The Legend of Zelda series:
The third series that I am going to discuss is the Zelda series. If Sheik were to be counted as a separate characters, the Zelda series would have five playable characters in Melee, making it tie with the Mario series for the most playable representatives. However, it is likely that one of them will be cut (Young Link). The question is who will replace him? I highly doubt that Sakurai is not going to add more playable Zelda characters to the roster. The currently confirmed characters for the Zelda series are Link, Zelda, and Sheik. There are three likely candidates as to who is going to be confirmed as a playable character in Brawl. They are Ganondorf, Wind Waker Link, and Midna. I will also dedicate a paragraph to less likely candidates from the Zelda series.
Ganondorf:
Ganondorf is probably the second-most popular character in the series, behind only Link himself. Ganondorf/Ganon is also the main villain of the series having been in more games than any other Zelda villain (the only other Zelda villain to star in more than one game was Vaati). Many people were expecting Ganondorf to be a playable character in Melee, however, nobody expected him to be a clone, especially of Captain Falcon. Ganondorf was basically a stronger and much slower version of Captain Falcon, however, he still was one of the fan favorites among both casual and elite players of Melee. I do expect Ganondorf to return in Brawl as a playable character, most likely in his Twilight Princess design. I also expect Ganondorf to be de-cloned and to be made into a slow, but powerful sword fighter with magic attacks. However, I am unsure whether or not Ganondorf will still be hidden or if he will be made a starter.
Wind Waker Link:
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker was a love or hate game. Some people loved it, while others hated it (mostly for its cartoony style, lack of difficulty, Tingle, and Tri-Force piece fetch quest). I personally loved and think it’s a masterpiece. However, that’s beside the point. The Hero of Winds had many different tools and weapons that made him differ from other incarnations. They included a grappling hook, a skull hammer, the Hurricane Spin, the Deku Leaf, and the Tingle Tuner. Wind Waker Link has enough abilities just from Wind Waker alone to get into Brawl as his own character, and not a clone. The Hero of Winds was also the main hero of Phantom Hourglass, which is said to be the best handheld Zelda to date. If Wind Waker Link were to get into Brawl, there is a good chance that he would be called Young Link (since he also stars in Phantom Hourglass, not just Wind Waker). The main disadvantages to Wind Waker Link are that he is another Link and some people would rather have a Zelda character that is a different person, and there are a lot of people (especially in the West) who dislike Wind Waker Link because he is from Wind Waker. Phantom Hourglass’s fantastic sales in Japan boost Wind Waker Link’s chances of getting into Brawl. However, he still needs to compete with Midna for that spot. Wind Waker Link (or Cat Eyes Link as he is called in Japan) is quite popular among Japanese Smash Bros. fans and think he has a good chance of showing up as a playable character. I expect that if Wind Waker Link is in the game, he will most likely be a hidden character.
Midna:
*some Twilight Princess spoilers
Midna is probably the second-most important character in Twilight Princess, behind only Link. Midna is actually the princess of the Twilight Realm, and was transformed into an impish form by Zant. Midna is a character that Sakurai’s team would have to come up with a unique moveset for (much like Fox and Falcon) because she did not do much fighting herself in Twilight Princess. Even if she is paired up with Wolf Link, Sakurai’s team would still have to come up with a unique moveset for them. Also, supporters of Wind Waker Link argue that she would only represent Twilight Princess, a game in the Zelda series which many say is already being overepresented (Link, Zelda, and likely Ganondorf are in their Twilight Princess styles). It would also be much easier to come up with a moveset for Wind Waker Link than for Midna. Her supporters say that she should be in because she is female and had an important role in Twilight Princess. She also has quite a few supporters in Japan, and think she is the more likely Zelda newcomer. If Midna is not in as a playable character, I expect her to show up as an Assist Trophy. Midna is a “now or never” character for Brawl, which is why her fans are especially fervent and rabid. If she fails to get into Brawl as a playable character, she will probably never get in as playable character in future Smash Bros. games.
Other Zelda Characters:
The Zelda series has many characters, unfortunately most of these characters don’t have much of a chance of getting in and here’s why:
Tingle: Tingle is probably one of Nintendo’s most hated characters in the West. People hate him for various reasons, such as being effeminate, being gay (which he is not), a Rupee stealing jerk (which he is in Four Swords Adventures), and for charging a ridiculous amount of money for translating maps in Wind Waker. However, Tingle is not hated in Japan, and has a small devoted following outside Japan. While Tingle did not make an appearance in Twilight Princess, he did get two games of his own (Freshly Picked: Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland and Tingle’s Balloon Fight), one of which made it outside Japan (to Europe). Besides the big 3 (Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf/Ganon), Tingle has appeared in more Zelda games than any other character. He appeared in Majora’s Mask, Oracle of Ages, Wind Waker, Four Swords Adventures, and Minish Cap. In that regard, Tingle would be a better representative of the Zelda series than Wind Waker Link or Midna. However, in one of the updates, a picture of a Tingle trophy can be seen, which in many peoples eyes, lowers his chances and possibly deconfirms him. Also, since Aonuma is helping with Brawl, it is possible that he has informed Sakurai of how much Western Zelda fans hate Tingle. If Tingle does not get in as a playable character, I expect him to at least be an Assist Trophy.
