In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, because of the addition of the 8-Player Smash, each character has total of 8 palette swaps for each character (except for Little Mac, who has 16). Despite the 3DS not supporting eight player matches, it still features the same alternate colors as the Wii U version.
This time, unlike the previous games, some of the palette swaps are actual costumes (like Wario in Brawl), and some can even change voices too, mostly of their gender, such as Robin and the Wii Fit Trainer. Other characters have colors that completely change them into new characters, such as Olimar and Bowser Jr., complete with Announcer clips. However, none of these costumes change any characteristic regarding gameplay; all moves, hitboxes and properties remain the same.
Also, Team Battles no longer restrict characters to use the respective color scheme of the team (red, blue, etc), rather being outlined with the team color instead; and in the 3DS version, even if outlines are disabled in the settings, they will still show in Team Battles. This means that the player has complete freedom to pick whichever color he/she wants when playing Team Battles.
An alternate costume that originally debuted inSuper Smash Bros. Melee. This costume is now more yellow and less red compared to the past installment..
Green
Based on a green alternate costume in Mario Golf and closely resembles Bowser's sprite in Super Mario World. It is also reminiscent of Bowser's cartoon design used in the DIC Entertainment shows and the Nintendo Comics System series.
White
This costume turns Bowser’s hair red and his shell and spiked collars to white, somewhat resembling Dry Bowser from New Super Mario Bros. and Mario Kart Wii. It also resembles Morton Koopa Jr.’s white and gold shell and darker skin.
Orange
Similar as his default costume, but with pink hair and a more vibrant green. The color scheme resembles Bowletta from Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga and the classic design before his current one, which was a lot more orange with a whiter underbelly.
Red
Based on an alternate costume in Mario Golf, except with red hair and a pink head.
Blue
Based on the color scheme of the fake Bowser in World 8-4 in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. Also resembles his alternate color in Mario Golf. The shell resembles the Spiny Shell from Mario Kart.
A refined appearance of his standard appearance from F-Zero GX.
Black
Resembles his costume from the F-Zero X: Expansion Kit, as well as a Japanese commercial for F-Zero X.
Red
Based on Blood Falcon's outfit from F-Zero X. Much like in the previous games, this color alters the logo on his back to “Blood Hawk”, the name of Blood Falcon’s F-Zero vehicle.
Green
Slightly resembles Pico's appearance from F-Zero or Beastman's from F-Zero GX.
Blue
This is a reference to his original F-Zero costume, as well his appearance in F-ZERO: GP Legend (both game and anime).
White
Resembles Jody Summer’s outfit. Also known as “Captain Fabulous” by fans.
Based on his current appearance since Mario Party 4.
Black
Resembles a real life rainforest gorilla. The tie is the same as the one used in Contest Mode as a second player in the original Donkey Kong Country.
Red
May represent the original Donkey Kongfrom the arcade game with the same name who had reddish orange fur.
Blue
Resembles an alternate color scheme from Donkey Kong 64 and an alternate costume from Mario Golf.
Green
Resembles an alternate color scheme from DK: King of Swing.
White
Based on the Fire Mini Donkey Kong from the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series, and a recolor from Mario Golf. It also resembles Super Kong from Donkey Kong Country Returns(though the costume predates it), but with a red tie instead of blue. This may also be a reference to Eddie the Mean Old Yeti from the Donkey Kong Country animated series, who shared the same model as Donkey Kong.
Yellow
Resembles Donkey Kong under the effects of Banana Juice from Donkey Kong Country Returns, and a recolor from Mario Golf.
The dog is based on a Labrador Retriever. The duck appears to be a Male Mallard Duck and also one of the three possible ducks that appear in Duck Hunt.
Grey
The duck is one of the three possible ducks from Duck Hunt.
Based on his appearance from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
White
One of the three alternate costumes to change the color of Ganondorf's hair. Could also be comparable of a dark alternate costume of Link.
Purple
Green
Red
Resembles his color scheme fromThe Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
Yellow
Resembles his color scheme fromMelee, which is based on his appearance inThe Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Grey
Resembles Yuga from A Link Between Worlds. This is one of the three alternate costumes to change the color of Ganondorf's hair, and one of the two to change the complexion of his skin.
Blue
Possibly based of his original beast-boar form, Ganon. It is one of the two alternate costumes to change the complexion of his skin.
