 1-4), 5% (hit 5) (≈15.74% total)
|fairdesc=Throws both his hands forward, sending multiple sparks of PSI energy in front of himself. It is a fast, multi-hitting move, with good range and high knockback on the last hit, KOing under ~130% off-stage. Generally used as a [[spacing]] move and can follow-up into itself multiple times at various percents.
|bairname=PK Drop Kick ({{ja|ＰＫドロップキック|Pīkei Doroppu Kikku}})
|bairdmg=16% (clean), 10% (late)
|bairdesc=Thrusts both his feet backwards. If sweetspotted, it electrifies the opponent, dealing very good damage. It is fast with very high knockback albeit somewhat poor range. Can shield poke if fastfalled out of a DJC. The fourth most powerful back aerial in the game, beaten by {{SSBM|Zelda}}, {{SSBM|Ganondorf}}, and {{SSBM|Samus}}.
|uairname=Jumping Headbutt ({{ja|ジャンピングヘッドバット|Janpingu Heddobatto}})
|uairdmg=13%
|uairdesc=Headbutts upward. Has amazing juggling potential when DJC'd and can be a good KO move with very low lag, but poor range. Unlike in ''Smash 64'', Ness's head is no longer intangible.
|dairname=Meteor Kick ({{ja|ニードルキック|Nīdoru Kikku}}, ''Needle Kick'')
|dairdmg=12%
|dairdesc=Pulls his legs to his body before stomping downwards. It is a [[meteor smash]], and has a decent amount of start-up lag. Great range, extremely high knockback at 0% (most powerful meteor smash at 0% in ''Melee''), but it also has very low knockback scaling, being unable to KO grounded opponents at even 200%, and is relatively easy to meteor cancel. It also has no IASA frames (being interrupted on the same frame as Mario's forward aerial, but Mario's seem slower compared to Ness's).
|grabname=Grab ({{ja|つかみ|Tsukami}})
|grabdesc=
|pummelname=Captive Headbutt ({{ja|つかみヘッドバット|Tsukami Heddobatto}}, ''Grab Headbutt'')
|pummeldmg=3%
|pummeldesc=Headbutts the opponent.
|fthrowname=PK Throw ({{ja|ＰＫスルー|Pīkei Surū}})
|fthrowdmg=11%
|fthrowdesc=Psychically throws the opponent forward. Very strong base knockback, but very low knockback scaling.
|bthrowname=Reverse PK Throw ({{ja|リバースＰＫスルー|Ribāsu Pīkei Surū}})
|bthrowdmg=11%
|bthrowdesc=Psychically throws the opponent behind him. Has extremely low base knockback but very high knockback scaling. This is Ness's strongest throw and the second strongest throw in the game (second to {{SSBM|Mewtwo}}'s up throw), KOing reliably at 130% and above.
|uthrowname=Cowboy PK Throw ({{ja|カウボーイＰＫスルー|Kaubōi Pīkei Surū}})
|uthrowdmg=10%
|uthrowdesc=Psychically spins the opponent above his head and throws them upwards. Can chaingrab {{SSBM|Fox}}, {{SSBM|Falco}} and {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}} at low percentages and has a decent amount of followups. Can also set up a tech chase scenario on platforms. Good knockback.
|dthrowname=PK Inferno ({{ja|ラピッドＰＫファイヤー|Rapiddo Pīkei Faiyā}}, ''Rapid PK Fire'')
|dthrowdmg=1% (hits 1-5), 4% (throw)
|dthrowdesc=Slams the opponent to the ground and burns them as he floats above for a bit. Low knockback but allows for a decent amount of followups, including being able to lead into an up aerial to KO. The fire hitboxes are fairly small (so small in fact that they flat out whiff against {{SSBM|Mr. Game & Watch}}).
|floorfname=&nbsp;
|floorfdmg=6%
|floorfdesc=Punches on both sides whilst getting up.
|floorbname=&nbsp;
|floorbdmg=6%
|floorbdesc=Gets up and does a sweep kick with both feet.
|edgefname=&nbsp;
|edgefdmg=8%
|edgefdesc=Somersaults onto the stage, and kicks upwards with both feet.
|edgesname=&nbsp;
|edgesdmg=10%
|edgesdesc=Slowly picks himself up and does a jump kick.
|nsname=PK Flash
|nsdmg=11-36%
|nsdesc=A sphere of green light appears above Ness. If the [[B button]] is held down, the sphere drifts downwards, increasing in power and size, until the button is released, or until it is fully charged, and then explodes. Can be drifted left or right a great amount, though it leaves Ness vulnerable. If used while airborne, Ness will enter a [[helpless]] state. If Ness is hit while it is charging, it will not explode. Has [[Priority#Transcendent_priority|transcendent priority]].
|ssname=PK Fire
|ssdmg=2% (lightning), 3% (pillar hit 1), 2% (pillar hits 2-7)
|ssdesc=Fires a yellow, lightning-bolt shaped projectile that travels in a straight line until it hits an enemy or destructible portion of a stage, at which point it explodes into flames. The bolt has a [[hurtbox]], which is what activates the fire pillar upon contact; the surrounding [[hitbox]] deals a multi-hit 2% and little vertical knockback. The fire pillar also has a hurtbox, which slowly shrinks in size and appears to have a windbox. While airborne, it is sent at a downward diagonal angle and can be [[edge cancel]]ed.
|usname=PK Thunder
|usdmg=8% (thunder head), 1% (thunder tail), 25% (PK Thunder 2 clean), 20% (PK Thunder 2 late)
|usdesc=Creates a stream of lightning that can be aimed into opponents to deal damage with the head and stun with the tail. Aiming the lightning into Ness himself will launch him into a trajectory opposite of the side he was hit on, which is referred to as [[PK Thunder 2]]. PK Thunder 2 has intangibility frames during the first half of the move and is considerably more powerful. It can be used to perform the [[Thunder Jacket]]. PK Thunder has transcendent priority.
|dsname=PSI Magnet
|dsdmg=0%, heals 2.0x the damage of absorbed projectiles
|dsdesc=Creates a blue energy field around him which allows him to absorb all energy-based projectiles. It can be held. Can momentarily stall airborne descent in a way similar to a [[Reflector_(Fox)|Reflector]].
}}

