Dream Smasher: Slippy

Star Fox: Zero is coming out today!! This is the first new Star Fox game since the release of Star Fox Command in 2006. It’s been a while, but Fox and his team have finally returned. Star Fox has become a part of the mythos of gaming, due in part to the steller game play of the SNES and N64 titles and the team’s cheeky, but unforgettable, quotes such as “Do a Barrel Roll.” So far, Super Smash Bros. has only featured team members Fox and Falco with the other members only appearing for banter on Star Fox stages. But Star Fox Zero will release with another game: Star Fox Guard. Originally shown off as Project Guard at E3 2014, the game features players using a security system to defend a mining site from horde of robots. Slippy plays a major role in the game, and using abilities from this game, perhaps it’s finally his chance to join the battle in the next Super Smash Bros.

Who is “Slippy?”

Gimmick: Cameras

Niche: Novice Defender

Slippy is a member of the Star Fox team, an old friend of Fox’s and the team’s mechanic. Although he is a genius with machinery, he can be a bit inept in an Arwing.. In fact, he’s more often known for constantly needing help. Even still, his technical know-how has come in handy numerous times. In the recent short, Star Fox: The Battle Begins, he “whips up” a device, made from General Pepper’s fur, to attracted enemy robots to a blast. Of course, in other Star Fox games, he uses his knowledge to analyze enemies shields, revealing their health to Fox. In Star Fox Guard, he designs the security system the player uses and gives you guidance and assistance as you use it to stop the robot invasion. Its clear Slippy is a key member of the team, which may explain why they keep him around in spite of his constant blunders.

Importance to Series

Slippy from the SNES game

The Star Fox team remains an important part of Nintendo and gaming mythos. Both Star Fox and Star Fox 64 were successful games. Despite the poor performance of the other Star Fox titles, fans still adored the series and waited patiently for its return. The series has a special place in gaming history, and its fun gameplay and cheeky quotes have made it an icon. Google even had a feature where when you typed in “Do a Barrel Roll” into the search engine, the screen would turn.

The Star Fox team remains incredibly popular. Each member has an interesting and unique personality, Slippy included. He’s seen as the resident screw up and sometimes is the target of friendly fire. Many fans don’t like Slippy much, but over the years, he has also has a group of fans that enjoy his more comical antics. Now that Slippy is a major character in Star Fox Guard, stealing the spotlight from even Fox and Falco, he’s become a perfect fit for Super Smash Bros. and a Nintendo icon in his own right.

How He’ll Play:

Slippy’s design is based namely off of Star Fox Guard. In this game, you have to defend a mining site from robotic invaders. In Smash, he takes on the same defensive style using multiple devices to lock-down key locations. The chief among these is the cameras which appear in Star Fox Guard. His design also incorporates on his mechanical genius. Of course, Slippy is a screw-up. He will use a style that’s derived from Fox and Falco’s fighting style, just with a more comical flair. His screw-up style may be more akin to Star Fox Assault where her was seen as more of a goof-ball. Of course, his look in game will be based on Star Fox Zero.

Slippy was very goofy in Star Fox Assult. So some of that seeps into this moveset.

Here are his states

• Can he crawl: No
• Can he wall jump: No
• How many jumps do they have: 2
• Is there any exclusive abilities he has*: No
• Weight Class: C+
• Height Class: Same as Fox
• Speed Class: D+
• Is he mirrored when he faces the left: No

Slippy is a bit slower, but has a slightly above average weight. Unlike Fox or Falco, Slippy is ill equipped to rush into the fray. Slippy’s standard attacks are a bit more exaggerated and use his whole body. As such, his attacks are slower but pack a bit more of a punch.  But unlike Fox or Falco, he has a slew of machines (usable with his special moves) to be able to do the work for him. He will be the most comfortable standing back and fighting with the aid of his machines rather than rushing into fights. Essentially, Slippy would be a defensive character, setting up structures and throwing out other items to defend locations. Then when the moment is just right, he can strike for big damage.

