Character Redesign Artwork

[Spire]

In anticipation of Clone Engine possibilities, I began a series of character redesigns, focusing first on:

— MACH RIDER —​

Based on this screenshot from the game: http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080323132429/nintendo/en/images/6/61/Mach_rider.png

Considering Captain Falcon was based on Mach Rider's design, I wanted to distance the latter in redesigning him, morphing his proportions to better fit a cartoonish mold. Naturally, his spiked red pauldrons had to become Red Shells from the Mario series; I feel it helps retcon him into an identifiable Nintendo character. His gun adopted traits from his bike; the white metal and the "03" decal. I suppose he could be a Samus clone instead of reverse-engineering Captain Falcon.

I'm leaning in favor of the Clone Engine being used to create characters whose respective series are not presently represented on the roster.

You may think of [retro] characters that could use updates; remember, we're going the Ice Climbers/Pit route in updating designs from the past to fit the present Smash Bros. bill. Anyone is welcome to post their own takes on characters, this is not a "Spire art thread". Cheers!

 

[Chzrm3]

Wow, that's really well done! I love the shells, haha.

I'd love to see what you'd do for Balloon Fighter with that approach - he's one that I've never been sure how they'd pull off, since he always seemed so awkward.

 

[Spire]

Thanks! Now that I think about it, Wario had a bike... If that could be revamped for Mach Rider, there wouldn't be a more fitting move.

 

[EdgeTheLucas]

Cool design! Lookin forward to your others, this looks great!

By any chance, how do you think Takamaru from Nazo no Murasame Jo would look today if we ignore his Samurai Warriors design?

 

[splat]

That artwork is brilliant, Spire! Really enjoy your style (yes, I took a glance at your dA and portfolio, too).
Blue/Red/White Mach Rider is awesome either way, glad to see him get some love.

I don't know if this thread is meant as an redesign thread for everyone, or just your artwork - if it's the first, there's this:

Spoiler

My version of an Advance Wars infantry (a much better pick for a Snake clone compared to Sami, I'd say)

It came out so much worse than I had in mind (I tried to mix Andy/Rachel's AW theme with the Battalion Wars Infantry unit in a Mother-esque cartoony style, but he came out looking more like Santa than anything else). Guess I'll redo him at some point.

 

[Alm5252]

I think Mach Rider would be a great character. I never thought of him being a Samus clone, sounds really cool. Maybe he can be some sort of hybrid of Samus AND Falcon?

I think he seemed really cool and his potential seems plausible after playing him in Smash Bros. Crusade.

Here's a gameplay video of him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NPRU-8lPTI

 

[AEMehr]

oh my god
That redesign is godly.

why didn't mach rider unchained exist ;-;

 

[Spire]

Thanks! I forgot about this thread. I definitely have more designs to share so stay tuned!

 

[DrinkingFood]

I'm pretty sure discussion of potential clone engine characters goes in the clone engine character discussion thread.
Requesting a mod to contain the cancer lock the thread.