Nintendo Opens Fan Voting for Super Smash Bros.
April 3, 2015Throughout it’s storied history, Nintendo has treated its loyal followers with great fan-service, and this is most evident in the wildly popular franchise, Super Smash Bros., which pits fighters from multiple game series against one another. With every new installment of this heavy-hitting series comes a slew of speculation as to which new challengers will appear, and some fans even go so far as to create elaborate fake “leaks” of new characters.
With the release of Super Smash Bros. on the Wii U and 3DS, some would say that fans were spoiled due to the inclusion of classic gaming legends Pac-Man and Mega Man as first-timers. Combine that with the additions of Little Mac from the Punch Out!! series, and of course the buddy duo of dog and duck of Duck Hunt fame, and you’ve got a solid core of new challengers.
However, Nintendo took fan-service to a whole new level when Satoru Iwata announced the following during the April 1st Nintendo Direct: “We’ve decided to open the new Smash Bros. Fighter Ballot on the Smash Bros. micro site after this Nintendo Direct. With this poll you can let us know directly which character you’d like to see become the next new fighter in Super Smash Bros.”
Iwata went on to temper expectations a bit by stating the obvious sentiment that Nintendo wouldn’t be able to honor certain requests no matter how popular. Regardless, this is a huge opportunity for gamers to make certain dreams a reality by playing as a favorite character that’s been neglected over the years in the celebrated brawler. It also opens up fans to concoct ludicrous schemes to get the most obscure characters in the game.
However, as Mr. Iwata noted, Nintendo cannot just accept any popular character for obvious copyright and legal reasons. That’s why I’m putting forth this helpful guide for fans of Super Smash Bros. to consider when placing their votes. I’ll be putting forth realistic options that have a legit shot at making it into the fray, as well as some characters that, while popular, likely don’t have a shot at seeing the Final Destination stage.
Realistic Challengers
Birdo (Super Mario Bros.)
While Birdo may not be the most prominent character from the Mario Bros. series, s/he has been around since the days of Super Mario Bros. 2 and has been in well over twenty Nintendo titles. The reason why s/he makes the list of reasonable voting options is obvious – Nintendo owns the rights to Birdo likeliness and would have zero barriers to putting him/her in the game.
But would she make a good fighter? Birdo may not be the most powerful, fast, or heavy fighter, but s/he could bring a decent set of unique moves that take advantage of her egg-spitting ability. Sure, Birdo may have to borrow some moves from Yoshi given their similar build, but Nintendo has done that in the past with the likes of Fox and Falco. Birdo would make a great addition to the lineup that’s not only unique, but 100% doable.
Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid)
I’ll be the first to admit that this option is a bit of a cop-out seeing as how Solid Snake was in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but his inclusion would still be a welcome one for many gamers. Fans of the Metal Gear franchise are some of the most loyal, and with the upcoming release of Metal Gear Solid 5, the resulting hype-train would make this a win-win for both Nintendo and Konami.
Solid Snake already has a set of moves and animations from Brawl, so it would be little work to add everyone’s favorite FOXHOUND operation to the lineup. Plus, Solid Snake had one of the best taunts in any Super Smash Bros. game, so that’s a bonus.
Knuckles (Sonic the Hedgehog)
This is another option based on limited hoops that Nintendo would have to jump through to make it a reality, but there are plenty of reasons to make SEGA’s red echidna smash bro. For one, he’s known as a fighter in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, even more so than the Blue Blur himself. I mean, his name is Knuckles; how much more obvious can it get?
Secondly, Knuckles is very recognizable due to his inclusion in multiple titles on Nintendo systems, including his appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as a sticker and trophy. Plus, Sonic has been holding the torch for his franchise all alone in the Super Smash Bros. games since his inclusion, and I’m sure he’d appreciate the company.
King K. Rool (Donkey Kong Country)
If you haven’t heard of this king of Kremlings, then I suggest you run to eBay right now and buy an SNES and a copy of Donkey Kong Country. King K. Rool may not have the infamous reputation of Bowser, but back in the 90’s he was the foil to Donkey Kong and his clan in some of the best platformers ever made. Sadly, he’s faded a bit from the scene, but his place in the DK series warrants respect, and what better way to give it to K. Rool than to vote him into Super Smash Bros.?
There may be a good amount of heavy-hitters in the game already, but King K. Rool could add some unique scenes with the Kongs as well as Bowser, acting as the “new” lizard king on the block. Perhaps his inclusion on this list is due in no small part to my own nostalgia, but that doesn’t mean King K. Rool doesn’t deserve one final chance in the spotlight.
