[collapse="Characters playable in the Smash series ordered by debut year"]1980 - Mr. Game & Watch, Pac-Man
1981 - Mario, Donkey Kong
1983 - Luigi
1984 - Little Mac
1985 - Peach, Bowser, Ice Climbers, R.O.B.
1986 - Link, Zelda, Samus, Pit, Palutena
1987 - Snake, Mega Man
1990 - Captain Falcon, Yoshi, Dr. Mario, Marth
1991 - Sonic
1992 - Kirby, King Dedede, Wario
1993 - Fox, Falco, Meta Knight
1994 - Ness, Diddy Kong
1996 - Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Mewtwo, Charizard, Squirtle, Ivysaur, Pokémon Trainer
1997 - Wolf
1998 - Sheik, Ganondorf, Young Link
1999 - Pichu
2001 - Olimar, Villager, Roy
2002 - Toon Link
2004 - Zero Suit Samus
2005 - Ike
2006 - Lucas, Lucario, Mii
2007 - Wii Fit Trainer, Rosalina & Luma
2012 - Lucina, Robin
2013 - Greninja[/collapse]
Smash really does span generations... The oldest characters in the series (Mr. Game & Watch and Pac-Man) are 34 years old, while the latest character (Greninja) isn't 1 year old yet.