Little Mac

Smash Attacks

SIDE SMASH

Little Mac lunges forward with a straight punch. Press Up during this Side Smash to transition into an uppercut that launches opponents upward. Press Down for a lower-hitting Smash that deals more damage!

DOWN SMASH

Little Mac briefly winds up, then punches at the feet of the opponent, sending that opponent horizontally away. Note that this is two hits: first in front and then behind Little Mac.

UP SMASH

With this overhead punch, Little Mac swings his fist in an arc over his head. When performed up close, this becomes a fire overhead punch and deals more damage!

Basic Attacks

Standing Attack

Little Mac can do three punch attacks before turning his opponent into a punching bag with his rapid strikes and then ending with an uppercut.

Forward Tilt

Little Mac steps forward and delivers a one-two combination of straight punches.

Up Tilt

Little Mac attacks behind him with a wild overhead swing of his fist.

Down Tilt

A crouching long-range punch that knocks your opponent into the air.

Dash Attack

This running overhead downward punch has good knockback and can catch opponents off-guard.

Edge Attack

Little Mac hops back on stage and swings at the opponent’s feet.

Air Attacks

Neutral Air Attack

Little Mac does a single punch directly in front of him.

Up Air Attack

Little Mac reaches up and forward as he does this overhead downward punch.

Down Air Attack

This downward punch attack has a meteor effect at the tip.

Forward Air Attack

A jumping hook punch toward the opponent.

Back Air Attack

Little Mac swings an arm behind him as he spins around.

Special Attacks

Straight Lunge (Neutral Special)

A long, lunging, powerful punch. Press once to start charging it up and then again to release it. The longer you charge it, the more range and damage it delivers.

Jolt Haymaker (Side Special)

Little Mac performs a leaping overhead punch that jumps over low attacks. To cut his range shorter or to punch earlier, simply press the button again. You get a little invincibility when this is used on the ground but not in the air. Be careful how close you are to the edge before using this!

Rising Uppercut (Up Special)

This spinning uppercut sends Little Mac spiraling upward while striking opponents multiple times. You can control it a bit to the left or right.

Slip Counter (Down Special)

Little Mac puts his guard up in anticipation of an enemy attack. If he catches an attack, he doesn’t receive any damage and counters with an uppercut.

Final Smash

Giga Mac

Little Mac transforms into Giga Mac! In this form, he still has access to his same moves, including Smash attacks, tilts, throws, Specials, and aerials. The difference is that damage is increased, and he has increased range because of his size. Additionally, his Power Meter temporarily disappears while he is Giga Mac, so no KO Punch is available. His fully charged forward smash uppercut variation is a one-hit KO against most of the cast. Giga Mac still takes damage, but he doesn’t flinch when getting hit. Use this to your advantage and as soon as they hit you, punish attacks with attacks of your own!

Strategy

Ground-based combat is the name of the game for Little Mac. He has super armor on all of his Smash attacks, and his KO mechanic gives him an even stronger attack from the ground. Little Mac has very good ground speed, but he’s also below average in terms of weight. Boxers aren’t using to jumping while fighting, though, and Little Mac highlights this weakness with his poor jump height, aerial attack range, and damage. This is balanced by his impressive jab speed, KO Punch, and one of the best counters in the game. Keep the fight on the ground, and use your KO Punches wisely.

Little Mac’s Power Meter is filled up whenever he receives or deals damage. When his Power Meter is full, you will see a KO symbol by health percentage. Wait for the right opening, then hit your Neutral Special attack to unleash the KO Punch, which has huge damage and launching potential. In general, Straight Lunge is a good way to close distance and deal a lot of damage, but opponents can see it charging from a mile away. Luckily, it has super armor, but since Little Mac is lighter than average, you have to make sure not to take too much damage! Jolt Haymaker takes some getting used to, as it travels ridiculously far. Practice shortening its range to hit opponents by hitting the Special button again early. Also, use it from the ground to take advantage of its invincibility that the air variation doesn’t have. Rising Uppercut is useful against opponents jumping in; it has some invincibility, but you are in a fall state afterward. When opponents are being predictable or using slow attacks, be sure to use the Slip Counter. It’s one of the best counters in the game—it has a faster startup, a longer window of opportunity, and higher damage potential than even Marth’s Counter!

For KOs, of course your best option is going to be Little Mac’s KO Punch, if you have it available. Treat it like a Final Smash, and try to hit multiple opponents with it. Otherwise, Side Smash and its Up variation can be useful for KOs, as can Side Tilt. Little Mac’s dash attack can be very surprising and useful for KOs as well, but it’s usually safer to approach with your jab or Side Tilt. In the air, your best KO option is to Down Air and get a meteor smash. Little Mac’s Back Air has the best range out of all of his aerials, but it’s still relatively weak, so focus on your ground game. Don’t forget to mix your opponents up by using Little Mac’s throws as well. When edge-guarding, stay on stage and use his Down Tilt, Side Smash, charged Straight Lunge, and Slip Counter.

Recovery

Little Mac’s best vertical recovery option is his Rising Uppercut. This recovery gains a lot of vertical height but accepts very little directional influence left or right. It also leaves you in a fall state if it doesn’t connect with the stage. For horizontal recovery, Little Mac has Jolt Haymaker, which sends him soaring through the air to attack. You can shorten the range of this attack by hitting the Special button again earlier. If you miss the stage, though, this also leaves you in a fall state. When approaching the stage from high above, use Slip Counter to slow your fall and still recover with Rising Uppercut or Jolt Haymaker afterward. And don’t forget to use your Wall Jump if the opportunity presents itself!