Joker

Joker (whose real name is given as Ren Amamiya in most media) is the protagonist of ', a and  title from the ' franchise's spin-off  series. In his game of origin, he is a Japanese high school student in his day life; however, he also has the power to access an alternate version of the world called the Metaverse. In said universe, Joker leads the Phantom Thieves, a group of teenagers who alter the psyche of corrupted souls to steal their hearts. Joker and his companions have the ability to summon Personas, which are manifestations of their respective psyches that possess special powers and are based on mythological figures. Joker's only appearance to date alongside Mario franchise characters has been in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where he was made available in Challenger Pack 1 as the first Fighters Pass DLC fighter.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
During, it was revealed that Joker would be appearing as a paid downloadable playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He is the second DLC fighter (with Piranha Plant being the first), and the first one in the first Fighters Pass, releasing as part of "Challenger Pack 1". Challenger Pack 1, including Joker, the Mementos stage, and music from the Persona series, was released on April 17, 2019 (PST). Joker is classified as fighter #71.

Aside from being able to wall jump, Joker has a special mechanic known as the "Rebellion Gauge", which is a meter that slowly fills up either over time, when taking damage or when Joker is behind his opponents in score/stocks, and fills up faster when he is attacked when using his down special, Rebel's Guard (as well as halving the damage taken). When this meter fills completely, Joker will summon the Persona Arsene, who assists him in battle by attacking in tandem with him, increasing the power and range of his standard moves. Joker's special moves are also enhanced, and his down special changes to Tetrakarn and Makarakarn. If Joker gets KO'd, the gauge will reset.

The player can choose to play as six color variations of Joker's Phantom Thief outfit wearing his mask, as well as two versions of his Shujin Academy uniform wearing his glasses. The purple, blue, yellow, and red costumes are references to the thematic colors of Revelations: Persona, Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5 respectively, while his white Shujin Academy uniform reflects the color of his summer uniform. His victory screen mimics the one from Persona 5, with the color of the screen changing to match the current colors of the stage Mementos if Joker were to win on that stage. If Joker wins the match with his Final Smash, the splash screen that appears at the end of the move will carry over to the victory screen. He is one of the lighter middleweight fighters, being heavier than the Ice Climbers, Lucario, Wolf, Villager, and Steve, but lighter than Ness, Lucas, Mii Brawler, and Inkling.

Joker shares his English voice actor,, with the game's announcer, Master Hand, and Crazy Hand, as well as sharing his Japanese voice actor, , with Roy. He is the first playable character in the series to be voiced by the announcer.

After Sonic the Hedgehog and Bayonetta, Joker is the third guest fighter to represent Sega, as, the developer of the Persona series, was acquired by in 2013.

Joker appears as two DLC fighter spirits, depicting him in his Phantom Thief outfit and his Shujin Academy uniform, respectively. The former spirit is obtained by completing Classic Mode as Joker, while the latter can be purchased from the shop if Challenger Pack 1 has been downloaded. Being the leader of the group, Joker also appears in the artwork for the Phantom Thieves of Hearts spirit (which is also DLC), as well as in the associated spirit battle.

Classic Mode route
The route's title references Shadows, recurring enemies in the Persona series. The second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds each feature an opponent from the previous round as an ally; this could be a reference to Shadows being able to join the player's party as Personas in Persona 5. Joker is the one of three characters who face Master Hand and Crazy Hand as their final boss on the Ω form of a stage different from Final Destination, the other two being Donkey Kong on New Donk City Hall and Sephiroth on Northern Cave.

Gun / Gun Special


Gun is Joker's standard special move. It fires bullets in a straight line ahead of him, making opponents flinch when close. Holding the special button down will allow Joker to continue firing, while continually pressing the button shoots faster. This move can also be used while airborne.

While grounded, by pressing either left or right while firing, Joker performs a dodge similar to the roll, which moves Joker forwards or backwards, dodging any attack. It also increases the knockback on the proceeding shot. After four rolls, Joker has to wait until he stops using Gun to perform another roll. Joker's rolls when he uses his Gun count towards his normal rolls, which means staling those also stales his normal rolls. This is the only special move with this trait.

While holding up in the air, Joker spins around and shoot at a great rate until he lands, allowing for greater covering area, with less concentrated damage and a lack of range. By holding downwards in the air, Joker shoots downward in a corkscrew pattern repeatedly until he lands. This variant has reduced landing lag, with more range and concentrated damage. Additionally, this move stalls Joker in the air, allowing for increased mobility and viability.

The bullets are actually treated as a physical attack instead of a projectile, meaning it cannot be reflected but can be countered. This is also possibly based on how gun attacks are treated as a physical attack in the Megami Tensei and Persona series.

Gun Special is a more powerful version of Gun that replaces the move while Arsene is summoned. Gun Special shoots three times instead of once when firing forwards, and the bullets have increased knockback.


 * Names in other languages

Eiha / Eigaon


Eiha is Joker's side special move. It fires a bolt that, if it hits an opponent, curses them, which slowly damages them over time in a similar manner to the effect of Lip's Stick. This is a direct reference to the curse skill of the same name, which is commonly associated with Arsene as it is the first skill he obtains.

