Palette Swap (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)

Super Smash Bros. Brawl changed the idea with color changes just a bit. While Melee added a few extra outfits to some characters, Brawl promises six colors each.

However, there are some exceptions. All the playable characters of the Pokémon universe (Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Pokémon Trainer and Lucario), including Sonic, have less than six. The other exception is that Wario has two outfits, each with multiple color choices, effectively doubling his alternate costume choices. The costumes can be cycled by clicking on the character (any controller), pressing A/B (Wii Remote), pressing 1/2 (Wii Remote w/Nunchuk), or pressing X/Y (Classic, GameCube).

N/A: Color that is original to Super Smash Bros. and doesn't have any particular reference.

Color Blindness

A few characters (namely, Lucario and Sonic) have sets of costume changes that can be difficult to distinguish from each other in a match. As such, tournaments have a rule stating that in a doubles match, a partly colorblind Lucario or Sonic player may request to be given the blue team. In some cases, texture hacks are used to make the color difference more obvious.

Characters

Mario

Red	Based on his current appearance since Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Sunshine, and Mario Party 4.
White	Based on Fire Mario's appearance dating back to Super Mario Bros. onward.
Blue	Based on his appearance in the arcade version of Mario Bros., It also resembles Mario's original color scheme from the original Donkey Kong arcade game including his outfit in the three DIC Entertainment cartoons and in the Nintendo Comics System series and it is also based on one of Wario's alternate costumes in Mario Golf.
Yellow	Based on Wario's classic design.
Black	Originally based on Foreman Spike from Wrecking Crew '98 according to the original Super Smash Bros. Japanese site, though the costume has updated from the original version of this swap to be more black and white than brown and yellow. It may also resemble his more monochromatic appearance in the Super Mario Land games for the Game Boy. Also resembles the Hammer Suit’s sprite in Super Mario Bros. 3.
Green	Resembles Luigi's appearance from promotional artwork for the arcade version of Mario Bros., with the colors of the overalls and shirt swapped. It also resembles Jinbe from Mole Mania, another game developed by Shigeru Miyamoto.

Luigi

Green	Based on his current appearance since Luigi's Mansion, and Mario Party 4.
Orange	Based on Mario's color scheme from Pinball, but with an orange hat instead of a blue one.
Pink	Based on what Luigi's color scheme in Wrecking Crew, in which he wore pink. Referred to as "Strawberry Luigi" on the original Super Smash Bros. website.
Blue	His clothes resembles Mario's appearance on the North American box art for Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
White	Based on Fire Luigi in recent Mario titles.
Purple	Based on Waluigi, the self-proclaimed "Luigi's rival".

Peach

Pink	Based on her current design since Super Mario Sunshine, and Mario Party 4.
Yellow	Based on Princess Daisy. Unlike Melee, this is only a re-coloring; her earrings, crown, brooch, and skin remain unchanged. It is the only costume to change the color of Peach's hair to auburn.
Red	Based on Pauline's original appearance in Donkey Kong.
Blue	Based on an alternate color from Mario Golf, and Daisy's appearance on the title screen of NES Open Tournament Golf. It also bears a slight resemblance to Rosalina from Super Mario Galaxy, with the silver crown and blue dress.
Green	Based on an alternate color from Mario Golf, and her appearance on the title screen of NES Open Tournament Golf.
White	Resembles the wedding dress her paper counterpart wore in Super Paper Mario.

Bowser

Green	Resembles on his current appearance in Luigi's Mansion onwards, with his shell, head and hair having a darker color.
Black	Resembles Morton Koopa Jr.'s design introduced in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
Red	Resembles a Red Koopa Troopa and a Spiny. It may also represent one of his alternate colors in Mario Golf.
Blue	Resembles Bowser's appearance on the international covers of Super Mario Bros., It may also represent the Bowser Imposter from Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. His shell resembles the spiny shell from Mario Kart DS, and Mario Kart Wii as well.
White	Resembles Dry Bowser from New Super Mario Bros. and Mario Kart Wii. It also resembles Morton Koopa Jr.'s white and gold shell (Super Mario World only) and darker skin.
Brown	Resembles Boom Boom's sprite from Super Mario Bros. 3.

