I noticed that there isn't much information on Zero Switching, and I figured I would set out to get all the stuff we need to maximize its potential. For example, we all know that it's possible to do on Lylat Cruise, but many people don't know how to anticipate it. I'm setting out to find all the ways that it can be accomplished.
It is worth noting that switching to Charizard seems to take a few frames fewer than switching to Squirtle or Ivysaur, and that switching to Squirtle and switching to Ivysaur both take about the same time. If you're having trouble getting out Charizard on Lylat or the disappearing platforms on Pokémon Stadium 1, try switching -slightly- later than the instant suggested.
Here's a video that showcases a lot of these--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJYgwpiuGlc
Neutral Stages:
Smashville: Down-B on the moving platform. If it is moving to the left, Down-B on the right edge. If it is moving to the right, Down-B on the left edge.
Lylat Cruise: Here's a list--
Castle Siege: During the stage transition to the cave area, take a look at the timer. Ten seconds after the background/stage becomes visible, the ground will shake, and two seconds after that, it will tilt right and left (in that order) repeatedly. Down-B on the edge opposite of the stage's tilt.
Pokémon Stadium 1: Whenever the stage alerts you to a change, there is an icon in the background that flashes slowly, as well as a mechanical beeping that accompanies it. As soon as the it shows the icon/makes the beeping noise the fourth time, Down-B anywhere EXCEPT the stage's unchanging edges.
On the Water area, you can Down-B on the windmill, either on an edge away from the direction it's turning, or right before the turn would take the platform from you.
Counterpick Stages:
Delfino Plaza: For all of the following places, Down-B when the main stage disappears into a transition. Here's a list--
Frigate Orpheon: On the part with a platform over the left half, Down-B on the left platform when it flips, and you'll be in roughly the same spot after the flip.
On the part with a platform over the center, Down-B on the center of the platform, and you'll appear above the right side of the stage. Basically, switching on the highest possible area is the rule of thumb here.
Pokémon Stadium 2: Whenever the stage alerts you to a change, there is an icon in the background that flashes slowly, as well as a mechanical beeping that accompanies it. As soon as the it shows the icon/makes the beeping noise the fourth time, Down-B anywhere. Note that this ONLY works when changing from non-Normal to Normal, and not the other way around.
On the Electric stage, you can cancel the Down-B's endlag by using it next to the edge of the conveyor belts (which push you off). The closer you are to the edge, the safer it is.
Rainbow Cruise: Here's a list--
When the boat hits the stage and falls, Down-B on the left edge of the ship.
Once you see the first few "donuts" (things that you stand on until they start falling), Down-B on any right edge. This works until you get back to the ship.
On the pendulum, Down-B on the side away from where it is moving.
Down-B on any disappearing platform.
Banned Stages:
Mushroomy Kingdom: Down-B on any right edge.
Rumble Falls: When the camera moves to the right, you can Down-B on any right edge.
Down-B on any disappearing platform.
Bridge of Eldin: You can Down-B over the center area right before the bomb explodes.
Pirate Ship: Down-B on the front of the ship when it hits a rock.
Distant Planet: Down-B near the ground's edge when there is rainfall.
New Pork City: Down-B on the swinging platform in the center of the stage. If it's moving left, Down-B on the right. If it's moving right, Down-B on the left.
Summit: On the left platform (the one with a hinge), stand on the platform for about 1.5 seconds and switch. The platform flips out after two seconds.
Skyworld: Down-B on the moving platform at the bottom-right, on the edge opposite of where it's moving.
75m: Down-B on the platforms moving down just before they disappear.
Pictochat: Here's a list--
Corneria: Down-B on the edge of the Arwing opposite of where it's moving.
Custom Stages:
Down-B on horizontally-moving platforms, on the edge opposite of the direction it is moving.
Down-B on the spinning four-platform thing; get on an edge opposite of the direction it is moving.
It is worth noting that switching to Charizard seems to take a few frames fewer than switching to Squirtle or Ivysaur, and that switching to Squirtle and switching to Ivysaur both take about the same time. If you're having trouble getting out Charizard on Lylat or the disappearing platforms on Pokémon Stadium 1, try switching -slightly- later than the instant suggested.
Here's a video that showcases a lot of these--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJYgwpiuGlc
Neutral Stages:
Smashville: Down-B on the moving platform. If it is moving to the left, Down-B on the right edge. If it is moving to the right, Down-B on the left edge.
