Moonwalk
In Super Smash Bros. Melee, the moonwalk is a technique that involves sliding backwards during in the initial dash animation. Discovered by the smasher Mr.C, the technique is named after the signature dance move of famed pop singer Michael Jackson.
Performing the moonwalk
Moonwalking is achieved by tilting the control stick backwards while dashing, but without passing through the neutral position. The only way to do this is to rotate the Stick below the neutral position (as going above results in a jump), but just barely below as to prevent losing some distance from crouching; as a result, the player needs to turn the analogue stick so that it forms a semielliptical shape instead of a semicircular shape. This should result in the user doing a backwards slide, but in a state more similar to dashing than to wavedashing.
All characters in the game can moonwalk, though some might require the use of the Bunny Hood before a noticeable effect can be seen. A majority of characters, however, require an extra step; they need to start from a walk (specifically not a run) in the direction opposite the way the character faces during the slide.
Use in competitive play
The moonwalk acts as a generally situational technique in the competitive metagame, owing to the greater prevalence of wavedashing. In most cases, the moonwalk is primarily used for extra flash by the smasher.
Moonwalking, however, is not a completely useless technique. The technique can be used in mindgames in order to mix up movement or otherwise bait opponents, adding a degree of unpredictability to a smasher's playstyle. Cautious smashers can also attempt to use the moonwalk as to more efficiently edgehog instead of using a wavedash. In addition, by principle, the moonwalk allows characters to slide backwards while the game recognizes them as standing; as such, smashers can perform techniques similar to wavesmashing and wavegrabbing with the technique, provided their character has a sufficiently long moonwalk.
Due to his powerful edgeguarding game and long moonwalk, Captain Falcon derives the most applications from moonwalking, as the backward momentum from moonwalking can allow him to slide off the stage in order to intercept recovering opponents with an aerial attack. In some cases, this can actually act as a superior alternative to going offstage with other techniques, as the moonwalk can move Captain Falcon much farther offstage and will also allow Falcon to retain his double jump, allowing for safer recovery.
Moonwalking distance
The moonwalk is most noticeable when used by Captain Falcon, though some other characters, like Link and Mewtwo, also have rather noticeable moonwalks. The following characters can moonwalk without needing to walk in the opposite direction, ranked by distance:
Assuming the extra step is added and the character is wearing a Bunny Hood, the distances can be listed via the following list:
- Captain Falcon
- Mewtwo
- Young Link
- Link
- Yoshi
- Ganondorf
- Bowser
- Peach
- Sheik
- Kirby
- Samus
- Luigi
- Donkey Kong
- Zelda
- Falco
- Fox
- Pichu
- Pikachu
- Roy
- Dr. Mario
- Mario
- Jigglypuff
- Ness
- Marth
- Ice Climbers
- Mr. Game & Watch
