Captain Falcon

"Show me your moves!"

- Captain Falcon

Captain Falcon is a character from the F-Zero series. He is an F-Zero racer and a secret bounty hunter, with a mysterious past. In the Super Smash Bros. series, he appears as a playable character that has alternated between being readily available (Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U) or unlockable (Super Smash Bros., Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate).

Throughout the Super Smash Bros. series, Captain Falcon is known for his blend of speed and power, as well as his various signature moves, such as the Falcon Punch and Knee Smash. In addition, the Male Wire Frame and Red Alloy are modeled after Captain Falcon, having some of the exact same attacks and similar idle poses. In the Super Smash Bros. series, Captain Falcon is voiced by Ryō Horikawa, speaking English with a false American accent.

While Captain Falcon's other Mario-related crossover appearances are very limited, his vehicle, the Blue Falcon, and other elements from his home series have featured prominently in later Mario Kart games (with the Blue Falcon appearing as a kart).

Club Nintendo comics
Captain Falcon makes a brief cameo appearance in "Super Mario: Im Rausch der Geschwindigkeit". When Mario and Yoshi are speeding down the road to rebel against the new speed limit law, one panel shows them speeding past Captain Falcon in the Blue Falcon.

Super Smash Bros. series
Captain Falcon has appeared as a playable character in every game in the Super Smash Bros. series released thus far. He is readily available in Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, whereas he is unlockable in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Super Smash Bros.
Captain Falcon appears as an unlockable character in Super Smash Bros., and is unlocked by clearing 1-P Mode in under 20 minutes and defeating him on Planet Zebes. Despite having a slow walking speed, Captain Falcon has the fastest running speed. His attacks, however, despite being powerful, are for the most part slow. His design in this game is based on his design from F-Zero X, though his outfit is indigo instead of blue.

Captain Falcon's special attacks are unique in that none of them are based upon any aspect of his series of origin. His special moves are the Falcon Punch, which involves Captain Falcon throwing a delayed, yet powerful, fiery punch; Falcon Kick, which has Captain Falcon performing a flame-engulfed flying kick; and Falcon Dive, in which Falcon leaps and causes a small explosion against an opponent he makes contact with.

Captain Falcon is also unique in that he has a total of six playable alternate color schemes beginning with this installment, with two of the recolors being team battle exclusive. One of Captain Falcon's alternate costumes is that of his evil clone, Blood Falcon, including a patch on his uniform saying "25 - Blood Hawk", which corresponds to the number and name of Blood Falcon's own F-Zero Racer. Another one of his colors recolors the original, brighter colors used in the F-Zero series. Captain Falcon has the most color changes of the selectable characters in the game, totaling six.

Super Smash Bros. Melee


Captain Falcon appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee, this time as a default character instead of an unlockable character (a trait shared with Ness). Captain Falcon also appears as an opponent in Adventure Mode, All-Star Mode, and Event Matches 12, 17, 20, 33, 36, and 43. He is also one of the random characters in Trophy Tussle 1, 2, and 3. Captain Falcon's fighting techniques are shared with Ganondorf, who has similar abilities, but is much slower and has more powerful attacks.

Many of Captain Falcon's moves, such as his smash attacks and neutral aerial, have been completely changed and updated. He also received the side special move Raptor Boost, in which he charges forward to throw a flame-engulfed punch that differs depending on his position: he throws an uppercut while grounded, or an overhand while airborne.

Captain Falcon has a unique way of using certain items in this game. For example, when using a Home-Run Bat, Captain Falcon slams the opponent down and then up again, instead of hitting them across the screen. According to the trophy information of the Star Rod, it has the most power when it is used with a Smash Attack of Captain Falcon or Sheik.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl


Captain Falcon appears as an unlockable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and can be unlocked by clearing stage 20 in the Subspace Emissary, playing 70 versus matches, or by clearing Classic Mode in 12 minutes on at least Normal difficulty. However, he has been superseded by Sonic the Hedgehog as the fastest runner. Captain Falcon's design is now primarily based on F-Zero GX, though he wears a scarf similar to his design in F-Zero: GP Legend. Captain Falcon's Final Smash is the Blue Falcon, in which he summons the machine to run over any players he catches.

The Subspace Emissary
In the Subspace Emissary, Captain Falcon saves Captain Olimar and his Pikmin from a giant R.O.B. Later, he and Olimar save Donkey Kong with the help of Diddy Kong and they join a team with them. After getting through the Subspace Bomb Factory, they meet up with Samus Aran and Pikachu but soon, Ganondorf appears and gets all R.O.B.s in the factory to burn the Ancient Minister and detonate Subspace Bombs to create a giant hole in space. The Minister turns out to be a R.O.B. himself, who joins Falcon's team, and then, after the Subspace Army is taken care of, the whole team decides to leave the area.

