1998, in a game called Earthbound. So is Lucas
To unlock Ness in SSBB ,you must play 5 (offline) brawl matches, reflect 10 projectiles or defeat him in Subspace Emissary Mode.
Ness is older than Lucas. Ness has a PK Thunder that when it hits him , he attacks a single blow , Lucas, a million of tiny hits. Ness' PK Fire stays still (and hits combos) and goes any direction. Lucas has a fire pillar and one single hit and it goes straight in the air.
Patrick Ness was born in 1971.
Terje Ness was born in 1972.
Don Ness was born in 1974.
Ness Edwards was born in 1897.
Erin Ness was born in 1978.
Helge Ness was born in 1861.
Harry Ness was born in 1885.
Steinar Ness was born in 1959.
Apache Ness was born in 1971.
Sadly, you cannot unlock Rayquaza in SSBB. Here is the list of characters you can unlock: Ness, Marth, Luigi, Falco, Captain Falcon, Lucario, Snake, R.O.B., Ganondorf, Mr. Game & Watch, Sonic, Jigglypuff, Toon Link, and Wolf