===Stats===
{{technical data|Needs double jump height}}
'''NTSC'''
{{Attributes
|cast = 26
|weight = 94
|rweight = 11
|dash = 1.3
|rdash = 21-23
|run = 1.4
|rrun = 16-20
|walk = 0.84
|rwalk = 22
|trac = 0.06
|rtrac = 15-23
|airfric = 0.03
|rairfric = 3
|air = 0.93
|rair = 11
|baseaccel = 0.02	
|rbaseaccel = 2-23
|addaccel = 0.04
|raddaccel = 5-11
|gravity = 0.09
|rgravity = 18
|fall = 1.83
|rfall = 15
|ff = 2.2
|rff = 19-20
|jumpsquat = 4
|rjumpsquat = 8-15
|jumpheight = 35.98
|rjumpheight = 5
|shorthop = 13.26
|rshorthop = 14
|djump = ?
|rdjump = ?
|ellag = 4
|rellag = 2-23
}}

'''PAL'''
{{Attributes
|cast = 26
|weight = 94
|rweight = 11
|dash = 1.3
|rdash = 21-23
|run = 1.4
|rrun = 16-20
|walk = 0.84
|rwalk = 22
|trac = 0.06
|rtrac = 15-23
|airfric = 0.03
|rairfric = 3
|air = 0.93
|rair = 10
|baseaccel = 0.02	
|rbaseaccel = 2-23
|addaccel = 0.04
|raddaccel = 5-11
|gravity = 0.09
|rgravity = 18
|fall = 1.83
|rfall = 15
|ff = 2.2
|rff = 19-20
|jumpsquat = 4
|rjumpsquat = 8-15
|jumpheight = 35.98
|rjumpheight = 5
|shorthop = 13.26
|rshorthop = 14
|djump = ?
|rdjump = ?
|ellag = 4
|rellag = 2-23
}}

===[[Announcer]] call===
[[File: Ness Announcer SSBM.wav]]

===[[Taunt]]===
{{Taunt/SSBM|char=Ness|desc=Turns to the screen and nods his head while saying "Okay".}}

