Smash Ultimate just kind of gave up at a certain point (in the best way possible). “Duck Hunt” is not a character. It’s the name of a video game that features a cartoon dog and cartoon ducks. Said animals do not, apparently, have their own names. So they function together as some kind of fused super-being in the form of… Duck Hunt. That certainly sets the duo apart from the rest of the game’s incredible roster. It’s also just… weird.
Smash Ultimate sports 74 different playable characters at launch — including every single previous character from the super-franchise and a bunch of fresh faces. That’s not even including the glut of DLC fighters, assist trophies, and more. There’s so much that no one person could possibly keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a guide to every single character.
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Sadly, Duck Hunt does not come equipped with its (their?) own Nintendo Zapper. Although they do focus somewhat on ranged attacks. The dog half of the pair also makes that infuriating, horrifyingly toothy smile. That’s probably great for playing mind games with your traumatized opponents.
According to the official Nintendo description of Duck Hunt…
This duo excels at long-range attacks, like kicking exploding cans and throwing clay pigeons. For their Final Smash, three games from the Light Gun Series team up: Duck Hunt, Hogan’s Alley, and Wild Gunman!
Duck Hunt Moves
Trick Shot (B) – Kicks an explosive can. Additional button presses shoot it, bouncing it forward and boosting its power.
Clay Shooting (Side + B) – Tosses a clay pigeon, which breaks apart into damaging shards when shot. A second button press shoots.
Duck Jump (Up + B) – Flies into the air with a nostalgic flapping sound. Can attack or dodge after a short time.
Wild Gunman (Down + B) – Calls one of five gunmen who each have a different style. They can be defeated.
NES Zapper Posse (Final Smash) – A flock of ducks flies by, and any opponents hit by them are set up for five gunmen to fire at. If the ducks don’t hit anyone, nothing at all happens.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
The dog-and-bird combo has been much maligned, despite a few die hard fans. For now, the song remains the same in Ultimate. Good news: the dog is faster. Trick Shot is a more effective tool for setplay and most of its attacks have received a decent buff. If you put in the time, you can make Duck Hunt Dog look ferocious.!
Weaknesses
The dog’s game plan is still nebulous, though, so Duck Hunt Dog remains a situationally powerful fighter who loses out in the all-round category. Duck Hunt Dog is a character for people who really want to delve in and master an eccentric, different kind of fighter no matter their “tier standing” — don’t expect the perfect fighter at all ranges here.
Duck Hunt Outfits
Duck Hunt could have been just another palette swap character in Smash Ultimate. In fact, it sort of is, but there’s one important distinction: the different skins actually change the dog’s breed! You never knew how much you wanted to play as a dalmatian in a Super Smash Bros. game until someone gave you the option.
And that’s all we have to say about Duck Hunt (which is still just the name of a game) for the time being. Stop on by sometime after the next Smash Ultimate balance patch for any updates to our thoughts on the tiny dictator. And enjoy playing the game!
All of our Smash Ultimate guides created with the help of Eric Van Allen.