Eigaon is a more powerful version of Eiha that replaces it after Joker summons Arsene. If the move hits any surface or opponent, it creates an area of affect that damages any opponent that touches it greatly, and applies a stronger version of the curse effect from Eiha. This directly references the curse skill of the same name, which is also a stronger version of Eiha in Persona 5.

Opponents under the effect of the curse have a unique expression, generally becoming angrier (like Mario, Link and Marth), surprised (such as Yoshi and Kirby), or wincing in pain (like Pikachu, Luigi, and Peach). Mewtwo's eyes glow green during the move, as when it performs Disable. However, there are also a handful of characters who do not emote whatsoever (such as Samus and R.O.B.), or in Rosalina's case, simply close her eyes.


 * Names in other languages

Grappling Hook / Wings of Rebellion


Grappling Hook is Joker's up special move. It is a tether recovery, as it can grapple onto ledges and, while grounded, can also attach onto opponents, bringing them close and launching them. If it makes contact with an opponent while airborne, it will not grapple onto them, instead launching them away slightly. While it is not usable in-game in Persona 5, it can be used in Persona 5 Royal.

Wings of Rebellion replaces Grappling Hook after Joker summons Arsene. The Wings of Rebellion travel higher, and is one of the highest traveling recoveries in the game. On the ascent, the move has invincibility frames and puts Joker into the helpless status. Unlike the Grappling Hook, the Wings of Rebellion do not have a hitbox, and therefore can be considered a trade-off in some manner.


 * Names in other languages

Rebel's Guard / Tetrakarn / Makarakarn


Rebel's Guard is Joker's down special move. It has Joker holding his mask, protecting him from most damage and all knockback (excluding Final Smashes). Getting hit while using Rebel's Guard also raises his Rebellion Gauge greatly.

Tetrakarn and Makarakarn are both skills that replace Rebel's Guard when Joker summons Arsene. Both moves have Joker put up a shield that, when hit, either has him counter and launch the opponent away or, in the case of a projectile, reflect it back to the opponent, in a similar vein to King K. Rool's Gut Check and Palutena's Reflect Barrier/Counter. This comes directly from the skills of the same name, with Tetrakarn reflecting physical skills and Makarakarn reflecting magical skills.


 * Names in other languages

All-Out Attack


All-Out Attack is Joker's Final Smash. Joker dashes forward, hitting any opponents in front of him. The screen turns red and black, as it cuts to Joker and three other Phantom Thieves jumping into the air, and the four members' faces are shown. It then has them repeatedly striking the victims, finishing with Joker tightening his glove and giving a pose, as all of the victims have stars shoot out of them. This move instantly KOs any victims that have 100% or more after it finishes. If the move happens to KO the last opponent in the match with them having 100% or higher, the game will finish on the end screen of the move, and give Joker a unique victory screen, reminiscent of Persona 5. If Joker misses the initial dash, he can quickly turn around, allowing him to catch opponents off guard.


 * Names in other languages

Palutena's Guidance
Joker shares this stock conversation with all other DLC characters except Piranha Plant. It was originally used for Mewtwo, Lucas, Roy, Ryu, Cloud, Corrin, and Bayonetta in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, who are downloadable fighters in that game.
 * Pit: Who is THAT?
 * Palutena: I have no data on this fighter. I can't believe it!
 * Viridi: It must be an intruder from another dimension!
 * Pit: Whoever it is, the goal remains the same: to fight and win!

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate official website

 * Joker steals the show when he joins the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game as a playable fighter! This speedy fighter wields a knife and a gun to rack up damage. When his Rebellion Gauge is full, Joker summons his Persona, Arsène, to immediately power up his attacks for a limited time.

Quotes

 * "This is Joker. The mission is go." (Joker's reveal trailer posted on social media)
 * "This is Joker. I've infiltrated the theater." (Joker's reveal trailer at The Game Awards 2018)
 * "Persona!"
 * "Arsene!"
 * "Return!"
 * "Enough."
 * "You're mine!"
 * "There!"
 * "Eiha!"
 * "Eigaon!"
 * "Tetrakarn!"
 * "Makarakarn!"
 * "Ravage them!"
 * "Nice."
 * "Begone."
 * "Got it!"

Trivia

 * Joker is the second Super Smash Bros. fighter to not have his debut game on a Nintendo console at the time of their inclusion, with the first being Cloud Strife.
 * With  released on the Nintendo Switch in March 2019, Joker is the only confirmed Super Smash Bros. fighter to not have their debut game released or confirmed to release on a Nintendo system.
 * Joker is the third Super Smash Bros. fighter to come from a predominantly M-rated series, after Solid Snake and Bayonetta.
 * All three also share the trait of using a code name as opposed to their real name.
 * When Arsene is present in battle, Joker's render in-game and in the HUD will have his mask (or glasses in his alternate costume) removed.
 * Joker's All-Out Attack has been censored from its original appearance from Persona 5, where instead of stars, enemies would have geysers of blood spurt out of them.