Official DLC Speculation Discussion Volume II

[Mushroomguy12]

I think this promo art pretty much sums up the perfect AC representation (in addition to Villager of course) in my view.

Timmy and Tommy would just be part of Tom's moveset rather than separate characters and Mabel would come with her sisters as either an Ice Climbers duo (or trio) or alts. (I suppose Blathers could get a Celeste alt as well).

 

[3BitSaurus]

they were all added because they're easy clones

besides, constantly adding random AC villagers makes little sense

Unless the next AC games introduce a **** ton of functions and mechanics, I also can't see any other AC newcomer besides Tom Nook. And even then, I can't see it going past what SMAASH! Puppy said.

In spite of AC's popularity, a lot of its core mechanics are already in Villager and Isabelle's moveset - and I don't think anyone quite matches the latter's popularity.

Even with Splatoon, I kinda struggle to see us going past 3 or 4 characters. It's kinda hard to balance series popularity, character popularity and moveset potential for even the biggest Nintendo series when Smash's net is the widest it's ever been.

 

[SpecterFlower]

I think this promo art pretty much sums up the perfect AC representation (in addition to Villager of course) in my view.

Timmy and Tommy would just be part of Tom's moveset rather than separate characters and Mabel would come with her sisters as either an Ice Climbers duo (or trio) or alts. (I suppose Blathers could get a Celeste alt as well).

this is a good summary, though i think brewster, kapp'n and resseti have pretty okay chances too

 

[Louie G.]

okay nook and kk slider have to get in though, that's like not letting zelda have ganondorf as a character

Tom Nook will get in one day. KK Slider doesn't need to.

Like I said before and I'll elaborate a bit on here, KK Slider is actually represented perfectly in his current form. He shows up on Saturday nights to play his signature tunes. This is his role in AC and he's got the unique liberty of performing his EXACT function in Smash Bros. Removing him from this role to make him playable would genuinely be a downgrade, in my opinion. This is ideal for him and he feels fully realized. And KK Slider is one of my favorite AC characters, for what it's worth.

It's one of those things like, I guess people believe that every important character ever ought to be playable, but sometimes a nonplayable role can represent them perfectly well. AC doesn't need a whole lot of characters, it's not a series which lends itself as easily to that and most of its other significant characters and elements would probably see representation through other means. That doesn't make it less significant, if that's right for the character then it ought to be appreciated. Three characters and ample stage, music, item representation is perfect for AC.

 

[WeirdChillFever]

Tom Nook could get in with the set we thought Isabelle would have, centered around building Public Works in a Terraforming-ish-meets-Looney-Tunes set when it comes to popping out a Leaf and it transforms into a sofa or something.

Or maybe even a move that acts like Villager’s Tree, except it‘s time-based rather than input-based since Timmy and Tommy will build the construct over time.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Even with Splatoon, I kinda struggle to see us going past 3 or 4 characters.

To be fair, Splatoon is super new and only has a few notable characters/species (Inkling, Octoling, Squid Sisters, Off the Hook, D. J. Octavio, Captain Cuttlefish, C. Q. Cumber, and Sammod) with not all of them really making sense to add. The series could get a lot more in the future.

 

[Cutie Gwen]

Mabel would come with her sisters as either an Ice Climbers duo (or trio)

Imagine getting wobbled by 2 Sonics. Nothing would make me quit Smash faster tbh

EDIT: Wait, there's three of them, even mpre horrifying...

 

[Geno Boost]

the fact that more than 8 player fighting is not impossible amazes me

 

[SpecterFlower]

Tom Nook will get in one day. KK Slider doesn't need to.

Like I said before and I'll elaborate a bit on here, KK Slider is actually represented perfectly in his current form. He shows up on Saturday nights to play his signature tunes. This is his role in AC and he's got the unique liberty of performing his EXACT function in Smash Bros. Removing him from this role to make him playable would genuinely be a downgrade, in my opinion. This is ideal for him and he feels fully realized.

It's one of those things like, I guess people believe that every important character ever ought to be playable, but sometimes a nonplayable role can represent them perfectly well. AC doesn't need a whole lot of characters, it's not a series which lends itself as easily to that and most of its other significant characters and elements would probably see representation through other means. That doesn't make it less significant, if that's right for the character then it ought to be appreciated. Three characters and ample stage, music, item representation is perfect for AC.

kk is the tertiary mascot and animal crossing is a top 3 Nintendo franchise i think he will get in one day. not every character need's to be represented but im gonna make another comparison here, he's probably as iconic and recognizable as someone like Yoshi or lucario, he definitely should get in.