===[[Idle pose]]===
{{Idle|desc=Looks from side to side.|image=Ness Idle Pose Melee.gif}}

===[[Crowd cheer]]===
{| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="1"
|-
!{{{name|}}}
!Cheer (All versions)
|-
! scope="row"|Cheer
|[[File:Ness Cheer SSBM.ogg|center]]
|-
! scope="row"|Description
|Ness -- Ness -- Ness!
|}

===[[Victory pose]]s===
{{Victory/SSBM
|victory-theme=Ness Victory.ogg
|victory-desc=An orchestrated version of the final four Soundstone Melodies from ''[[EarthBound (game)|EarthBound]]''. They also play in the game's credits, ''Smiles and Tears''.
|desc-1=Looks to the left and right of him, then places his right arm on the back of his head.
|desc-2=Swings around his bat four times, then poses with it.
|desc-3=Jumps up and down twice, places arms on waist, and says "Okay!"
|char=Ness}}

==In [[competitive play]]==
===Most historically significant players===
<!--This character has a ten player limit for this section. Before adding and/or removing a player, read these guidelines: https://www.ssbwiki.com/SmashWiki:Notability#%22Most_historically_significant_players%22_guidelines -->

:''See also: [[:Category:Ness players (SSBM)]]''

*{{Sm|Simna ibn Sind|USA}} - Considered the best Ness player from 2006 to 2008, from 2015 to 2020, and is also the greatest Ness player of all time. He holds the best major results for Ness with 13th out of 270 entrants at {{Trn|EVO World 2007}} and 17th at {{Trn|Super Champ Combo}}. Mainly only attended {{Trn|EVO}} and [[Tournament:GENESIS (series)|GENESIS]] before his retirement from competition in 2020. Simna ibn Sind is also known to be the person who discovered the [[Thunder Jacket]].
*{{Sm|Mofo|USA}} - One of the most influential Ness mains known for discovering many [[glitch|glitches]] such as the [[Star Jacket]], [[Spike Jacket]] and the [[yo-yo stack glitch]]. Considered the best Ness player in the world from 2009 to 2014 before retiring in 2018, having taken sets off {{Sm|Gravy}} and {{Sm|Captain Smuckers}} in 2013. 
*{{Sm|JoeyBats|Canada}} - Considered the current best Ness player in the world, gaining notoriety during online tournaments through [[Slippi]]. He posesses the highest tournament placements and highest rates of tournament participation among Ness players in 2021 on Slippi netplay, and offline placed 17th at the superregional {{Trn|Rise 'N Grind 2023}}.

===Tier placement and history===
Ness was initially viewed as a low-mid tier character in the early metagame, with a peak of 15th place on the second tier list. While originally not considered terrible, his strengths never outshined his weaknesses; as the metagame went on, his glaring issues in range, inconsistent KO potential, and terrible recovery caused his competitive perception to tank. This is reflected following the third tier list, where he has consistently been ranked as a low-to-bottom tier.

On the current tier list, Ness places at 23rd, in the D tier, and he is widely considered nonviable for tournament play. Dedicated Ness players in high-level play are extremely rare in the current metagame, with most Ness players using him only as a situational counterpick. {{Sm|Hungrybox}} only used Ness once in all of {{Trn|Apex 2013}}, in an attempt to catch {{Sm|Armada}}'s {{SSBM|Young Link}} (which was developed specifically to fight Hungrybox) off-guard, and he mostly used {{SSBM|Jigglypuff}} for the rest of the tournament. Most high-level Ness players are only semi-active and generally do not place very well with him.

==In 1-P Mode==
==={{SSBM|Classic Mode}}===
In Classic Mode, Ness can appear as an ordinary opponent; as an ally or opponent in the team battles, alongside {{SSBM|Yoshi}}, {{SSBM|Peach}}, or {{SSBM|Mewtwo}}; as a member of a multi-character battle; or as a metal opponent. In Ness's appearance, he appears on either [[Onett]] or [[Fourside]] (if unlocked) as a regular opponent and on {{SSBM|Battlefield}} as a metal opponent. When on a team with Yoshi, he appears on {{SSBM|Yoshi's Island}}.

