They might as well add Wonder Red over Bayonetta if they're going to include some selectively popular character for pseudo-promotional reasons (even though the promotion period has long ended) whose game bombed from a dev that responds to Smash requests with "**** off Smash idiots".
At least he's a Nintendo character, abides by the status quo, and doesn't lose his clothes when he attacks.
As an ardent supporter of Wonder Red (he's my most-wanted newcomer after Palutena), the fact that the promotion period has ended is one of my main reasons for supporting him.
TW101 bombed, big time, in spite of glowing reviews from critics and immense positive reaction from fans - had the game been released a little earlier or Smash a little later, he'd probably have gotten in under similar criteria to what Inkling supporters (again, myself included) are banking on.
Thing is, he missed the window of opportunity by a pretty sizable margin. And that's a tragedy, because not only is
TW101 a damn good game, but Red himself was born to be in Smash (this is less an actual argument and more fan gushing, though I do sincerely think that, in terms of moveset potential and creativity, Red's powers speak for themselves). One of the big reasons I and others support him is because he may never get another game: although Kamiya has said he's happy to direct a sequel if Nintendo greenlights it, Nintendo seem understandably reluctant to sanction a sequel to a game that sold about ten copies worldwide. Smash may be his only chance to make another appearance in a big-name vidya before disappearing into obscurity; since Platinum don't own the rights to the IP, and it's highly unlikely Nintendo will get another studio to direct a potential sequel, it's totally in the latter's hands. It's akin to the K. Rool kongtroversy: if he doesn't appear in Smash now, he may never appear in a mainstream title again, and if he does appear in a mainstream title in the near future, it may well be too late to appear in Smash until next time. Granted, Wonder Red fans haven't been waiting over a decade for their favourite character to appear in the roster, but the principle is similar. We've also seen time and time again how Smash can be used as a means of propelling characters from obscure or under-appeciated series into some class of stardom:
Fire Emblem,
Kid Icarus,
Xenoblade and
Mother all became substantially more popular after their respective protagonists appeared in Smash. It's not guaranteed to convince Ninty that a sequel is worth the investment, but it'd at least ensure that Red and friends remain in the public interest for the foreseeable future (incidentally, this is the main reason - aside from fan love - that I don't have an issue with there being so much
Kid Icarus content in the game - but I digress). This really could be Red's only chance at making it big, at least for the time being. There's every chance Ninty will pick him up at some point down the road, but who's to say whether Kamiya will still be interested at that stage, and whether Smash will still be adding new characters to its roster?
Red's chances are, as I see it, up in the air. He doesn't have nearly the same support that certain other characters have: he will never be K. Rool, Isaac, Ridley, he'll never even be Rayman. He'll always be a cult classic, an unsung hero with a small but dedicated coterie of supporters. If this was purely a popularity contest, Red would be so far behind the competition he'd be spinning doughnuts on the Virgin Victory. The exciting thing about Smash speculation, and by extension the Smash ballot, is that it isn't strictly about popularity: there are other factors that come into play, including moveset potential, importance of the character to their native series and - for better or for worse - interest from Sakurai himself. Red has at least two of those latter attributes, and based on the amount of content
TW101 received in this game (two soundtracks and several trophies - it even has its own case in the trophy gallery!), I'd say it's fair game to deduce that Sakurai has at least a passing interest in the game. You could argue he did it as a favour to Kamiya or to promote this one-hit wonder (Wonder One-Hit?) without having to go out and actually make a full-on character, but isn't that how Snake got into Smash (and yes, I know Red is not even close to being the video game deity that Snake is, but again, the circumstances are similar in principle)?
If Red was a third-party IP, I'd still support him, but I'd understand that the chances of him appearing are significantly slimmer than they would be if Nintendo owned the rights to the character. Serendipity be praised, Nintendo
do own the rights to the character! It doesn't change his circumstances much, but it at least demonstrates that one potential obstacle in his path is rendered moot. The only thing really barring his entrance now is whether Sakurai wants to take Red on-board and do something wonderful with him. The potential is there, the opportunity is there, the support is there - this could be Red's big chance, and whether or not it works out for us in the end, we have to try. And that's why we support him.
*
* Yes I know you weren't criticising people's decisions to support Wonder Red, but once you get on your soapbox, it's a bit difficult to get off.
TEAM, UNITE UP!
How would you all feel if Rambi was a character in smash? Or at least a side B for Dixie?
As a character? Nah, that'd be silly. It'd be like adding Navi before Ganondorf or Rick before Dedede.
As part of Dixie's moveset, or even as an Assist Trophy? I'd love that!