Shigeru Miyamoto originally wanted Kirby to be yellow, but Sakurai was determined to make him pink. Sakurai won, but the yellow Kirby design later appeared as Keeby, the character controlled by Player 2 in Kirby's Dream Course. Yellow Kirby also resembles Beam Kirby from Kirby Super Star, but without the hat.
Blue
The same as when Kirby is Ice Kirby in Kirby Super Star, sans the hat.
Red
The same as when Kirby is Fire Kirby in Kirby Super Star, sans the hat. Also used for Player 3 in recent multiplayer games.
Green
Resembles Player 4 in recent multiplayer games. Also resembles Kirby's Plasma ability in Kirby Super Star.
Grayscale
Based on Kirby's monochrome appearance from the original Kirby's Dream Land. It is also similar to Kirby's appearance on the North American box cover. It is most similar in appearance to the alternate "Chalk" palette in Kirby: Squeak Squad.
Orange
Resembles the orange spray paint from Kirby & The Amazing Mirror and Kirby: Squeak Squad.
Navy
Resembles Meta Knight without his armor and mask. It appears that it is different between versions, as the portrait and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U show it as a darker blue than the in-game model in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Based on his appearance from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Red
Based on the Goron Tunic from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, as well as Link's appearance with the Red Ring in the original The Legend of Zelda.
Blue
Based on the Zora Tunic in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Purple
Based on Link's purple swap from his previous Namco developed title Soul Calibur II, itself based on the lavender tunics from previous Super Smash Bros. games The costume is now more comparable to a purple alternate costume of Toon Link, which is based on Purple Link from The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords.
Yellow
Matches Link's color scheme when using the Great Fairy's Tears in Twilight Princess. Predates, but also resembles Pipit's yellow tunic in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.
Black
Based on Dark Link, as well as the Dark Interlopers from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. It is one of the two alternate costumes that changes Link's skin, eyes, and hair.
White
Loosely based on his pre-adventure outfit from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, but with his standard hat and gauntlets.
Grey
Based on Fierce Deity Link from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.
Little Mac is the only character with 16 different costumes, like how Wario had twice as many costumes as other characters in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The wireframe design is based on the original arcade Punch-Out!![1] and shares the same range of color options.
Default
Based on his appearance from Punch-Out!! for Wii.
Yellow
Resembles his appearance in Title Defense Mode in Punch-Out!! for Wii.
White
Resembles a glitch from the NES Punch-Out!! where the green color on Little Mac's sprite would turn white after winning a match. Also resembles Piston Hondo's attire.
Red
Resembles his appearance in Contender Mode, when fighting in the World Circuit, in Punch-Out!! for Wii.
Blue
Resembles his appearance when fighting in the Major Circuit in Punch-Out!! for Wii.
Orange
Resembles his appearance as Player 2 in the multiplayer mode of Punch-Out!! for Wii.
Black
Resembles his version as in SNES version of Super Punch-Out!!; while the character is called "Little Mac" in some of the game's later promotional materials, there is dispute as to whether or not the two are the same character.
Pink
Wears his pink, hooded sweatshirt from various training montages in the Punch-Out series. The wireframe variant swaps the color of the hoodie and gloves, making the hoodie green and the gloves pink.
Based on his current appearance since Luigi's Mansion and Mario Party 4.
Orange
Based on Mario's color scheme from Pinball, although Luigi's cap is orange instead of blue.
Pink
Based around Luigi's pink outfit from Wrecking Crew.
Cyan
Resembles Mario's appearance on the American cartridge art for Mario Bros. It also looks like one of the costumes for Mii characters in New Super Mario Bros. U.
White
Based on the current design of Fire Luigi.
Purple
Makes Luigi resemble Waluigi, his arch-rival from the Mario series. However, unlike Brawl, the "L" on his cap is now purple instead of yellow.
Blue
Resembles a color scheme of a player in ScareScraper, a multiplayer mode in Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon. However, the "L" on Luigi's cap is green instead of blue. It also closely resembles Luigi's appearance in the anime movie Super Mario Bros.: Peach-Hime Kyushutsu Dai Sakusen!.
Yellow
Possibly resembles an alternate costume from Mario Golf, but with the colors of his overalls and shirt swapped.
Based on his current appearance since Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Sunshine and Mario Party 4.
White
Based on Fire Mario's appearance dating back to Super Mario Bros. onward.
Cyan
Based on Mario's appearance on the Japanese boxart for Mario Bros. Also resembles Mario's appearance on the cover of the e-Reader game Mario Bros.-e.
