Yup, too bad Sakurai couldn't care. There's been a lot of things SINCE Air Ride that could have inspired new content in Smash. Canvas Curse was an amazing DS title and super inventive. It's final boss, Drawcia, could have made a great assist trophy using her paintbrush to draw hazards, also the painted world could have made for a cool stage, If not Canvas Curse Why not the Squeaks from Squak Squad? How about Return to Dreamland being the BIG and latest console release of a traditional Kirby game. Having a cool Lor Cutter Stage through the Galaxy? Mass Attack was very different and could have also inspired a stage on the hand held version of smash where maybe the tiny Kirbys could be running around in the back, taking down giant enemies? We have Triple Deluxe that just came out on the 3DS which would have given us GREAT Stage ideas, Amazing Mirror also would have inspired a great stage where maybe the Mirror could have summoned shadow forms. We have the new Rainbow Curse coming out.... We have new Characters like Taranza, Magolor, and Bandana Dee that could have also made appearance in SOME FORM.
I mean people get where I'm going with this. Mentioning ALL these new games and settings and characters from Kirby games BEYOND Air Ride.
ALL THIS ignored. Nothing. Not a single influence on smash.
Yet DK has a new and deserved stage from DK Returns, Pokemon got their Mega Evolutions added, Fire Emblem got Awakening characters joining, etc.
I mean all these franchises have things going on and getting added... Kirby has been having things going on for AWHILE and nothing added.
We get an Assist Trophy of Nightmare (Adventure), we get a Dreamland Stage, and we get a Super Star Stage. Than we have Smash Run.
Dreamland, Adventure, Super Star, and Air Ride. These are specifically the 4 Kirby games in the WHOLE Kirby franchise that Sakurai HIMSELF directed. No games he didn't direct, got content.
That's telling.