Donkey Kong

All of Donkey Kong's alternate costumes can be traced back to the multiplayer mode of Donkey Kong 64.

Brown	Based on his current appearance in Mario Party 4 onwards.
Black	In Donkey Kong Country, Donkey Kong wears a yellow tie for his alternate color scheme in the Two-Player Contest Mode. He also looks like a rainforest gorilla.
Red	Resembles the original Donkey Kong from the arcade game.
Blue	Resembles an alternate color scheme from Donkey Kong 64's multiplayer mode and an alternate costume from Mario Golf.
Green	Resembles an alternate color scheme from DK: King of Swing. It also resembles his rival, King K. Rool.
White	Resembles a yeti, a famous East Asian cryptid. Also resembles to Eddie the Mean Old Yeti from the Donkey Kong County animated series.

Diddy Kong

Red	Based on his current appearance in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour onwards.
Yellow	Resembles the alternate outfit in the Two-Player Contest mode in Donkey Kong Country and Donkey Kong 64.
Pink	Resembles Dixie Kong, Diddy Kong's girlfriend, who appeared in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, with her blonde ponytail represented by his yellow fur.
Purple	Resembles an alternate costume worn by Diddy Kong when the second player used him in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest, the color of Tiny Kong's items in Donkey Kong 64, and Quawks from Donkey Kong Country 2 and 3.
Green	Resembles one of Diddy Kong’s alternate costumes in the multiplayer mode of Donkey Kong 64.
Blue	Resembles Kiddy Kong, Dixie's partner in Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!, It also resembles the alternate outfit in the Two-Player Contest mode in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest.

Yoshi

All of Yoshi's costumes are different variations of the Yoshi species in many of his games, specifically Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Yoshi's Story, Super Mario Advance 3, and Yoshi's Island DS. The soles of his shoes, the saddle on his back, and his scales stay the same color, no matter what color he is.

Green	Based on a Green Yoshi and his current appearance in Super Mario Sunshine onwards.
Red	Resembles the Red Yoshi. The shade of red in this costume is similar to red Mini-Yoshi's color in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.
Blue	Resembles the Blue Yoshi.
Yellow	Resembles the Yellow Yoshi.
Pink	Resembles the Pink Yoshi.
Cyan	Resembles the Cyan Yoshi.

Wario

Unlike all other characters, Wario has two outfits each with multiple color choices: his biker costume from the WarioWare games, which is his default costume, and his classic overalls from the Mario series and the Wario Land series, effectively doubling his alternate costume choices. There are a total of 12 costume choices for Wario in Brawl.

Cyan	Based on his appearance in the WarioWare series.
Red	The red jacket and white pants and goggles match the color scheme of Jimmy T. The white and red color scheme may also reference Mona's, including Fire Mario's. Also resembles Booster from Super Mario RPG, a character similar to Wario.
Yellow	The yellow jacket and purple shirt combo resembles the color scheme of his overalls. The yellow jacket and blue pants combo also bears some similarities to Mona's outfit in WarioWare Twisted!, Also based on his original Overalls color scheme.
Green	Resembles Zombie Wario from Wario Land 3.
Black	His red costume, but the colors are essentially reversed. It could be based on the Shake King from Wario Land: Shake It! which would be released a couple months later.
Blue	Resembles the colors of an actual biker, with the denim jeans and jacket combo and the white undershirt.

Wario's overalls closely resemble the cartoonish look in both the Mario and Wario games, in contrast to Mario, Luigi, and Waluigi, who were given more realistic-looking overalls.

