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Most likely newcomers in Smash Bros? [roundtable]
 
We've got two long days to go, so let's talk Smash Bros! Who do you think has the best chance to get in at this point, now that most of the obvious choices have already appeared in past games? My ten most likely picks:

RIDLEY: It's hard to make heads or tails of the big guy at this point. Prior to Samus's sudden resurgence last year, I'd say he had next to no chance. But with Metroid making a long-overdue comeback, Ridley's re-entered the ring for relevances' sake. Shrink him down a tad and give him a bit of a "squished" stance and he'd fit in no problem. But will Sakurai go through the trouble for this fan-favorite villain? BUN SEZ 50% LIKELY. CONFIRMED!

RABBID(S): Love 'em or leave 'em, the Rabbids shocked us twofold last year by both starring next to Mario and co., and by being featured in a genuinely strong strategy game. That timely crossover works out in their favor with Smash Bros, as what seemed impossible by Smash 4's release now feels like a very real scenario. Personally, I wouldn't want them in Smash, but I can't deny that Kingdom Battle gave them a huge boost in potentiality--both in chances and in moveset. BUN SEZ 55% LIKELY.

DIXIE KONG OR CRANKY KONG: Tropical Freeze gave them a boost and I'm sure Sakurai is aware of the lack of DK representation these days. Even so, Smash has always leaned heavily Japanese (where's my Mike Jones!?) and the DK series has always been a bigger hit in the west. I can see Dixie or Cranky's chances being very similar. BUN SEZ 60% LIKELY.

TOAD/CAPTAIN TOAD: The Mario series has gotten newcomers in every Smash Bros game (well, if you count Wario in Brawl), so I'm pretty sure we'll see a new rep. Toad's been around forever, and Captain Toad has had both a Wii U game and a port since SSB4's initial release, so he seems like a prime pick for Smash. Since Peach has some Toad-like overlap (veggies and using Toad himself), there'll likely need to be some re-jiggering of movesets, but I think he's got a decent shot. BUN SEZ 60% LIKELY. DISCONFIRMED! He appears in both Peach's attacks (regular Toad) and in the New Donk City stage (Captain Toad).

SIMON BELMONT: This classic Konami character has been oft-requested, has a terrific built-in moveset (just put the four sub-weapons on his B-moves!) and a ton of Nintendo history. If Konami plays ball, there's no reason why he shouldn't get in...except that it's possible a different Castlevania character would make the cut instead; possibly Alucard, Trevor or even Dracula himself. Regardless, I think he's one of the more likely 3rd-parties, and I'd personally love to see him make it. BUN SEZ 65% LIKELY. CONFIRMED!

RAYMAN: We're overdue for a Ubisoft rep and Rayman is one of their most well-known characters. His history, design, Nintendo ties and moveset potential all make him a prime candidate for playable status. Heck, he dressed up as Mario in his most recent titles and his little lagomorph buddies had their own crossover game. Even so, I can see Rayman's chances being higher than the Rabbids thanks to his longer legacy and less...controversial nature... BUN SEZ 65% LIKELY.

BOMBERMAN: One of the few remaining third-party longtime characters that's still relevant, has direct ties to Nintendo and fits right into the Smash Bros. mold, Bomberman has seen a recent resurgence thanks to the solid Switch launch title he starred in. The concept of him as a fighter strikes me as a fun one, too--super powerful cross-shaped bombs that can cause friendly fire so they require the same level of precision as playing Bomberman. Of the three main Konami suggestions, I think he has the best chance. BUN SEZ 70% LIKELY. DISCONFIRMED! I guess Snake was more likely after all!

ISABELLE: While Nintendo isn't shoving her into every single promotional thing ever like they were a couple years ago, she still has made a ton of appearances all over the place, for better or worse. Animal Crossing is an extremely popular series and it makes sense for it to get a second rep in the new Smash. Of all the potential characters, Isabelle is by far the most popular (even though I'd much rather see Tom Nook!). BUN SEZ 80% LIKELY. CONFIRMED!

SPRING MAN: ARMS has had good timing as well; it's a new series that's not too new, and it's reasonably popular enough to get its own Smash rep. Sakurai has a tendency to gravitate towards main characters, or people that are the "face" of the franchise, so Spring Man seems most likely here (although I wouldn't count out alternate color characters). I'd put money on him being in Smash. BUN SEZ 90% LIKELY.

