A newcomer is a playable character in the Super Smash Bros. universe who has been introduced into the series in a particular game, but did not exist in previous installments. By contrast, a veteran is a character who returns in new games after appearing as a playable character in previous games. Note that the definition of newcomers is distinct from that of unlockable, or secret characters, which are playable characters who must be unlocked by completing certain tasks.
The term newcomer was coined in the first trailer for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, in which new characters were introduced with the title "Newcomer" atop the screen. The word newcomer was later used on the Smash Bros. DOJO!! site to classify new characters that were not secret. However, the use of the term has since broadened and is now understood in the context of both Melee and Brawl. For example, Peach is considered a veteran fighter in Brawl, but a newcomer in Melee.
Super Smash Bros.[]
Super Smash Bros. Melee[]
Total of 14 Newcomers
- Bowser
- Dr. Mario
- Falco
- Ganondorf
- Ice Climbers
- Marth
- Mewtwo
- Mr. Game & Watch
- Peach
- Pichu
- Roy
- Sheik
- Young Link
- Zelda
Super Smash Bros. Brawl[]
Total of 18 Newcomers
- Diddy Kong
- Ike
- King Dedede
- Lucario
- Lucas
- Meta Knight
- Olimar
- Pit
- Pokémon Trainer
- R.O.B.
- Snake
- Sonic
- Toon Link
- Wario
- Wolf
- Zero Suit Samus
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U[]
Total of 21 Newcomers
- Bayonetta (DLC)
- Bowser Jr.
- Cloud (DLC)
- Corrin (DLC)
- Dark Pit
- Duck Hunt
- Greninja
- Little Mac
- Lucina
- Mega Man
- Mii Fighters
- PAC-MAN
- Palutena
- Robin
- Rosalina & Luma
- Ryu (DLC)
- Shulk
- Villager
- Wii Fit Trainer
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]
Total of 24 Newcomers
- Banjo & Kazooie (DLC)
- Byleth (DLC)
- Chrom (Roy's Echo Fighter)
- Daisy (Peach's Echo Fighter)
- Dark Samus (Samus' Echo Fighter)
- Hero (DLC)
- Incineroar
- Inkling
- Isabelle
- Joker (DLC)
- Kazuya (DLC)
- Ken (Ryu's Echo Fighter)
- King K. Rool
- Min Min (DLC)
- Piranha Plant (DLC)
- Pyra/Mythra (DLC)
- Richter (Simon's Echo Fighter)
- Ridley
- Sephiroth (DLC)
- Simon
- Sora (DLC)
- Steve (DLC)
- Terry (DLC)