I use the Paper Mario one, because it's an argument use so much against him that I decided for once to use it to take the defense of a character.
For ZSS, remember that to not getting his own slot do not matter to Sakurai as he count them as different characters. Even in this thread Zelda and Sheik are told to be counted as different characters.
The Young Link who is represented could have easily represented any other game and get his own moveset (which is pretty much what I ask).
Was Zelda's part of the story in Ocarina of Time that much important to get a playable slot in a smash game before a character who represent several games by himself ?
Using your argument, taking out Young Link also decrese the swordsmen by 25% and once again , he could have a different moveset than Adult Link if given time.
I compared Young Link to Luigi, because back in SSB64, Luigi was hardly more than a Mario recolor, the notables changes of Luigi really only begun in Luigi's Mansion.
Finally for the last one, you yourself said that "there's no distinction between Young Link and Adult Link, because they are both Link" then how much sence would there have been if you were to get one without the other ?
Sakurai counts them as different characters due to the programming and work it takes to make the character. I don't have a source, but that's how I read it. He corrected when people were giving the total amounts of characters.Young Link still comes from OOT.
Link is the protagonist of all Zelda games. Notice how he's not referred to as Adult Link in Smash. Link has been younger in past Zelda games, but that does not preclude and the Melee Link from representing them. It's just a different presentation of the character. That's why he's named Link and not adult Link. There is no Young Link in ALTTP or AOL. They are all just Link.
Zelda play a very important role in OOT, as she help you throughout the game as Sheik, she gives you the OOT, and helps you beat Ganon. Aside from that, Zelda represents all the other Zeldas in the franchise, just like Link does. Hence why in Brawl no one considers replacing OOT Link and Zelda with TP Link and Zelda really replacing the character; they are all just supposed to represent Zelda from the franchise.
There's a big difference between the need to have parity between swordfighters and nonsword fighters, and parity females and males. One has to do with wielding a weapon, and the other has two do with creating a parity with the world at large considering females are about 50% of the world's population. Gender diversity is a business consideration anyone would make in order to make characters that females can identify with. I'm not saying females can solely identify with female characters, but they are more likely to do so. When I talk about Zelda balancing the game, I meant balancing a roster with 18 males and 2 female characters (roster without Zelda, not counting Pokemon and Ice Climbers). If you count those, it would still be 22 males and 4 females without Zelda (I forgot Jigglypuff the first time).
Luigi has had differences with Mario since Mario Bros 2. The comparison doesn't work because you used Peach as well. Zelda isnt replacing a Link because Link is Young Link as well.
I was referring to the in OOT. No one calls your character Young Link (or whatever name you select) and Adult Link. It's just Link (or whatever name you select).
I understand your point as I usually include a Young Link in any predictions I make for Smash 4. Having a younger Link is important, but not at the cost of the franchises's namesake and second most reoccuring character. In this limited Melee Roster, he's expendable. Hence the reason why Zelda was developed first by Sakurai and all the clones were added later to buff the roster.
View attachment 1217
Cut Dr. Mario, Pichu, Young Link, Falco to add DeDeDe and Diddy. Cut Sheik to declone Ganondorf.
Good choice to declone Ganondorf via Sheik. I recommend B-Down being now just a quick change attack of Sheik for Zelda.