Character Discussion Thread

[Bowserlick]

Takamaru and Little Mac have the West versus East thing going on and both are connected through Captain Rainbow. Captain Rainbow prolly should be an Assist Trophy and Takamaru should get a Rainbowized trophy while his Sakurai redesign could be a playable character.

 

[Deleted member]

After mulling on it for the day, I'm going to predict a Captain Rainbow assist trophy over any playable slot. He's a great fit for an assist trophy and I can easily see his inclusion being a very easy decision for Sakurai. He's not full of potential, though he is a fun character and he's a good obscure rep for a relatively unknown game that we know to be popular at Nintendo.

It's just as likely he'll only get a trophy too, but I'm staking my bets on an assist trophy.

 

[Dairz]

Lucas form part of the Mother franchise that to my knowledge is popular in Japan, besides I think I read somewhere that Lucas was intended to be playable since Melee (I could be wrong on this).

"Actually, at first, I planned to change him [Ness] into the protagonist of MOTHER 3 [Lucas], but for various reasons during the delay, I settled back on the original idea." - Sakurai, 2001

 

[Gunla]

"Actually, at first, I planned to change him [Ness] into the protagonist of MOTHER 3 [Lucas], but for various reasons during the delay, I settled back on the original idea." - Sakurai, 2001

Correct. This makes Young Link the only actual character to ever get technically "replaced" by Toon Link (even then it's just empirical evidence). Lucas was a concept that dissipated as a result of the delays and the eventual cancellation turned into a good call by Sakurai.

 

[True Blue Warrior]

And Pichu was just plain old removed.

As for Captain Rainbow, I wouldn't mind seeing him as an AT.

 

[Mega Bidoof]

Lucas form part of the Mother franchise that to my knowledge is popular in Japan, besides I think I read somewhere that Lucas was intended to be playable since Melee (I could be wrong on this).

I was kidding.

He is from Mother 3, a Japan only game, to be specific.
And despite popular belief, the Mother series isn't that popular in Japan. It sells OK at best.
It's us in the west that like it so much, possibly because of the natural human instinct to desire what we don't have. Though it is a great game nonetheless.

And yes, he was planned to replace Ness in Melee, but Earthbound 64 (the original version of Mother 3, which was to be released worldwide) was cancelled, thus making Lucas not exist at Melee's release.

And Pichu was just plain old removed.

As for Captain Rainbow, I wouldn't mind seeing him as an AT.

Actually, Pichu wasn't planned to be fully cut.
Kind of like how the "esscence" of Young Link was taken over by Toon Link, the "esscence" of Pichu was seemed to be taken by Plusle & Minun, and may have been a clone of Pichu, but double.
The fact that it was to be a clone is supported by the fact that it was cut over other characters. Why would Sakurai not add a character in a last minute decision if it had a completely different moveset?

 

[OcarinaOfDoom]

So I posted this on IGN's Smash discussion, and with the Captain Rainbow trophy, I thought this was an apt time to look at something like this. Thoughts?

Spoiler

With the Little Mac reveal being one pondering to the American fanbase, I wanted to take a look at how the current newcomers and some potential prospects stack on East vs West.

Current Reveals:
1. Mega Man - Both
The most wanted third party character everywhere, popular on both ends.

2. Villager - Both/Leaning East
AC is a big franchise on both ends of the globe, but it's more popular in Japan, so it's going to be a Leaning East pick for now.

3. Wii Fit Trainer - WTF
This one didn't ponder to either fanbase really, and was a wtf pick solely to be a wtf pick.

4. Rosalina - ???
Rosalina wasn't really requested on either side.

5. Little Mac - West.
The Japanese reactions on League of Localization sum this one up well. Punch-Out also isn't as popular there.

Cut Veterans:
1. Mewtwo - Both
Mewtwo is the most wanted character everywhere. Done.

2. Roy - Both/Leaning East
While Roy is a very popular choice here, he's on a whole different level in Japan, only on the level of Mewtwo.

Newcomers:
1. Ridley - West
Metroid is a much bigger franchise over here, and Ridley tops charts here, while he's not too requested in Japan

2. Lucina - East
The second most popular FE choice in Japan, Lucina beats out Chrom handily there, while Chrom is ahead in America

3. Chrom - West
Continuing on the FE trend, Chrom isn't that popular in Japan, as he's considered too similar to Ike.

4. Palutena, Shulk, and King K. Rool - Both
All 3 of these characters are requested on both ends from what I can tell.

5. Takamaru - East
Japan-exclusive game, expect reactions here similar to Japan's about Mac if he's revealed.

6. Pac-Man - West
Not that popular in Japan, as a Tales character is the main hope for Namco representation.

edit: forgot to say what I think this means, but with Ridley seemingly on the way, I'd at least expect Takamaru to pander to the Japanese, although Roy and Lucina might also show up as well.

