Work In Progress Can you dig it? Taizo Hori (Dig Dug) for Smash Ultimate! Possible retro rep?

[UtopianPoyzin]

Spoiler: Images

Spoiler: Taizo's design in Namco x Capcom

Spoiler: Taizo's design in the original Dig Dug

Spoiler: How Taizo could appear in Smash

So here it is; the very last Smash Bros. Direct is 24 hours away, where we will supposedly everything that Smash Ultimate has to offer. There have been plenty of leaks, and everybody has a good idea on who they believe will be in the game. Everything will be known on November 1st. It is assumed that there will be a retro representative appearing as a fighter, but there is one character who has been neglected all this time in rankings... what do you all think about seeing Taizo Hori, the main character from Dig Dug, as the retro rep for Smash Ultimate?

Spoiler: Moveset by Pakky

Spoiler: Specials

Neutral Special: Pumping (Dig Dug/ Dig Dug 2)
Taizo shoots out his pump which latches on to nearby foes, this stuns them similarly to ZSS's paralyzer. If the B button is pressed continuously the inflation music from Dig Dug plays and the enemy takes damage. The attack will automatically end after (4) pumps, after the 4th pump which is the equivalent to the popping pump found in Dig Dug, the opponent will "popped" and launched, if they around 105% they will be knocked out.
Percentage(s)
Single Button Press 2%
First Pump 5%
Second Pump 8%
Third Pump 12%
Fourth Pump 15%
Pop! 25%


Up Special: Rock/Xblock Drop (Dig Dug/ Mr.Driller)
Taizo run forward leaving a rock or an X block above where he once was. Said object then falls down, kicking up dust and breaking as it lands. The block/rock will always fall to the ground much like Pac-man's hydrant. The initial hit would have the same amount of damage as Pacman's hydrant. However the rock will have the same fragment damage as charizard's boulder. This attack has scaled knock back.
Percentage(s)
Fall 9%
Landing 12%
Fragments 3%


Side B: Pooka Toss (Dig Dug/ Dig Dug 2)
Taizo throws a 8-bit pooka in a similar fashion to how Dedede threw his minions in Brawl. However once thrown the pooka will walk forward bouncing with every other step. It will do very minimal damage it makes contact with someone. However if hit, it will pop, the resulting pop will do scaled knock back.

- Taizo can also catch the Pooka with his neutral B, after which the B button can be pressed rapidly in order to inflate the Pooka. If the Pooka is hit during inflation it will pop, causing damage to Taizo and the opponent if they are close. If Taizo is the one to Pop the Pooka, he will take no damage but if the enemy is close they will be hit. The explosion always does scaled damage, the power depending on the stage of the pooka's inflation.
Percentage(s)
Wandering Pooka 2%
Slightly Inflated 4%
Mid Inflation 7%
Bursting Point 10%
Popped 20%

Down B: Fygar Pop (Dig Dug/Dig Dug 2)
- If in the air Taizo will turn to the side and spawn a 8-bit Fygar that will be attached to his pump. The player then must rapidly press the b button, which will cause the Fygar to inflate and pop. The resulting fire based explosion will propel Taizo upwards. If the explosion makes contact with an enemy it will cause scaled knock back.
- If performed on the ground, Taizo will remain in the upright position as a 8-bit Fygar is spawned before him. The attack works as normal but the explosion has a bit blowback that will make Taizo slide backwards.
Percentage(s)
Air 10%
Land 12%

Spoiler: Normals

Neutral: Drill Jab
Taizo stabs forward with his drill multiple times finishing with a sweep upward.
Percentage(s) : 1-2%
(Namco X Capcom)

Smash Attacks

Forward Smash: After Shock
A drill spark run along the ground before Taizo, as he jams his drill into the ground. This move has quick start up but heavy ending lag. The range is similar to Megaman's neutral, and is most effective the closer the sparks are to Taizo. This move has great knockback based on the spark's proximity to Taizo, it has the ability to kill at around 75% if the opponent is struck with the sparks at a range close to Taizo, 90% if the opponent is hit in the middle of the spark's journey, and 110% if the opponent is hit as the attack ends.
Percentage(s): 16%, 10%, 7%
(Namco X Capcom)

Down Smash: Drill Peg
A peg appears and Taizo jam his drill down into the ground causing drill sparks to spread from his sides along the ground.Which will cause a pitfall effect at random intervals, if it hits a recovering opponent, the attack will spike. Starting lag to this move is high, there is no ending lag however. The range of this move is lower than the F smash, due to the sparks not traveling very far away from Taizo before dissipating. So essentially this move is like Charizard's down smash, but just a tad more powerful.
Percentage(s): 18%
(Dig Dug 2)