Animal Crossing will either become the second best selling or the best selling Nintendo game ever, they won't just be ;like "3 characters are good enough".

 

[PeridotGX]

Tom Nook will get in one day. KK Slider doesn't need to.

Like I said before and I'll elaborate a bit on here, KK Slider is actually represented perfectly in his current form. He shows up on Saturday nights to play his signature tunes. This is his role in AC and he's got the unique liberty of performing his EXACT function in Smash Bros. Removing him from this role to make him playable would genuinely be a downgrade, in my opinion. This is ideal for him and he feels fully realized. And KK Slider is one of my favorite AC characters, for what it's worth.

It's one of those things like, I guess people believe that every important character ever ought to be playable, but sometimes a nonplayable role can represent them perfectly well. AC doesn't need a whole lot of characters, it's not a series which lends itself as easily to that and most of its other significant characters and elements would probably see representation through other means. That doesn't make it less significant, if that's right for the character then it ought to be appreciated. Three characters and ample stage, music, item representation is perfect for AC.

The last character I remember hearing people say was "perfect in his current role" was Ridley. Making him a character would ruin his boss-hood and size. That turned out well, didn't it?

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

This is his role in AC and he's got the unique liberty of performing his EXACT function in Smash Bros. Removing him from this role to make him playable would genuinely be a downgrade, in my opinion.

Even if they made him a fighter, I don't think they'd remove him from the Animal Crossing stages unless they removed the stages themselves. It'd just be a Spirit Tracks/Dream Land situation.

 

[Technomage]

While we're on the topic on a third AC fighter, I'd like to bring up Resetti, since he could have some moves that involve digging (such as digging into the ground and popping back up somewhere else, akin to a teleport).

 

[DarthEnderX]

I miss Kaientai.

It was a fun, if racist, gimmick to get a couple of non-English speaking wrestlers over.

 

[Louie G.]

kk is the tertiary mascot and animal crossing is a top 3 Nintendo franchise i think he will get in one day. not every character need's to be represented but im gonna make another comparison here, he's probably as iconic and recognizable as someone like Yoshi or lucario, he definitely should get in.

This comes from an obsession to make every significant character within a series playable rather than appreciating nonplayable roles as significant as well. I want to clarify that I'm not against KK Slider being playable - I just don't believe that playable representation is the only worthwhile / notable form that a character can take. "Not every character needs to be represented" isn't the point. KK Slider is represented, and he's represented very well, he just isn't playable.

If you were suggesting how much fun a KK Slider moveset would be and how much he would bring to Smash, I would be more open to this sentiment and would probably agree with you. But your stance is solely founded in Animal Crossing deserving an arbitrary number of "reps" to show how big it is. There's more to adding characters than this.

The last character I remember hearing people say was "perfect in his current role" was Ridley. Making him a character would ruin his boss-hood and size. That turned out well, didn't it?

Not the same thing, since I'm not saying that KK Slider is unviable to be playable, just that I am perfectly satisfied with where he is currently. If Sakurai was inspired to create some awesome music based KK moveset where he swings his guitar all over the place I would be totally fair game for that too. But it's rare that a character can be implemented as nicely and true to form as KK has been. I just think insisting he totally needs to be playable because he's iconic is downplaying how much thought was put into his current role.

Even if they made him a fighter, I don't think they'd remove him from the Animal Crossing stages unless they removed the stages themselves. It'd just be a Spirit Tracks/Dream Land situation.

Yeah, that would be ideal.

 

[SpecterFlower]

This comes from an obsession to make every significant character within a series playable rather than appreciating nonplayable roles as significant as well.

what?

i appreciate those roles, but imagine if yoshi was a assist trophy instead of playable, would that feel off at all?
those are better suited for characters who can't get in as playable, kk is a fan favorite and one of Nintendo's biggest mascot's, he ins't someone like takumaru.

imagine if in ultimate inkling was a background element only except multiply that by 3 that's the position animal crossing is in right now, of course there won't be any new one in ultimate but i think the next game will have 5-ish animal crossing characters.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

i appreciate those roles, but imagine if yoshi was a assist trophy instead of playable, would that feel off at all?

Now I want a Yoshi Assist Trophy where anyone can ride him until they get hit. Riding him gives you access to his Flutter Jump, and lick up (a command grab that's kind of like a less versatile Cargo Throw) abilities.

