I'd say refusing to use a character for not being "relevant" is more out-of-touch with younger generations than adding a forgotten character.
The internet has been readily accessible to consumers for almost 4 decades now, meticulous fan wikis get tens of thousands of visitors every day and retro games are in fashion with younger generations. Kids know who characters like K. Rool and Geno are, even more so now than when he was first introduced in the case of the latter.
Hell, those who aren't familiar with such characters will still appreciate them - you don't need the full backstory and lore to confidently say "I will play as the fat crocodile king this round".
(I should note I'm refering to any sort of multiplayer game that uses existing characters, not just Smash)
The internet has been readily accessible to consumers for almost 4 decades now, meticulous fan wikis get tens of thousands of visitors every day and retro games are in fashion with younger generations. Kids know who characters like K. Rool and Geno are, even more so now than when he was first introduced in the case of the latter.
Hell, those who aren't familiar with such characters will still appreciate them - you don't need the full backstory and lore to confidently say "I will play as the fat crocodile king this round".
(I should note I'm refering to any sort of multiplayer game that uses existing characters, not just Smash)
But more importantly those 2 characters are also first party. And nintendo can do whatever they want with those. But if it's 3rd party, then it really needs to stick to the video game characters only rule, whether for costumes, or actually playable.
But...this is also sakurai and he's shown time and time again that he'll do w/e the hell he wants, so if Spongebob, Shrek, Goku, or any other meme non-video game character got in, there's not much any of us could ever do about it anyway.
...
You know what? so long as Geno Gets in I really don't care anymore tbh...