Up Smash: 100M Break
A 100M block from the game Mr.Driller appears above Taizo and her drills through it, the rubble and the drill counting for multiple hits on the opponent. Overall the hit box and how it works is very similar to Mewtwo's up smash, as such it too hits about 1-6 times the first hit being 1% and the last being 10%.The "CLEAR" sound effect occurs when the smash is completed. Small characters can fail to be hit by this, however the last hit has great knockback and will kill at 110%
Percentage(s): 1-10%
(Mr.Driller)

Dash

Dash Attack: Jack Hammer Slide
Taizo jumps onto his drill and skates along the ground towards the opponent. This move is similar to Link's down air, it's just weaker and repeats for a long period of time causing ending lag. This move however can not kill.
Percentage(s): 10%
(Mr.Driller)

Tilts

Forward Tilt
Taizo wifs his drill as it jam the ground causing the spark to arc upwards. Causing scaled knock back. Moderate start up to this attack, does cause knock back.
Percentage(s): 12%
(Namco X Capcom)

Up Tilt
Taizo whips his drill upward slowly in a crescent moon motion stopping at the start of the arc to pump his drill causing a compressed air burst to occur, and again at the height of the arc to repeat the motion. This attack has high starting lag but will kill if the second blast connects with an opponent at high percents, roughly 151%.
Percentage(s): 5%(first burst) 10% (second burst)
(Mr. Driller/ Namco X Capcom)

Down Tilt
Taizo will swing his drill around himself, hitting everything around him moderately, there is no lag on this move and it will cause knock back.
Percentage(s) 9%

Aerials

Up-air
Taizo spawns and drills through a small colored block, this move has a range similar to Rosalina's up air. This move also has high K.O. potential.
Percentage(s) 9%
(Mr.Driller)

Neutral-air
Taizo drills downward, which well force the opponent down to the ground. The opponent suffers scaled knock back, but like most neutrals in the air, it will not kill.
Percentage(s) 5%-8%
(Mr.Driller)


Forward-air
Taizo Drills the air before him causing the air to pop.
It can kill at higher percents, 150% range.
Percentage(s)10%
(Mr.Driller)

Back-air
Taizo performs the same maneuver as his F-air only backwards.
It can kill at higher percents,150% range.
Percentage(s)10%
(Mr.Driler)

Down-air
Tazio takes a horizontal stance and performs a powerful Drill pulse downward. This attack will always cause a meteor smash.
Percentage(s)12%
(Dig Dug)

Grabs/Throws

All grabs are done with the air pumps hose, which can be used as a tether for recovery purposes.
Pummel
The enemy is drawn in by the pump and they are jabbed with the drill.
Percentage(s) 2%

Forward Throw
The enemy is drawn in and launched by a drill jab. A weak throw, does not have the power to kill.
Percentage(s) 8%

Back Throw
The enemy is drawn in and wiffed along the ground by the drill.
Percentage(s) 8%

Up Throw
Taizo draws the enemy in and then pops them up into the air with his drill.
Percentage(s)5%

Down Throw
The enemy is drawn in and drilled into the ground launching them. This Taizo most reliable killing throw, and will kill around 120%
Percentage(s) 10%
Reference: (Mr.Driller)

Get-Ups/Edge Recovery

Spoiler
Edge Attack
Taizo gets up thrusts his drill forward
Percentage(s) 8%

Floor Attack (front)
Taizo gets up thrusts his drill downard
Percentage(s) 5%

Floor Attack (back)
Taizo gets up thrusts his drill backward
Percentage(s) 8%
Floor Attack (Trip)
Taizo gets up thrusts his drill backward
Percentage(s) 8%

Spoiler: Others

Taunts

Up
The digging faces of the Pooka and the Fygar spin around him. This taunt kills opponents in the 400%-600% range.

