---

Dr. Mario in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: A Detailed Review

Overview

Dr. Mario in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a unique twist on the classic Mario character, bringing a mix of powerful moves and unique properties that differentiate him from his plumber counterpart. While he retains the iconic look and some similar moves, Dr. Mario has a distinct playstyle that appeals to players who enjoy heavy-hitting, close-combat tactics.

Strengths

1. High Damage Output: Dr. Mario excels at dealing significant damage with many of his moves. His Smash attacks, particularly Forward Smash, pack a punch and can KO opponents at relatively low percentages.

2. Kill Power: Dr. Mario's moves have great knockback, making him a formidable opponent when it comes to securing stocks. Moves like his Back Air, Down Smash, and Up Smash can effectively finish off opponents.

3. Versatile Projectile: The Megavitamin (Neutral Special) is a useful projectile that can be used to control space, interrupt opponents, and set up combos.

4. Powerful Throws: Dr. Mario’s Back Throw is one of his most reliable kill options, especially near the ledge, making his grab game quite threatening.

5. Solid Aerials: His aerial attacks, such as the Nair and Fair, are effective for both approaching and edge-guarding. Fair, in particular, is a strong spike when landed correctly.

Weaknesses

1. Limited Recovery: One of Dr. Mario’s biggest weaknesses is his recovery. His Up Special, Super Jump Punch, has limited vertical and horizontal reach, making him vulnerable offstage.

2. Slower Mobility: Compared to regular Mario, Dr. Mario has slower mobility both in the air and on the ground, which can make it challenging to chase down opponents or escape pressure.

3. Susceptibility to Zoning: Characters with strong zoning tools can be difficult for Dr. Mario to deal with due to his slower speed and limited range.

4. Shorter Range: Many of Dr. Mario's moves have shorter range, requiring him to get up close and personal to deal damage, which can be risky against faster or longer-ranged characters.

Effective Playstyle

1. Close-Quarters Combat: Dr. Mario thrives in close-quarters combat. Focus on getting in close to opponents where his powerful Smash attacks and aerials can be most effective.

2. Stage Control: Use the Megavitamin to control space and force opponents into unfavorable positions. It can also be used to approach safely by following the projectile.

3. Combo Game: Utilize Dr. Mario’s down throw to set up for aerial combos, as it can lead into Up Airs and Forward Airs at various percentages.

4. Edge-Guarding: Make use of his strong aerial moves and powerful spikes to edge-guard effectively. Fair is particularly useful for spiking opponents during recovery.

5. Mindful Recovery: Given his recovery limitations, it’s crucial to manage his offstage presence carefully. Avoid risky offstage engagements unless you’re confident in securing the stock.

Matchups

• Favorable Matchups: Dr. Mario can perform well against characters that struggle with close-range combat or have poor KO options. Characters like Little Mac, who also have poor recovery, can be susceptible to Dr. Mario's edge-guarding.

• Unfavorable Matchups: Characters with strong zoning capabilities, like Samus or Link, can give Dr. Mario a tough time. His slower speed makes it difficult to approach these characters without taking significant damage.

• Even Matchups: Against characters like Mario, Dr. Mario can hold his own, as both share similar attributes with slight differences in speed and power dynamics.

Conclusion

Dr. Mario is a rewarding character for players who enjoy powerful, close-range combat and strategic play. His high damage output and KO potential make him a force to be reckoned with, but players must carefully manage his weaknesses, especially his recovery. By understanding matchups and leveraging his strengths, Dr. Mario can be a formidable choice in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.