A NEXT-GEN POKEMON CHARACTER: Pardon the vagueness, but there's almost no chance there isn't a saved slot for an 8th-generation Pokemon character. Not only has every Smash game had new Pokemon, but in SSB4, they actually had a spot for an unknown character (who ended up being Greninja) simply because they knew they'd put in a new Pokemon. The only thing that might keep them from this is the timing for Pokemon Switch coming out next year, but I can see some early-revealed new Pokemon perhaps squeezing their way into the lineup. BUN SEZ 90% LIKELY. CONFIRMED! Incineroar!


Post your own predictions! I also think a second Splatoon rep (Squid Sisters maybe?) is very likely, and possibly Pauline.

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06/10/18, 22:53    Edited: 01/15/20, 16:32
 
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Was going to say Rabbids (ugh), Spring Man and/or Ribbon Girl (fair enough) and Bomberman (yay). I'm also thinking the success of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 has made it a bit likelier for Shulk to get some company in the form of Rex. I mean, Nia would obviously be the better choice for every reason in the world, but I think Rex with an accompanying Pyra/Mythra is more likely.
06/10/18, 23:17   
Ridley, Simon Belmont, Bomberman, Goemon.

ARMS fighter and Rex/Pyra please.
06/10/18, 23:20   
Edited: 06/10/18, 23:20
I would LOVE some more Capcom and Konami reps. Specifically, Simon Belmont, Rad Spencer, and Arthur. None of them are relevant, unfortunately.

But ARMS and Labo reps are a lock. I'd also like to see dark horses like Murasame and Custom (and Chibi?) Robo. Plus Funky Kong, to allow for Funky Mode. And Dillon should replace stupid Sonic.

My question is: Will custom moves return?

Putting Kraid in Smash would be the funniest troll in ever.
06/10/18, 23:26   
Edited: 06/11/18, 00:25
@Anand
Takamaru would be such a good fit, and we've already got an asskicking song from the game to go with him! Also Chibi Robo would be awesome. Sure, he wouldn't be chibi anymore, but who cares.
06/10/18, 23:32   
Dillon for sure! Kinda surprised he was “only” an Assist character in “4.”

Can we get Issac in there too, please? Camelot and Nintendo are buddy-buddy, right? I wants me some Golden Sun representation!

I’m all for Simon Belmont - he’s classic as classic gets. But I feel Alucard may be the better, more marketable choice. And he’s actually been in more Nintendo-exclusive games than Simon. (Simon = Castlevania, Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest, Super Castlevania 4, Judgment) (Alucard = Dracula’s Curse, Legends, Aria of Sorrow, Dawn of Sorrow, Judgment) And technically, one of those games Simon was in is a remake. And let’s be honest, putting Alucard in would turn the heads of Playstation fans almost as quickly as Solid Snake and Cloud Strife did in the previous two Smash games. I doubt Simon would get as big of a reaction. Nintendo will definitely want to convince Sony’s fans to pick up a Switch and Smash to help further line their pockets with gold, haha. Regardless, I want some Castlevania reps, if only for the inclusion of that franchise’s absolutely phenomenal music!

--------------------
EDIT: I know that both Simon and Alucard make appearances in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate, but I didn't include them since those are different takes on those characters...and while the game started as a Nintendo exclusive, it was eventually ported over to PS3/360 (though strangely/typically not ported to Wii U for whatever reason).
--------------------

Another 3rd party character that I’ll suggest for no real reason: Crash Bandicoot. Why not.
06/10/18, 23:55   
Edited: 06/11/18, 00:13
@r_hjort
Also Custom Robo and ARMS could each have different weapons as customs, like Mega Man. And the ARMS characters could all be different skins, like with Bowser Jr. and the Koopa Kids!

Man, a mech would fit so well into Smash Bros. There was already a side-view 2D version on GBA, too.
06/11/18, 00:23   
Edited: 06/11/18, 00:24
I feel like it would be kind of silly NOT to include some Splatoon love at this point, it's one of Nintendo's biggest new franchises in forever. I'd bet it would just be generic "squid kids" but it could be the sisters.

I'm probably one of the people who thinks Rabbids in Smash would be awesome, because they would obviously be a ridiculous troll character and I love those.

Andy from Advance Wars seems incredibly likely because Nintendo totally recognizes the greatness of Advance Wars and gives it the full love and support it deserves.


...


SAID NO ONE EVER.
06/11/18, 00:28   
By the way, do we know the development team for the next Smash? Is it still Namco? (or Bandai Namco? whatever they are calling themselves nowadays)

If so, how about another classic character from one of their older franchises? Specifically, Taizo Hori, from Dig Dug? I think he could fit in with the Smash crowd pretty well.
06/11/18, 00:33   
Now keep in mind these aren't who I most WANT in Smash necessarily (although with Ridley and Simon, there's some overlap), but who I think it most likely.