Side
Taizo eats and eggplant and "2000" appears above his head

Down
The death animation from Dig Dug

Physics

Spoiler
In the game "Mr. Driller G" Taizo has the stats of his walking speed being slow and his air consumption rate is fast. However, he can make blocks disappear much faster, making his descent speed quicker as well. Adapting this into smash I would assume that he would be:

1: Similar to Mario in size

2: A walking/running speed that is slightly slower than Mario's or similar to Wario's perhaps

3: Be of Wario's weight

4: He would be a fast faller which would make since as how his place of power is on the ground

5: He would probably have a very low jump or at least one like Little Mac's

Final Smash
Spoiler
(idea 1)
Fault Line Sinker (Dig Dug 2)
Tazio Shocks the stage with his drill, a dotted line appears for the player to control, the object is to ensnare as many enemies as possible within the dotted line. After a small amount of time has passed Taizo will shake the stage causing all on it and those caught by the fault line to be launched

(idea 2)
Family Drilling (Mr. Driller)
Taizo jumps off screen and summons a downfall of colored blocks that trap each player on stage. Then Susumu and Ataru appear on the left and right of the screen while Taizo appears up top. They all then drill incredibly fast toward the entrapped players, knocking them out of the stage on contact. each player can break out of their colored block prison with several neutral hits.

Kirby Hat
Taizo's Helmet

(possible)Victory/Loss Animation(s) Entry(s)

Entry
Taizo digs up from the bottom of the stage as his stepping jingle plays

Victories
- Taizo and his son appear on either side of him as they all give a thumbs up to the player
- Taizo quickly pops two 8-bit Pookas and thumbs up the player
- Taizo eats an eggplants and thinks about it thoughtfully and then gives a thumbs up to the player
-Taizo chases angrily after a undergrounder, trips and falls
- (after beating Pac-man) he says "Alright you promised me dinner!" then gives a thumbs up to the player
- Kneels down and pets Poochi
-A Fygar appears and breathes fire, afterwards Taizo pops him and and has a look of victory on his face
Loss
Taizo looks smugly at the camera as he claps

Supporters List

UtopianPoyzin
Pacack
AirMac1
Pakky
maf91186
Perkilator
​

 

[Pacack]

Lol, I definitely support, even if I don't see it happening.

 

[UtopianPoyzin]

Well, we have our first supporter besides me! I don't think he is out of the question, but I will be adding a deep analysis about his pros and cons tonight, as well as a deep moveset.

 

[AirMac1]

I support, but Mappy’s first

 

[Pakky]

Taizo Hori: the protagonist of the classic arcade game known as "Dig Dug". He his an arcade legends and along with the Mr.Driller series starring his son, he has been on a multitude of platforms most of which have been Nintendo branded.

Armed with a pump this white clade driller digs into the earth to rid it of the monsters that dwell there.Whom of which include:


Pookas

Taking a quote from "Pac Man World 2" "Pookas are the underground version of a pigeon: they bounce around bumping into each other and objects in the environment. Pookas never stray far from their burrows (hole in the ground) and they often fall prey to the Pooka Plants. Be careful not to touch them or come to close!
Fygars

Taken from the Pac-man wikia
"In Dig Dug, Fygar appears as one of the enemies. Fygar shoots fire from his mouth at the player, one shot has the ability to kill the player. Before shooting fire, a Fygar will briefly flash, giving the player a moment's notice to act.

Like the Pooka, Fygar's have the ability to phase through solid dirt. However, they generally prefer to take the paths of least resistance and use tunnels whenever possible, as travel by phasing is markedly slower."

Powers of the Pumper
Now you may be asking "How does are white suited hero vanquish his foes" and to answer your question I give you this
Spoiler

A bit graphic in hindsight, but yes our boy Hori inflates his foes with his trusty pump. Bombarding the enemies with puffs of air until they inevitably explode from the pressure.

Appearance in Smash
Spoiler
Specials
Spoiler
Normals
Spoiler
Neutral:Drill jab
Taizo stabs forward with his drill multiple times finishing with a sweep upward.
Percentage(s) : 1-2%
(Namco X Capcom)

Forward smash:After Shock
A drill spark run along the ground before Taizo, as he jams his drill into the ground. This move has quick start up but heavy ending lag. The range is similar to Megaman's neutral, and is most effective the closer the sparks are to Taizo. This move has great knockback based on the spark's proximity to Taizo, it has the ability to kill at around 75% if the opponent is struck with the sparks at a range close to Taizo, 90% if the opponent is hit in the middle of the spark's journey, and 110% if the opponent is hit as the attack ends.
Percentage(s): 16%, 10%, 7%
(Namco X Capcom)

Down Smash: Drill Peg
A peg appears and Taizo jam his drill down into the ground causing drill sparks to spread from his sides along the ground.Which will cause a pitfall effect at random intervals, if it hits a recovering opponent, the attack will spike. Starting lag to this move is high, there is no ending lag however. The range of this move is lower than the F smash, due to the sparks not traveling very far away from Taizo before dissipating. So essentially this move is like Charizard's down smash, but just a tad more powerful.
Percentage(s): 18%
(Dig Dug 2)

