Clown Cannon is Bowser Jr.'s Neutral Special Move. Bowser Jr. fires a large cannonball from the Junior Clown Car.
Overview[]
Bowser Jr. fires a cannonball from a cannon in the mouth of his Junior Clown Car, and the cannon can be charged. If charged enough, the shot will give recoil and push the Clown Car back. Eventually the ball will hit the ground, then bounce before disappearing. The damage of the attack weakens the further it does, with damage going from 8.5% uncharged and 20% fully charged at close range to 5.9% uncharged and 14% fully charged.
While the Clown Cannon lacks range (going half the distance of Final Destination uncharged, and just short of Final Destination fully charged) and speed (being extremely easy to dodge), it deals high damage and knockback, particularly up close, making it useful for spacing opponents who are too close to Bowser Jr., as well as an effective punishing tool. In addition, Bowser Jr. is at no risk if it is reflected at a far distance due to its slow speed.
| Bowser Jr.'s Special Moves | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3DS/Wii U | Ultimate | |
| Standard Special | Clown Cannon | |
| Side Special | Clown Kart Dash | |
| Up Special | Abandon Ship | |
| Down Special | Mechakoopa | |
| Final Smash | Shadow Mario Paint | |
Custom Variations[]
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, Clown Cannon can be customized into Piercing Cannon and Air Cannon.
Piercing Cannon[]
Piercing Cannon fires a smaller cannonball that does less damage but can go through opponents to hit more than one.
Strengths:
- Passes through opponents
- Faster projectile
- Greater range
- Charges up faster
Weaknesses:
- Less damage
- Less knockback
Since the projectile of the Piercing Cannon passes through opponents, damaging them as it goes past, it deals less knockback, though its piercing ability can make it useful for hitting multiple opponents in free-for-alls or doubles. The projectile is smaller, but charges up and flies much faster and at a greater distance. The projectile deals less damage but is good for zoning out an opponent.
Air Cannon[]
Air Cannon blasts opponents with a small blast of wind, which can push them back. It can also be used to push the Clown Car backwards in the air.
Strengths:
- Pushes opponents away
- Can be used for edge-guarding
Weaknesses:
- No damage
- Leaves Bowser Jr. open while charging
Air Cannon is an unorthodox move; it blasts out a gust of air that pushes opponents away, and while this can be useful in some situations such as edge-guarding, it is highly impractical for use as a zoning move. It doesn't push very far and doesn't deal damage. Bowser Jr. is also vulnerable to attack while charging up, though this is true for the default Clown Cannon move as well.
| Bowser Jr.'s Custom Special Moves | ||
|---|---|---|
| Custom 1 | Custom 2 | |
| Standard Special | Piercing Cannon | Air Cannon |
| Side Special | Koopa Drift | Grounding Dash |
| Up Special | Meteor Ejection | Koopa Meteor |
| Down Special | Impatient Mechakoopa | Big Mechakoopa |
Origin[]
Cannonballs are commonly one of the main projectile weapons used by Bowser's army to attack Mario in the Mario series, and were first seen launched from Bowser's airships, boats, and tanks in Super Mario Bros. 3. The first instance of cannonballs being associated with the Koopa Clown Car would be in the final boss fight in Super Mario World, where Bowser would drop an enormous cannonball on Mario. The Junior Clown Car would finally be shown with cannonball-firing capabilities in New Super Mario Bros. Wii during the third boss battle against Bowser Jr., where he would use the Clown Car cannon to fire spiked, explosive cannonballs.