Every Super Smash Bros. 64 Character, Ranked From Weakest to Strongest

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I still remember when the first Super Smash Bros. came out on the Nintendo 64 back in 1999! Nintendo’s made a bunch of sequels since then, all based on that awesome idea of letting you fight as all your favorite characters. While the newer games definitely have a lot more stuff in them, there’s just something special about the original that keeps people coming back. It doesn’t get as much attention as Melee, but it’s still got a dedicated fanbase. After over twenty years, the community has pretty much figured out which characters are the best – so if you’re thinking about getting into competitive play, it’s worth checking out a tier list!

Here are all the Super Smash Bros. 64 characters ranked from worst to best.

12) Luigi

Luigi is a playable character you can unlock in Super Smash Bros. While he’s very similar to Mario, he’s often ranked lower than his brother. This is mainly because Luigi is slower and can’t move as quickly, making it hard for him to compete with top-tier characters. Plus, his attacks generally aren’t as strong as Mario’s.

11) Link

Link is a good character to start with because he’s strong defensively. He’s a great choice if you’re new to Super Smash Bros. and want to learn the basics. However, he’s not very fast and struggles to get back to the stage after being launched, which makes him less effective against skilled players. He’s perfectly fine for casual matches, but competitive players will likely take advantage of his weaknesses.

10) Ness

Ness used to be considered a very strong character because of his special ability to double jump. He’s also one of the quicker fighters in Super Smash Bros. However, experienced players can easily counter his attacks, as many of his moves are predictable. While he can be effective in casual games, it’s difficult to recommend Ness for competitive play.

9) Donkey Kong

Okay, so as a DK fan, I love playing him, but let’s be real – he’s pretty slow. What he lacks in speed, he more than makes up for in sheer size! It’s seriously hard to knock him out. And when he does land a hit, it really hurts! My biggest struggle with DK, though, is consistently connecting those attacks. When you get to higher levels of play, you’ll find he misses a lot, and that can make it really difficult to win against skilled opponents.

8) Samus Aran

As a Samus player, I’ve always found her interesting. She’s definitely one of the heavier characters in Super Smash Bros., and she packs a punch when it comes to finishing off opponents. It’s surprisingly hard to chain combos against her because of how she moves – she’s kind of floaty. But honestly, her biggest weakness is just how slow she is. That same floatiness that protects you can also be a real problem, because it makes it tough to react quickly enough to keep up with faster players. It’s a double-edged sword – it’ll save you sometimes, but more often than not, it’ll be the reason you lose.

7) Mario

Mario is a well-rounded character who’s good in most situations, though he doesn’t have any particularly outstanding strengths. He struggles against opponents who can stay far away or move quickly, as he lacks range and speed. His recovery moves are also fairly predictable, making him vulnerable to experienced players. While he can easily handle newcomers, skilled players will be able to take advantage of his weaknesses.

6) Jigglypuff

Jigglypuff is a fun character to play if you like characters that float and can temporarily immobilize opponents with her move, Rest. However, those same qualities make her a bit fragile and easy to defeat. While Jigglypuff is capable, she doesn’t quite rank among the very best characters in the game because of her vulnerabilities.

5) Yoshi

Yoshi stands out because of his strong shield, allowing players to better manage their defense. He’s fairly quick and agile, making him a good all-around choice against many opponents. However, faster characters can easily outmaneuver him. While Yoshi is a distinctive fighter capable of dealing significant damage, mastering his skills takes practice and effort.

4) Fox McCloud

Okay, so when I’m playing Super Smash Bros., Fox is a character I really like because he’s super fast. He’s also really good at stringing together combos and just generally getting around the stage quickly. But honestly, he doesn’t hit that hard. And it’s kinda easy to punish him if he falls – other characters can lock him into combos pretty easily when he’s in the air.

3) Captain Falcon

While Falcon isn’t known for his walking speed, he’s incredibly fast when dashing or falling, giving him a real edge in creating combos and preventing opponents from recovering to the stage. His upward aerial attack can even knock out opponents instantly, making him a formidable character for skilled players. Although he struggles against long-range attacks, Falcon is a solid choice for anyone aiming to compete in tournaments.

2) Kirby

Many fans consider Super Smash Bros. 64 to be Kirby’s strongest appearance in the series. While he’s appeared in every sequel, the original game really showcases his strengths. Kirby’s combination of powerful moves, ability to keep opponents off the stage, and potential for long combos make him a popular and effective character. Although his recovery move is predictable and can be punished, his overall power makes him a formidable opponent in SSB.

1) Pikachu

Man, Pikachu is seriously tough to beat, and I think he’s just a little better than Kirby. What makes him so good? It’s his speed, plain and simple. His Quick Attack is a nightmare – good luck trying to knock him off the stage! Plus, he can rack up huge damage with his aerial attacks. If someone’s really good with Pikachu, they’re a force to be reckoned with in Super Smash Bros. He’s always been considered top tier since the competitive scene started, and honestly, he still is after all these years.

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2025-10-24 21:15