Mario Series
01. 01. Mario ~
02. 02. Luigi “
03. 03. Bowser “
04. 04. Peach “
05. 05. Bowser Jr. ^
LoZ Series
06. 01. Link ~
07. 02. Zelda “
08. 03. Ganondorf “
09. 04. Vaati
10. 05. Tingle
Pokémon Series +
11. 01. Pikachu ~
12. 02. Jigglypuff “
13. 03. Mewtwo “
14. 04. Lucario ^
Kirby Series
15. 01. Kirby ~
16. 02. Metaknight ~
17. 03. King Dedede “
Donkey Kong Series
18. 01. DK “
19. 02. Diddy Kong “
Yoshi Series
20. 01. Yoshi “
Wario Series
21. 01. Wario ~
Star Fox Series
22. 01. Fox ~
23. 02. Falco/Krystal/Wolf “
24. 03. Falco/Krystal/Wolf ^
Earthbound/Mother Series
25. 01. Ness “
26. 02. Poo
Metroid Series +
27. 01. Samus / ZSS ~
28. 02. Sylux or another Hunter
F-Zero Series +
29. 01 Captain Falcon “
Fire Emblem Series +
30. 01. Marth “
31. 02. Ike ^
Other Nintendo Characters
32. 01. Pit / Kid Icarus ~
33. 02. Ice Climbers / Ice Climber
34. 03. Mr. Game & Watch / Game & Watch
35. 04. Isaac / Golden Sun
36. 05. Andy / Advance Wars
37. 06. Captain Olimar / Pikmin
38. 07. Tom Nook / Animal Crossing
Third Party Characters
39. 01. Snake ~
40. 02. Sonic “
41. 03. Megaman ^
What are all those signs?
+ means that I wouldn’t be surprised if that Series would get an extra character in Brawl.
~ means that the character is confirmed for Brawl.
“ means that the character has a nearly 100% chance for Brawl.
^ means that the character has an above average chance for Brawl.
Now, why did I choose these characters?
Mario Series: Well, we can nearly say that those first four are confirmed for Brawl. I won’t have to explain why, I guess. Now for Bowser Jr.. Jr. is getting more popular as we speak, and he is starring in more and more games. He was the main villain of Sunshine, and has starred in every Mario Sports game ever since.
LoZ Series: To be honest, my knowledge of the Zelda franchise isn’t too big. *shot* I can pretty much say that we’re going to see the return of the wielders of the Triforce. I chose Vaati because according to Nintendo Power, he is the franchise’s second boss, with only Ganondorf being a bigger bad guy. Tingle is there because he seems to gain popularity in Japan. He is getting two own games. Plus, I’d love to smack him around. Note that I didn’t put WW Link, as I don’t think that style could blend with the rest of Smash.
Pokémon Series: Pikachu and Jigglypuff were in the first 12, so they’re very likely that they’ll return. Mewtwo is seen as the most powerful pokémon, and is said to be the badguy (my litlle brother is screaming right now that he isn’t xD). Lucario seems to be very popular, and represents the newest generation.
Kirby Series: With two of the three already confirmed, Dedede can’t be put in the background. Sakurai has said that he likes those characters, so my guesses are that they’re all to be found in Brawl.
Donkey Kong Series: DK will return, no chance in hell he won’t. Now for Diddy.. The DK franchise is underrepresented, and who could better represent it than his crazy nephew, Diddy? Diddy is starring in a lot of games lately, making him a perfect contender.
Yoshi Series: Yoshi will return. End of Story.
Wario Series: Wario is confirmed, and no one else from that franchise will get in, no, Waluigi won’t make it.
Star Fox Series: Fox is in, but for the others? There are three other important characters that could work, but my guesses are that there will only two spots. This is actually one of the things I can’t say which is the better choice, which is why I put it the way I put above.
Earthbound Series: Seeing as Ness is the main hero of the games, I’m betting on his return. I do, however, think that there will be another character. That is why I put Poo there. Poo is a completely different character, as he is more ninja-like. I think Poo will work better than characters like Lucas, Jeff or Paula.
Metroid Series: Samus and ZSS are one character. Sakurai said that Samus will remove her power suit under certain conditions, which makes me think that they’re one. I think that except for Samus and Ridley, there aren’t any other really important characters. I don’t want Dark Samus in, it would be sort of a clone. I don’t think the dragonesque Ridley would work, as it is immense, flies and seems to be unable to attack with his limbs. That is why I put there that another hunter should be in. I don’t know my Metroid facts, so I don’t know which Hunter is the most important.
F-Zero Series: I don’t think this series has other important characters other then Douglas Jay. I could’ve put someone like Goroh there, but I don’t think anyone else from F-Zero will make it.
Fire Emblem Series: Marth and Ike, two of the most popular overlords of the franchise. That’s why I put them there, can’t give you other reasons. =P
Others: Pit confirmed. G&W was one of Nintendo’s originals, ICs are such unique characters, that I think these two will return. Now, for my other picks. Note how my choices are all from quite new franchises, instead of old games. Nintendo seems to be thinking of the future, instead of looking back, that is why my choices are all newer. I just took important characters from newer Nintendo games that could work for Brawl.
Third parties: Snake confirmed. With the upcoming game Mario & Sonic at the Olympics, I’m pretty sure we can state that Sonic will be in. Megaman is there because he seems to be very loved to get into Brawl.
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I want reaction, or I'll eat your unborn babies.
But seriously, I do prefer Zero over Megaman anyday. Just my opinion. The list is kinda small now that I see it.