===[[Adventure Mode]]===
Ness's appearance in the [[Adventure Mode]] is in Stage 9: Onett. In the stage, the player must fight against three computer players, each one being Ness, on Onett; in the fight, the only item that appears is [[Mr. Saturn]]. The player must defeat all three opponents within five minutes to continue.

===[[All-Star Mode]]===
Ness and his allies are fought on [[Onett]].

===[[Event Matches]]===
Ness is featured in the following event matches:
*'''[[Event 5: Spare Change]]''': the player controls Ness and fights {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}} in a coin battle on Onett. The player must collect 200 coins within 80 seconds in order to clear the event.
*'''[[Event 30: All-Star Match 3]]''': Ness is the third opponent to be fought in this series of staged battles. The player battles him on [[Onett]], which will transition to the next stage if Ness gets defeated. With a timer of four minutes, the player must defeat him along with {{SSBM|Kirby}}, {{SSBM|Pikachu}} and the {{SSBM|Ice Climbers}}.
*'''[[Event 36: Space Travelers]]''': As Ness, the player must defeat {{SSBM|Samus}}, Kirby, {{SSBM|Fox}}, Captain Falcon, and {{SSBM|Falco}}. The player battles the first three characters on [[Fourside]] and battles the last two on {{SSBM|Battlefield}}.

===[[Congratulations screen#Super Smash Bros. Melee|Congratulations Screens]]===
<center>
<gallery>
NessClassicMode.jpg|Classic Mode
NessAdventureMode.jpg|Adventure Mode
NessAllStarMode.jpg|All-Star Mode
</gallery>
</center>

==[[Trophies]]==
In addition to the normal trophy about Ness as a character unlocked by completing {{SSBM|Classic Mode}} as him on any difficulty, there are two trophies about him as a fighter, unlocked by completing {{SSBM|Adventure Mode}} and [[All-Star Mode]] respectively as him on any difficulty. Each of the trophies can also be unlocked by playing 100, 200, and 300 versus matches respectively as Ness:

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Ness
|image=Ness Trophy Melee.png
|mode=Classic
|desc=Ness is a young boy who's mastered the psychic power known as PSI. Ness was living a normal life in the suburbs of Onett until a meteor crashed into a nearby mountain and sent him on a wild adventure. Believing in the ultimate powers of wisdom, courage, and friendship, Ness proves that some heroes come in small packages.
|gamelist-ntsc={{Trophy games|game1=EarthBound|release1=6/95}}
|gamelist-pal={{Trophy games|game1=EarthBound|release1=Not Released in Europe}}
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Ness
|image=Ness Trophy (Smash).png
|mode=Adventure
|desc=The key to mastering Ness is controlling his unique midair jump, which makes up for what he lacks in speed.  His PK Flash attack may seem weak at first glance, but it grows more powerful the longer you hold down the B Button. To do a lot of damage with PK Fire, try to burn your opponent as many times as possible.
|gamelist=:B: PK Flash
:Smash B: PK Fire
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

{{Trophy/Fighter
|name=Ness
|image=Ness Trophy (Smash) 2.png
|mode=All Star
|desc=Ness's mind is his best weapon. PK Thunder is a PSI missile weapon that can be guided using the Control Stick, and if Ness hits himself with it, he turns into a living missile capable of doing massive damage. This move can also be used for recovery. PSI Magnet turns energy missile attacks into health; try out certain Pokémon for stamina replenishment.
|gamelist=:Up & B: PK Thunder
:Down & B: PSI Magnet
|game=Melee
}}
{{clrl}}

==[[Alternate costume (SSBM)#Ness|Alternate costumes]]==
{|style="margin:1em auto 1em auto;text-align:center"
|-
|colspan=4|[[File:Ness Palette (SSBM).png]]
|-
|{{Head|Ness|g=SSBM|s=25px}}
|{{Head|Ness|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Yellow}}
|{{Head|Ness|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Blue}}
|{{Head|Ness|g=SSBM|s=25px|cl=Green}}
|}