Lylat Cruise: Here's a list--
On the Corneria area (where there is a sky and clouds), when the stage enters the atmosphere (when the background is finished going from fire to cloud/sky), Down-B on the left edge of the center platform. During that, the stage will tilt right, then left a couple seconds later. Immediately before it starts tilting right, Down-B on the left edge of the center platform or the right edge of the stage. Immediately before it starts tilting left, Down-B on the right edge of the center platform or the left edge of the stage.
On the Battle area (with Arwings everywhere), when the Great Fox tilts counterclockwise and starts to move up from the right, Down-B on the left edge of the stage or the right edge of the center platform. About ten seconds after the Great Fox goes under the stage, look for two Wolfens and an Arwing to come up from the right all at once. When the Arwing is over the right edge of the center platform, Down-B on the right edge of the center platform or the left edge of the stage.
On the Spacecraft area (where there are lots of not-Arwing ships), when a ship on the left side of the screen explodes (as in, as soon as you see actual fire), Down-B on the left edge of the stage or the right edge of the center platform. After that, another ship will appear on the left, moving downward. When the top part of this ship is behind the entirety of the Trainer, Down-B on the right edge of the stage or the left edge of the center platform. After you pass through the Deathstar trench-looking thing, red ships will start to appear. When there is only one on your left, look for a triple laser in the bottom-right of the screen. Immediately after it disappears, Down-B on the right edge of the stage or the left edge of the center platform.
On the Asteroids area (exactly what it sounds like), immediately after the first large meteor disappears on the top-left of the screen, Down-B on the left edge of the stage or the right edge of the center platform. When the Arwing flies near the timer and overlaps a small asteroid, Down-B on the left edge of the stage or the right edge of the center platform.
On the Empty Space area (exactly what it sounds like), take a look at the timer when the background appears. About 22 seconds in, the ship will make an obvious, hard right turn. When it does, Down-B on the left edge of the center platform or the right edge of the stage. At about 40 seconds in, the ship will make an obvious, hard left turn. When it does, Down-B on the right edge of the center platform or the left edge of the stage. It is worth noting that both opportunities last for a few seconds, so you have a lot of leeway.
On the Battle area (with Arwings everywhere), when the Great Fox tilts counterclockwise and starts to move up from the right, Down-B on the left edge of the stage or the right edge of the center platform. About ten seconds after the Great Fox goes under the stage, look for two Wolfens and an Arwing to come up from the right all at once. When the Arwing is over the right edge of the center platform, Down-B on the right edge of the center platform or the left edge of the stage.
On the Spacecraft area (where there are lots of not-Arwing ships), when a ship on the left side of the screen explodes (as in, as soon as you see actual fire), Down-B on the left edge of the stage or the right edge of the center platform. After that, another ship will appear on the left, moving downward. When the top part of this ship is behind the entirety of the Trainer, Down-B on the right edge of the stage or the left edge of the center platform. After you pass through the Deathstar trench-looking thing, red ships will start to appear. When there is only one on your left, look for a triple laser in the bottom-right of the screen. Immediately after it disappears, Down-B on the right edge of the stage or the left edge of the center platform.
On the Asteroids area (exactly what it sounds like), immediately after the first large meteor disappears on the top-left of the screen, Down-B on the left edge of the stage or the right edge of the center platform. When the Arwing flies near the timer and overlaps a small asteroid, Down-B on the left edge of the stage or the right edge of the center platform.
On the Empty Space area (exactly what it sounds like), take a look at the timer when the background appears. About 22 seconds in, the ship will make an obvious, hard right turn. When it does, Down-B on the left edge of the center platform or the right edge of the stage. At about 40 seconds in, the ship will make an obvious, hard left turn. When it does, Down-B on the right edge of the center platform or the left edge of the stage. It is worth noting that both opportunities last for a few seconds, so you have a lot of leeway.
Castle Siege: During the stage transition to the cave area, take a look at the timer. Ten seconds after the background/stage becomes visible, the ground will shake, and two seconds after that, it will tilt right and left (in that order) repeatedly. Down-B on the edge opposite of the stage's tilt.
Pokémon Stadium 1: Whenever the stage alerts you to a change, there is an icon in the background that flashes slowly, as well as a mechanical beeping that accompanies it. As soon as the it shows the icon/makes the beeping noise the fourth time, Down-B anywhere EXCEPT the stage's unchanging edges.
On the Water area, you can Down-B on the windmill, either on an edge away from the direction it's turning, or right before the turn would take the platform from you.
