Wow, part of me expected Banjo & Kazooie to be in the grand finales, and part of me is relieved that they were able to make it in--same exact feelings if they make it into Ultimate, as they're deserving but there's always the chance it doesn't happen. While I would see the odds in Banjo & Kazooie's favor given he's won before and I would have initially saw Geno as more of a threat, reading the top comments makes me think Isaac could potentially have it. Stay vigilant!
All that having been said, ever since August my new predictions included Banjo & Kazooie, Geno, and Isaac based on my feelings looking at the polls and general zeitgeist. They are all deserving to be in Ultimate, and it's nice to see the top 3 matches my optimistic predictions. I hope all 3 get in!
That spotlight bundle is really cool. Goes to show that Banjo Kazooie were kinda sorta the Splatoon of the N64! (That means they were a real big deal!)
Just sayin.
The only 3rd parties that can be qualified as Nintendo All Stars.
Exactly. Back in the day when I was a kid playing N64, it was Mario and Banjo & Kazooie. Their popularity was immense, and they have always been, wherever I went, the most "missing" character in Smash. It's why it's been frustrating talking in speculations, because it feels like I'm from a different universe than everyone else who don't see them as Nintendo All Stars, more deserving to be in than any other third party. It's especially frustrating given now that we know Microsoft could be involved, that there's a legitimate chance. To each their own, though. Hopefully Banjo & Kazooie get in and, like many characters, Sakurai shows exactly what's so appealing about them to a newer generation better than Microsoft ever could.