Skull Kid (Legend of Zelda)
I think it’s time that we all acknowledge the fact that Skull Kid is becoming quite the icon in the Legend of Zelda series. With the recent releases of Majora’s Mask 3D for the 3DS and a pretty slick figurine of Skull Kid, the world has plunged itself back into the crazy world of creepy masks and even creepier moons once again, and Skull Kid is at the forefront.
Some may say that Nintendo has already saturated Super Smash Bros. with characters from Legend of Zelda, but Skull Kid’s new iconic status isn’t to be ignored. It may be worth just a one-shot as a fan favorite vote, but you have to admit that Skull Kid has potential as a fighter. He can cast curses, manipulate weather, and even control the moon! Who wouldn’t want to see a Final Smash where a creepy grinning moon crashes down on your foes? Exactly nobody, that;’s who.
Unlikely Challengers
Geno (Super Mario Bros.)
If there’s such a thing as a one hit wonder in the world of video game characters, Geno should be the poster child. Featured in only one major title, (the magnificent Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars on the SNES) Geno provided enough whimsy for gamers that he’s been in high demand since. In fact, he’s actually been requested as a character in Super Smash Bros. so much that the series creator, Masahiro Sakurai, jokingly stated that he would “delay the game’s release by one day” for every request to include Geno.
Still, as much as I’d love to see the quirky starman trapped in a wooden body appear as a new challenger, there is a nearly insurmountable hurdle to overcome. The rights to Geno belong to Square Enix, because he was created by Squaresoft back when they were collaborating with Nintendo in Super Mario RPG. While this might have been possible 25 years ago, the relationship between these two gaming giants isn’t what it used to be, and Square Enix isn’t likely to hand over Geno to be used any time soon.
Phoenix Wright (Ace Attorney)
There are many reasons to love the Ace Attorney series by Capcom, especially when they include the slick-haired and near-undefeated defense attorney, Phoenix Wright. While he may have “only” a cult following, Phoenix Wright has been the star of several games on Nintendo handhelds so the door is open for his inclusion in Super Smash Bros.
However, once you move beyond the lack of barriers to inclusion, you don’t have much in the way of a fighter. Phoenix has made cameos in fighting games before, but Nintendo’s already gone that route when they pulled Captain Falcon from his Falcon Flyer to Falcon Punch his way into our hearts. Sorry Phoenix Wright fans, but there’s only room on this block for one obscure bird-named character who has no business being in a fighting game.
Waluigi (Super Mario Bros.)
Mario and Luigi were obvious choice for Super Smash Bros. Then Wario ate his way into our hearts in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. However, the Luigi doppelganger has been oddly absent as a playable fighter in the series, only given the role as a trophy and/or a sticker in titles thus far. Sure, his creation was likely unnecessary and is seen as a bit of a joke to some people (read: me), but surely he deserves the chance to duke it out with his Mario pals, right?
Unfortunately, Waluigi just wouldn’t fit into the Super Smash Bros. cast of characters. If there’s any one character who’s historically been the whipping boy of the Mario Bros. series, it’s poor ol’ Luigi. However, there may be one character that’s more forgettable than Mario’s second-fiddle of a brother, but without the dopey charm – Waluigi. Honestly, including him in any game at this point seems like an act of sorrowful pity on the part of Nintendo for creating such a sad character, and that wouldn’t be right for a series as great as Super Smash Bros.
Rayman
Ubisoft’s limbless hero has had quite the resurgence in recent years. Games such as Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends were received very well by platformer fans, and they reminded people that you don’t have to take yourself too seriously to be the star of a fun yet challenging game. Given the popularity of Rayman games over the last decade, it’s no surprise that people have been crying for his inclusion since Super Smash Bros. was announced for the Wii U and 3DS.
But things are rarely as we wish them to be. Even though Ubisoft was the most open 3rd party developer to embrace the Wii U when it released back in 2012, supporting it with titles like ZombiU, Assassin’s Creed III, and Just Dance 4, the lackluster sales figures for the Nintendo’s embattled console haven’t helped reassure third party support. Ubisoft recently shelved a Wii U title stating that it was “waiting for more families to own the console.” Until Ubisoft regains confidence in Nintendo and the Wii U, Rayman might remain on the shelf as well.
Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog)
Nobody likes you, Tails! #WorstSidekickEver
So what do you think of these possible new challengers? Do you agree with the assertion that some are more likely than others? Do you have a favorite character that you’d love to see Nintendo include in Super Smash Bros.? Let us know in the comments.
But but but I like Tails…. he’s cute!