Not only would it be neat as an Assist Trophy, but we'd get to see the absolute ridiculousness that is a sizable chunk of the cast (like Piranha Plant, Ridley, or and another Yoshi) riding a Yoshi.

 

[Louie G.]

what?

i appreciate those roles, but imagine if yoshi was a assist trophy instead of playable, would that feel off at all?
those are better suited for characters who can't get in as playable, kk is a fan favorite and one of Nintendo's biggest mascot's, he ins't someone like takumaru.

imagine if in ultimate inkling was a background element only except multiply that by 3 that's the position animal crossing is in right now, of course there won't be any new one in ultimate but i think the next game will have 5-ish animal crossing characters.

Is there any reason you're saying this aside from arbitrary rep numbers? Your whole point lies within this idea that AC needs to overtake these other franchises just because it's a big series, rather than bringing anything refreshing and new.

And again, saying those roles are "better suited for characters who can't get in as playable" is downplaying the significance of those roles and their implementation in the first place. There is literally nothing better suited for KK Slider than sitting on his stool and playing music on Saturday nights. I will not and would not argue that he can't be playable, but that isn't automatically a better representation of the character just because he's iconic and he "deserves" it or whatever.

KK Slider is not one of Nintendo's biggest mascots. He is a significant supporting character within Animal Crossing, but I think it's ridiculous to compare him to Yoshi. And I want to clarify again, I LOVE KK Slider. Yoshi is a character who has been playable countless times over and has his own spinoff series. If Yoshi remained Mario's trusty steed and his role was regulated to being a rideable powerup, then yes I think Yoshi would be justified as an AT. Yoshi is much more than that now though. KK Slider has not gone beyond the role he has always had, which is a very important role but not one that absolutely begs to be made playable.

If we got a KK Slider spinoff rhythm game or something... first of all, I would love that, and second of all this case would be made a lot stronger. For now, Tom Nook is obviously the next biggest priority and I don't believe they'll feel obligated to boost AC's characters simply to reflect its relative size among Nintendo's library. That can be done through all sorts of content, the roster is not the be all end all.

And Inkling is, sorry to put it bluntly, an awful comparison. Animal Crossing has two characters already. It is not even close to being the same thing as preventing a major Nintendo series from getting a single character. Inkling is the main character of their series, a better comparison would be Callie and Marie - who I would also be consistent in saying are better off in a supporting role, personally. In fact, it would be great for them to perform on a theoretical Inkopolis stage just like KK Slider.

If Inkling, Splatoon's protagonist, was somehow excluded from Ultimate then that would be ridiculous, but since Splatoon is a very successful new Nintendo IP and Inkling shows a great deal of moveset potential / plays the leading role in their respective series, I don't see how it's comparable to a supporting character like KK Slider even a little bit.

 

[Technomage]

Now I want a Yoshi Assist Trophy where anyone can ride him until they get hit. Riding him gives you access to his Flutter Jump, and lick up (a command grab that's kind of like a less versatile Cargo Throw) abilities.

Not only would it be neat as an Assist Trophy, but we'd get to see the absolute ridiculousness that is a sizable chunk of the cast (like Piranha Plant, Ridley, or and another Yoshi) riding a Yoshi.

Though, AT Yoshi would probably have to be of a color that PC Yoshi doesn't have as an alt, so as to avoid confusion between the two; either that, or have it be 64, Melee, and Brawl Yoshi.

 

[Guynamednelson]

Though, AT Yoshi would probably have to be of a color that PC Yoshi doesn't have as an alt, so as to avoid confusion between the two; either that, or have it be 64, Melee, and Brawl Yoshi.

This is how Black Yoshi can still win.

 

[Mushroomguy12]

A message from the executioners themselves.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in commemorating the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. We hope you continue to Power-Up and enjoy Mario and friends’ adventures! #SuperMario35 pic.twitter.com/gwZDUaXiSF

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 31, 2021

 

[Technomage]

A message from the executioners themselves.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in commemorating the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. We hope you continue to Power-Up and enjoy Mario and friends’ adventures! #SuperMario35 pic.twitter.com/gwZDUaXiSF

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) March 31, 2021

So did they successfully execute Mario, but he revived himself afterwards?

 

[Ivander]

the fact that more than 8 player fighting is not impossible amazes me

Dread it. Run from it. Battle Royale arrives all the same.

