As the roster for the new Super Smash Bros. becomes bigger and bigger, we know the room for new characters gets smaller with every passing reveal. Before the final roster is complete, I have a few additions I’d like to make to replace some of the outdated/old characters and simply add-on. Most of these are characters people wish for in every iteration of Smash Bros., but I have my own reasons for the additions and maybe some of these will even come true this time around! But I doubt it…
Who: Chrom and Lucina
From: Fire Emblem: Awakening
Replacing: Marth, Ike
Why: Out with the old; in with the new! Marth has already been announced for the new games, but it’d be great to just put some fresh, more familiar faces into the games. Awakening brought a whole slew of fantastic characters, so it’d be great to get some new players on the field.
Probability: High, actually! I don’t see Lucina making it in, but Chrom seems like a likely choice given that Ike and Roy only got a game a piece so far. Chrom is the face of the Fire Emblem franchise currently and his inclusion seems almost definite.
Who: Mallow and/or Geno
From: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Replacing: R.O.B., Wolf
Why: Probably two of the most requested combatants, both character could offer a fun, unique way to fight. Super Mario RPG is one of my all-time favorite games, so the inclusion of two of the main characters would be awesome. Each fighter has unique moves that can be plucked straight from the RPG to provide movesets. With Sonic, Megaman, and Snake having joined the roster of fighters, these guys have a chance, no matter how small. With RPG having come to the Virtual Console, the time is ripe to bring back these iconic characters.
Probability: Not very likely, but there’s a chance. Their inclusion would be a shock, but the odds are in their favor now more than ever. With the Virtual Console release and fan demand, we could have a nice surprise heading our way. It’s most likely not going to happen, but those of us with fond memories of RPG can dream.
Who: Banjo (and Kazooie)
From: Banjo Kazooie series
Replacing: Nobody
Why: There isn’t a single person that wouldn’t love to see this happen. It would be a fantastic way for Nintendo to bring back the classic characters, especially if it was attached to an announcement of Rare, the prodigal son, returning to Nintendo to finally give us Banjo Threeie and a sequel to Conker’s.
Probability: Pigs sighted over New York. There’s absolutely no chance of Banjo joining the ranks of Smash Bros. Nintendo would have to work out a deal with the Devil to gain access to the characters, but man… it would be SO sweet.
Who: Baby Mario and Baby Luigi
From: The Mario franchise
Replacing: Nobody
Why: The Ice Climbers are the only “team” characters in the Smash Bros. series and it’s high time for another. The babies are present in a great deal of games in the Mario franchise and their inclusion here would be great. Their repertoire is already available thanks to the Mario and Luigi series, so the moveset could come naturally. It’d be fun addition to the games and if the designers are willing to add the Wii Fit Trainer, this seems like a much easier fit.
Probability: Low, but more likely than most. The babies are well-known and prominent in the Nintendo world and there is a designable, balanced way to include them in the series. They would be a good parralel for the Ice Climbers and an easy choice if the need for a duo should ever arise.
Who: Tails and/or Knuckles
From: The Sonic series
Replacing: Snake, Lucas
Why: Sonic seems to be joining the ranks of Smash Bros. for awhile, so why not let him invite some friends along? Tails and Knuckles could give designers a fun challenge to create some interesting movesets, but like most of these characters, there is already some groundwork laid for how to fit them in. Lucas is a carbon copy of Ness and it would open room for some different and fun characters to join the ranks.
Probability: Average. Sonic’s already in Smash Bros., so if a few friends of his were to pop up, it would not be unwarranted. I don’t see their inclusion this time, but perhaps in the next iteration.
Who: King K. Rool
From: The Donkey Kong series
Replacing: Mr. Game and Watch
Why: There is a lack of large fighters in Smash Bros. Wario, Bowser, Ganondorf, King Dedede, and Donkey Kong need a friend. K. Rool would add a little variety to the game and give us another “big fighter”. He’s been a favorite to join the ranks for some time, but his inclusion would be a fun add-on. He’s the big baddie of a Nintendo staple and if King Dedede can make it, so can K. Rool.
Probability: Most likely…unlikely. There isn’t much reason to add K. Rool beyond a need for big characters and his moveset would be challenging, at best, to figure out. There are more desirable characters to be added first and K. Rool hasn’t been a prominent figure in the DK series for awhile.
Who: Waluigi
From: The Mario franchise
Replacing: Nobody
Why: It seems like a good choice to add the other “bad” brother to the brawling. He’s been a popular character in Mario sports games and it’d be fun to see him added in just to see what sort of hijinx he could get up to. He’s a unique character that could be given some fun and interesting moves. He’s got a big fanbase and since Wario was only just added to Brawl, Waluigi’s inclusion in the new Smash Bros. has a better chance than ever.
Probability: High! His counterpart was only added to Brawl and Waluigi is more visible than ever before. Being added now would seem like a reasonable decision, so there’s a good chance this could happen.
Who: Skull Kid
From: The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask
Replacing: Falco
Why: Nintendo seems to be easing away from the Star Fox series, so it seems reasonable to think Falco would get the boot from Smash Bros. Not only does he serve the same functions Fox does, but he is from a series that is receiving little love from Nintendo at this point in time. The Zelda series is Nintendo’s second biggest at this point with popular releases happening in the last few years. Right now is the time to beef up the Zelda team in Smash Bros. with a fan favorite.
Probability: Likely! Skull Kid has been out of the spotlight for years and despite his popularity, the only thing to put him back in that light would be Nintendo announcing a Majora’s Mask remake for the 3DS – which seems like a reasonable assumption. His inclusion would fit nicely with that.
—
There are plenty more that I could certainly see popping up if Nintendo were to go crazy and add newcomers endlessly. Mallo from Pushmo/Crashmo, Toad, Little Mac from Punchout!!, and plenty of others. The likelihood of us seeing very many more newcomers for the 2014 Smash Bros. release are low, but here’s hoping that everyone’s favorite joins the fighting this year!
Who do you guys want for your dream roster in Smash Bros.? Any of my choices seem likely to you? Let me know in a comment! I’d love to hear some of your dream newcomers!
The New Galio: Rework or Replacement?
Assassin’s Creed 2017: A History of Leaks and Rumors