Captain Falcon calls his Falcon Flyer and after everyone gets on, they are attacked by Meta Ridley, whom must be defeated in a certain time limit. they all fly to The Canyon where they meet up with everyone else. Everyone enters Subspace and find themselves being turned into trophies by Tabuu. King Dedede and his group then arrive and revive Captain Falcon and most of the others until everyone is revived and able to take on Tabuu.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U


Captain Falcon appears as a default character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Although his moveset has remained overwhelmingly the same in regard to aesthetics, it has undergone noticeable mechanical changes that, when coupled with the general gameplay changes, significantly improve his combo game.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Captain Falcon appears as an unlockable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Captain Falcon is faster on the ground and in the air, while Raptor Boost no longer renders him helpless in the air if he manages to hit an opponent with it. On a related note, Raptor Boost has been repurposed from a potent KO option into a very reliable combo starter. However, both direct and indirect changes to a number of his moves, particularly to his dash grab and down throw, have resulted in in his moveset being riskier to use.

In the World of Light, Captain Falcon is present when the fighters oppose Galeem for the first time. When Galeem begins to vaporize the fighters with a barrage of energy beams, Captain Falcon attempts to flee in his Blue Falcon, but is also vaporized before he can board it.

Falcon Punch


Falcon Punch is Captain Falcon's standard special move. While the move is original to the Super Smash Bros. games and does not originate in F-Zero, it essentially became his signature move, to the point that it was occasionally mentioned and used in F-Zero media.

When using this move, Captain Falcon holds his arm back, charges it up, and then throws a powerful punch that is engulfed by a large, falcon-shaped flame as he yells, "FALCON... PUNCH!" Although it is renowned for its significant power, if Captain Falcon is attacked during the charging process, the attack is automatically canceled. As of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Captain Falcon can turn around while charging the attack, which gives the attack more power. The player can also hear a falcon shriek when doing this.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the Falcon Punch's first custom variant is Falcon Dash Punch, in which Captain Falcon dashes forward as he performs the punch, though it deals less damage and he is vulnerable before attacking. The second variant is Mighty Falcon Punch, which takes longer to charge up and is actually weaker, despite its description stating it is more powerful.

Ganondorf's Warlock Punch functions similarly, but is much slower, more powerful and, as of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, protects Ganondorf from being launched.


 * Names in other languages

Raptor Boost


Raptor Boost is Captain Falcon's side special move. When used, Captain Falcon lunges forward to throw a flame-engulfed punch that differs depending on his position: he throws an uppercut while he is on the ground, or an overhand while he is airborne. The uppercut will launch an opponent vertically, but if it fails to hit an opponent, Captain Falcon will stumble and fall forward. The overhand can potentially meteor smash an opponent (and is guaranteed to do so in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl), although it renders Captain Falcon helpless unless he lands on-stage, grabs an edge (as of Super Smash Bros. Brawl), or hits an opponent (as of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate).

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the Raptor Boost's first custom variant is Heavy Raptor Boost, which is stronger and grants knockback resistance, but at the cost of slower speed and much less travel distance. The second is Wind-up Raptor Boost, in which Captain Falcon steps back before charging forward; the move also charges faster, but at the cost of slightly less power and travel distance.

Ganondorf's Gerudo Dragon in Super Smash Bros. Melee functions similarly. However, it deals much more damage and launches the opponent diagonally upward, regardless of whether or not the move is used in the air or not. As of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, his Flame Choke uses a similar animation, but is a grab instead of a punch.


 * Names in other languages

Falcon Dive


Falcon Dive is Captain Falcon's up special move. When used, Captain Falcon leaps upward while his leading hand is engulfed in flames. In addition to being his primary recovery option, if Captain Falcon makes contact with an opponent during his leap, he will grab them and cause an explosion that launches the opponent, and says "Yes!" upon doing so. Captain Falcon can use this attack multiple times consecutively, but only if it hits someone; if it fails to hit, he is left helpless. Ganondorf's Dark Dive functions similarly, but its grab consists of multiple hits instead of two.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the Falcon Dive's first custom variant is Falcon Strike, which has a higher jump and results in Captain Falcon throwing an energy-infused uppercut, but at the cost of less horizontal movement. The second is Explosive Falcon Dive, which has a more powerful explosion when hitting an opponent, but at the cost of lower jump height.


 * Names in other languages

Falcon Kick


Falcon Kick is Captain Falcon's down special move. Captain Falcon yells "Falcon Kick!", while performing a flame-engulfed flying kick across the ground, damaging anyone who is in the way. If performed in the air, Captain Falcon kicks toward the ground diagonally, depending on which way he is facing, damaging anyone he hits. Ganondorf's Wizard's Foot functions similarly, but its aerial version is capable of meteor smashing instead of simply launching the opponent diagonally.