As mentioned above, Slippy features his classic screw-up style. So he would have a more comical feel in contrast to Falco and Fox. In some ways, you can consider Slippy like Luigi is to Mario. Slippy will have similar attacks to Fox and Falco but they are less coordinated and awkward. For instance, when trying to perform the signature up-smash, he’ll fall flat on his face. When trying to do a running kick, he’ll fall on his butt. Of course, he won’t be a clone. His special moves are completely different, and he also attacks with a trusty wrench as well.

Slippy as he appears in Star Fox Zero

To play Slippy effectively is to consider how to use his special moves. You should place cameras in key locations to shoot enemies. In a stage like Cornaria, you could place cameras at the bottom, or on top of the fin to make it hard for players to get up. In Temple, you could control the bottom area, giving you somewhat of a defensive base.  Slippy can also use powerful time bombs to corner foes. You can throw them on the lower level of Cornaria to trap foes or to tap foes in Gamer, where they have to chose between your bomb or mama’s gaze. You can also use robots to attacks foes. Use them to take the heat while you fight within the cameras, or join them as you rush into battle. Like Star Fox Guard, you have to have a good sense of the battlefield and place your defenses accordingly.

Alternative Colors

His costumes are pretty standard fare. Many of them are standard color variations while others are based on other characters in the Star Fox universe. I’ll let them speak for themselves.

Images courteous of Nantendo

1. His standard costume
2. A red suit
3. A yellow and black suit, akin to his outfit in Star Fox Assault
4. A light blue and white outfit with a pink jacket
5. A darker suit based on Star Fox Adventures
6. Slippy is blue, akin to a poisonous frog, with a lighter yellow suit
7. Slippy is pink, based on Amanda, Slippy’s fiancee, from Star Fox Command
8. Slippy is orange with a white suit and a black hat, akin to his uncle Grippy

