Samus

Lore & Background

Samus Aran is a human bounty hunter of Chozo descent, her heritage a legacy of the ancient bird-like Chozo civilization whose technology and wisdom shaped the galaxies she patrols. Her Power Suit is no ordinary armor; it is a living, adaptive artifact of Chozo origin that bonds with her, amplifying her strength, speed, and resilience far beyond natural human limits. She wears it into every mission, every hunt, every desperate last stand against threats that would swallow entire star systems.

Her career has been defined by a relentless war against the Space Pirates and their monstrous leader, Ridley, as well as the enigmatic Metroids—bio-organic entities that feed on life energy. Across countless worlds, from the swampy jungles of Zebes to the frozen halls of Brinstar and the labyrinthine corridors of Tallon IV, Samus has tracked, outgunned, and outmaneuvered foes that dwarfed her in size and number. She works alone, guided by a code of honor and a hunter's patience, taking contracts that no government or military will touch.

In the Smash Bros. universe, Samus carries that same solitary determination. She does not need a team, a banner, or a cause beyond the next target in her scope. When she steps onto a stage, the crowd knows the hunt has begun.

In Their Own Story

The scan beam painted the cavern wall in slow, sweeping arcs of amber light. Samus stood motionless at the edge of the chasm, her Power Suit humming with a low, almost subsonic thrum that vibrated through the soles of her boots. Somewhere below, in the black water that reflected no stars, something vast turned over in its sleep. She could feel the displacement in the air, a pressure change against her visor.

She raised her arm cannon. The barrel whined as the charge built, the energy coiling inside the weapon like a living thing. She did not fire. Not yet. A hunter's patience was worth more than a hunter's trigger finger. She watched the water ripple, watched the slow, deliberate rise of something that had no name she could pronounce, and waited for the moment it broke the surface.

When it did, the shot was already in the air.

Reader's Guide

Samus Aran | Source Franchise: Metroid | Unlock: Default starter in all Smash Bros. mainline titles.

Neutrals: Her neutral attack is a short, fast sword slash. Forward tilt is a quick jab-kick, up tilt an upward kick, and down tilt a downward slash. Dash attack is a lunging forward kick. Aerials follow a similar pattern: forward, up, and back kicks, with a neutral aerial spin. All are mid-range and reliable for spacing.

Smashes: Forward smash is a horizontal Power Beam blast with strong knockback. Up smash is a vertical beam column. Down smash is a short-range downward beam. All three are her most impactful ground attacks and scale well with charge.

Specials: Neutral B is Charge Shot—hold to build a more powerful blast, release to fire. Side B fires a stream of Missiles that home slightly on nearby opponents. Up B is Grapple Beam, a long-range tether that pulls her to a point. Down B is Space Jump, her primary recovery: a powered upward thrust that can be used in mid-air for extra height.

Grabs: Standard grab with a short pummel. Throws are average but her forward throw has decent range.

Alternate Costumes: Twelve suits in varying colors, including the signature red Power Suit and the orange Varia Suit.

Unique Mechanics: Space Jump gives her exceptional recovery options. Charge Shot's charge time creates a risk-reward window. Missiles can be used as a secondary recovery or to cross gaps. Her weight makes her a solid platform but slightly punishable on mistimed jumps.

Did You Know?

• Samus was one of the original nine playable fighters in the very first Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 64, making her a founding member of the Smash roster.
• In the Metroid series, Samus's Power Suit is depicted as a living Chozo artifact that adapts and evolves with her, rather than being purely mechanical armor.
• For the early years of the Metroid franchise, the protagonist's gender was intentionally left ambiguous; it was not until Metroid II: Return of Samus in 1991 that it was confirmed she is a woman.
• Samus's Grapple Beam in Smash can be aimed in multiple directions, making it one of the most flexible tether tools in the game for both offense and recovery.