Counterpick Stages:
Delfino Plaza: For all of the following places, Down-B when the main stage disappears into a transition. Here's a list--
For the Plaza area, if there are two platforms, Down-B on the highest platform. If there are three platforms, Down-B on the outside edge of either side platform (you'll come out in the water).
For the River area, Down-B on the center platform.
For either Beach area, Down-B either anywhere on the center platform or on the outside edge of either side platform. There is a platform configuration that only appears if it's the very first place that you go, in which case, you Down-B on the highest platform.
For the Roof area, Down-B on the center of the right platform.
For the Pillars area, Down-B on either edge of the center platform.
For the Sunshine area, Down-B on the highest platform.
For the Stairs area, Down-B on the highest platform.
I don't think there's a reliable method for the City (umbrella) area, but, for all it's worth, Down-B on the left edge of the main stage will put you immediately to the left of the wall.
For the River area, Down-B on the center platform.
For either Beach area, Down-B either anywhere on the center platform or on the outside edge of either side platform. There is a platform configuration that only appears if it's the very first place that you go, in which case, you Down-B on the highest platform.
For the Roof area, Down-B on the center of the right platform.
For the Pillars area, Down-B on either edge of the center platform.
For the Sunshine area, Down-B on the highest platform.
For the Stairs area, Down-B on the highest platform.
I don't think there's a reliable method for the City (umbrella) area, but, for all it's worth, Down-B on the left edge of the main stage will put you immediately to the left of the wall.
Frigate Orpheon: On the part with a platform over the left half, Down-B on the left platform when it flips, and you'll be in roughly the same spot after the flip.
On the part with a platform over the center, Down-B on the center of the platform, and you'll appear above the right side of the stage. Basically, switching on the highest possible area is the rule of thumb here.
Pokémon Stadium 2: Whenever the stage alerts you to a change, there is an icon in the background that flashes slowly, as well as a mechanical beeping that accompanies it. As soon as the it shows the icon/makes the beeping noise the fourth time, Down-B anywhere. Note that this ONLY works when changing from non-Normal to Normal, and not the other way around.
On the Electric stage, you can cancel the Down-B's endlag by using it next to the edge of the conveyor belts (which push you off). The closer you are to the edge, the safer it is.
Rainbow Cruise: Here's a list--
When the boat hits the stage and falls, Down-B on the left edge of the ship.
Once you see the first few "donuts" (things that you stand on until they start falling), Down-B on any right edge. This works until you get back to the ship.
On the pendulum, Down-B on the side away from where it is moving.
Down-B on any disappearing platform.
Banned Stages:
Mushroomy Kingdom: Down-B on any right edge.
Rumble Falls: When the camera moves to the right, you can Down-B on any right edge.
Down-B on any disappearing platform.
Bridge of Eldin: You can Down-B over the center area right before the bomb explodes.
Pirate Ship: Down-B on the front of the ship when it hits a rock.
Distant Planet: Down-B near the ground's edge when there is rainfall.
New Pork City: Down-B on the swinging platform in the center of the stage. If it's moving left, Down-B on the right. If it's moving right, Down-B on the left.
Summit: On the left platform (the one with a hinge), stand on the platform for about 1.5 seconds and switch. The platform flips out after two seconds.
Skyworld: Down-B on the moving platform at the bottom-right, on the edge opposite of where it's moving.
75m: Down-B on the platforms moving down just before they disappear.
Pictochat: Here's a list--
On the Clock drawing, Down-B on the edge opposite of where the "minutes" hand is turning, or Down-B right before either platform moves from under you.
On the Pendulum drawing, Down-B on the edge opposite of where the pendulum is moving.
On the Pinwheel drawing, Down-B on a platform edge opposite of where it is moving.
It's worth noting that the Diagonal Line, Whale, and Box drawings can make it easy to switch safely, even if it's not possible to Zero Switch there.
On the Pendulum drawing, Down-B on the edge opposite of where the pendulum is moving.
On the Pinwheel drawing, Down-B on a platform edge opposite of where it is moving.
It's worth noting that the Diagonal Line, Whale, and Box drawings can make it easy to switch safely, even if it's not possible to Zero Switch there.
Corneria: Down-B on the edge of the Arwing opposite of where it's moving.
Custom Stages:
Down-B on horizontally-moving platforms, on the edge opposite of the direction it is moving.
Down-B on the spinning four-platform thing; get on an edge opposite of the direction it is moving.