Yellow	Based on his classic outfit from the Mario series and the Wario Land series including his current appearance since Wario Land 2.
Red	Resembles Mario's original color scheme from his debut in Donkey Kong and his outfit in the three DIC Entertainment cartoons including his outfit in the Nintendo Comics System series. This somewhat mirrors the way that Wario's "classic" outfit appears as one of Mario's alternate costumes. It is also one of Wario's alternate costumes from Mario Golf, but with a red hat.
Blue	Resembles Mario's appearance on the Japanese cover of the Game Boy Advance port of Mario Bros. and the European cover of the NES version of the game.
Green	Similar to Mario's green costume, it resembles Mario's appearance on the Japanese box art for Wrecking Crew and Luigi's appearance on the arcade version of Mario Bros., It also resembles one of his costumes from Mario Golf, but with more brownish overalls. It also resembles Jinbe from Mole Mania, another game developed by Shigeru Miyamoto.
Brown	Resembles Foreman Spike, Mario's rival in Wrecking Crew.
White	Resembles his in-game sprite in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, Wario Land 2, and Wario Land 3, where his outfit is a tad more monochromatic. It also resembles one of Wario's alternate costumes from Mario Golf.

Link

Green	Based on his latest character design from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Red	Based on the color change caused by the Red Ring in The Legend of Zelda. It is also based on the Goron Tunic that was featured in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It is Link's only color scheme that changes the color of his belt.
Blue	Based on the Zora Tunic from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Lavender	Based on the Blue Ring from The Legend of Zelda for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Yellow	Resembles Link's color scheme of when he uses the Great Fairy's Tears from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. It is the only color scheme to change the color of his sleeves and pants. It also resembles an unused yellow tunic from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Black	Based on Dark Link, who originated from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, and appeared again in Ocarina of Time. His design is based on Dark Link's cameo appearance in Twilight Princess, where Lanayru used the character to symbolize the Interlopers in Link's vision. It is the only color scheme to change the color of his skin, hair, and eyes.

Zelda / Sheik

Default	Based on her character model from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Masahiro Sakurai stated that Sheik's appearance reflects how she would have looked like if she appeared in that game, based on designs drafted up during that game's development.
Red	Zelda resembles her in-game sprite when Link rescues her with the Red Ring equipped in The Legend of Zelda. This is also the only one of her color schemes in which she doesn't wear gloves.
Blue	Official art for A Link to the Past shows Zelda with a blue dress, while Sheik is based on Tetra with the blue costume and red scarf.
Pink	Based on Zelda and Sheik's appearances in Ocarina of Time and Melee respectively.
Green	If the original Legend of Zelda is beaten without a ring, Zelda's dress will be green. Sheik's is also reminiscent of Saria from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Black	Resembles Zelda's robed appearance in the beginning of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Sheik's resemble the traditional appearance of ninjas. Complementary to Link's "Dark Link" costume.

Ganondorf

Purple	Based on his appearance from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
Black	Complementary to Link's "Dark Link" costume. This may also be a reference to the original Phantom Ganon, though that could be a stretch, seeing as Phantom Ganon had a white face, and not white hair. Also referred to as "Old Manondorf" in the community due to his white hair.
Blue	Based on his original beast-boar form, Ganon.
Green	N/A
Red	N/A
Brown	Resembles his appearance in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This costume has the same colors as his Super Smash Bros. Melee design, slightly darkening his red hair, and using the same design on his cape.

Toon Link

Green	Based on his appearance from The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker.
Red	Based on the Red Link copy from the Four Swords saga.
Blue	Based on the Blue Link copy from the Four Swords saga.
Purple	Based on the Purple Link copy from the Four Swords saga.
Brown	Resembles the color scheme of Link in The Legend of Zelda. The brown hair and sleeves with the more traditional green tunic resembles some of the older iterations of Link in games such as The Legend of Zelda and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. It also makes him look like his appearance from the Legend of Zelda cartoon.
Black	Based on a toon version of Dark Link, who appears closer to this color scheme in Four Swords Adventures, and the Dark Interlopers from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Samus / Zero Suit Samus

Orange	Based on the Varia Suit as it appears in Super Metroid with embellishments taken from the Legendary Power Suit from Metroid: Zero Mission. It no longer corresponds with Samus' red team color, most likely because it is now paired with her cyan Zero Suit.
Blue	Based on the Fusion Suit from Metroid Fusion.
Pink	Based on the Gravity Suit's in-game sprite from Super Metroid, but more closely resembles the color scheme of the Varia Suit of the original Metroid when missiles are selected.
Black	Based on the Dark Suit from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.
Purple	Based on the Gravity Suit's appearance in Metroid Prime.
Green	In Japan, the original Super Smash Bros. website referred to this alternate costume as "mass-produced Samus", a reference to Gundam.

