Ken (Smash Plus)

Ken is a playable character in Super Smash Brothers Plus for the Nintendo Switch Plus. Representing the Street Fighter universe, Ken is listed as Fighter #79 in Smash's modified numbering system and is classified as a Heavyweight Fighter. He is hidden at the start of the game, but can be unlocked through random encounters in Versus Mode or by clearing classic mode with Ryu.
As might be expected given their similar origins, Ken shares many of the same traits as his Street Fighter counterpart Ryu. Chief among these are the varied command inputs for his special attacks as well as the alterations to many of his basic attacks based on hold/tap of the attack button or the distance of the opponent from Ken. He also has some of the same faults as Ryu, namely his slow ground speed and a higher learning curve than most other fighters. Ken's biggest difference from Ryu is in his Special moves, which focus more on combos and damage dealing rather than knocking foes away. He also has some differences in his attacks, ranging from minor changes to complete differences. In short, Ken operates on a similar plane to Ryu, and masters of one are likely to be masters of the other. Ken has two normal jumps and no other movement options.
==Moveset==
===Basic Attacks===
*Neutral Jab- When tapped, Ken delivers a three hit combo consisting of a jab, a short straight punch and then a hook punch. If the attack button is held and the opponent is far away, then he uses a double-hitting axe-kick. If the attack button is held and the opponent is close up, then Ken uses a single uppercut with good knockback power.
*Side Tilt- When tapped, Ken delivers an inward hook punch that has short range, but can lead into further combos due to its launch angle. When held and opponents are close, Ken delivers a single straight punch to knock foes away. When held and opponents are far away, Ken delivers a multi-hitting Crescent Kick.
*Up Tilt- If tapped, Ken delivers a Muay Thai style elbow strike that can combo into itself quickly. If held, then Ken delivers a strong rising uppercut that grants him limited intangibility, giving the move surprising utility.
*Down Tilt- If tapped, Ken delivers a crouching shin kick that can be spammed quickly but does very little damage. If held, then Ken delivers a lunging sweep kick that has high endlag.
*Dash Attack- Ken performs a simple flying kick that only does good knockback and damage if it hits cleanly.
*Grab & Pummel- Ken grabs with one hand with a short range grab. He pummels with a swift knee strike.
*Forward Throw- Ken performs an overhead judo throw, tossing the opponent from behind him over his shoulder.
*Back Throw- Ken somersaults backwards twice while holding the foe, before tossing them backwards.
*Up Throw- Ken knocks the opponent upwards with an axe kick. The hitbox can also hit bystanders.
*Down Throw- Ken pins the opponent onto the ground and delivers a knifehand chop to knock them away.
*Neutral Air- Ken performs a flying kick with a lingering hitbox, doing more damage and knockback at the start of the move.
*Forward Air- Ken hits a downward angled kick that has increased range from the Neutral Air at the expense of launching power.
*Back Air- Ken performs a backwards crescent kick to knock foes away. Ken's most powerful aerial attack.
*Up Air- Ken delivers a high kick straight upwards that has decent launch power but lacks in damage.
*Down Air- Ken punches the air down and in front of himself, potentially spiking the foe if it connects at the start of the move.
===Smash Attacks===
*Side Smash- Ken delivers a powerful outside roundhouse kick that ranks as one of the more powerful forward smashes in his weight class when fully charged. However, it does have strong endlag, making it highly punishable if it misses completely. Also has a slightly lingering hitbox, giving it a sourspot at the end of the move.
*Up Smash- Ken crouches down and then performs a rising uppercut that comes out quickly and acts as a decent aerial finisher or anti-air weapon. Does have a slight bit of endlag, but has great opening frame data.
*Down Smash- Ken delivers a legsweep that has great damage and launch power, but only hits directly in front of Ken. Still, this is the Smash Attack with the least amount of endlag behind it.
===Special Moves===
*Neutral Special: Hadoken- Ken flings the traditional blue ki blast forward, launching it a decent distance at enemies. Ken's Hadoken functions similar to Ryu's, however it does less damage overall. Ken also doesn't have access to the Shakunetsu Hadoken move either. Like Ryu's move, though, it can be extended by holding down the special button, giving it longer range. Inputting the button command (↓ ↘ → + the attack or special button) will also give the move more damage at the expense of slightly more startup time.
*Side Special: Tatsumaki Senpukyaku- Ken spins around several times while traveling forward, hitting several crescent kicks in succession. Unlike Ryu's version of the move, which launches on contact, Ken's racks up damage by hitting multiple times. Despite this, Ken's highest damage output is not equal to the highest damage output that Ryu can generate. However, Ken's move also acts as a good combo starter or extension, due to its lack of knockback, and when input with button command (↓ ↙ ← + attack or special button) it will travel further, giving it good utility as a recovery move.
*Up Special: Shoryuken- Ken launches himself upward with a powerful uppercut to launch foes. It functions like Ryu's, but hits opponents multiple times rather than launching on contact, engulfing foes in flames if all the hits connect. It also has slightly higher horizontal movement at the expense of less vertical height. The command input version (→ ↓ ↘ + attack/special) deals more damage and cuts the endlag of the move by more than half.
*Down Special: Focus Attack- Ken focuses his energy for a brief moment, gaining heavy armor while charging the attack, and then delivering a quick spinning kick to stun and damage opponents. When fully charged it will cause enemies to crumple, allowing for Ken to followup with additional attacks. Has slightly less endlag than Ryu's Focus Attack, but also does slightly less damage.
*Final Smash: Shippu Jinraikyaku/Shinryuken- At point blank range, Ken will launch the Shippu Jinraikyaku, a flurry of kicks followed by a strong hurricane kick that will launch foes away. At any other range, though, Ken will launch the Shinryuken, creating a pillar of fire around himself that will launch any foes nearby straight up into the air. The former attack targets only one opponent, while the latter can hit anyone, though with much less chance of a KO.
===Miscellaneous===
*Entry Animation- Ken walks onto the stage through a misty fog, assumes a battle stance and says "I'm Ready For Ya!"
*Idle Animation 1- Ken adjusts his gloves briefly before resuming his normal animation.
*Idle Animation 2- Ken thumbs his nose twice, a bit of a smirk on his face, before resuming normal stance.
*Side Taunt- Ken bumps his fists together before pointing at the enemy at saying "Get serious!"
*Up Taunt- Ken gives a thumbs up towards the camera and shouts out "Yeah!"
*Down Taunt- Ken does a beckoning gesture towards the opponent while also saying "Bring it On!"
*Victory Animation 1- Ken casually brushes his hair back with a satisfied sigh, before giving a thumbs up and saying "I Did It!"
*Victory Animation 2- Ken punches twice, delivers a roundhouse kick, then raises his fist up in victory while saying "Challenge me after some practice."
*Victory Animation 3- Ken performs a series of kicks before finishing on a pose and saying "I knew I'd win. Ha!"
==How to Unlock== 
Ken can be unlocked any of the following ways:
*Playing Versus Matches until he randomly shows up as a "Challenger Approaching" fight. Defeat him to unlock him.
*Clear Classic Mode with Ryu on starting difficulty 3.0 or higher.
*Unlock him in the Finale of World of Light by defeating him.
*Pay 1,000 gold in a shop, where he can randomly appear (though rarely.)
Category:Super Smash Bros. Characters
Category:Super Smash Bros. (series)
Category:Smash Plus Characters