Vaati: Vaati is the second most re-occurring villain in the Zelda series. He was the main villain in Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures, and Minish Cap. However, none of these games are considered major Zelda titles, nor did they sell really good. Also, the only game Vaati had a humanoid form in was Minish Cap. Most of Vaati’s popularity has also disappeared by the time Brawl was officially unveiled, and Midna has taken his place as the popular “new face” of the series. I expect the eyeball version of Vaati to make it in as an Assist Trophy, with the “human” Vaati appearing as a trophy or sticker.
Skull Kid: Skull Kid (the one from Majora’s Mask) was another “now or never” character. Skull Kid’s best chances of ever getting into Smash Bros. was back prior to Melee’s release. He was the second-most popular villain in the series, behind only Ganondorf, and in many people’s eyes would have been a very cool addition. Unfortunately, Majora’s Mask did not appear in any more Zelda games, and a Skull Kid only had a minor role in Twilight Princess. Finally, Vaati has usurped Skull Kid’s spot as the second-most popular Zelda villain. I expect Skull Kid (with Majora’s Mask) to get in as an Assist Trophy at the most. However, I think we will definitely see him or Majora’s Mask by itself as a trophy or sticker.
*Twilight Princess spoilers
Zant: Zant seemed all cool and brooding throughout most of Twilight Princess. However, this seemed to all fall apart at the end when it was revealed that he is nothing more than a comical insane court jester who usurped power and is yet another puppet of Ganondorf. Anyone who has beaten Twilight Princess cannot take Zant seriously which is why he is even less popular than Skull Kid despite Majora’s Mask being released back in 2000. I expect Zant to show up as an Assist Trophy, trophy, or sticker. If he’s lucky, however, he might get in as a boss in the Subspace Emissary.
Fierce Deity Link: Too powerful for a regular character. Nuff said. Seriously, the only way you will be able to play as this guy would be if the Hero of Time Young Link were returning in Brawl (Fierce Deity Link would likely be his Final Smash). However, it is likely that if a Young Link does get into Brawl, it will likely be the Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass incarnation. I expect Fierce Deity Link to get in maybe as a super powerful Assist Trophy, and even more likely as a trophy or sticker.
*Phantom Hourglass spoilers
Tetra: If any character from Wind Waker and/or Phantom Hourglass is going to get in as a playable character, its going to be the Hero of Winds (Wind Waker Link). Tetra’s only role in Phantom Hourglass was getting kidnapped, which was sad, considering how awesome she was in Wind Waker. I expect her in as a trophy or a sticker.
Wolf Link: See Midna analysis. If Wolf Link gets in as a playable, I expect him to be paired up with Midna.
Mask Link: One idea that I have seen thrown around quite a bit is the inclusion of the Link from Majora's Mask. He would be unique in that he would be four characters in one. With human Link, Deku Link, Goron Link, and Zora Link, being the four characters that make up this character, he would surely be the ultimate Zelda character. People have also suggested that Fierce Diety Link be his Final Smash. However, I highly doubt Sakurai's team would devote this much time to a character whose game was released back in 2000, and has less support than another incarnation of Link (Wind Waker Link). However, I expect to see some trophies and stickers of the various forms that the Link from Majora's Mask had in the game to be in Brawl.
Linebeck: Linebeck is the Tetra/Midna/Sheik of Phantom Hourglass. He is the captain of the ship that Link uses to travel the Great Sea in Phantom Hourglass, and is a treasure-hungry, somewhat cowardly, and a bit self-centered individual. However, he has an interesting backstory and has become one of the most popular characters from the Wind Waker/Phantom Hourglass arc. Unfortunately, there has not been much support for Linebeck to get in as a playable character, and if a character from WW or PH were to get in as a playable character, it would most likely be Wind Waker Link. I expect the most Linebeck to show up as would be a regular trophy.
My Personal Opinion (Zelda):
Out of the two likely newcomers, I would like to have Wind Waker Link over Midna. Wind Waker Link can be the replacement of Young Link (and if he gets in, there is a good chance that he will be called Young Link), making Young Link fans a bit relieved that their main still lives on in spirit. I am also one of the few people that really enjoyed Wind Waker and I am looking forward to playing Phantom Hourglass. While Wind Waker Link would still be Link, he has enough abilities and weapons to differentiate himself from the older Link. I don't think Midna is really deserving of a spot as a playable character. She has only starred in one game, and she is more or less another Tetra or Sheik. I also feel she has the least moveset potential out of the two likely Zelda newcomers. I don’t want Twilight Princess to be the only Zelda game represented in Brawl (Link, Zelda, and likely Ganondorf are all in their TP incarnations). Finally, I feel Wind Waker Link is much more important to the overall Zelda series than Midna, therefore, he should get priority over her in getting into Brawl.
Overall Analysis (Zelda):
I expect Ganondorf to return as a playable character with his own moveset. Out of which of the two likely Zelda newcomers are the most likely, they are Wind Waker Link>Midna. Wind Waker Link is the most likely because if Young Link does get cut, he would be the most fitting replacement. He has also starred in two major Zelda games, one of which will probably be the first Zelda game in Japan to sell a million copies since Ocarina of Time (that game is Phantom Hourglass). The next most likely would Midna because of her prominent role in Twilight Princess, which was the latest big-budget Zelda released and so far has the most Brawl content. It is unlikely that any character outside of the two characters I mentioned will get in as the newcomer for the Zelda series (the only other one with a plausible shot would be Tingle).