 

[True Blue Warrior]

Interesting analysis.

 

[Kenith]

Continuing on the FE trend, Chrom isn't that popular in Japan, as he's considered too similar to Ike.

...Yes.

The second most popular FE choice in Japan, Lucina beats out Chrom handily there, while Chrom is ahead in America

YES.

Not that popular in Japan, as a Tales character is the main hope for Namco representation.

YES!!

 

[Deleted member]

I'd say Rosalina was mostly a West pick due to Galaxy's popularity mostly in the West.

Interesting analysis.

 

[Kenith]

Yes.

Where do your results come from by the way? These are interesting, and a good format.

 

[OcarinaOfDoom]

I'd say Rosalina was mostly a West pick due to Galaxy's popularity mostly in the West.

Eh. Really from what I can tell, Rosalina really wasn't a requested character anywhere. She was brought up on both sides, but she was always in the shadow of a Bowser Jr or a Waluigi.

edit:

Yes.

Where do your results come from by the way? These are interesting, and a good format.

I got a lot of it from ChronoBound's analysis of Japanese character hopes, although with things changing I've kept in mind popularity from the franchise itself in Japan, as well as the Legend of Localizations reaction to Little Mac. Lucina over Chrom is more mainly me estimating due to her being a much more popular character than Chrom in Japan and of course, him being compared to Ike a lot with that probably dragging him down.

 

[FlareHabanero]

And I thought the anti-exist with Taka was Lip.

There isn't any "anti-exist" situation.

Though, I will say that it's sort of silly considering there isn't exactly a rule that states we would only get one or the other.

 

[Arcanir]

Interesting analysis, but there's one thing I'm curious about:

2. Lucina - East
The second most popular FE choice in Japan, Lucina beats out Chrom handily there, while Chrom is ahead in America

3. Chrom - West
Continuing on the FE trend, Chrom isn't that popular in Japan, as he's considered too similar to Ike.

Do you mind posting evidence for these two statements? Sorry if I'm being a bit blunt in asking, but in terms of popularity, I haven't heard anything about Chrom being less popular over there then Lucina so I'm curious to have that information on hand.

 

[Kenith]

I got a lot of it from ChronoBound's analysis of Japanese character hopes, although with things changing I've kept in mind popularity from the franchise itself in Japan, as well as the Legend of Localizations reaction to Little Mac. Lucina over Chrom is more mainly me estimating due to her being a much more popular character than Chrom in Japan and of course, him being compared to Ike a lot with that probably dragging him down.

Are there any other characters you have data for? I would love to see the results for my beloved Zelda newcomers.

 

[Deleted member]

Actually, Pichu wasn't planned to be fully cut.
Kind of like how the "esscence" of Young Link was taken over by Toon Link, the "esscence" of Pichu was seemed to be taken by Plusle & Minun, and may have been a clone of Pichu, but double.
The fact that it was to be a clone is supported by the fact that it was cut over other characters. Why would Sakurai not add a character in a last minute decision if it had a completely different moveset?

I will say this yet again.

PLUSLE AND MINUN WERE NOT ****ING PLANNED FOR BRAWL.

 

[Gunla]

Though, I will say that it's sort of silly considering there isn't exactly a rule that states we would only get one or the other.

Even with Young Link, I think this is still possible. Pipe Dream, yes, but still very possible. The only actual situation where it occured was with the bumper and flipper items.

I will say this yet again.

PLUSLE AND MINUN WERE NOT ****ING PLANNED FOR BRAWL.

I still think it was just a random icon.

 

[OcarinaOfDoom]

Interesting analysis, but there's one thing I'm curious about:



Do you mind posting evidence for these two statements? In terms of popularity, I haven't heard anything about Chrom being less popular over there then Lucina so I'm curious to have that information on hand.

Generally from what I can tell Lucina is more advertised and promoted compared to Chrom in Japan. While both of them normally top the popularity poll for their specific gender, I've definitely seen and recall hearing about Lucina being the preferred lord. Lucina in general seems to be pushed as the main lord more than Chrom in Japan by IS as well from what I can see. Unfortunately I don't have specific evidence though,

Are there any other characters you have data for? I would love to see the results for my beloved Zelda newcomers.