Yellow
Based on Wario's classic color scheme from the Mario and Wario Land series, just as in the previous Smash titles. Mario could wear these colors by equipping the "W Emblem" badge in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Unlike in previous installments, the "M" on his cap is green instead of blue.
Black
Based on Foreman Spike from Wrecking Crew '98, which was confirmed on the original SSB Japanese site. Updated from the original version of this swap to be more black and white than brown and yellow.
Green
A color inverse of his traditional colors. Resembles Mario's appearance on Japanese and European box arts for Wrecking Crew. Also appears as part of the flashing animation from a Starman in Super Mario Bros. The color of his overalls are now more brown than orange, updated from the original game.
Striped
Based on the outfit Mario wore in NES Open Tournament Golf. The outfit also resembles the American flag. In the Japanese version of NES Open Tournament Golf, it was only worn while playing on the U.S. Course. Sometimes referred to as 'Murica Mario by fans.
Purple
Based on Waluigi's colors. Mario could wear these colors in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door by having both the L Emblem and W Emblem badges equipped.
Based on his design in the original Mega Man series when no weapons are in use.
Red
Based on his original coloration when using Items 1, 2, and 3 in Mega Man 2, as well as when using the Rush Coil and the other Rush adapters in the series starting in Mega Man 3.
Green
Based off the colors of Hyper Bomb from the original Mega Man and Leaf Shield from Mega Man 2.
Brown
Based off the colors of Metal Blade from Mega Man 2.
Cyan
Based off the colors of Air Shooter from Mega Man 2.
Chartreuse
Based off the colors of Slash Claw from Mega Man 7.
Orange
Based off the colors of Flame Blast from Mega Man 6 and Flame Sword from Mega Man 8.
Grey
Based off the colors of Thunder Beam from the original Mega Man and Top Spin from Mega Man 3.
Based on his appearance from the most recent games in the Kirby series, particularly Kirby's Return to Dreamland, though with more pieces of armor.
White
Based on an alternate costume in Kirby Air Ride.
Red
Based on an alternate costume in Kirby Air Ride. Also resembles concept artwork from Kirby's Dream Collection.
Green
Based on an alternate costume in Kirby Air Ride.
Navy
Although believed by some fans to be inspired by Kirby and the Amazing Mirror's Dark Meta Knight, it actually more closely resembles his official art from his first appearance in Kirby's Adventure, where his mask and shoes were depicted as a dark purple color, his body was close to black, and his cape was red. However, in this appearance, his eyes were not red and his gloves were white, unlike the palette swap.
Pink
Based on an alternate costume in Kirby Air Ride, which references Kirby's color scheme; Meta Knight himself resembles a dark blue Kirby beneath his armor.
Purple
Resembles Galacta Knight from Kirby Super Star Ultra.
Grey
Resembles Dark Meta Knight from Kirby and the Amazing Mirror and Kirby: Triple Deluxe.
Intended to reference the striped, black and yellow uniforms of the Hanshin Tigers, a Japanese baseball team.
Green
Blue
Colors resemble that of his younger self that Ness encounters briefly in Magicant. Additionally, the shirt's colors resemble the color scheme of Ness's pajamas from the beginning of Earthbound.
Black
T-shirt with a sprite of Mr. Saturn; may be based on the Good Kid's Shirt from Mother 3.
Cyan
The patterns and eyes on his shirt are based on Master Belch, an enemy from EarthBound.
Purple
The shirt represents the checkered backgrounds of some of the menu screens in Earthbound.
Based on his appearance from Kid Icarus: Uprising, which was based on his redesign from Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Yellow
Resembles the color scheme of his outfit in the Captain N: The Game Master comic.
Red
Similar to an outfit from the original Kid Icarus.
Green
Similar to an outfit from the original Kid Icarus.
Blue
Similar to an outfit from the original Kid Icarus.
Black
Referred to as a "Fallen Angel" on the Smash Bros. DOJO!!. It became the basis of Dark Pit, but now has white wings and a purple scarf to differentiate the two.
Cyan
Probably a reference to one of his alternate colours in the original Kid Icarus NES game.
Based on R.O.B's Japanese colour scheme for the Famicom. Used as R.O.B.'s default color scheme in the Japanese version of the game.
White
Based on R.O.B's American colour scheme for the NES. Even the words on his base change from "Family Computer Robot" to "R.O.B. - Robotic Operating Buddy", the same as the American design. Used as R.O.B.'s default color scheme in the North American and PAL version of the game.