Zero Suit Samus' costumes are complementary to Samus' respective costumes.

Cyan	Based on the Zero Suit in Metroid: Zero Mission.
Blue	Based on her outfit she wears upon completion of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes.
Pink	Resembles her leotard at the end of the original Metroid.
Black	Resembles her outfit at the end of Super Metroid.
Purple	N/A
Green	Sakurai refers this outfit as a "mass-produced Zero Suit," similar to how Samus' green costume is referred to a "mass-produced Samus", a reference to Gundam.

Pit

White	Based on an original redesign specifically for Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Yellow	N/A
Red	Similar to an outfit in Kid Icarus with the Gold Arrow upgrade.
Green	Similar to an outfit in Kid Icarus with the Bronze Arrow upgrade.
Blue	Similar to an outfit in Kid Icarus with the Sacred Arrow upgrade.
Black	Referred to as a fallen angel, on the DOJO!!, It became the basis for Dark Pit.

Ice Climbers

Popo and Nana switch positions for their red, black, and white costumes, but they do not switch positions on the selection screen like they did in Melee.

Purple	Based on their original sprites in Ice Climber.
Red	A variation based on their default look. Could possibly be meant for some kind of "holiday" look. Also makes Nana resemble the red Ice Climber on the box art for Ice Climber. Also resembles the color changes before turning white when touching an enemy in Ice Climber.
Blue	Nana's parka resembles Popo's immediately after touching an antagonist, but before turning completely white.
Black	Popo's white parka could also resemble a brief color change that happens when Popo and Nana die in Ice Climber. Nana's black parka is based on the sprite for Popo in the Game & Watch version of Ice Climber.
Green	Popo's parka color resembles the cucumber and the cabbage. Nana's parka color resembles her hair color from the PAL and Japanese artworks of Ice Climber.
White	The colors of their mittens and boots match those of their default colors. The parka color resembles their sprite after touching an antagonist. The color of their parkas, mittens and boots resemble the Polar Bears.

R.O.B.

Red	Based on R.O.B.'s Japanese color scheme for the Famicom. This design also was the source for the R.O.B. Sentry.
Grey	Based on R.O.B.'s North American color scheme for the NES. Even the words on his base change from "Family Computer Robot" to "R.O.B. - Robotic Operating Buddy", the same as the American design. R.O.B.'s grey costume also appears similar to the R.O.B. Blaster from the The Subspace Emissary.
Yellow	Resembles the color scheme of the glitch, Spike, from Stack-Up.
Purple	The only color where the cord on the back is a different color. It also has the color scheme of the glitch, Flipper, from Stack-Up. Also resembles the North American Super Nintendo Entertainment System color scheme.
Blue	Gives R.O.B. colors similar to a R.O.B. seen in StarTropics. Also resembles the original color scheme of the Game Boy Advance and the Nintendo GameCube.
Green	Resembles the R.O.B. Launcher from the Subspace Emissary, though lacking the same bright blue cord and missile-launching face.

Kirby

All these colors are also similar to different Kirby colors in games such as Kirby Air Ride and Kirby & The Amazing Mirror. They are all also usable in Kirby: Squeak Squad, where color variations are distinct and each have their own names.