No real demand for a Zelda character really. Ghirahim is like, barely more popular iirc, but Japan doesn't really want a Zelda newcomer in general

 

[Deleted member]

Even with Young Link, I think this is still possible. Pipe Dream, yes, but still very possible. The only actual situation where it occured was with the bumper and flipper items.

I still think it was just a random icon.

.........

It. was. not. the. random. box. EITHER.

 

[Kenith]

I will say this yet again.
PLUSLE AND MINUN WERE NOT ****ING PLANNED FOR BRAWL.

Lol, I saw him say that and I was like "Imma let Golden handle this...again."

Even with Young Link, I think this is still possible. Pipe Dream, yes, but still very possible. The only actual situation where it occured was with the bumper and flipper items. I still think it was just a random icon.

I am still mad about that by the way. I love the flipper. Represents Balloon Fight and isn't cheap and stupidly OP.

Generally from what I can tell Lucina is more advertised and promoted compared to Chrom in Japan. While both of them normally top the popularity poll for their specific gender, I've definitely seen and recall hearing about Lucina being the preferred lord. Lucina in general seems to be pushed as the main lord more than Chrom in Japan by IS as well from what I can see. Unfortunately I don't have specific evidence though,

This is what I have seen too. After all, Chrom doesn't have all this...

Spoiler

 

[FlareHabanero]

Even with Young Link, I think this is still possible. Pipe Dream, yes, but still very possible. The only actual situation where it occured was with the bumper and flipper items.

Still, there isn't any sort of rule that states we can only have one or the other.

For example, in Brawl we didn't get Meta Knight or King Dedede, we got Meta Knight and King Dedede.

 

[Gunla]

.........

It. was. not. the. random. box. EITHER.

Well, we still don't have any confirmation of what it actually was.
Pra means Player.
Pra is Plusle, Mai is Minun.
One file for two characters.
Too many possible explanations and no official word.
In all honesty, I don't think it really matters for Smash 4.

I am still mad about that by the way. I love the flipper. Represents Balloon Fight and isn't cheap and stupidly OP.

I feel as if the bumper is far more broken. Because it is in Brawl.

This is what I have seen too. After all, Chrom doesn't have all this...

Spoiler

Yeah, honestly, this is why I think Lucina is a bit more likely.

Still, there isn't any sort of rule that states we can only have one or the other.

For example, in Brawl we didn't get Meta Knight or King Dedede, we got Meta Knight and King Dedede.

There isn't and I don't think there ever should be, it's a tad ludicrous.

 

[True Blue Warrior]

Still, there isn't any sort of rule that states we can only have one or the other.

For example, in Brawl we didn't get Meta Knight or King Dedede, we got Meta Knight and King Dedede.

I feel the same way about Isaac/Shulk.

 

[TumblrFamous]

This is what I have seen too. After all, Chrom doesn't have all this...

Spoiler

I swear when I was opening that spoiler I was positive I was gonna see some pornographic images.

 

[OcarinaOfDoom]

Yeah, honestly, this is why I think Lucina is a bit more likely.

Lucina definitely seems to be pushed more as the main lord over Chrom from what I can tell.

 

[Deleted member]

I'm going to save these old posts of mine from now on....

On Plusle & Minun:

"pra_mai" cannot be Plusle and Minun for a variety of reasons:
a. Single file. Plusle and Minun, being two characters, would have separate files like Popo and Nana do.
b. Naming issue. The file name would either be "prasleminun" as is the filename for their trophy, or something along the lines of "pra_mi" or "pra_min". Their names in Japan are "Prasle" and "Minun".
c. Positioning of the file. It comes before Jigglypuff, the start of the "post-SSE bonus characters"/"include if there's time to include them" characters. Unless Plusle and Minun were supposed to have Sonic's role of weakening Tabuu, they would be at some point after Dr. Mario, as this list goes by order of veterans to newcomers.
d. Abundance of Pokémon characters. With Pikachu, Pokémon Trainer, and Lucario in the "main" section, as well as Jigglypuff and Mewtwo in the "bonus" section, it's a hard pill to swallow to believe Plusle and Minun were also planned for the "main" section on top of that.


On Random Box:

-The file is under character effects. The "random box" isn't a character.
-If it WAS the random box by some stretch of logic, the file would not be "pra_mai", it would be "random" or "omakase", the kanji on the random selection in the Japanese version of the game.
-"pra_mai" literally CANNOT translate to "each player" as some claim. Does anyone know what "player" is in Japanese? "Purēyā". That cannot be abbreviated as "pra". It would be "pre" or "prei".

 

[True Blue Warrior]

I swear when I was opening that spoiler I was positive I was gonna see some pornographic images.

