Taunt

For the technique, see Taunt Canceling

A taunt is a particular animation used to showboat or provoke a response. Characters often taunt by saying some catchphrase and a movement such as waving or spinning around.

Although most taunts are for show only, very few can actually affect gameplay. In addition, taunts have a few bonuses that go with them, such as the Fighter Stance bonus, which awards 500 points for taunting at the end of a match.

All levels of computer will typically Taunt when they think they've scored a KO, even if doing so leaves them open to attacks from other characters (or counter attack in the case of very long taunts).

Super Smash Bros. Taunts
A taunt is performed in SSB by pressing the L Button.

List of taunts

 * Captain Falcon: Salutes and says "Show me your moves!"
 * D.K.: Holds his hands up and shrugs
 * Fox: Folds his arm, looks to the side arrogantly and says in disgust, and say's "Hmph!".
 * Jigglypuff: Wiggles side-to-side and says "Jigglypuff"
 * Kirby: Waves and says "Hi!" and deletes any new sucked-in power
 * Link: Holds up one leg while pointing his sword out
 * Luigi: Folds his hand behind his back and playfully kicks the ground (This is also a meteor smash).
 * Mario: Grows to double size briefly before shrinking down to normal size again.
 * Ness: Nods and says "Okay."
 * Pikachu: Waves and says "Pika pika!"
 * Samus: Holds up her arm-cannon and beeps
 * Yoshi: Waves at the player and says "Yoshi!"

Super Smash Bros. Melee Taunts
SSBM taunts are performed by pressing up on the D-Pad, aside from one special taunt.

While most taunts are useless strategically, some carry a fair amount of use:


 * Luigi's taunt is the only taunt to do damage (In Melee and SSB). When timed correctly, his taunt can even be used as a meteor smash, which will award the Poser KO bonus.
 * Kirby's taunt will get rid of his current ability without damaging him.
 * Ganondorf's taunt makes him hover above the ground, which makes it possible to avoid Koopa shells and Bob-ombs.
 * Falco and Fox have a hidden taunt which can be performed on any Star Fox stage. This taunt is done by tapping down on the directional pad for 1 frame. If done correctly, random conversations between the Star Fox team will be played on-screen.

List of taunts

 * Bowser: Roars.
 * Captain Falcon: Salutes and says "Show me your moves!" The direction Captain Falcon is facing when he does the taunt changes the animation.
 * D.K.: Shrugs his shoulders.
 * Dr. Mario: Rolls a pill down his arm, then pops it into the air and catches it.
 * Falco: Spins, does a hook punch, and says "Heh.". When played with Japanese as the language choice, this is replaced by various Japanese taunts revolving around the phrase "手を出すな" or "te o dasuna," meaning "hands off."
 * Fox: Leans back as close to the ground as possible and waves his hand forward saying "Come on!" (as well as the Japanese equivalent, "Kakete koi!" when set to that language in Options).
 * Ganondorf: Hovers and spins on a spot while laughing maniacally.
 * Ice Climbers: Points their hammers in the air and say "Yup" while the sound of rushing wind can be heard.
 * Jigglypuff: Spins around, winks, and says "Jigglypuff". The direction Jigglypuff is facing changes which eye she uses to wink.
 * Kirby: Waves with both arms and says "Hi!"
 * Link: Sheaths his sword, brushes his hair back, and sighs.
 * Luigi: Folds his hand behind his back and playfully kicks the ground.
 * Mario: Grows into "Super Mario" briefly before shrinking back down to normal size.
 * Marth: Holds his sword up in front of him, then swings it to his side while saying "Minna, miteite kure" ("Everyone, watch me!").
 * Mewtwo: Spins around fast while laughing.
 * Mr. Game & Watch: Rings a bell.
 * Ness: Nods and says "Okay."
 * Peach: Spins, leans forward, winks, and says "Sweet!"
 * Pichu: Facing left- Hops and says "Pichu!" Facing right: Wriggles on the ground happily and says "Pichu!"
 * Pikachu: Waves alternately with each hand, saying "Pika pika!"
 * Roy: Does a fighter stance and says "Heeeah!"
 * Samus: Puts one hand on the knee of her Power Suit, lifts up her cannon and beeps.
 * Sheik: Does a mysterious ninja-like stance while hissing.
 * Yoshi: Waves at the player saying "Yoshi!"
 * Young Link: Drinks Lon Lon Milk and wipes his mouth along his arm when he finishes.
 * Zelda: Puts her hands together in prayer.

