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have not been referenced or exploited in Smash Bros

You have to track your opponent from left to right and counter their shots. Weak shots destroy certain incoming projectiles, while charged shots interrupt attacks. I would imagine it would also make it difficult on harder fights to find an opportunity to get any hits in.

This seems strikingly similar to how the Super Scope is handled as an item in Smash Bros. It can fire a stream of small shots to disrupt your opponent, or charge to several level to blast your opponent off the stage. I feel like this item is at least an indirect reference to their earlier games.