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
SSBM Ness HQ.jpg|Official artwork of Ness.
PSIMagnetMelee.jpg|Using [[PSI Magnet]] on [[Brinstar]].
SSBMWebsiteNess2.jpg|Using his [[down smash]] on [[Onett]].
PKFireMelee.jpg|Using [[PK Fire]] on {{SSBM|Link}} on Brinstar.
Nessbmove.jpg|Using [[PK Flash]] on {{SSBM|Captain Falcon}} on Brinstar.
SSBMWebsiteNess5.jpg|[[Jump]]ing over The Runaway Five tour bus on Onett.
PKThunder2Melee.jpg|Using [[PK Thunder]] 2 on Brinstar.
LuigiAdventureMode.jpg|Standing with {{SSBM|Donkey Kong}}, {{SSBM|Kirby}}, and {{SSBM|Luigi}} on [[Great Bay]].
KirbyAdventureMode.jpg|Posing with Kirby on [[Temple]].
FoxAdventureMode.jpg|[[Taunt]]ing with Kirby and {{SSBM|Pikachu}} on Temple.
MewtwoAllStarMode.jpg|Using PSI Magnet near {{SSBM|Mewtwo}} on {{SSBM|Final Destination}}.
</gallery>
</center>

==Trivia==
[[File:SSBM-Nessyoyo.png|thumb|The yoyo's texture.]]
[[File:Elnessjabsmaller.gif|thumb|The "Electric Ness" glitch being performed.]]
*Although Ness is no longer able to auto-snap to the ledge out of aerial PK Thunder, modifying the move to be able to do so and grabbing the ledge while PK Thunder is being controlled reveals that it will despawn as it would in the original ''Super Smash Bros.'' This even happens with v1.00 behavior where normally, the thunder ball continues to fly if Ness is hit while controlling it, possibly suggesting that PK Thunder auto-ledge-snap may have been considered initially.
*When Ness's profile page was updated on July 17th, 2001, [[Masahiro Sakurai]] revealed that Ness was meant to be replaced by [[Lucas]] from ''Mother 3''. However, as ''Mother 3'' was facing development issues and had its original Nintendo 64 release cancelled, Ness was brought back instead.
*Interestingly, the command structure for Ness's down aerial matches up with its ''Brawl'' counterpart, though it lacks the late hitbox. It is very likely that the down aerial was programmed this way erroneously, since it has two "Synchronous Timer" flags (4 frames and 5 frames) before the hitbox is cleared, adding up to 9 frames, while most moves only have one.
*The PK Fire pillar appears to have a windbox-like property. Information on this attribute is scarce and it seems to only happen under specific circumstances.
*''Melee'' is Ness's only appearance where PK Thunder has transcendent priority. In every other ''Super Smash Bros.'' title, it can be clanked with.
*Ness is one of three characters whose neutral special changed during his jump to ''Melee'', the others being [[Link]] and [[Jigglypuff]]. In the original ''Super Smash Bros.'', his neutral special was PK Fire; from ''Melee'' onward, he now uses PK Flash. As with the other two, his original neutral special remains in the game, having been transferred to the newly added side special move slot.
*If one looks closely at Ness's yo-yo, they can see the words ''DOLPHIN LOOP'', with it being made by HALLAB NINTENDO in 2001 (''Melee''{{'}}s release year), Dolphin being a reference to the [[GameCube]]'s codename, and the "makers" a reference to the developer and publisher of ''Melee'' respectively. His bat reads NETT SPORTS.
*Hitting Ness as he's using [[PK Thunder]] can cause his body to constantly produce sparks afterward, though these sparks only provide a cosmetic effect. This glitch continues until he gets KOed, shields, or performs PK Thunder again.
*Ness's [http://www.nintendo.com/amiibo/detail/ness-amiibo-super-smash-bros-series amiibo description] on the North American [[amiibo]] website is based on his trophy description from ''Melee''.

==External links==
*[https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nalj/smash/flash/0717/index.html Ness's page at Smabura-Ken]

*[[smashwiki:26TP/Ness|Translation]] 
{{SSBMCharacters}}
{{EnemiesAdvSSBM}}
{{EarthBound universe}}
[[Category:Ness (SSBM)| ]]
[[Category:Trophies (SSBM)]]
[[es:Ness (SSBM)]]
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