Matchup Summary (Win Condition and Game Plan)
Dark Samus wants to slow the match with Charge Shot and missiles, but this matchup is awkward for that plan because Mr. Game & Watch threatens both projectile absorption and a 3f Up B reversal once Dark Samus is finally forced to block. Game & Watch does not need to absorb every projectile. It is stronger to show Bucket as a threat, distort Dark Samus’s timing, and then take space with bomb fair and juggling up air. Jab strings, forward tilt, down tilt, dash attack, smash attacks, fair, up air, and side B all give large shield punishes, so the matchup rewards patience at range and hard conversions only when Dark Samus is actually pinned down. The cleanest stock route is usually ledge pressure with down smash, bair, and post-Up B air control rather than chasing Dark Samus’s lateral drift too far across center stage.
Full Move Frame Quick Reference
| Opponent Move | Startup | On Shield | Mr. Game & Watch OOS Candidate Moves | Barely Missed Moves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jab 1 | 3 | -10 |
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| Jab 2 | 6 | -15 |
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| Forward Tilt | 8 | -17/-16/-15 |
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| Up Tilt | 15 | -12 |
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| Down Tilt | 6 | -26 |
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| Dash Attack | 8 | -23 |
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| Forward Smash | 10 | -29/-28 |
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| Up Smash | 11/15/19/23/27 | -24 |
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| Down Smash | 9/17 | -27/-18 |
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| Neutral Air | 8/14 | -5/-5/-6 |
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| Forward Air | 6/12/18/24/30 | -12/-12/-11 |
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| Back Air | 9 | -9/-9/-10 |
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| Up Air | 5… | -16/-16/-15 |
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| Down Air | 17 | -8/-7 |
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| Z Air | 8/16 | -4/-3 |
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| Neutral B | 3(+13) | -17 to +4 |
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| Side B (1) | 18 | -26 |
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| Side B (2) | 21 | -24 |
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| Up B (1) | 4… | — | ||
| Up B (2) | 5… | — | ||
| Down B | 33 | — | ||
| Grab | 15 | — | ||
| Dash Grab | 17 | — | ||
| Pivot Grab | 18 | — |
Win Condition Checklist
- Show Bucket often enough to warp Charge Shot and missile timing, then use bomb fair and up air to box in Dark Samus’s landings
- After shielding jab 1-2, forward tilt, down tilt, dash attack, smash attacks, fair, up air, or side B, take the guaranteed Up B or grab punish
- Do not become predictable about absorbing or evading projectiles; mix shield and forward movement so you still gain ground on the body
- After Up B reversals, stay airborne long enough to catch jump outs with up air or bair and keep pushing toward the ledge
- At kill percent, end stocks through ledge down smash, bair, and anti-landing up smash instead of dragging out center-stage drift chases
Actions to Avoid
- Trying to absorb every Charge Shot and giving Dark Samus free time to retake stage with missiles and grab
- Panicking at range and jumping directly into anti-air fair or up air
- Letting punishable forward tilt, down tilt, dash attack, or side B go unpunished and giving Dark Samus another full reset
- Escaping with Up B and then fast-landing immediately instead of extending the airborne advantage
- Chasing too deep offstage and handing Dark Samus a reversal with Screw Attack or a preemptive fair