Trivia

 * Crazy Hand has a taunt of sorts. One of his moves, as seen when he is played as in Debug Mode, consists of sparkling and generating lightning. This taunt indicates that Crazy Hand and Master Hand are about to use a combined attack.
 * Pichu and Captain Falcon are the only characters to have two normal taunts.
 * Pichu is the only character can bring up his shield about halfway through his taunts.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Taunts
Each character has three taunts, each of which can be activated by pressing A on a single Wii Remote, or by pressing the D-pad in a direction on a GameCube controller or a Wii Classic controller. For the Wii Remote & Nunchuk, taunts are mapped to the 1 and 2 buttons by default.


 * Luigi's first taunt does 2% damage and fixed knockback straight up, making a "ping" sound similar to the Home-run Bat.
 * Snake's regular taunt, the cardboard box, can be removed. The box itself will also do 2% damage if he removes it and it hits another player.
 * Wario has an extra taunt he can use on his bike. If Wario is driving so slowly that the bike does not do any damage, the taunt will initiate a damage sequence, making it the third damaging taunt.
 * Star Fox's secret taunt makes a reappearance on the Corneria stage and is also featured in Lylat Cruise. This time, Wolf may also use it on Lylat Cruise to listen in on Star Wolf radio chatter.
 * Messages can be sent if taunts are used during Wi-Fi matches With Friends.
 * Players caught up in Luigi's Final Smash "Negative Zone" may taunt uncontrollably.
 * Samus is able to transform into Zero Suit Samus during a round by quickly alternating the Up and Down taunts on the D-Pad. Since it is not a Final Smash, it will not do damage, and Zero Suit Samus cannot change back into regular Samus without using a Final Smash.
 * Snake has a secret taunt that can be used to get information about characters while playing on Shadow Moses Island with his codec, usually from Roy Campbell, Mei Ling or Otacon; also Slippy Toad when getting information from Falco. To activate this taunt, quickly do a down taunt.
 * All of Kirby's taunts will remove his absorbed B move if he has one.
 * Samus and Zelda are the only characters who don't have their old taunts.
 * Bowser
 * Taunt 1: Leans back and roars. (Same as Melee)
 * Taunt 2: Bites at the air in front of him in different directions.
 * Taunt 3: Balances precariously on one foot.
 * Captain Falcon
 * Taunt 1: Charges up and emits a red aura of fire.
 * Taunt 2: Swings left, then right with his left hand out beckoning the enemy and says, "Come on!". (It is possible to hear this in the SSBM Debug Mode Sound Test)
 * Taunt 3: Salutes and says "Show me ya moves!"
 * DK:
 * Taunt 1: Pounds his chest.
 * Taunt 2: Shakes his body.
 * Taunt 3: Shrugs. (Same as Melee)
 * Diddy Kong
 * Taunt 1: Throws his hat up in the air and catches it on his head.
 * Taunt 2: Does a strange fighting pose and makes a threatening monkey sound.
 * Taunt 3: Jumps around, clapping his hands above his head.
 * Falco
 * Taunt 1: Kicks his reflector around like a hacky sack, saying "Piece of cake."
 * Taunt 2: Stands on one foot and raises a wing saying, "Don't try me."
 * Taunt 3: Spins around and hook punces, saying, "Hands off my prey."(same as Melee)
 * Fox:
 * Taunt 1: Charges up his Fire Fox and yells "Here I come!"
 * Taunt 2: Spins his gun on his finger, throws it, and catching it in its holster.
 * Taunt 3: Gets down on one knee and beckons, saying "Come on!"(same as Melee)
 * Ganondorf
 * Taunt 1: Spins twice while levitating and poses, cackling madly. (Same as Melee)
