Duck Hunt

Duck Hunt (ダックハント, Duck Hunt), rendered in-game as Duckhunt in the Japanese version and known as Duck Hunt Duo in the PAL version, are playable characters in Super Smash Bros. All Stars. Initially leaked as part of the ESRB leak prior to the release of Super Smash Bros. All Stars, Duck Hunt were formally revealed via a reveal trailer on August 23rd, 2018 during a Nintendo Direct presentation. In addition to their titular game, Duck Hunt reference other NES light gun games via two special moves: one involves an explosive version of the tin can used in the Trick Shot game mode from Hogan's Alley, while the other involves the gunmen from Wild Gunman.

Duck Hunt are currently ranked 37th out of 58 on the tier list, placing them in the D tier. Duck Hunt have a very capable zoning game thanks to their three versatile projectiles, with the remote controllable Trick Shot being especially useful. Their fast air speed and useful aerial attacks also grant them a decent air game, which in turn syncs well with their projectiles' ability to maintain stage control. Duck Hunt's frame data is also quite good: nearly all of their moves have less than 10 frames of start-up lag and possess very high knockback growth, which makes them generally capable of fighting in close quarters combat when necessary.

However, Duck Hunt's most glaring flaw is their KO potential, as their overall very high knockback growth is offset by their overall low damage output and overall very low base knockback. By extension, their smash attacks are infamously unreliable: despite having multiple hitboxes, respectable overall damage outputs, and the ability to increase their ranges via charging, their initial hitboxes' knockback and launching angles can allow opponents to inadvertently evade their concluding hitboxes.

Duck Hunt's endurance is also unimpressive, due to their above average falling speed and them being tied for the third lightest middleweights. By extension, their recovery's overall mediocrity compounds this flaw: although Duck Jump covers a decent amount of vertical distance and the dog is capable of wall jumping, Duck Jump covers a minimal amount of horizontal distance, is slow overall, and offers no protection.

Duck Hunt's flaws have resulted in them attaining minimal tournament representation, yet they have achieved respectable results regardless. Players such as You3, Dandy Penguin, ImHip, Raito and Brood have achieved top 8 placings at regional tournaments, with the latter having also taken sets off of ZeRo and Zinoto at GENESIS 4. As a result of Duck Hunt achieving better results in comparison to a number of characters that are considered much better than them, their tier placement is debatable.