Yellow
Resembles the color scheme of the glitch, Flipper, from Stack-Up.
Purple
Resembles the color scheme of the glitch, Spike, from Stack-Up.
Based on her appearance since Super Mario Galaxy and Mario Kart Wii.
Pink
Represents a Hungry Luma from Super Mario Galaxy. Also resembles Princess Peach's dress.
Yellow
Based on the Yellow Lumas from Super Mario Galaxy.
Green
Based on the Trial Lumas from Super Mario Galaxy.
Red
Based on Fire Rosalina's appearance in Super Mario 3D World. May also represent the Red Star guarding Lumas.
Purple
Based on Lubba, a large Luma from Super Mario Galaxy 2.
Black
Resembles the color scheme of a Power Star.
White
References her young self from Super Mario Galaxy. It also bears slight resemblance to Peach's appearance from Super Mario Bros and possibly an inverted coloring of her Fire costume..
A mix of his designs in Fire Emblem: Binding Blade and Fire Emblem: Awakening.
Red
Roy's red costume from Melee. Based on the color scheme on the "enemy" unit in the Fire Emblem series.
Green
Roy's green costume from Melee. Based on the color scheme on the "other" units in the Fire Emblem series.
Violet
Resembles on the color shceme of Marcus, a paladin Fire Emblem: Binding Blade.
Cyan
Resembles on the color scheme of Eliwood, Roy's father from Fire Emblem: Rekka no Ken. Like in Melee, this is his only palette swap to change the highlight of his armor from golden to silver.
Black
Resembles on the color scheme of Zephiel, the main antagonist from Fire Emblem: Binding Blade.
Pink
Based on Cecilia, a character who acted as Roy's mentor in Fire Emblem: Binding Blade.
Based on the Varia Suit as it appears on Metroid: Other M.
Cyan
Based on the color scheme of her Fusion Suit from Metroid Fusion.
Pink
Based on the color scheme of the Varia Suit of the original Metroid when missiles are selected, although Sakurai compares it to the Gravity Suit's in-game sprite from Super Metroid.
Brown
Based on the color scheme of the Dark Suit, Samus' first upgraded suit, from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.
Purple
Based on the color scheme of the Gravity Suit's in-game appearances, especially from Metroid Prime.
Green
Samus' Power Suit in Super Metroid. Also, considered a staple of Super Smash Bros. by Masahiro Sakurai. In Japan, the original Smash 64 website referred to this alternate costume as "mass produced Samus", a reference to Gundam. While the artwork depicts it as having an orange helmet and breastplate, they are red in-game.
White
Based on the color scheme of the Light Suit, Samus' second upgraded suit, in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.
Black
Based on the color scheme of Dark Samus from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption.
Based on unused concept art for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, inspired by her design in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Red
Purple
Colors resemble Sheik's original appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Violet
Green
The green color is reminiscent of Saria from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Black
"Dark" costume, similar to Link's Dark Link costume.
Yellow
Colors resemble Impa from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
White
Slightly resembles Impa in her appearance from Hyrule Warriors. It also has some resemblances to Tetra's outfit in The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
Based on Shulk's swimsuit armor set from Xenoblade Chronicles, also seen when all of his equipment is removed. His skin is slightly tanned when wearing this costume, as well as the body shape slightly changing in the artwork.
Resembles NiGHTS, another SEGA series. The wristbands reference Chaos Emeralds. Also resembles Darkspine Sonic, who's mostly purple.
Cyan
Wristbands resemble the Crystal Ring, an upgrade from Sonic Adventure, an item which helped the player perform a Light Dash quicker. His brighter coloration also resembles Classic Sonic from Sonic Generations.
White
Resemble Silver the Hedgehog. His wristbands resembles the Ark of the Cosmos from Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity.
Black
Colors resemble Dark Sonic from the Sonic X anime.
Yellow
Wristbands resemble Silver the Hedgehog's from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).
Green
His wristbands resemble the ones attached to the gloves that appear in the special stages in Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Orange
His wristbands resemble the ones attached to the gloves that appear in the special stages in Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Based on the Red Link copy from The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords and Four Swords Adventure
Blue
Based on the Blue Link copy from The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords and Four Swords Adventure.
Purple
Based on the Purple Link copy from The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords and Four Swords Adventure.
Chartreuse
Based on Link's appearance in the NES Legend of Zelda. It also resembles Toon Link's appearance in the first trailer for The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
Black
Based on Dark Link's appearance in Twilight Princess. While a similar Dark Toon Link, known as Shadow Link, appeared in The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, it did not closely resemble this color scheme.
