Move Guide
Neutral Attack / Special | Press the attack or special button only without using the Circle Pad. |
Side Attack / Special | Hold the circle pad to the left or right then press the attack / special buttons |
Down Attack / Special | Hold the circle pad down and press the attack / special buttons |
Up Attack / Special | Hold the circle pad up and press the attack / special buttons |
Up/ Side / Down Smash | Hold the circle pad to the corresponding direction and press the attack button at the same time. Smash attacks can be charged. It can be released prematurely or the character will release it after charging the move enough. |
Dash Attack | Tap left or right to dash then press the attack button. |
Air Attacks | Similar to basic attacks and specials, most characters perform different air attacks by using similar button and circle pad combinations. |
Recovery | This is the recommended move to get back to the edge of the stage ledge if ever you get blown off but not KO'd |
Final Smash | After successfully destroying a Smash Ball, press and hold the special button to unleash your character's Final Smash attack. |
Gameplay
As the game's goofiest character, it's easy to underestimate the dog-and-duck duo of Duck Hunt. One of their strengths is that they have moves where they attack at the same time. This is evident in their air attacks where the dog kicks and the duck swings forward and attack with its beak.
Duck Hunt has really good projectile moves. The Trick Shooting and Clay Shooting are excellent in tricking enemies and damaging them at the same time. With Trick Shooting, Duck Hunt can effectively leave an explosive trap that it can move remotely toward the target. It can explode on contact or detonate automatically when left alone, making it a very good trap.
Clay Shooting is also another good ranged move. The disc can hit enemies, dealing initial damage, and once activated remotely, will trigger three shots that will launch the enemies to the side. You can also let the disc land, then trigger it remotely when an opponent steps on it, making it a very good psedo-landmine. You can deploy an explosive can and clay disc at the same time, giving you more options on how to damage your opponents.
Basic Attacks
Two strike followed up by a kick
Sends out the duck to stab the enemy with its beak
The duck does a single flap upward which is strong enough to launch enemies above
The duck sweeps down near the ground, hitting the enemy low.
Dash Attacks
After running, the duck will use its beak to stab the opponent
Smash Attacks
The dog will summon crosshairs which will hit anyone caught within it
The upward version of the side smash
The down tilt version of the side smash but instead of one direction, the crosshairs will appear on both sides.
Special Attacks
The dog throws a can that will explode on contact or if left alone for 10 seconds. Press the special button again will make the can move by “trick shooting” it. You can only shoot it up to 8 times.
Clay Shooting (Side Special)
Thows a clay disc that will fly horizontally. Pressing the special button again will make invisible bullets hit the clay disc three times. The opponent can get damaged when the disc makes contact and gets additional damage if the disc is shot at the right time. You can also let the disc land on the ground where you can shoot it remotely and have it act like a landmine.
The duck will fly and lift the dog out of danger. This move doesn't have any follow up attacks and is only used for recovery.
Wild Gunman (Down Special)
The dog summons one of the five gunmen that will shoot an opponent. The power, range, and speed of their shots differ from one another though all of them can be destroyed before they can fire a shot. Also, you can only summon one gunman at a time.
Air Attacks
The dog spins in mid-air
Side Air
While in mid-air, the duck will quickly lunge forward. This is almost the same in both directions.
The duck will attack upward using its beak and wings
The dog kicks downward while the duck sweeps downward quickly.
Final Smash
A flock of ducks will fly through the screen in front of Duck Hunt. Enemies hit by these birds will enter a cutscene where all Wild Gunmen will shoot at them all at once.
Recovery
Duck Hunt's only recovery move is Duck Jump. The duck can lift the dog at a really good height. The drawback is that once you used this move, you can't cancel it and since it is not an attack, you can still be attacked by your opponents. After using this, you'll also be in a fall state.