The Original Super Smash Bros Almost Had a Different Pokemon Fighter

The Original Super Smash Bros Almost Had a Different Pokemon Fighter

Key Takeaways

  • Jigglypuff was almost replaced by Clefairy in Super Smash Bros. 64 but was chosen as a joke character by Masahiro Sakurai.
  • Clefairy was considered for the game due to its popularity, but Jigglypuff’s similarity to Kirby won out.
  • Jigglypuff went on to be a major competitor in Melee despite starting as a joke character, impacting its and Clefairy’s popularity.

As a lifelong fan of both Super Smash Bros. and Pokemon, I can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia when I reflect on the near-miss between Jigglypuff and Clefairy in Super Smash Bros. 64. It’s fascinating to imagine how different the gaming landscape would have looked if Masahiro Sakurai had chosen Clefairy over Jigglypuff, a decision made as a bit of a joke due to their similarities with Kirby.


Originally, Super Smash Bros. 64 allowed players to choose between characters like Pikachu and Jigglypuff, but its creator, Masahiro Sakurai, revealed that Jigglypuff almost didn’t make it onto the roster. Instead, another pink Pokemon was considered to fill Jigglypuff’s spot in Super Smash Bros.

Nowadays, “Super Smash Bros.” features a multitude of Pokemon, with the series introducing new ones starting from Melee. Initially, additional Pokemon were incorporated as assists and stage obstacles, but Pikachu and Jigglypuff were part of the original lineup. In the game, Jigglypuff could be unlocked by fulfilling certain conditions, and has been a regular character in the series since then.

Back in 1999, as I eagerly awaited the release of Super Smash Bros. on N64, little did I know that history could have taken a different turn. According to an interview unearthed in a Japanese magazine named 64Dream, it seems that Pikachu and Clefairy might have been the original pair of Pokémon featured instead!

Why Did Sakurai Pick Jigglypuff Over Clefairy?

Based on Source Gaming’s interpretation, Sakurai selected Jigglypuff as a humorous character choice. He found it convenient to adapt many of Kirby’s moves and animations for Jigglypuff. However, he opted for Jigglypuff because he viewed it as a relatively weak Pokemon, but one with a unique characteristic – the ability to put opponents to sleep. Instead, Clefairy was made an assist character, and that decision marked the beginning of the story.

Clefairy has been largely overshadowed by many Pokemon since its initial release in Pokemon Red and Blue. However, there’s good reason to have considered it for the role. Clefairy was featured as Red’s Pokemon in the first Pokemon manga ever. It was also considered for the spot as Ash’s lead Pokemon in the anime, with this idea was eventually scrapped in favor of Pikachu. In terms of gameplay and appearance, Jigglypuff bears a stronger resemblance to Kirby. Although some depictions of Clefairy show it floating, and it can do unusual moves through Metronome, Jigglypuff has frequently been depicted as puffing up, similar to how Kirby inhales air.

Initially perceived as a humorous character, Jigglypuff eventually proved its mettle as a formidable competitor in Super Smash Bros. Melee. Contemplating how history might have unfolded differently with this shift, one can imagine the potential impact on the popularity of these two Pokemon characters as the Pokemon and Smash franchises progressed.

Read More

2024-08-31 03:43