So, you’re looking at the roster and thinking, "How did a powdered toast man get in here before Zuko?" It's a valid question. Honestly, the lineup of Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl characters is one of the weirdest, most chaotic collections of IP ever shoved into a platform fighter. It doesn't matter if you're playing the original 2021 release or the much-improved Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2; the logic behind who makes the cut and how they actually play is a rabbit hole of nostalgia and frame data.
Most people jump in expecting a Super Smash Bros. clone where every character feels somewhat intuitive. Then they pick Nigel Thornberry and realize they have to basically master a "smashing" flick-based moveset that feels nothing like Mario. It’s jarring. It’s weird. But that’s exactly why the competitive scene for this game, though smaller than the giants, is so incredibly dedicated.
The Evolution of the Roster
The first game launched with 20 characters, which felt a bit thin, especially with some glaring omissions. Ludosity and Fair Play Labs eventually bumped that up with DLC, adding heavy hitters like Jenny Wakeman (XJ-9), Rocko, and Hugh Neutron. Yes, Jimmy Neutron's dad made it in before Jimmy himself. That tells you everything you need to know about the developers' sense of humor.
When the sequel arrived, the roster for Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl characters saw a massive overhaul. They didn't just add people; they cut some favorites (RIP Sandy Cheeks and Toph fans) to make room for a more mechanically sound experience. The "Slime System" changed everything. Now, characters aren't just defined by their silhouettes, but by how they spend their meter to cancel moves or beef up specials.
Why the Avatar Reps Rule the Meta
If you've spent any time in the ranked queues, you’ve seen them. Aang, Korra, and Azula. There is a reason the Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra cast dominates the high-level conversation.
Aang is your classic "fast as lightning, hits like a wet noodle until he doesn't" archetype. He’s built for players who want to press sixty buttons a second. In the first game, his aerial mobility was bordering on broken. In the sequel, he’s more balanced but still a nightmare in the right hands because of his air-to-ground transitions. Then you have Azula. She was a massive addition for the second game, filling that "rushdown with fireballs" niche that the roster desperately needed. Her pressure is relentless.
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It’s not just about popularity. These characters have move pools that translate naturally to a platform fighter. Bending is essentially a built-in moveset. Compare that to someone like Reptar. Reptar is cool, he’s a giant green dinosaur, but he’s a "big body" character. In this game, being big usually means you’re just a giant combo food sponge for a skilled El Tigre player.
The Weirdos: Skill Ceilings You Didn't Expect
Let’s talk about the characters that make you tilt.
- Nigel Thornberry: He is arguably the most technical character in the series. His "Smashing" move requires precise timing, but if it hits, it’s one of the most satisfying finishers in gaming history. He’s essentially the Captain Falcon of Nick Brawl, but if Falcon was a middle-aged British naturalist with a magnificent mustache.
- Ren & Stimpy: Playing as a duo character is always a headache. You’re managing two hitboxes, weird desync possibilities, and a playstyle that feels "heavy" but requires "light" precision. They aren't for beginners.
- Garfield: Added as free DLC in the first game, the fat cat brought a unique "sugar rush" mechanic. He’s actually a high-tier threat because of his proyectile game and surprisingly decent recovery.
Honestly, the "joke" characters are often the ones that end up being top-tier. When the developers at Ludosity—who previously made Slap City—put a character in, they care more about the frame data than the "prestige" of the cartoon. That's why a character like Lucy Loud can absolutely dismantle a god-tier entity like Danny Phantom if the player knows how to utilize her "Vampire" and "Ghost" modes correctly.
Balancing Nostalgia Against Hitboxes
The biggest complaint you'll hear in the community isn't about the gameplay—it's about the "Who's Who." The omission of certain Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl characters in the second game, like Lincoln Loud or Leonardo and Michelangelo (who were replaced by Raphael and Donatello), caused a genuine rift.
But from a design perspective, the developers had to make a choice: Do we keep 50 mediocre characters, or do we build 25+ characters that actually feel unique? They chose the latter. Donatello isn't just a Leo clone with a stick. He’s a long-range zoner with setups that require a math degree to optimize. Raphael is a brawler with short reach but devastating frame traps.