Smash Run when, plz?

 

[SKX31]

Discuss.

Oh god.

Meme Android 21.

Nothing in good faith comes from this.

Unless the next AC games introduce a **** ton of functions and mechanics, I also can't see any other AC newcomer besides Tom Nook. And even then, I can't see it going past what SMAASH! Puppy said.

In spite of AC's popularity, a lot of its core mechanics are already in Villager and Isabelle's moveset - and I don't think anyone quite matches the latter's popularity.

Even with Splatoon, I kinda struggle to see us going past 3 or 4 characters. It's kinda hard to balance series popularity, character popularity and moveset potential for even the biggest Nintendo series when Smash's net is the widest it's ever been.

Then again, Sakurai has shown a certain willingness to not really care all that much about established canon if there's a gameplay mechanic or idea he wants to explore. Doesn't mean he discards it entirely - far from - but I'm pretty sure didn't have Belly Armor when he first appeared in DKC 1, as an example (unless I'm mistaken here). Sakurai and co designed to be a more trap-centered Villager (given the relatively limited time they had) when I'm pretty sure Isabelle's not associated with traps. Now I have some criticisms towards how both Belly Armor and Isabelle's traps are a bit too situational to work consistently (especially since her Fishing Rod arguably got overshadowed by Steve's), but still, my main point stands. They could certainly design additional AC characters if they wanted to in the future.

A message from the executioners themselves.

So did they successfully execute Mario, but he revived himself afterwards?

It was 's plan all along.

 

[SpecterFlower]

Is there any reason you're saying this aside from arbitrary rep numbers? Your whole point lies within this idea that AC needs to overtake these other franchises just because it's a big series, rather than bringing anything refreshing and new. And again, saying those roles are "better suited for characters who can't get in as playable" is downplaying the significance of those roles and their implementation in the first place. There is literally nothing better suited for KK Slider than sitting on his stool and playing music on Saturday nights. I will not and would not argue that he can't be playable, but that isn't automatically a better representation of the character just because he's iconic and he "deserves" it or whatever.

KK Slider is not one of Nintendo's biggest mascots. He is a significant character within Animal Crossing, but I think it's ridiculous to compare him to Yoshi. And I want to clarify again, I LOVE KK Slider. Yoshi is a character who has been playable countless times over and has his own spinoff series. If Yoshi remained Mario's trusty steed and his role was regulated to being a rideable powerup, then yes I think Yoshi would be justified as an AT. Yoshi is much more than that now though. KK Slider has not gone beyond the role he has always had, which is a very important role but not one that absolutely begs to be made playable.

If we got a KK Slider spinoff rhythm game or something... first of all, I would love that, and second of all this case would be made a lot stronger. For now, Tom Nook is obviously the next biggest priority and I don't believe they'll feel obligated to boost AC's characters simply to reflect its relative size among Nintendo's library. That can be done through all sorts of content, the roster is not the be all end all.

And Inkling is, sorry to put it bluntly, an awful comparison. Animal Crossing has two characters already. It is not even close to being the same thing as preventing a major Nintendo series from getting a single character. Inkling is the main character of their series, a better comparison would be Callie and Marie - who I would also be consistent in saying are better off in a supporting role, personally. In fact, it would be great for them to perform on a theoretical Inkopolis stage just like KK.

If Inkling, Splatoon's protagonist, was somehow excluded from Ultimate then that would be ridiculous, but since Splatoon is a very successful new Nintendo IP and Inkling shows a great deal of moveset potential / plays the leading role in their respective series, I don't see how it's comparable to a supporting character like KK Slider even a little bit.

no not really.

and yes kk is a yoshi sized icon, Animal crossing is a gigantic juggernaut of a franchise, even before New horizons but with new horizons as of right now Nintendo's strongest franchise is animal crossing, in the past it was always a top 3 (except the first game).

 

[Cutie Gwen]

AT Yoshi should be a thing now because holy **** I ****ing detest fighting that green ****, Coney was right, **** Yoshi

 

[RouffWestie]

Islander becomes the main rep, uses NH's terraforming tools and uses the polevault for recovery.
Isabelle takes on a new moveset closer to the prerelease ideas her supporters had.
Villager returns now with the N64/Gamecube look, represents the OG titles.
Tom Nook incorporates building up Bells by pocketing attacks to either trade them in for more powerful standard atttacks, or throwing it back for one big attack.
Mabel makes different clothes and accessories as a method of special defense, and uses tailor tools to attack. Sabel and Label are alt costumes.
Resetti can dig underground to approach zoners with ease and gets angry enough at high damage that his speed and damage will increase
Ankha with Raymond as an echo are just in for ****s and giggles

 

[Mushroomguy12]

AT Yoshi should be a thing now because holy ** I ing detest fighting that green *, Coney was right, * Yoshi

If you like Yoshi you need to grow up, is certainly.... a take.