@r_hjort

You're right! I totally forgot about Rex and Pyra--I think they definitely have a >50% chance of getting in. Probably close to 70%.

@Zero

We already got the Inklings confirmed with the first trailer! I do think due to the crazy popularity of Splatoon in Japan that we could see a second Splatoon rep though. And maybe not just a clone. Squid Sisters (with a pallet swap of Off the Hook) have a fighting chance.

@GameDadGrant

I'd have no complaints with ol' Taizo. I absolutely love Pac-Man in SSB4. Not sure if we know the dev team yet though.

I feel like Isaac's time would've been SSBB though; at this point, Golden Sun has been out of commission for a while so I think his chances are diminished. Sometimes the timing works out for certain characters (like Ike or Corrin).
06/11/18, 00:42   
Edited: 06/11/18, 00:43
@GameDadGrant
God DAMN, do I want a four-player Mr. Driller on Switch.

And Pac-Man Vs.!
06/11/18, 00:43   
If there's a new Fire Emblem announced at E3, I'm confident we'll see the main character in Smash 5. Especially if they're not a traditional sword lord.

Other than that, I have no clue. I'm looking forward to being surprised. At this point almost any addition would feel surprising. Fingers crossed for Muddy Mole!


GameDadGrant said:
I’m all for Simon Belmont - he’s classic as classic gets. But I feel Alucard may be the better, more marketable choice. And he’s actually been in more Nintendo-exclusive games than Simon. (Simon = Castlevania, Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest, Super Castlevania 4, Judgment) (Alucard = Dracula’s Curse, Legends, Aria of Sorrow, Dawn of Sorrow, Judgment) And technically, one of those games Simon was in is a remake. And let’s be honest, putting Alucard in would turn the heads of Playstation fans almost as quickly as Solid Snake and Cloud Strife did in the previous two Smash games. I doubt Simon would get as big of a reaction. Nintendo will definitely want to convince Sony’s fans to pick up a Switch and Smash to help further line their pockets with gold, haha. Regardless, I want some Castlevania reps, if only for the inclusion of that franchise’s absolutely phenomenal music!
You know who's been in more Castlevania games than Simon and Alucard combined?



Do it, Sakurai.
06/11/18, 02:40   
@nate38

Hey, that's fine. I don't really care what Castlevania character they do... I just want some representation. Imagine that stage and music!

I'm happy to see people finally talking about this everywhere. Feels like even during the contest, very few people were voting for a Castlevania character.
06/11/18, 05:51   
WART FOR SMASH
06/11/18, 17:08   
With Splatoon's Inklings already confirmed, I feel like all of the "obvious" characters are already in the game. I can't really think of something I would consider a good guess at the rest. But I do think Ice Climbers will return.

As for your choices, Isabelle and Spring Man do seem pretty likely. I think Spring Man could have a Ribbon Girl alt, at least.
06/11/18, 19:37   
nate38 said:
You know who's been in more Castlevania games than Simon and Alucard combined?



Do it, Sakurai.

I'm all for it! His Final Smash could be one of his crazy transformations/final forms. Probably the form we saw in Dracula X/Rondo of Blood/beginning of Symphony of the Night...but I'd really like to see the final form from either Dracula's Curse or even Castlevania 64!

But yeah, ol' Drac has been in pretty much every game in the series. Except for the ones he isn't.

Hinph said:
Hey, that's fine. I don't really care what Castlevania character they do... I just want some representation. Imagine that stage and music!

My frothing demand increases.
06/11/18, 21:23   
Anand said:
@GameDadGrant
God DAMN, do I want a four-player Mr. Driller on Switch.

And Pac-Man Vs.!

Pac-Man VS. *is* on Switch! I want Pac-Man: Battle Royale!

And yeah, more Mr. Driller, the better.
06/12/18, 07:36   
Bomberman's character designer, Shoji Mizuni has passed away.

Now I want him to be in Smash even more, as a tribute.
06/12/18, 09:24   
@r_hjort


Damn bummer. Great character that holds up as well as ever. Hope that does happen.
06/12/18, 10:07   
The Inklings will probably be in the new Smash.

I think there's a pretty good chance the guy from Murasame Castle will get promoted to a full character like Little Mac did in Smash 4. We'll probably also get a new gen representation, like the ARMs fighter or someone from Xenoblade 2 or something.
06/12/18, 18:20   
Only Ridley for now. Cool, yet also a bummer. Hopefully there's more to be announced before December, though they seem to be emphasizing that the big deal is that all prior characters are coming back. I am happy to see some Snake, but while you have Konami on board, why not some Belmont!?
06/12/18, 19:50   
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