Pink	Based on his appearance from recent Kirby games.
Yellow	Based on Keeby, the yellow Kirby controlled by Player 2 in Kirby's Dream Course and various other Kirby titles, including Beam Kirby from Kirby Super Star, sans the hat.
Blue	The same as when Kirby is Ice Kirby in Kirby Super Star, sans the hat.
Red	The same as when Kirby is Fire Kirby in Kirby Super Star, sans the hat. Also used for Player 3 in recent multiplayer games.
Green	The same as when Kirby is Plasma Kirby in Kirby Super Star, sans the hat. Also used for Player 4 in recent multiplayer games. Officially referred to as "kusa mochi Kirby".
White	Resembles Kirby's monochrome appearance from the original Kirby's Dream Land. It is also similar to Kirby's appearance on the North American box art.

King Dedede

Red	Based on his recent appearances in recent Kirby titles.
Pink	Similar to an alternate costume in Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards multiplayer mode.
Green	Similar to an alternate costume in Kirby Air Ride.
Purple	Features a very ornately decorated belt, similar to one on a formal Japanese kimono. This costume is also similar to an alternate costume in Kirby Air Ride.
Blue	Features a belt that contains the same icons as one of the menu schemes from Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards.
Brown	Mirrors Kirby's white costume, resembling his monochromatic appearance in Kirby's Dream Land for the Game Boy.

Meta Knight

All of Meta Knight's costumes are similar to alternate costumes from Kirby Air Ride.

Purple	Based on his appearance from recent Kirby titles.
White	Resembles a Paladin and a Holy Knight. Also based on a similar swap in Kirby Air Ride.
Red	Based on a similar swap in Kirby Air Ride. Also resembles his concept artwork from Kirby's Dream Collection.
Green	N/A
Blue	Although believed by some fans to be inspired by Kirby & The Amazing Mirror's Dark Meta Knight, it actually resembles his official art from his first appearance in Kirby's Adventure, where his mask and shoes were depicted as a dark purple color, his body was close to black, and his cape was red. However, in this appearance, his eyes were not red and his gloves were white.
Pink	Based on a similar swap in Kirby Air Ride. Also changes his color scheme to resemble Kirby.

Olimar

Tan	Based on his appearance from Pikmin 2.
White	Resembles a Navy Mark IV space suit.
Red	N/A
Black	N/A
Green	N/A
Blue	Based on Louie, Olimar's partner in Pikmin 2.

Fox

Grey	A combination of his appearances in Star Fox: Assault and Star Fox Command.
Black	Resembles "Dark Fox" on the DOJO!!. Similar dark color schemes are also available for Falco and Wolf.
Red	Resembles Falco's outfit from from Star Fox 64, Star Fox: Assault, and Star Fox: Command and Peppy Hare's outfit from Star Fox 64.
Green	Resembles his outfit from Star Fox: Assault's multiplayer. Also based on his color scheme from the original Star Fox concept art.
Blue	Resembles Slippy Toad's flight suit from Star Fox 64.
White	N/A

Falco

White	Based on his design from Star Fox: Command.
Orange	Resembles Katt Monroe, Falco's love interest, as she appears in Star Fox Command.
Blue	Resembles Slippy Toad's outfit from Star Fox 64. His clothing is also a reminiscent of an Arwing.
Red	Resembles Peppy Hare's outfit from Star Fox 64 and his outfit in Star Fox: Assault.
Green	Resembles Fox's outfit, including the multiplayer mode in Star Fox: Assault. Also resembles his appearance at the end of Star Fox Adventures.
Black	The black color matches Fox's and Wolf's dark costume. Also based on an artwork for the original Star Fox game where he had black feathers.

Wolf

Grey	Based on his appearance in Star Fox: Assault, only his fur having a shade of light blue.
Red	N/A
Black	Gives Wolf a dark alternate costume which compliments Fox's and Falco's. Also resembles a black wolf. The portrait shows him having black sleeves, but are actually white in-game.
Green	Resembles his Player 4 costume from Star Fox: Assault's multiplayer.
Blue	Resembles his Player 2 costume from Star Fox: Assault's multiplayer.
White	Resembles the colors of the original Wolfens from Star Fox 64. The portrait shows him having black sleeves, but are actually white in-game. Also resembles the coloration of the Wolfen.