 * Taunt 2: Punches his fist to his hand, squeezing dark magic from it.
 * Taunt 3: Examines his sword.
 * Ice Climbers
 * Taunt 1: Dance in a circle.
 * Taunt 2: Put their hammers down and jump up and down.
 * Taunt 3: Point their hammers to the sky. (Same as Melee)
 * Ike:
 * Taunt 1: Holds up Ragnell and says "Prepare yourself."
 * Taunt 2: Charges up with Ragnell while wind blows his cape up.
 * Taunt 3: Thrusts Ragnell into the ground and crosses his arms.
 * Jigglypuff
 * Taunt 1: Spins around and inflates saying, "Jigglypuff!"
 * Taunt 2: Does a pirouette and ends with a ballet pose.
 * Taunt 3: Deflates
 * King Dedede:
 * Taunt 1: Spins his hammer in his hand and laughs.
 * Taunt 2: Thrusts his hammer into the sky a few times.
 * Taunt 3: Dances around in a circle while drumming his belly.
 * Kirby:
 * Taunt 1: Spins around and says "Yo!" (From character select in the original Smash Bros.)
 * Taunt 2: Waves at the screen and says "Hi!". (Same as Melee)
 * Taunt 3: Shuffles to one side, shuffles to the other side and poses. (Also known as the Kirby Dance)
 * Link:
 * Taunt 1: Swings the Master Sword twice and sheaths it. (Similar to what he does in Twilight Princess if he sheaths his sword after defeating a stroner enemy)
 * Taunt 2: He gazes at his fairy, which flies around him.
 * Taunt 3: Stands on one foot and raises his sword. (His SSB taunt)
 * Lucario
 * Taunt 1: Rises into the air just a little while stretching his arms back, emitting aura.
 * Taunt 2: Puts one paw forward and emits aura from it.
 * Taunt 3: Does a tai chi stance.
 * Lucas
 * Taunt 1: Rope Snake comes out, taps his shouler, and seems to talk to him while he shrugs.
 * Taunt 2: Puts his fingers on his forehead and then shakes the PSI sparks off.
 * Taunt 3: Trips and falls backward.
 * Luigi
 * Taunt 1: Becomes stiff and falls forward and then balances himself back up somehow. (One of his victory taunts)
 * Taunt 2: Bashfully kicks the ground, which does 2% damage and has a large set knockback.
 * Taunt 3: Does a series of five quick poses: does a V sign, points to the right, wipes his nose, cowers in shame, places hands on his face in shock.
 * Mario:
 * Taunt 1: Takes off his hat and twirls around.
 * Taunt 2: Grows into Super Mario briefly before shrinking back down. (Same as Melee)
 * Taunt 3: Rotates in a complete circle and lands on his back with his legs in the air, imitating his death animation from Donkey Kong.
 * Marth
 * Taunt 1: Raises his sword in the air.
 * Taunt 2: Swings his sword twice and then sheaths it.
 * Taunt 3: Swings his sword down and then raises it in front of him saying "Minna, mitette kure!" which is Japanese for "Everyone, look at me" or "Everyone, check this out." (Same as Melee)
 * Meta-Knight
 * Taunt 1: Spins into a tight ball inside his cape.
 * Taunt 2: Says "Fight me!" while swinging his sword, then points it forward.
 * Taunt 3: Flaps his wings at the player, saying, "Come!"
 * Mr. Game and Watch
 * Taunt 1: Rings his alarm bell high.
 * Taunt 2: Rings his alarm bell low.
 * Taunt 3: Does a short jump..
 * Ness
 * Taunt 1: Nods and says, "OK!"
 * Taunt 2: Holds his bat out, Babe Ruth style.
 * Taunt 3: Waves PSI sparks in front of him with his finger.
 * Pikmin and Olimar
 * Taunt 1: Jumps for joy.
 * Taunt 2: Rolls on his back and quickly stands up.
 * Taunt 3: Hulas.
 * Peach
 * Taunt 1: Opens her parasol and says, "Sweet!"
 * Taunt 2: Sings tauntingly and dances while colored musical notes float around her head.
 * Taunt 3: Spins around, winks and poses saying "Uh-huh!"
 * Pikachu:
 * Taunt 1: Charges up and emits electricity.