Up Smash: 100M Break
A 100M block from the game Mr.Driller appears above Taizo and her drills through it, the rubble and the drill counting for multiple hits on the opponent. Overall the hit box and how it works is very similar to Mewtwo's up smash, as such it too hits about 1-6 times the first hit being 1% and the last being 10%.The "CLEAR" sound effect occurs when the smash is completed. Small characters can fail to be hit by this, however the last hit has great knockback and will kill at 110%
Percentage(s): 1-10%
(Mr.Driller)

Dash Attack: Jack hammer Slide
Taizo jumps onto his drill and skates along the ground towards the opponent. This move is similar to Link's down air, it's just weaker and repeats for a long period of time causing ending lag. This move however can not kill.
Percentage(s): 10%
(Mr.Driller)

Forward Tilt
Taizo wifs his drill as it jam the ground causing the spark to arc upwards. Causing scaled knock back. Moderate start up to this attack, does cause knock back.
Percentage(s): 12%
(Namco X Capcom)

Up Tilt
Taizo whips his drill upward slowly in a crescent moon motion stopping at the start of the arc to pump his drill causing a compressed air burst to occur, and again at the height of the arc to repeat the motion. This attack has high starting lag but will kill if the second blast connects with an opponent at high percents, roughly 151%.
Percentage(s): 5%(first burst) 10% (second burst)
(Mr. Driller/ Namco X Capcom)

Down Tilt
Taizo will swing his drill around himself, hitting everything around him moderately, there is no lag on this move and it will cause knock back.
Percentage(s) 9%


Up-air
Taizo spawns and drills through a small colored block, this move has a range similar to Rosalina's up air. This move also has high K.O. potential.
Percentage(s) 9%
(Mr.Driller)
N-air
Taizo drills downward, which well force the opponent down to the ground. The opponent suffers scaled knock back, but like most neutrals in the air, it will not kill.
Percentage(s) 5%-8%
(Mr.Driller)


F-air
Taizo Drills the air before him causing the air to pop.
It can kill at higher percents, 150% range.
Percentage(s)10%
(Mr.Driller)

B-air
Taizo performs the same maneuver as his F-air only backwards.
It can kill at higher percents,150% range.
Percentage(s)10%
(Mr.Driler)

D-air
Tazio takes a horizontal stance and performs a powerful Drill pulse downward. This attack will always cause a meteor smash.
Percentage(s)12%
(Dig Dug)

Grabs

All grabs are done with the air pumps hose, which can be used as a tether for recovery purposes.
Pummel
The enemy is drawn in by the pump and they are jabbed with the drill.
Percentage(s) 2%

Forward Throw
The enemy is drawn in and launched by a drill jab. A weak throw, does not have the power to kill.
Percentage(s) 8%

Back Throw
The enemy is drawn in and wiffed along the ground by the drill.
Percentage(s) 8%

Up Throw
Taizo draws the enemy in and then pops them up into the air with his drill.
Percentage(s)5%

Down Throw
The enemy is drawn in and drilled into the ground launching them. This Taizo most reliable killing throw, and will kill around 120%
Percentage(s) 10%
Reference: (Mr.Driller)

Get Ups/Edge Recovery

Spoiler
Edge Attack
Taizo gets up thrusts his drill forward
Percentage(s) 8%

Floor Attack (front)
Taizo gets up thrusts his drill downard
Percentage(s) 5%

Floor Attack (back)
Taizo gets up thrusts his drill backward
Percentage(s) 8%
Floor Attack (Trip)
Taizo gets up thrusts his drill backward
Percentage(s) 8%



Taunts

Up
The digging faces of the Pooka and the Fygar spin around him. This taunt kills opponents in the 400%-600% range.

Side
Taizo eats and eggplant and "2000" appears above his head

Down
The death animation from Dig Dug

Physics


Spoiler
In the game "Mr. Driller G" Taizo has the stats of his walking speed being slow and his air consumption rate is fast. However, he can make blocks disappear much faster, making his descent speed quicker as well. Adapting this into smash I would assume that he would be:

1: Similar to Mario in size

2: A walking/running speed that is slightly slower than Mario's or similar to Wario's perhaps

3: Be of Wario's weight

4: He would be a fast faller which would make since as how his place of power is on the ground

5: He would probably have a very low jump or at least one like Little Mac's

Final Smash
Spoiler
(idea 1)
Fault Line Sinker (Dig Dug 2)
Tazio Shocks the stage with his drill, a dotted line appears for the player to control, the object is to ensnare as many enemies as possible within the dotted line. After a small amount of time has passed Taizo will shake the stage causing all on it and those caught by the fault line to be launched

(idea 2)
Family Drilling (Mr. Driller)
Taizo jumps off screen and summons a downfall of colored blocks that trap each player on stage. Then Susumu and Ataru appear on the left and right of the screen while Taizo appears up top. They all then drill incredibly fast toward the entrapped players, knocking them out of the stage on contact. each player can break out of their colored block prison with several neutral hits.

