Introduction
Super Smash Brothers Brawl, released for the Nintendo Wii, brought an expanded roster of characters, new mechanics, and an exciting single-player mode, The Subspace Emissary. With 35 playable fighters, including iconic Nintendo characters and newcomers like Sonic and Solid Snake, Brawl remains a fan-favorite. This guide covers the complete character list, tier rankings, and how to unlock every fighter in the game.
Full Character Roster in Super Smash Brothers Brawl
Brawl introduced a mix of returning characters and new challengers. Below is the complete roster:
Character Name | Debut Series | Unlockable? |
---|---|---|
Mario | Super Mario | No |
Luigi | Super Mario | Yes |
Peach | Super Mario | No |
Bowser | Super Mario | No |
Donkey Kong | Donkey Kong | No |
Diddy Kong | Donkey Kong | No |
Yoshi | Yoshi’s Island | No |
Wario | WarioWare | No |
Link | The Legend of Zelda | No |
Zelda/Sheik | The Legend of Zelda | No |
Ganondorf | The Legend of Zelda | Yes |
Toon Link | The Legend of Zelda | Yes |
Samus/Zero Suit | Metroid | No |
Pit | Kid Icarus | No |
Ice Climbers | Ice Climber | No |
R.O.B. | Gyromite | Yes |
Kirby | Kirby | No |
Meta Knight | Kirby | No |
King Dedede | Kirby | No |
Fox | Star Fox | No |
Falco | Star Fox | Yes |
Wolf | Star Fox | Yes |
Pikachu | Pokémon | No |
Jigglypuff | Pokémon | Yes |
Lucario | Pokémon | Yes |
Pokémon Trainer | Pokémon | No |
Marth | Fire Emblem | No |
Ike | Fire Emblem | No |
Ness | EarthBound | Yes |
Lucas | Mother 3 | No |
Captain Falcon | F-Zero | Yes |
Mr. Game & Watch | Game & Watch Series | Yes |
Snake | Metal Gear Solid | Yes |
Sonic | Sonic the Hedgehog | Yes |
How to Unlock All Characters in Brawl
While some fighters are available from the start, others require specific challenges to unlock. Below are the main methods:
- Classic Mode: Beat it with certain characters.
- VS Matches: Play a set number of matches.
- The Subspace Emissary: Unlock them through story progression.
Super Smash Brothers Brawl Tier List (2025 Updated)
Character strengths vary based on mechanics, attack speed, and recovery. Here’s the latest tier ranking:
S-Tier (Best Fighters)
- Meta Knight – Excellent air mobility, quick attacks, and powerful recovery.
- Snake – Strong zoning, high damage output, and tricky playstyle.
- Falco – Great laser zoning, fast attacks, and strong aerials.
A-Tier (Great Choices)
- Marth – Fast sword strikes with deadly tipper hits.
- Pikachu – Quick attacks and great edge-guarding.
- Lucario – Grows stronger as damage increases.
B-Tier (Good, But Situational)
- Fox – Speedy but lightweight.
- Wolf – Strong attacks but slower than Fox and Falco.
- Wario – Strong aerial control and durability.
C-Tier (Average Fighters)
- Mario – Balanced but lacks specialization.
- Luigi – Decent combo potential but limited recovery.
- Zelda – Powerful but slow.
D-Tier (Weaker Fighters)
- Jigglypuff – Lightweight and easily KO’d.
- Ganondorf – High damage but extremely slow.
- Captain Falcon – Fast but lacks range and priority.
FAQs About Super Smash Brothers Brawl Characters
1. Who is the best character in Super Smash Brothers Brawl?
Meta Knight is widely considered the strongest due to his speed, priority, and recovery abilities.
2. How do you unlock Sonic in Brawl?
Sonic can be unlocked by playing 300 VS matches, completing The Subspace Emissary, or finishing Classic Mode with 10 different characters.
3. Is Super Smash Brothers Brawl still played competitively?
While Brawl’s competitive scene has declined, it remains popular among casual players and modded versions like Project M.
4. What is the hardest character to unlock?
Wolf and Toon Link require completing The Subspace Emissary or multiple challenges, making them some of the toughest to obtain.
5. Can you play as Master Hand in Brawl?
No, Master Hand is only a boss fight and is not a playable character in the base game.
6. Why was Meta Knight banned in some tournaments?
Due to his unfair advantages, including fast attacks, multiple jumps, and an almost invincible recovery, Meta Knight was banned in some tournaments.
Conclusion
Super Smash Brothers Brawl remains a fan-favorite, offering an expansive character roster, unlockable fighters, and competitive depth. Whether you’re looking to dominate with Meta Knight or Snake or simply play for fun, Brawl has something for everyone. Understanding the tier list, how to unlock characters, and each fighter’s strengths will enhance your gameplay experience.