Moveset

Move		Description
Entrance		Slippy flies in in an Arwing, much like Fox and Falco, but he falls on his but as he exits.
Ideal		Slippy takes a slightly determined stance, with his arms to his side, and bobbing slightly
Walk		Slippy strolls briskly, with his arms at his side
Run		Slippy runs like he does in Star Fox 64
Jump	Star Fox Assault Jump	Slippy keeps his arms to his side and jumps upward, with his legs going slightly out
Double Jump		Slippy does a slower front flip
Falling		Slippy has his arms out and looks slightly towards the ground.
Duck		Slippy kneels down, while using his right hand as leverage.
Standard Attacks
A		Slippy gives a one-two punch, followed by a kick.
Forward Tilt		Slippy swipes downward with a wrench. The attack is mildly powerful (moreso than other character’s forward tilts)
Forward Smash		Slippy whips out a blaster and charges it. Unfortunately, it malfunctions, and explodes right in front of him. Its very powerful, and the explosion size increases the longer you charge it. At fully charged, it can deal up to 20 damage.
Down Tilt		Slippy extends his leg out, while he uses his arm as balance.
Down Smash		Slippy uses a new weapon, a Disruption. It’s a modification of Fox’s reflector. It releases a pulse from the center, dealing light damage (~7%) and pushing foes away. It materializes around him, so it can hit above him too.
Up Tilt		Slippy swings upward with his wrench
Up Smash		Slippy goes for the Star Fox’s signature back flip kick. Its stronger than Fox’s, Slippy doesn’t stick the landing and fall right on your stomach. Its strongest in front of you.
Running Attack		Slippy goes for a dive kick (akin to Fox’s running attack), but he falls mid way through, falling on his butt.
Neutral Air		Slippy does a kick similar to fox, extending his leg out. He holds his legs similarly to Luigi during his neutral air (7%)
Forward Air		Slippy swings his wrench downward
Back Air		Slippy does a back kick, twisting his body to his opposite side. This move lingers a bit more than Fox’s
Up Air		Slippy thrust his wrench upward, similar to Cloud’s up air (but not as strong).
Down Air		Slippy does a spin similar to Fox and Falco. This move is quite strong but launches foes sideways rather than downward.
Grab		Slippy reaches out to grab a foe, but if he misses, he loses his balances slightly then quickly regains it. When running, he stumbles and hops on one foot for a bit before regaining his balance.
Pummel		Slippy hits with his wrench
Forward Throw		Slippy gives them a backhanded strike with his wrench
Back Throw		With both hands, Slippy hurls a foe behind him. Stronger than forward throw
Down Throw		Slippy does a belly flop right onto his foe
Up Throw		Slippy hurls an opponent upward and smacks them with a wrench. It’s similar to Link’s up throw.
Specials
B: Security Camera	Image from thumbnail for Gamexplain video	When you press B, you drop a security camera. If you hold B, the Camera can be moved and placed somewhere else. The camera will fire when it sees someone. Of course, they can be destroyed. You can have up to three out at any time.
Custom 1: Freeze Camera		These camera fire freezing mist instead of a laser. They have shorter range and do less damage, but can freeze foes instead.
Custom 2: Charge Camera		The cameras charge before firing and will home onto enemies. It takes longer to fire.
Side B: Time Bomb		Slippy throws out a time bomb, one of his new inventions (made for Super Smash Bros). This futuristic bomb will count down from 3, 2 and 1 and then explode
Custom 1:Gravity Bomb		This bomb has a weaker explosion, but it pulls foes in
Custom 2: 5 Second Bomb		This bomb starts out at 5 instead of 3. The explosion is stronger and larger
Up B :Burst Toad		Slippy uses a boost similar to Fox and Falco, but things go haywire. After a short charge, the boost explodes (which is quite powerful) and launches him upward. A more comical version of Fox and Falco’s recovery. It goes higher, but is more chaotic in nature. Slippy himself does damage if he collides with foes, but the real impact is from the explosion that launches him. Its quite powerful, so if you can hit someone with it, it will send them into the stratosphere.
Custom 1: Meteor Toad		The explosion is actually a meteor, launching foes downward. He isn’t launched as high, making it weaker as a recovery
Custom 2:Stability Burst Toad		His recovery is improved, and he is easier to control. However, there is no explosion , instead a burst that pushes foes away. Slippy himself doesn’t do damage.
Down B: A.T.K Unit	Image taken from gameplay footage from Gamexplain	Slippy has reprogrammed the attack robots in Star Fox Guard to work for him. This robot will run towards other players and try to hit them. If hit, its mid section will get blown off and will continue with its head and feet.
Custom 1: Hi-Ho	Image taken from video footage from Gamexplain	You summon the smaller robot who walk towards foes. This robots will explode near foes, but only takes one hit. If hit, he will bounce and explode.
Custom 2: Rebot		Grippy’s robot friend comes out instead. He hops around which will hurt foes for light damage. He can also periodically suck in projectiles and items.
FINAL SMASH: Gyrocoptor		Slippy pilots the new Gyrocoptor. He attacks by using the small robot to drop bombs from up high. You can also fire lasers from above. Enemy players can also get on top of the Gryocoptor
Fanfare
Up Taunt		Slippy Throws his wrench up and catches it
Forward Taunt		Slippy forms his hand like a blaster/gun and “fires” saying “Got One!!”
Down Taunt		Slippy puts his head down and lets out a big sigh. The guys not use to so much running.
Victory 1		Slippy throws his wrench up in celebration, only to have to fall on his head, knocking him on his butt. His idle animation is him smiling and rubbing his head.
Victory 2		Slippy hops into the air three time shouting “I DID IT!”
Victory 3		Rebot, Grippy’s robot assistant, bounces in, going right past Slippy’s feet. He stumbles as the little Robot passes by. His idle animation is him with his wrench held up (similar to the header we used in this article). Rebot croaks the tune he normally does at the end of a level in Star Fox Guard.
Victory Quote against Fox		Not to shabby, huh Fox?
Victory Quote against Falco		Take that bird brain!!
Fox’s victory quote Slippy		Sorry about that Slip.
Falco’s victory quote against Slippy		Leave this to the pros frog boy

His victory theme will be the same as the other Star Fox characters

Closing

And that’s it for Slippy. He would be an interesting characters. He’s a contrast with the rest of the Star Fox characters in Super Smash Bros, and his playstyle can be something totally different than any other character. Perhaps one day the entire team will be in the game. Until then, we can have dreams like this. Until next time.

Huge thanks to Nantendo for all his help

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