Zoroark's Chances: 35%
The roster was decided about a year ago, right? Wasn't that exactly when Zoroark hit his peak in popularity? While the Sixth Gen was probably still in conceptualization and Genesect was just starting his rise, Zoroark was on nearly everyone's top ten list. If you're so confident that Sakurai took notice of our pleas for Mewtwo... then why don't you think he head of our pleas for the then-mascot, Zoroark?
May I also note that he'd be very easy to make into a fighter... provided they don't add his illusion ability.
Zoroark Want: 5%
"But he's so unique, his Illusion ability could..."
No. Stop. Stop right there. I play Pokemon competitively. I know how Zoroark's Illusion ability works, I've used it many times to great success.
Zoroark disguises himself as another person on his own team, yet he retains his own moves, stats, and typing. Your opponent tries to counter whoever they think Zoroark is... which fails because they're not accounting for the fact that it's actually Zoroark. Usually, you force a switch, which allows you a setup turn; at the very least, the opponent does a move that pretty much wastes a turn.
This is a very novel strategy. I love Illusion; the mindgames it creates are spectacular. Zoroark has been in my rotation of Pokemon that I've regularly used since the beginning of the Gen V metagame.
But Illusion is impractical in Smashbros.
Completely impractical. COMPLETELY IMPRACTICAL.
Illusion works by copying the appearance of another, but retaining Zoroark's own moves. Now, assume that you start the battle looking like Mario. All of your animations look like Mario's... but your hitboxes and attacks are still those of Zoroark's. See how this could present a very difficult technical problem, especially when you factor in that Zoroark has to copy over fourty different fighters? Even if it's possible to do, it's a lot of work for a single fighter. Keep in mind that AI must also be programmed to deal with Zoroark... something Pokemon games weren't ever able to do.
Furthermore, the ability wouldn't have anywhere near the effect it has in the Pokemon metagame. In Pokemon, the entire point is tricking you opponent so you get a free setup turn or a free KO blow. After you use a move or two, it's obvious that you're Zoroark in disguise; the charade is over and finished. That's okay in Pokemon... a few setup moves or a tricky revenge kill can make all the difference and change the course of a match.
But in Smash... your start the battle pretending your Mario. You manage to get a short combo in because your opponent doesn't know that you're actually Zoroark. But then... they know you're Zoroark. The charade is over. Yeah. It's now basically a normal match. All of that difficult programming... for a little quick surprise combo at the beginning of a match. Oh, joy!
And I present to you another problem. Smash Bros on the Wii U will presumably be played on a single television screen. And if your opponent knows you picked Zoroark as your character... oh joy! There is absolutely no point of the Illusion ability.
But getting back to why I'm giving Zoroark a 5% want. I think that if Zoroark does get in, it will take far more time and effort than either Mewtwo or Lucario. Even if this effort succeeds in recreating the Illusion ability, it just won't be as big or dramatic as it is in Pokemon; they'd have to do Illusion in a different way or not include it at all. I'd rather not have Zoroark without Illusion; I'd rather not have Zoroark with a version of Illusion that doesn't match the games; I'd rather not have Zoroark with a fun gimmick if he takes up a lot of time and effort.
Two of my top five Pokemon of all time are Mewtwo and Lucario. Zoroark ranks in my top twenty-five... but I'd be mad if he came in and took over from one of my absolute favorites, offering a half-baked gimmick and a smaller roster in exchange.
By the way, feel free to respond to me about this. This opinion of mine differs from the norm and I'd be willing to debate it with you. But I play Pokemon competitively; all last year I was cringing when people were clamoring for Zoroark "because his Illusion would be a great thing to differentiate him."
Simon Belmont Prediction: 5.31%
I seriously doubt he'll inspire much support... this time around, at least.
Medusa x5
Those who lurk in the darkness must be made to face the light!
DAY OVER
RETURN OF GROOSE