Pikachu

"Pika, Pika!"

- Pikachu

Pikachu is an Electric-type Pokémon and is the mascot of the popular Pokémon series, made by Game Freak. However, Pikachu's only video game appearance alongside Mario is in the Super Smash Bros. series. In the Pokémon series, Pikachu is the evolved form of Pichu and evolves into Raichu. Pikachu has been voiced by Ikue Ohtani in the Super Smash Bros. series. She also voices Pikachu in the Pokémon anime, Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition, since Generation VI games, and various spin-offs.

Super Smash Bros.


Pikachu appears as a default character in Super Smash Bros. Pikachu is one of the game's faster characters in both running and walking speed, but is also among the lightest, meaning that while it can move quickly it can also be KO'd earlier than other characters. Its neutral special move is Thunder Jolt, which sends out a ball of electricity that travels along the ground and causes opponents to flinch. Its up special move is Quick Attack, which allows it to move with two sudden bursts of speed. Its down special move is Thunder, which sends down a bolt of lightning from the top of the stage to strike opponents.

Super Smash Bros. Melee


Pikachu returns in Super Smash Bros. Melee, yet again as a default player. Pikachu's moveset is unchanged from the previous game, though it now has a side special move, Skull Bash, which allows Pikachu to launch itself across the screen and headbutt opponents. In addition, its down special Thunder now appears from a cloud instead of the top of the screen.

Pikachu's pre-evolution Pichu also appears as a playable character in this game, with a moveset similar to Pikachu's. In addition, one of Pikachu's alternate costumes in this game is the hat of Red as he appears in the original Pokémon Red and Blue Versions''.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Pikachu was one of the first characters revealed for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Its moveset remains entirely unchanged, and its Final Smash is Volt Tackle, which causes Pikachu to become a ball of electricity that players can maneuver across the entire screen, damaging any opponents it runs in to.

While Pikachu keeps most of its alternate costumes for this game, its blue alternate costume, the party hat, has been replaced with a pair of goggles, similar to the ones worn by Pichu as one of its alternate costumes.

The Subspace Emissary
Pikachu begins the game trapped within a strange device that harnesses its electrical energy to provide power to the complex. Samus, infiltrating the complex in search of her Power Suit, sees that the device causes Pikachu pain, and breaks it. In thanks, Pikachu helps Samus continue through the lab. Eventually, the pair come across Samus's Power Suit within a tank. After dispatching two clones of Samus, Pikachu helps Samus (in her newly regained Power Suit) through the rest of the facility and helps her defeat Ridley.

After escaping from the complex, Pikachu and Samus infiltrate the Subspace Bomb Factory and encounter the Ancient Minister. Despite Donkey Kong, Diddy Kong, Captain Falcon, and Captain Olimar coming in soon after, the Ancient Minister does not fight back, and tries to stop the other R.O.B.s from obeying Ganondorf. Ganondorf gets the R.O.B.s to set up multiple Subspace Bombs, and the Ancient Minister, with the R.O.B.s no longer under his control, reveals himself to be the head R.O.B. of the island and helps Pikachu and the others defeat the Subspace Army and escape the island in the Falcon Flyer before it is consumed by Subspace.

Pikachu and the rest of its team join the remaining heroes in their last stand against Subspace, only to be defeated by Tabuu. Fortunately, King Dedede had planned this in advance and created badges that revived fighters from being trophies. Using these, he is able to form a team conisting of himself, Luigi, and Ness. Dedede and his group then revived most of the others, including Pikachu, before everyone has rejoined and proceeded to face Tabuu in a final battle.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U
Pikachu is once again a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, its moveset once again unchaged from its previous appearances. Pikachu's Thunder move, which still summons a cloud, now acts as a meteor smash, which can do further damage to opponents.

In addition to its alternate costumes in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, two of its new alternate costumes are the hats Ethan and Calem, the male trainers in Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions and Pokémon X and Y, respectively.

Profile Information from Super Smash Bros.
Pikachu Mouse PKMN Height 1'04" Weight  13lbs When several of these Pokémon gather, their electricity could cause lightning storms. (Pokédex excerpt)

Snake's codec

 * Mei Ling: (overjoyed) Ooh, how cuute!
 * Snake: What? The yellow thing?
 * Mei Ling: That's Pikachu. It's a Pokémon. They're popular all over the world, you know. And it may look cute, but be careful, It can store up large amounts of electricity in those adorable little cheeks. It'll try to pepper you with electric shocks.
 * Snake: Couldn't be much worse than Ocelot's old torture device...
 * Mei Ling: Oh, and, Snake?
 * Snake: What?
 * Mei Ling: I was wondering, could you maybe try and catch Pikachu for me? Pleeeeease?
 * Snake: Give me a break! What do I look like, a Pokémon Trainer?
 * Mei Ling: Fine... Sorry I asked.

Trophy information
Blue indicates exclusive to the Wii U version.

Palutena's Guidance

 * Viridi: Aw, look at that cute little guy.
 * Pit: It's a Pokémon!
 * Palutena: And not just any Pokémon!
 * Viridi: Actually, that Pokémon is called a Pikachu. Pikachu evolves from Pichu. And when a Pikachu is fully evolved, it becomes a Raichu.
 * Palutena: It's quite rare for a Pokémon to be more famous in its middle stage than its final evolution.
 * Viridi: True, but Pikachu is a special case. I mean, it's the most famous of all the Pokémon.
 * Pit: Uh, excuse me! Hello?
 * Palutena: What is it, Pit?
 * Pit: I hate to interrupt your musings on Pokémon, but I could really use some Smash Bros. help right about now!
 * Palutena: Oh, right. I forgot where we were. OK, here's a tip: dodge Pikachu's Thunder, and then counterattack.
 * Viridi: You can also zap Pikachu by reflecting its Thunder back at itself! And nothing is more satisfying than that!

amiibo

 * Pikachu has charmed fans and given a jolt to opponents for nearly 20 years—whether in the Pokémon TV series, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, or Pokémon video games, Pikachu has always been there as a stalwart companion for any Pokémon Trainer willing to take on the challenge of becoming the very best.

Trivia

 * Pikachu is the only playable Pokémon in the Super Smash Bros. series to have a gender difference. Female Pikachu have a heart-shaped dent at the end of their tail, while the Pikachu in Smash does not, which may indicate that the Pikachu in Smash is male.
 * Pikachu is the only character in Brawl to have only four palette swaps.
 * A "Mario Pikachu" merchandise promotion was announced for Japan featuring Pikachu dressed as Mario and Luigi. Official artwork also features other Pokémon standing in for Mario characters, such as Diancie for Princess Peach and Blastoise for Bowser.