 

[rexfan53]

Islander becomes the main rep, uses NH's terraforming tools and uses the polevault for recovery.
Isabelle takes on a new moveset closer to the prerelease ideas her supporters had.
Villager returns now with the N64/Gamecube look, represents the OG titles.
Tom Nook incorporates building up Bells by pocketing attacks to either trade them in for more powerful standard atttacks, or throwing it back for one big attack.
Mabel makes different clothes and accessories as a method of special defense, and uses tailor tools to attack. Sabel and Label are alt costumes.
Resetti can dig underground to approach zoners with ease and gets angry enough at high damage that his speed and damage will increase
Ankha with Raymond as an echo are just in for ****s and giggles

Who the **** are these people?

 

[Gengar84]

It was a fun, if racist, gimmick to get a couple of non-English speaking wrestlers over.

I can’t really argue there. A lot of WWE stuff from that era is pretty offensive in retrospect. Just look at some of the Jerry Lawler promos on Golddust.

Just to bring it back to Smash, I’m curious how everyone would react if we got someone that you’ve never really heard of before but you think they have a really cool design and fun looking moveset when they are revealed. Would you still be disappointed?

 

[Guynamednelson]

but i think the next game will have 5-ish animal crossing characters

They're not going to search every nook and cranny in Wii Fit for more reps for it just because it made Nintendo more money than Chibi-Robo.

 

[3BitSaurus]

A message from the executioners themselves.

"Thanks for buying our limited-release products for the anniversary of our biggest IP. Now **** off."

Like... gee, I know Covid was a wrench in everyone's plans the past year, but I guess I still expected just a bit more... I dunno, enthusiasm on their part.

Then again, Sakurai has shown a certain willingness to not really care all that much about established canon if there's a gameplay mechanic or idea he wants to explore. Doesn't mean he discards it entirely - far from - but I'm pretty sure didn't have Belly Armor when he first appeared in DKC 1, as an example* (unless I'm mistaken here). Sakurai and co designed to be a more trap-centered Villager (given the relatively limited time they had) when I'm pretty sure Isabelle's not associated with traps. Now I have some criticisms towards how both Belly Armor and Isabelle's traps are a bit too situational to work consistently (especially since her Fishing Rod arguably got overshadowed by Steve's), but still, my main point stands. They could certainly design additional AC characters if they wanted to in the future.

If I'm not mistaken, isn't Belly Armor extrapolating from the fact that you could only hit K. Rool on his head and not on his body in the original DKC? It's been a long time since I played, but I think even his trailer referenced that in one scene, with everyone jumping on his crownless head.

 

[Froggy]

I've been reading a lot of Tom Nook speculation, its a bit unclear if people expect him for the next two remaining fighters or just at some point in the future. Personally I don't think he has enough gravitas to be anything other than a basegame character, that's less about Animal Crossing itself and more that there not going to put a third semi clone character at one the last two DLC.

I still don't think I have we're getting another first party character, but its not something I'll try to convince others of. If we do get another First party character however I'd see Pokemon or Astral Chain getting in before AC again.

 

[Technomage]

Hey, after thinking about Steve's ability to move/generate a crafting table and Inkling's ability to recharge its ink, both of which are executed by pressing B while shielding, that has got me thinking: What other fighters already in the game could benefit from a "Shield Special" move? Note that those moves would most likely have to be more defensive moves, as well as be ground moves.


For example:

Daisy: Could summon a Bumper Ball (knocking back opponents when it raises from the ground) and roll around walking on it (akin to Wario's bike), and can jump off of it. If that were to happen, then I'd prefer that Peach NOT have that move too (and instead have a different Shield Special), since it could potentially make Daisy's playstyle outline different from Peach's.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Though, AT Yoshi would probably have to be of a color that PC Yoshi doesn't have as an alt, so as to avoid confusion between the two; either that, or have it be 64, Melee, and Brawl Yoshi.

Now we shall have the return of orange Yoshi.

