Ness appears in the Super Smash Bros. series. He is playable in every game of the series. He is an unlockable character in the Smash 64, Brawl and the 3DS version of Smash 4, but is a default character in Melee and the Wii U version of Smash 4.
Super Smash Bros.
Ness is one of the four unlockable characters in Super Smash Bros. To unlock him, the player must complete the 1P Game on a difficulty of Normal or higher, with three lives or less and using no continues. Ness then must be defeated on Dream Land. Ness's Special Attacks are PK Fire (Standard B), PK Thunder (Up + B), and PSI Magnet (Down + B). His up and down Smash Attacks uses his Yo-Yo, and his side Smash Attack uses his Baseball bat. His Baseball bat can also reflect projectiles, though it is difficult.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Ness returns in Super Smash Bros. Melee. This time, he is a default character, meaning that he is playable from the start. He now has a new Special Attack, PK Flash, which is now Standard B. PK Fire is now moved to Side + B.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Ness returns in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. He is an unlockable character. To unlock his, the player must either play 5 VS. Matches, reflect 10 projectiles, or have him join your party in the Subspace Emissary. With the exception of the third method, Ness must then be defeated on Onett. Along with the other characters, he now has a Final Smash, which summons PK Starstorm. He also appears in the game's story mode, The Subspace Emissary.
The Subspace Emissary
In The Subspace Emissary, Ness appears after saving Lucas from the giant Pig King Statue, which is soon revealed to be Porky Minch. Lucas and Ness team up to defeat Porky. After the two defeat Porky, Wario appears and attacks Ness with a strange cannon, and Ness successfully dodges each shot. Wario, however, then aims at Lucas, forcing Ness to push Lucas out of harm's way and take the arrow from the Dark Cannon, which turns him into a trophy. As Lucas is too scared to face Wario, he leaves Ness behind as Wario cackles in the rain. Most of Lucas's story in SSE involves getting revenge on Wario and trying to find Ness.
As Wario is driving his Cargo with Ness' and Peach/Zelda's trophies on board, he finds Luigi's trophy and prepares to take it until he is ambushed by an army of Waddle Dees, who throw Luigi's trophy into the cargo, which is stolen by King Dedede. At his hideout, Dedede puts a badge on Luigi's, Ness', and Peach/Zelda's trophies before the roof collapses on them, turning Dedede into a trophy in the process, and Bowser takes Peach/Zelda's trophy. Soon afterwards the Ancient Minister detonates a Subspace Bomb that consumes Dedede's castle along with Ness', Luigi's and Dedede's trophies by Subspace.
Ness is not seen again until much later in the story, where he and Luigi are revived thanks to the Dedede Badges. Upon inspecting Luigi's badge, he notices that it looks like Dedede, and, assuming that Dedede made them, proceeds to revive him. Upon being revived, King Dedede gives both of them a hug before they team up and rescue Lucas, along with most of the other characters. Kirby, who was revived by the Dedede brooch he swallowed earlier, revives whatever characters that Ness' group did not come across, including Wario. Wario then bashes Dedede in the head as revenge for Dedede stealing his cargo and trophies. He is then surprised to see Ness and Luigi on Dedede's side. They offer to let Wario to join them, and he agrees and rides his bike up to the entrance of The Great Maze. After clearing The Great Maze, the characters reaches Tabuu again. He attempts to use his Off Waves attack, but they are destroyed by Sonic. Lucas, along with the other revived characters team up to defeat Tabuu, the ruler of Subspace.
In the Subspace Emissary, characters are playable by what's going on in the story. Ness is playable in The Ruined Zoo, Subspace (Part I), and The Great Maze. After the game is completed, Ness can be played on any level.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U
Ness returns again for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U. To unlock him in the 3DS version, the player must either play 10 VS Matches, or clear Classic Mode on any difficulty. After completing one of the two methods, Ness must then be defeated on Magicant. In the Wii U, Ness a default character, meaning he is playable from the start. His moveset is largely unchanged, but with considerable buffs, making him a much stronger character. His overall appearance has changed as well, wearing brighter colors and his overall head being more proportional to his body, as well as losing the rosy cheek accents that were there previously. He retains PK Starstorm as his Final Smash.
Ness, along with the other characters (excluding DLC characters), have Custom Moves, which are Special Attacks with different effects. The Custom Moves PK Freeze, PK Fire Burst, Lasting PK Thunder, and Forward PK Thunder have similar effects to how Lucas preforms them in Brawl.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Ness, along with Lucas, returned in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which was released on December 7, 2018.
Moves
Trophy information
Super Smash Bros.
- Description
- Ness was a seemingly-average kid from Onett, but in truth, he was destined for much more. When a strange meteorite landed near his hometown, the little boy with psychic powers set out to save the world. Little has been said of Ness's character, and much remains hidden.
Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Classic Mode
- Ness is a young boy who's mastered the psychic power known as PSI. Ness was living a normal life in the suburbs of Onett until a meteor crashed into a nearby mountain and sent him on a wild adventure. Believing in the ultimate powers of wisdom, courage, and friendship, Ness proves that some heroes come in small packages.
- Adventure Mode
- The key to mastering Ness is controlling his unique midair jump, which makes up for what he lacks in speed. His PK Flash attack may seem weak at first glance, but it grows more powerful the longer you hold down the B Button. To do a lot of damage with PK Fire, try to burn your opponent as many times as possible.
- All-Star Mode
- Ness's mind is his best weapon. PK Thunder is a PSI missile weapon that can be guided using the Control Stick, and if Ness hits himself with it, he turns into a living missile capable of doing massive damage. This move can also be used for recovery. PSI Magnet turns energy missile attacks into health; try out certain Pokémon for stamina replenishment.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
- Classic Mode
- An average boy whose life changed when he found a meteor and an alien on a nearby mountain. The alien warned him of a future threat, and adventure ensued. He can use psychic energy known as PSI, and also wields a bat and yo-yo. This brave youth gives his all to defeat the evil Giygas.
- Final Smash
- Ness as he calls down a host of damage dealing stars in his Final Smash. Everyone on the screen must dodge like crazy to avoid getting hurt, but that's no easy task. This attack first appeared in the Mother series, but it was Poo, not Ness, who wielded it. Perhaps Poo taught Ness the secret of the attack for use in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
- Classic Mode
- Hailing from Onett, a small town in Eagleland, this young boy's ordinary looks hide his psychic powers. Ness fought against the evil Giygas in EarthBound, and in Smash Bros. he unleashes some of the same PSI moves. Watch out for PK Thunder, a guided attack that can also launch Ness like a rocket!
- Alt.
- Ness may have psychic powers, but that doesn't mean he shies away from getting physical. His side smash packs a real punch if you hit enemies with the end of his bat, and it can even deflect projectiles! His up and down smashes also have a lot of range—Ness can land his strikes with ease!
- Final Smash
- In EarthBound, this PSI ability belonged to Poo, the Crown Prince of Dalaam and one of Ness's friends. Ness must have learned it especially for Smash Bros.! The attack makes a shower of meteors fall onto the stage, damaging any foe it hits. While the attack's in progress, Ness is invincible and can adjust the meteors' trajectory.
Note: This trophy only appears in the Wii U version.