Grey
Based on the color scheme when Link wears the Blue Ring in The Legend of Zelda.
Dark Green
Based on Link's appearance in A Link Between Worlds, which first appeared in the Oracle Series.
Villager's appearance varies greatly between costumes, with their eyes, hair, gender and clothing all changing. All of Villager's alternate costumes, with the exception of the yellow costume, are based on how the player may look at the start of a new game depending on how they answer questions asked by Kapp'n or Rover in Animal Crossing: Wild World and Animal Crossing: City Folk respectively. The shirts/dresses worn are named below.
Red
Male villager wearing a "No. 1 Shirt".
Pink
Female villager wearing a "Daisy Shirt".
Yellow
Male villager wearing a "Racer 6 Tee". The only alternate costume not based on a villager appearance at the start of a new game.
Wario has four fewer costumes than in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, now only having four biker and four overalls costumes.
Cyan
Based on his outfit from the WarioWare series.
Red
Combines elements of his red and black costumes from Brawl.
Green
Combines elements of his yellow and green costumes from Brawl.
Blue
Classic
Based on his classic outfit from the Mario series and the Wario Land series as well as his current appearance since Mario Party 4 and Wario World.
Classic Red
Resembles how Mario looked like in the early Mario games where he had red overalls and a blue shirt instead of the blue overalls and red shirt he wears today. It also resembles Mario's outfit from the Super Mario Bros. Super Show cartoon and his outfit from the original Donkey Kong arcade game.
Classic Blue
Resembles Mario's appearance on the Japanese cover of Mario Bros.
Classic Green
Similar to Mario's green costume. It also resembles Luigi's debut in Mario Bros., although the colors of the overalls an shirt are swapped.
Based on her design in Wii Fit, but the hair is based on Wii Fit Plus.
Male
Based on his design in Wii Fit.
Green
Based on her design in Wii Fit Plus and Wii Fit U, though less revealing.
Male Green
Same as previous.
Red
The color that represents the Aerobics category of activities.
Male Red
Same as previous.
Yellow
The color that represents the Balance Games. Also loosely based on an alternate outfit from Wii Fit Plus which only appears when a Yoga or Strength Training activity is being done in "My Wii Fit Plus" mode.
Yoshi's main colors, based on his appearance from both the Mario and Yoshi series as well as his current appearance since Super Mario Sunshine and Mario Party 4.
Based on her appearance from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Red
Based on Zelda's appearances in The Legend of Zelda when Link rescues her with the Red Ring equipped.
Blue
Based on Zelda's appearances in The Legend of Zelda when Link rescues her with the Blue Ring equipped.
Purple
Based on her adult appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Green
Based on Zelda's appearances in The Legend of Zelda when Link rescues her with no Magic Ring equipped.
Black
"Dark" costume, similar to Link's Dark Link costume.
Pink
Based on Zelda's appearance in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Wind Waker and A Link Between Worlds as shown by the blue trim on the bottom of the dress.
White
Based on Zelda's field sprite from A Link to the Past as well as the goddess dress from Skyward Sword.
Based on her Zero Suit's appearance in Metroid: Other M, while also incorporating some traits from Metroid: Zero Mission, such as the high ponytail and more serious expression.
Blue
Based on her outfit she wears upon completion of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.
Red
A reference to her red undersuit from the original Metroid after clearing it 100% or by entering JUSTIN BAILEY into the password screen.
Black
May be a reference to her black undersuit from Super Metroid, which was also seen in a Japanese Super Metroid commercial.
Green
White
Resembles an outfit from one of the endings of Metroid Fusion.
Shorts Orange
Based on an outfit from the ending of Metroid: Zero Mission.
Shorts Blue
Based on an outfit from the ending of Metroid Fusion.
Little Mac's Battle Entrance is to jog into the stage in his pink clothes and then takes them off. If he is in his pink clothes form, he jogs into the stage again, but doesn't take his clothes off.
Little Mac is the only character so far to have more than eight palette swaps (excluding Wario, who had twelve in Smash Bros. Brawl).
Bowser Jr. is the only character to not be able to change his color, since his palette swaps are the Koopalings.
Ike, King Dedede, Kirby, Link, Little Mac, Lucina, Mega Man, Ryu, Samus, Shulk, Toon Link, Villager, Yoshi and Zelda are the only characters to have all their alternate colors originate from their respective games.