 

[SpecterFlower]

They're not going to search every nook and cranny in Wii Fit for more reps for it just because it made Nintendo more money than Chibi-Robo.

well that's a bad comparison.

wii fit has 1 viable character, animal crossing has 10.

animal crossing new horizons has sold more than zelda botw and Mario odyssey and smash bros ultimate itself, not chibi robo zip lash

More people have bought Animal Crossing: New Horizons in just over 3 months than they have the entire Metroid franchise over 34 years

— Christopher Dring (@Chris_Dring) August 6, 2020

 

[Otoad64]

wii fit has 1 viable character, animal crossing has 10.

this is Balance Board erasure

 

[SpecterFlower]

this is Balance Board erasure

i have been corrected,

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Who the **** are these people?

You talking about "Gigachad"? Probably some model somewhere.

Otherwise, lol Fire Emblem joke, but Animal Crossing.

Then again, Sakurai has shown a certain willingness to not really care all that much about established canon if there's a gameplay mechanic or idea he wants to explore. Doesn't mean he discards it entirely - far from - but I'm pretty sure didn't have Belly Armor when he first appeared in DKC 1, as an example (unless I'm mistaken here). Sakurai and co designed to be a more trap-centered Villager (given the relatively limited time they had) when I'm pretty sure Isabelle's not associated with traps. Now I have some criticisms towards how both Belly Armor and Isabelle's traps are a bit too situational to work consistently (especially since her Fishing Rod arguably got overshadowed by Steve's), but still, my main point stands. They could certainly design additional AC characters if they wanted to in the future.

These are more simple creative liberties than anything else (and Isabelle's Lloyd is actually more accurate, though the things still aren't missiles). I think a better example would be Pyra/Mythra, who ignore basically everything about Xenoblade Chronicles 2.

 

[jadetheseer]

So for the sake of fun, let’s say that it’s announced that there’ll be an Echo Fighter Pass after FP2 comes to a close with four characters. Who would you want to see? My choices would be:

1. Funky Kong - faster and more mobile than DK with less power. His up special takes him higher and has an animation of him spinning around on his surfboard with a water effect. His final smash is a re-skin of Pit’s or the Dragoon’s where he gets into his plane and then rams into the players
2. Jeanne - basically the same as Bayonetta with Madame Styx instead of Madame Butterfly and Moth Within instead of Bat Within however her dodges are a lot more precise to land like in the game. Maybe change her final smash to a torture move as well.
3. Zack Fair - basically just a re-skin of Cloud like how Daisy was with Peach.
4. Liquid - my favorite idea for an Echo Fighter! He sacrifices Snake’s mobility and stealth for brute strength, so for instance he can’t hold the grenade but it does more damage, he can’t aim the rocket but it does more damage, he can’t detonate the mine but it does more damage, etc. His final smash is the same but has him get into REX. A lot of his animations would probably be changed as well. And for all of the echo fighters, they would have new voice lines, taunts, victory animations and classic modes.

 

[Louie G.]

I just wish people would get over the whole "reps" obsession and consider why some series have the amount of characters they do. I really like Animal Crossing, I love quirky additions who aren't natural fighters and AC provides a real great pool of those. I was extremely happy to see Isabelle make it in. But the discussion usually just boils down to "Animal Crossing is a big series so it's gonna have a whole lot of characters". If we were talking about how these characters would actually play I wouldn't have as much of an issue.

Mario and Pokemon provide a lot of natural variety and moveset potential on top of being such massive household names, Fire Emblem changes its cast constantly and all of these characters are seasoned, trained fighters. Sakurai struggled to come up with a single moveset for AC back in Brawl, and with Isabelle decided to rehash half of Villager's kit. This IMO is not really a great launching point for a series to get a million new characters, despite its immense success, and I doubt we'd see AC only get a bunch of semiclones and echo fighters. I think it would be awesome for AC to get another character or two, but I think anyone anticipating it reaching Mario and Pokemon levels of character representation are looking at this the wrong way.

On the flipside I've also seen people argue that this or that series should get more characters on the precedent of sales numbers and how "iconic" the characters are, and refuse to give Animal Crossing that same credit (particularly Tom Nook, who is never mentioned alongside the likes of Dixie Kong or Bandana Dee). I think this is wrong too, but only for consistency sake. If you're gonna put that much stock in sales numbers then the vision of a roster stuffed with Animal Crossing should be a wakeup call that maybe there's a little bit more to it than that.