Captain Falcon

Indigo	Based on his standard appearance in F-Zero GX, with his scarf hanging out instead of being tucked in, and some other original elements.
Black	Resembles his costume from the F-Zero X Expansion Kit, especially a Japanese commercial for F-Zero X.
Red	Based on his rival Blood Falcon's outfit, even the writing on his back changes to say "Blood Hawk", with a skull design around the lettering.
Green	Resembles the color scheme of the Wild Goose, Pico's F-Zero vehicle.
Blue	Resembles his appearance in the original F-Zero.
White	Resembles Jody Summer's original design in F-Zero X.

Pikachu

Pikachu is the only character to have only four costume choices in Brawl.

Yellow	Based on its appearance from recent Pokémon titles.
Red	Includes Red's hat, the protagonist of Pokémon Red and Blue. Pikachu's fur color also changes to look akin to a shiny Pikachu.
Green	Includes Brendan's headband as it appeared in Pokémon Emerald.
Blue	Has the goggles worn by Pichu in Melee, which are possibly a reference to those worn by the "Swimmer" class of trainer in the Pokémon series.

Pokémon Trainer

Default	Based on Red from the original Pokémon games.
Red	The trainer's hat resembles Leaf, the female trainer in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. Charizard resembles its pre-evolution, Charmeleon.
Green	The trainer takes on the color scheme of Brendan as he appeared in Pokémon Emerald. Ivysaur and Squirtle appear with their "shiny" colors.
Blue	Charizard's purple color is similar to that of its shiny color from Generation II. Squirtle's blue color is possibly inspired by the original sprite in Generation I, particularly Pokémon Yellow.
White	Charizard's yellow tint resembles the shiny colors of its pre-evolutions, Charmander and Charmeleon.

Lucario

Blue	Based on its appearance in recent Pokémon titles.
Red	Based on Mars, one of the commanders of Team Galactic.
Cyan	Changes Lucario's coloration to resemble its pre-evolved form, Riolu.
White	Based on the Team Galactic suits.
Green	Based on the hair of Galactic Grunts.

Jigglypuff

Jigglypuff's alternate costumes are mostly feminine accessories, which is one of the reasons why this Jigglypuff is considered to be female.

Pink	Based on its recent appearances in the Pokémon series.
Red	The same red flower Jigglypuff had in Super Smash Bros. Melee. It appears to be a hibiscus flower with five petals in a circle-like shape. It also resembles Phoebe's flower from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.
White	Gives Jigglypuff a hat like the one Leaf, the female heroine of Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen wears.
Blue	Resembles Jigglypuff's shiny color. The hat resembles those worn by the Bug Catcher and Lady trainer classes from the Pokémon games.
Green	Very similar to the hat worn by Kirby when he has his Sleep ability.

Marth

Blue	Based on his appearance from Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem.
Red	Based on the "enemy" unit color in the Fire Emblem series.
Green	Based on the "ally" unit color in the Fire Emblem series.
Black	Resembles Camus, one of Marth's allies, as he appears starting with Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem.
White	Based on Leif, the protagonist of Fire Emblem: Thracia 776.
Cyan	N/A

Ike

Indigo	Based on his Ranger class outfit from Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance.
Yellow	Resembles the outfit of his father, Greil, from Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance.
Red	Resembles the outfit of Mia from Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance and Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. Also based on the enemy units from the Fire Emblem series.
Blue	Based on his third-tier vanguard class in Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. It also greatly resembles Sigurd from Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War.
Green	Based on the allied units from the Game Boy Advance Fire Emblem games.
Brown	Based on the mages in Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance. Referred to as an "ordinary soldier" by the DOJO!!.

Ness

Red	Based on his appearance from EarthBound.
White	Resembles Fuel from Mother 3.
Yellow	The black and yellow stripes resemble the uniform of the Hanshin Tigers, a Japanese baseball team with a large following. The shirt's pattern is reminiscent of the Gigantic Ant enemy from EarthBound.
Green	Resembles Everdred from EarthBound.
Blue	Based on Ness' younger self that he encounters briefly in EarthBound, who was wearing a blue hat.
Black	Has a Mr. Saturn sprite drawn on the front of his shirt. May be based on the Good Kid's Shirt from Mother 3, which is found only in Saturn Valley.

