Editing Ness (SSBU)

Ness' ground game is better compared to previous iterations; [[forward tilt]] is now a viable KO option, [[dash attack]] has increased knockback and range, [[up tilt]] has decreased ending lag and is useful for starting combos, and [[down tilt]] racks up damage much more effectively, especially near the ledge. Among his most significant buffs are the changes to his yo-yo smash attacks ([[up smash]] and [[down smash]]), which not only regained their charging hitboxes, but now hang below the ledge to very easily set up edgeguards against most characters; up smash has also lost its early hit and has dramatically higher knockback, making it a viable KO option for the first time.

Many of Ness' other tools are more effective as well. All of his aerials, save for neutral aerial, deal more damage, and he has gained a new [[up aerial]] that hits multiple times, allowing for drag-down combos and set-ups while retaining most of its standalone KO power. [[Down aerial]] has more range, can once again be autocanceled from a short hop, and has a much stronger [[meteor smash]] effect. In terms of special moves, [[PK Flash]] charges much more quickly and no longer causes [[helpless]]ness; [[PK Fire]] has reduced lag (especially landing lag, making it far more useful when used in the air) that improves its combo and set-up potential, and [[PK Thunder]] deals more damage. His most notable buff, however, comes from a significantly improved [[PSI Magnet]]; the move now has a hitbox (similarly to {{SSBU|Lucas}}, although during the move rather than when canceling the move) that possesses a rehit rate, which gives it offensive use for the first time in the series, as it helps Ness extend combos and gives him newfound KO confirms at high percentages.

The universal changes in ''Ultimate'' have improved Ness as well, especially the new [[air dodge]] mechanics and general buffs to aerial attacks. The return of directional air dodges benefits Ness tremendously, as his own directional air dodge travels further than that of any character (aside from Lucas), providing a reliable [[recovery]] option aside from the notoriously exploitable PK Thunder 2. The removal of multiple air dodges also enables Ness to pressure opponents in the air with PK Thunder more consistently. Furthermore, Ness' already great aerial game is further compounded by the universal reductions to landing lag, improving their safety and combo potential.

However, Ness has also received a few nerfs. His new up aerial has less horizontal range, requires landing all hits (which start from behind and move in an arc above Ness) to deal considerable damage, and sends at a lower angle that hinders its KO potential, worsening Ness' ability to juggle opponents. His grab game has been toned down, as his slower, more standard [[pummel]] cannot rack up damage as effectively, [[back throw]] is very slightly worse for KOing (though it remains the strongest throw in the game), [[down throw]]'s higher ending lag hinders its combo potential past low to mid-percents, and the universal nerfs to grabs affects Ness just as much as the rest of the cast, as grabbing is a key component to his gameplan. Lastly, the power of his yo-yo smash attacks now only increases by half as much when charged, and PK Flash, in exchange for its much faster charge, is significantly weaker when fully charged.

Overall, the buffs to Ness' neutral game, punish game, edgeguarding, and recovery outweigh the few nerfs he received, and while his main weaknesses —such as lack of range and an exploitable recovery— are still present, they are generally to a lesser extent than in previous ''Smash'' games. Thus, despite his similar position among the roster, Ness performs better in ''Ultimate'' than in ''SSB4''.