Which Nintendo game first featured the Pokémon series’ Pikachu as a playable fighter?

Super Smash Bros. first featured Pikachu as a playable fighter.

Nintendo released the original Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64 in Japan in 1999 and internationally in 1999 and 2000. The crossover fighting game brought together characters from several Nintendo series, with Pikachu representing Pokémon alongside Mario, Link, Kirby, and others.

Pikachu’s inclusion reflected Pokémon’s enormous popularity at the time. In battle, Pikachu uses electric attacks such as Thunder Jolt and Thunder, giving the character a distinct moveset rather than simply copying an existing Pokémon game mechanic. Pikachu has remained playable in every main Super Smash Bros. installment.

Pokémon Stadium allowed players to battle using Pokémon teams, but it was not Pikachu’s first playable-fighter appearance in a crossover fighting game. Pokémon Yellow also centered on Pikachu, yet it was a role-playing adventure rather than a fighting title with a selectable combat roster.