Were you disappointed?

 

[Bowserlick]

You must have been disappointed.

Fear not, Wario in his too-small-overalls will be revealed very shortly.

 

[Gunla]

I swear when I was opening that spoiler I was positive I was gonna see some pornographic images.

This is Smashboards. We have some decency.

I feel the same way about Isaac/Shulk.

I still don't get how comparable those two are. I had someone who didn't think they could coexist play both Xenoblade and Golden Sun for extended sessions, and they told me that they really shouldn't be compared at all.

 

[OcarinaOfDoom]

Hey guys, Chrom does have that one mousepad... you know the one

 

[Thirdkoopa]

I will say this yet again.

PLUSLE AND MINUN WERE NOT ****ING PLANNED FOR BRAWL.

Well they could have been but cut earlier on /poking fun

But yeah, shut up about the folders seriously. I said this from day 1: they could have them there just to **** with people. If you guys don't see this as a possibility, congratulations, you don't know game devs. See me after class.

 

[TumblrFamous]

Hey guys, Chrom does have that one mousepad... you know the one

Please don't encourage them.

 

[FlareHabanero]

Lucina definitely seems to be pushed more as the main lord over Chrom from what I can tell.

Well to be honest, Lucina is the better handled character, despite Chrom technically being the main star by virtue of you being forced to use Chrom through out the game.

 

[BluePikmin11]

Hey guys, Chrom does have that one mousepad... you know the one

Don't bring it up.

This is Smashboards. We have some decency.

I still don't get how comparable those two are. I had someone who didn't think they could coexist play both Xenoblade and Golden Sun for extended sessions, and they told me that they really shouldn't be compared at all.

The only things that are comparable are that they are RPG protagonists and wield swords.

 

[True Blue Warrior]

Hey guys, Chrom does have that one mousepad... you know the one

Don't even joke about Chrom mousepads. Or anything Wario-related. Or anyone else who is ugly like Wario is.

You must have been disappointed.

Fear not, Wario in his too-small-overalls will be revealed very shortly.

Nope.

Well to be honest, Lucina is the better handled character, despite Chorm technically being the main star by virtue of you being forced to use Chrom through out the game.

Who is this Chorm you speak of and how does he related to being forced to use Chrom?

 

[Arcanir]

Generally from what I can tell Lucina is more advertised and promoted compared to Chrom in Japan. While both of them normally top the popularity poll for their specific gender, I've definitely seen and recall hearing about Lucina being the preferred lord. Lucina in general seems to be pushed as the main lord more than Chrom in Japan by IS as well from what I can see. Unfortunately I don't have specific evidence though,

Thanks, and yeah I can definitely see what you mean there. Advertisement-wise, she does seem to have an edge over Chrom in that aspect, so that could help her out.

Spoiler

I love that figma, I can't wait to see that one completed though I won't be able to buy it as Samus' drained my wallet.

 

[Kenith]

"pra_mai" cannot be Plusle and Minun for a variety of reasons:
a. Single file. Plusle and Minun, being two characters, would have separate files like Popo and Nana do.
b. Naming issue. The file name would either be "prasleminun" as is the filename for their trophy, or something along the lines of "pra_mi" or "pra_min". Their names in Japan are "Prasle" and "Minun".
c. Positioning of the file. It comes before Jigglypuff, the start of the "post-SSE bonus characters"/"include if there's time to include them" characters. Unless Plusle and Minun were supposed to have Sonic's role of weakening Tabuu, they would be at some point after Dr. Mario, as this list goes by order of veterans to newcomers.
d. Abundance of Pokémon characters. With Pikachu, Pokémon Trainer, and Lucario in the "main" section, as well as Jigglypuff and Mewtwo in the "bonus" section, it's a hard pill to swallow to believe Plusle and Minun were also planned for the "main" section on top of that.

Regardless, it doesn't matter much now. What was planned in Brawl doesn't completely determine what's in this game. Because Villager exists.

 

[Thirdkoopa]

Last I checked, Chrom and Robin were the main characters, not just Chrom

Anyone who disagrees is in delusion.

 

[Kenith]

Last I checked, Chrom and Robin were the main characters, not just Chrom

Anyone who disagrees is in delusion.

I have verified this, my avatar died and sad music played and I got a game over.

 

[FlareHabanero]

Last I checked, Chrom and Robin were the main characters, not just Chrom

Anyone who disagrees is in delusion.

Lucina, Chrom, and Robin.

Though technically Lucina and Robin are optional gameplay wise, while you're forced to use Chrom no matter what.