 * Taunt 2: Waves at the screen saying, "Pika pikaaaa!"
 * Taunt 3: Rolls on his back and stretches saying, "Pikaaaaa...".
 * Pit
 * Taunt 1: Spins his separated bow and crosses them together above him, saying, "The fight is on!"
 * Taunt 2: Slashes his separated bow in front of him and says, "You're not ready yet!"
 * Taunt 3: Stretches his wings in an angelic pose causing feathers to molt off.
 * Pokémon Trainer
 * Taunt 1: Holds his Pokéball up high.
 * Taunt 2: Pumps his fist.
 * Taunt 3: Cheers his Pokémon on.
 * Squirtle
 * Taunt 1: Does a back flip and raises its arms.
 * Taunt 2: Jumps into its shell and spins around.
 * Taunt 3: Spins on its tail while emitting water.
 * Ivysaur
 * Taunt 1: Spins its flower, shaking a few leaves off.
 * Taunt 2: Does a hand stand and dances around.
 * Taunt 3: Crosses its vines above its head after quickly twirling.
 * Charizard
 * Taunt 1: Faces the sky, roars and flaps its wings.
 * Taunt 2: Faces the screen and flaps its wings.
 * Taunt 3: Stomps the ground.
 * R.O.B.
 * Taunt 1: Faces the screen and rotates his head and arms in alternating directions.
 * Taunt 2: Faces the screen, drops his arms, then rotates them up back into place.
 * Taunt 3: Faces the screen and flashes his eyes while looking from right to left.
 * Samus:
 * Taunt 1: Chops her hand to the left while her boosters go off.
 * Taunt 2: Holds up her arm cannon and shows its inner workings.
 * Taunt 3: Aims to one side, crouches and aims towards the other.
 * Sheik
 * Taunt 1: Does a one handed handstand.
 * Taunt 2: Takes out her chain and stretches it.
 * Taunt 3: Strikes a Sheikah style martial arts pose. (Same as Melee)
 * Sonic:
 * Taunt 1: Says "You're too slow!" while running in place.
 * Taunt 2: Does a front flip, then crosses his arms with his left index finger pointing out while making "Tsk tsk" noises.
 * Taunt 3: Does a windmill and says "Come on, step it up!"
 * Snake:
 * Taunt 1-3: Hides under his cardboard box, which can be removed by another player. All three taunts vary slightly in the way Snake places the box over himself. The box can damage other players when he comes out of the box.
 * Smash Taunt: Contacts his support team via codec, whom will converse with Snake about one of his opponents. Snake is also free to fight during this time. However, the codec conversation will end abruptly if Snake is KO'ed, producing humorous results.
 * Toon Link:
 * Taunt 1: Conducts with the Wind Waker Baton which makes the acceptance chime.
 * Taunt 2: Sheaths his sword and looks around.
 * Taunt 3: Flails his sword wildly and tires himself out.
 * Wario:
 * Taunt 1: Does several three-fingered "Wario" salutes.
 * Taunt 2: Shakes his butt and says "Ha ha."
 * Taunt 3: Laughs, drops his jaw and pushes it back up.
 * Taunt 4: Wario's bike taunt, only while riding on his bike. Does a three-fingered "Wario" salute while standing and laughs, then puts a finger in his nose.
 * Wolf:
 * Taunt 1: Howls into the sky.
 * Taunt 2: Does a few kicks, and says "What's the matter, scared?"
 * Taunt 3: Gets down on his hands and snarls.
 * Yoshi:
 * Taunt 1: Faces the player and jumps twice while waving with both hands, saying "Yosh-Yosh!"
 * Taunt 2: Spins around twice, apparently chasing his tail
 * Taunt 3: Dances around in a circle saying "Yoshi!"
 * Zelda
 * Taunt 1: Raises a hand and creates sparkles.
 * Taunt 2: Creates a small burst of magic in front of her with her hands.
 * Taunt 3: Waves, as if to someone far away.
 * Zero Suit Samus
 * Taunt 1: Throws her gun into the air and catches it, saying "Is that all?"
 * Taunt 2: Flicks her whip and says "Try me!"
 * Taunt 3: Spins her whip around.