In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the Falcon Kick's first custom variant is Falcon Kick Fury, which hits multiple times and can launch opponents at the cost of slower travel speed and a lower damage output. The second variation is Lightning Falcon Kick, which fittingly has an electrical effect instead of a flaming effect. It can also pierce through opponents and travels quickly, but at the cost of much less power.


 * Names in other languages

Blue Falcon


"Come on! Blue Falcon!"

- Captain Falcon

Blue Falcon is Captain Falcon's Final Smash. Upon activating it, Captain Falcon calls the vehicle, and it drives past at high speed and hits anybody nearby as he jumps inside. The victims land on a track, where Captain Falcon speeds towards them and runs them over. When returning to the stage, the victims are automatically sent flying. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, the sound effect that plays before starting a race in the original F-Zero can be heard when Captain Falcon speeds towards his opponents. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, fiery wings can be seen on the sides of the Blue Falcon.


 * Names in other languages

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Though Captain Falcon does not directly appear in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, his amiibo is compatible with the game, allowing the player to customize their Miis with a Captain Falcon-themed outfit if the player is to connect the Captain Falcon amiibo to the GamePad. Other elements from the F-Zero series appear in the game in the The Legend of Zelda × Mario Kart 8 and Animal Crossing × Mario Kart 8 DLC packs; Captain Falcon's trademark Blue Falcon and F-Zero themed tracks named Mute City and Big Blue respectively, which even features F-Zero music. Artwork of Captain Falcon from F-Zero X also appears on large television screens around Mute City, along with his signature quote, "Show me your moves!"

Super Mario Maker
Captain Falcon appears in Super Mario Maker as a Mystery Mushroom costume, using sound effects from the original SNES F-Zero. It can randomly be unlocked after completing the 100 Mario Challenge on Normal or harder, or unlocked by scanning the Captain Falcon amiibo.

Super Smash Bros.

 * Bio: ''A regular pilot in the great galactic race F-ZERO Grand Prix, Captain Falcon is skilled at collecting prize money. Much about his past remains hidden in shadow, but it's clear that many a villain held a powerful grudge against him.

Super Smash Bros. Melee

 * Instruction booklet bio: "A bounty hunter who boasts speed and power."

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

 * Website bio: "He’s making his entrance a little late, but here he is—the famous F-Zero pilot, Captain Falcon! This time around, he’s bringing his pride and joy, the F-Zero machine called the Blue Falcon, to the brawl. This inclusion ought to boost his macho, tough-guy reputation significantly."

Snake's Codec

 * Snake: Hey! That's Captain Falcon, isn't it?
 * Otacon: Good eye, Snake! He's F-Zero pilot number 07!
 * Snake: You know, seeing Captain Falcon here reminds me... We should do that thing we've always wanted to try...
 * Otacon: Oh yeah! That thing! Good idea! OK, ready? Go!
 * Snake: Falcon Puuuunch!!
 * Otacon: Falcon Kiiiiiiick!!

Prima rating
Offense: 8 Defense: 7 Projectile: - Final Smash: 6 Throwing Ability: 10 Speed: 10 Overall: 8

Trophies
Blue indicates exclusive to the Wii U version.

Palutena's Guidance

 * Pit: Whoa... It's Captain Falcon!
 * Viridi: Oh, he's a captain! What ship does he command?
 * Pit: I think he's more like a pilot or something.
 * Viridi: All these fighters have tons of skill and experience, but you can still hold your own. If we brought vehicles into the picture, though, that would be a totally different story.
 * Pit: Good thing that's not the case. I'd be no match for an F-Zero machine or an Arwing.
 * Viridi: Plus, those G-Diffuser systems are terrible for the environment.
 * Pit: Uh, you sure know a lot about space machinery. For being the goddess of nature and all.
 * Palutena: Anyway, if you're near Captain Falcon, watch out for his jump-and-Falcon Punch combo.

amiibo

 * A skilled F-Zero pilot and resourceful bounty hunter. All that's known of his past is that he hails from Port Town. He's won fame and fortune outracing his opponents in his beloved Blue Falcon. His incredible athleticism and never-say-die attitude makes him the pilot to turn to in times of trouble.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Super Smash Blog bio
"A fighter that possesses both speed and power! But in exchange, he is frequently left open. Being able to successfully land his neutral special, Falcon Punch, can greatly influence the battle in multiplayer matches."

Trivia

 * While Captain Falcon himself does not appear in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, a model of the Blue Falcon appears in Hinopio's shop.

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