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The Patrick Star Problem
Patrick is the heavy of all heavies. He’s the "Grappler." In most fighting games, grapplers struggle against zoners, and that is doubly true here. If you're playing Patrick against a good Helga Pataki, you're going to have a bad time. Helga can just keep you at bay with her slingshot and golden idols while you slowly lumber toward her.
However, Patrick has one thing: the "Hug." His command grab is terrifying. In the first game, you could literally walk off the stage while holding someone, a "cheese" tactic that became legendary in early tournaments. They toned it down, but the fear remains.
Ranking the Roster: A Reality Check
Don't trust every tier list you see on Reddit. Tier lists in this game shift every time a new patch adjusts the Slime meter gain.
- S-Tier (The Carry): El Tigre and Azula. If you want to win without needing to read a 400-page manual, these two have the tools, the speed, and the recovery to keep you safe.
- A-Tier (The Specialists): Danny Phantom and Jenny Wakeman. These characters have incredible verticality. If you master their movement, you're untouchable.
- B-Tier (The "I Play for Fun" Tier): SpongeBob. He’s the face of the game, and he’s... fine. He’s the Ryu of Nick Brawl. Solid, dependable, but rarely the "broken" character people complain about.
- C-Tier (The Struggle): Reptar and Patrick. You’re playing these because you love the shows, not because you want an easy climb to the top of the leaderboard.
The depth of Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl characters is surprisingly professional. This isn't just a "party game" you throw on for five minutes. Between wave-dashing (yes, it's back) and the intricate DI (Directional Influence) mechanics, your character choice dictates your entire mechanical approach.
How to Actually Pick a Main
Stop looking at the stats. Seriously.
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The "best" character is the one whose movement feels natural to you. Some people hate the "floatiness" of the Avatar characters. Others find the heavy hitters too sluggish. Here is a quick breakdown of how to find your fit:
If you like Super Smash Bros. Melee, you should probably play as El Tigre. His speed and combo potential feel the most "Melee-esque."
If you prefer traditional 2D fighters, look at Jimmy Neutron. His use of Goddard (his robotic dog) creates "puppet character" dynamics similar to those found in Guilty Gear or BlazBlue. It’s complex, rewarding, and deeply annoying for your opponent.
If you just want to troll your friends, pick Hugh Neutron. His movement is erratic, his voice lines are gold, and winning with him provides a level of disrespect that no other character can match.
The Future of the Roster
We know the developers are listening, but the "licensing hell" of Nickelodeon is real. Fans are still clamoring for Timmy Turner or characters from Rocket Power. The reality is that the roster is often dictated by what assets are available and which creators are willing to sign off on their characters getting punched in the face by a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.
The shift toward voice acting in the second game and the addition of more DLC has solidified the game's place in the genre. It's no longer just a meme. It’s a legitimate competitive title where the Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl characters carry the weight of both 90s nostalgia and modern fighting game theory.
Actionable Tips for Improving Your Game
- Master the Slime Cancel: Don't just save your meter for "Super" moves. Using Slime to cancel a move mid-animation allows for combos that are otherwise impossible. This is the difference between a Silver and Gold ranked player.
- Learn the Weights: Know who is "heavy" and who is "light." You can kill an Ember much earlier than you can kill a Mr. Krabs. Adjust your kill-move setups accordingly.
- Edge Guarding is Key: Unlike Smash Ultimate, recovery in Nick Brawl can be very exploitable. Don't let them back on the stage for free. Get out there and intercept their recovery with a neutral air.
- Watch the Pros: Look up players like ThundeRzReiN or Hungrybox. Even if you don't play their specific characters, seeing how they handle the movement physics will change how you view the stage.
The roster is more than just a list of cartoons; it's a toolbox. Whether you're swinging a spatula as SpongeBob or firing ghosts as Danny, the depth is there if you're willing to look past the bright colors and "nick-nick-nick" jingles. Pick a character that fits your hands, head into the lab, and stop sleeping on the "joke" picks—they’re usually the ones holding the trophies at the end of the night.