The effect of the Heart Container in both games is simple, it will reduce 100% of damage of the player who picks it up. Any damage taken during the healing will be subtracted from the final amount. In SSF, All-Star presents three Heart Containers on the All-Star Rest Area that the player may use between rounds, unlike in Super Smash Bros. Melee, these Heart Containers do not reduce damage all the way down to 0%, only the habitual 100%. It used to be the best recovering item until the introduction of the Energy Tank in SSF2, which is able to reduces the damage of the player to 0% but at the expense of vulnerability, which may hinder its healing factor and may recover less than the Heart Container.
Origin[]
The Heart Container made its first appearance in The Legend of Zelda. At the beginning of The Legend of Zelda, Link starts with three hearts. When Link can either buy a Heart Container from a merchanter or get one by beating a boss. Once he gets the Heart Container, it gives one heart unit to his life meter; however it does not used to replenish any of his life meter. In The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, when Link finds a Heart Container, it gives him another heart and replenishes all of his health. This was also true in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.