Pikachu (SSBU)

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Pikachu in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Universe	Pokémon
Other playable appearances	in SSB in Melee in Brawl in SSB4
Availability	Starter
Final Smash	Volt Tackle

Pikachu (ピカチュウ, Pikachu) is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It was confirmed on June 12th, 2018.

Changes from Super Smash Bros. 4

Aesthetics

• As with all veterans returning from SSB4, Pikachu's model features a more subdued color scheme. It more closely resembles its appearance in recent mainline Pokémon titles as a consequence.
• Pikachu, like other veterans, is more expressive than before. It now appears angry during most attacks.
• Pikachu's cheeks now flash white during electric attacks.
• A female Pikachu - which has a heart-shaped tail - has been added as an alternate costume with two swaps: one where it wears Moon's Casual Cap from Pokémon Sun and Moon, and one where it wears the Libre costume from Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
• Pikachu always faces the screen regardless of which direction it turns. This affects its moveset as well, all of which appears to be mirrored.
• Pikachu's side and down taunts have tweaked animations; its down taunt is significantly shorter as a result.

Ground attacks

• Forward tilt has an electric effect.
• Pikachu has a new up tilt which has Pikachu scooting its backside up to hit with its tail.
• Clean dash attack deals more damage (10% -> 11.5%) and 1 frame less ending lag.
• Down smash deals less damage 13% -> 11.9%.

Aerial attacks

• Pikachu has a new neutral aerial: it releases an electric surge around itself in an all fours stance with its tail pointing upward, which hits multiple times, much like Mewtwo's neutral aerial. It has better combo ability with much lower landing lag.
• Back aerial ends much sooner with much less landing lag.
• Back aerial has an altered ending animation.
• Down aerial can meteor smash opponents.
• Forward aerial deals more damage if all hits connect (9.8% -> 10.3%).

Throws/other attacks

• Up throw deals more damage (4% -> 5.2%).

Special moves

• Aerial Thunder Jolt deals more damage (4.8% -> 5%).
• Quick Attack now has an angle indicator to telegraph Pikachu's trajectory.
• The electricity discharged when the lightning from Thunder strikes Pikachu is yellow rather than blue, and has Pikachu flash with a dark tint.
• Thunder is stronger.
• Volt Tackle now involves it dashing quickly forward while surrounded by a ball of electricity. If it connects, it speeds around the stage at different angles, racking up damage before launching opponents with an electric blast at the end of the move as the ball disappears.

Gallery

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  Female Pikachu taunting with Pokémon Trainer on Battlefield.

• 

  Performing its down tilt on Kalos Pokémon League.

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  Dashing towards Mario on Tortimer Island.

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  Performing its down aerial above Diddy Kong on Arena Ferox.

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  Taunting while gold with Squirtle and Ivysaur on Pokémon Stadium 2.

• 

  Pikachu Libre using its down throw on Little Mac in the Boxing Ring.

Character Showcase Video

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Trivia

• This is the first time Pikachu was not the first Pokémon character to be explicitly announced for a new Smash title, with Mewtwo being confirmed before it.
• Pikachu's pose in its official artwork resembles its front sprite in the Generation III Pokémon games.