Kirby Hat
Taizo's Helmet

(possible)Victory/Loss Animation(s) Entry(s)

Entry
Taizo digs up from the bottom of the stage as his stepping jingle plays

Victories
- Taizo and his son appear on either side of him as they all give a thumbs up to the player
- Taizo quickly pops two 8-bit Pookas and thumbs up the player
- Taizo eats an eggplants and thinks about it thoughtfully and then gives a thumbs up to the player
-Taizo chases angrily after a undergrounder, trips and falls
- (after beating Pac-man) he says "Alright you promised me dinner!" then gives a thumbs up to the player
- Kneels down and pets Poochi
-A Fygar appears and breathes fire, afterwards Taizo pops him and and has a look of victory on his face
Loss
Taizo looks smugly at the camera as he claps

 

[UtopianPoyzin]

Oh wow, you came prepared! (I actually forgot that I left this thread unfinished). I'll include you in the OP with your moveset, but that reminds me that I REALLY need to finish my own to take the [WIP] tag off of the thread. Thanks for your moveset! I really need to finish this thread though...

 

[UtopianPoyzin]

Thanks for your move set Pakky , it has now been added to the OP. I made some stylizing edits to make the moveset more readable (i.e. added in sub-spoilers and heading for similar moves) The active construction has begun.

 

[maf91186]

Would love to see this happen!

 

[Perkilator]

If the second Bamco rep has to be from an arcade game, than I wouldn't mind Dig Dug getting on the action! Count me in!

 

[Firefly201085]

Dig Dug[a] is a 1982 maze arcade game developed and published by Namco. It was distributed by Atari, Inc. in North America and Europe. Controlling the titular character, the player is tasked with defeating all of the enemies in each stage, done by either inflating them with air with a pump until they pop or crushing them underneath large rocks. It ran on the Namco Galaga arcade board.
Dig Dug was programmed by Shouichi Fukatani, who worked on many of Namco's earlier arcade titles, and designed by junior colleagues of Galaga creator Shigeru Yokoyama. Music was composed by Yuriko Keino, becoming the first game she worked on for Namco — the short jingle made when the character moved was made when executives wanted a walking sound in the game. It was described as a "strategic digging game" by Namco for its large amount of strategy used to defeat enemies, which was heavily used in the game's marketing.
Upon release, Dig Dug was well-received by critics for its addictive gameplay, cute characters and strategy, and was a popular title during the golden age of arcade video games. It was met with a long series of sequels and spin-offs for several platforms, alongside ports for home consoles and digital storefronts. Dig Dug is also included in many Namco video game compilations for a number of systems. Characters from the game appear throughout the Mr. Driller series, itself based on the Dig Dug gameplay.

Dig Dug is a maze video game. Controlling the titular character, the player's objective is to eliminate the enemies on each screen; these being Pookas, red tomato-like creatures with comically large goggles, and Fygars, green dragons that can breathe fire.[2] Dig Dug can defeat these enemies by using a bike pump to inflate them with air until they explode, or by crushing them under large falling rocks.[2] Bonus points are awarded for squashing multiple enemies with a single rock,[2] and dropping two rocks in a stage will cause a bonus item to appear in the middle of the screen, which can be eaten for points.[2] Once all the enemies have been defeated, Dig Dug will progress to the next stage. [2]
Enemies can travel through solid dirt to reach the player, where only their eyes will be shown.[2]Inflated enemies pose no threat to the player, allowing Dig Dug to pass through them without harm.[2] The game will play a short jingle when Dig Dug moves, abruptly stopping when he becomes idle. If the player takes too long to clear a stage, the enemies will become faster and much more aggressive, indicated by a short jingle.[2] Stages are indicated by the number of flowers placed at the top of the screen.[2] Later stages feature variations in the color of the dirt, while increasing the movement speed of the enemies.[2]

 

[DanganZilla5]

Dig Dug is one of my favorite arcade games. I'm not familiar with the sequels and spinoffs so I'm not sure how he would work as a playable character but I would like to at least see him become an assist trophy. A stage would be neat though with the ability to dig through dirt while avoiding enemies and falling rocks. A Dig Dug Melody would also be sweet.