Lucas

Yellow	Based on his appearance from Mother 3.
Orange	Resembles his twin brother Claus, who in Mother 3 also had a slightly different hairstyle.
Red	Based on the color scheme of Hinawa's dress, depicted as red in Mother 3.
Blue	Resembles Ness' pajamas in EarthBound.
Green	N/A
Purple	N/A

Mr. Game & Watch

Black	Based on the Game & Watch characters from the games Fire and Parachute.
Red	Based on depictions of objects and characters on the Virtual Boy.
Yellow	Based on depictions of objects and characters on the Game Boy.
Blue	N/A
Green	Reminiscent on the green dot-matrix display of the Game Boy.
Cyan	Reminiscent of the backlit display of the Game Boy Light.

Snake

Most of these are based on different camouflage suits worn by Naked Snake (a.k.a. Big Boss) in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.

Grey	Based on Snake's default standard camouflage suit from Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.
Red	Based on the Fury's Fire camouflage.
Blue	Based on the Water camouflage.
White	Based on the Splitter camouflage.
Green	Based on the Tiger Stripe camouflage.
Brown	Based on Major Ocelot's Animal camouflage.

Sonic

Sonic is the only non-Pokémon character to have fewer than six palette swaps. The stripe on his sneakers is white in all palette swaps, and, in all but the default palette swap, the rest of his sneakers match his wristbands.

Blue	Based on his modern appearance since Sonic Adventure.
Black	Resembles Dark Sonic from the Sonic X anime. Also resembles Shadow the Hedgehog.
Yellow	The cuffs somewhat resemble Silver the Hedgehog's gloves.
Green	His wristbands resemble the ones attached to the gloves that appear in the special stages in Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and the shoes resemble the green Chaos Emerald.
Red	His cuffs are reminiscent of the thumbs-up that appears in Sonic the Hedgehog 2's Special Stage.

Trivia

• There is a total of 216 alternate costumes. 222 if you count Sheik as a separate character.
• The average number of costumes per character is 6.
• Wario has the highest amount of color palette swaps at 12.
  • Wario is the first character in the Super Smash Bros. series to have an alternate costume along with color palette swaps.
• There is only 1 fighter with only 4 color palette swaps, and there are 4 fighters with only 5.
• There is some costumes that have been changed the color after Melee.
  • Kirby: Green-colored. His feet are now orange.
  • Luigi: the Green and White color's gloves are now white.
• There is 1 costume that has been cut and removed after Melee.
  • Jigglypuff: Yellow.
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl is the only game of the Super Smash Bros. series in which Fox does not have his orange costume from Super Smash Bros. and Melee, replaced by his red alt. It however keeps the reference, since Falco mainly wears red in Star Fox Assault and Command. Even though it got cut from this game, it doesn’t count as a cut costume, because Fox gets his orange alt back in the next Super Smash Bros. game.
• Captain Falcon's red outfit actually has one file for each available PAL language in the game (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian). While presumably done so localizers could edit the "Blood Hawk" on the back to match the current language, this appears to have been skipped or glossed over, as there is no difference between the files.
• Mr. Game & Watch only has one file for his model and textures. This indicates that the color variations come from tinting or blending the textures, instead of pre-rendered bitmaps.
• Luigi has an unused blue costume in the game's data; this costume is slightly lighter in color than the used one, and the reason for its removal is unknown.

Same color glitch

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, there is a glitch in which players can use the same character with the same color scheme for VS. Mode (other than Team Battles) and Solo Mode (which uses a more difficult method involving choosing a random character).

Palette swaps
Lists by Game	Super Smash Bros. · Melee · Brawl · for 3DS/Wii U · Ultimate
Characters	Builder Mario  · Dark Link  · Pikachu Libre  · Alph  · Koopalings  · Meta Ridley  · Heroes (III, IV, VIII)  · Zombie and Enderman