Act I
- Episode 4 introduces a recurring element in the series: Ascent Modes, which allows certain fighters to access a variety of abilities that normal Trophies can barely compete with. The mode makes its debut in Bowser's exhibition against Pikachu, which allows him to make a comeback recovery and cement Team Bowser's place at the top of the tournament rankings.
- Episode 6 presents us with The Reveal that, in a major departure from his established personality as The Hero, Link serves as a member of Team Ganon. Then there is the reveal that Lucario is a reincarnated Mewtwo.
- In Episode 7, the past relationship of Bowser and Ganondorf is explored briefly. It's here where Ganondorf confirms that he knows the truth about Lucario, and also forces Bowser into an enraged state after casually reminding him of Pichu's death.
Act II
- Episodes 12-15 are a nonstop barrage of wham moments. In rough chronological order:
- Episode 12: Ganondorf succeeds in corrupting Bowser, and sics the monstrous Giga Bowser on the heroes.
- Episode 13: The death of Captain Falcon, following a Heroic Sacrifice where he defended his teammates from Link. This is the first on-screen death in the series, and it's clear that despite Falcon's eccentricities, Marth and Luigi still looked up to him. This is also the episode where Peach and Bowser reunite with Mario, after presuming him dead; while Bowser does intend to fight Mario, he holds off on it in favor of fighting Ganondorf—only after Ganon is forced to retreat do the age old enemies begin their battle.
- Episode 14: Mario and Bowser finally face other for the first time since their duel in Melee. The Creator's Mercenaries then show up to apprehend Bowser, having received orders that Bowser is to be destroyed and reincarnated by the Creator himself. After Samus shoots Bowser with an enhanced Charge Shot (later revealed to be a fraction of the Creator's own power), the Koopa King is seemingly incapacitated... until Bowser absorbs said power, forcing him to enter his Giga Bowser form combined with his Ascent Mode.
- Episode 15: In spite of absorbing the Creator's raw power, though, it's still too much for Bowser to handle even in his enhanced state. He ends up releasing that energy all over the World of Trophies, granting every Trophy a boost in power. This has the unintended side effect of also granting Ganondorf some extra power, and is also the cause for Ridley finally awakening.
- Episode 16 introduces Captain Falcon—that is, Captain Falcon after being reincarnated. Marth and Luigi, while still saddened by the death of the original Falcon, vow to work with the newly reincarnated Captain Falcon and make an earnest effort to rise in the tournament rankings.
- Episode 17 is full of important exposition related to events which occurred prior to the main series. These include the reign of the villainous Queen Peach, the death of Pichu at Ganondorf's hand, and the betrayal Bowser committed against his teammates in spite of the relationship they had all built. However, once Bowser fully admits the truth, Lucario no longer views him as an enemy; with his guard lowered, the real Lucario begins to emerge and expels Mewtwo from his body.
- Episode 18 is where Ganondorf first mentions the power boost Bowser inadvertently granted him, and demonstrates his newfound strength with a new technique: the creation of Phantom Ganon, who can act as a familiar in Ganondorf's stead. This is also where Ridley formally makes his debut, and it's revealed that he is one of a group of god-like beings called the Tetracardinals. He is also being held beneath New Pork City—the very cornerstone of the World of Brawl. The Creator's Mercenaries and the B.S Society surrender in the face of these facts, handing the first of several victories to the villains.
Act III
The Bad Guy Wins at the end of Act II, and thus far, Act III only continues the villains' streak of good fortune.
- Episode 19 explains Ridley's origin: found on the brink of death by Team Ganon, he was given cybernetic parts coupled with Bowser's DNA. Toward the end of the episode, Ridley kills Samus by swallowing her whole, further crippling the morale of the gathered heroes.
- Episode 21 has Wolf finally grow fed up with the mission assigned to him by the Creator, and he chooses to reveal everything he knows to Ganondorf. Ganon, sensing an opportunity, helps Wolf by removing the Creator's essence from his body—the one thing keeping Wolf bound to the Creator. Now free from his "shackles," Wolf pledges his allegiance to Team Ganon and becomes their new teammate, filling the vacancy left by Lucario. During the Emeraudefest tournament, it's also revealed by Zero Ridley that he, and by extension the main Ridley, also inherited some of Link and Lucario's DNA, allowing Ridley and his numerous offshoots all of the abilities of the other villains. On top of that, Dedede reveals to the audience watching the festival that Ganondorf is still in the tournament, now comprised of Ganondorf, Link, and Wolf, along with Ridley's role as a Tetracardinal and that he will be the final challenge that the winning team of the tournament will face. Mario shares the viewer's thoughts on the whole matter.
