The
Assist Trophy is an
item in
Super Smash Bros. Brawl,
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS /
Wii U, and
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It calls forth a random character to assist the player who used the item, similar to the
Poké Ball item. This is unique in that the character released is from an actual
Nintendo or third-party series, but is not playable. As a result, it introduces characters who did not make the cut as playable fighters. Some Assist Trophy characters in
Super Smash Bros. Brawl are unlockable, and almost every character is invincible; however, in
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS /
Wii U and
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, all Assist Trophy characters are available from the start, and many characters can take damage and can even be KO'd (in the latter game, the opponent that defeats them earns a point), although characters that do not appear on the stage itself such as
Andross and
Nintendog remain invulnerable to attacks. Players must be on the ground to summon an Assist Trophy's character. If a player is attacked and sent flying after grabbing the Assist Trophy, but before breaking it open, they must land before they can call forth the Assist Trophy's character. Prior to
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, only one Assist Trophy can appear at a time, unlike Poké Balls.
