I respectfully disagree.
1. Master Chief is a samus knockoff? Ok they are both similar in that they both wear full body armor and have some similar weapons. But if you are saying that Master Chief won't get in because he's too similar to Samus, that is wrong (I apologize in advance if this is not what you are saying). He has a shield, energy guns, long range rifles, chainguns, energy sword, grenades, hammer, etc. More than enough weapons to make an interesting and unique moveset.
2. Yes, Microsoft being a competitor does hurt Chief's chances. But the thing is that they are not 100% a direct competitor. They see what the Switch is and recognize that it has its own market. Hence why they ported games like Cuphead and Ori over to the Switch because it won't directly hurt their sales. Admittedly these are slightly older indie games and not huge exclusives like Halo and Forza, but it shows how close Microsoft and Nintendo are. If it wasn't for the fact that Master Chief hasn't been on a Nintendo console before, I think he would have a real shot and if Nintendo went to Microsoft and asked for him, I think Microsoft would agree because Master Chief is iconic so he would generate a lot of sales from DLC and would generate more interest in Halo.
3. I don't understand what you mean by "had to do the impossible to get Banjo from the clutches of Microsoft". Again, Microsoft and Nintendo have a friendly relationship despite being console manufacturers and Phil Spencer literally said it was a very easy decision to let Banjo in Smash. So I don't see why you are making it seem like it was such a hard thing to do.
Master Chief is essentially what the instruction manual for the first Metroid described Samus as. I recognize him as having a unique moveset and will never discredit him for that, but in general, I view Halo as a multiplayer equipped Metroid competitor. It wouldn't be smart advertising nor would it go well with fans for Metroid Prime 4 to be in this odd development period and then Master Chief show up in Super Smash Bros.
As for "doing the impossible", I guess they've proven that it isn't entirely impossible, but really... Let's not let the fact that Banjo is in cloud our opinion that such a thing is anything short of a miracle. This time last year Banjo was another Grinch Leak casualty and only really specific people had any faith in him. The biggest hindrance against him, what made it so unlikely, was that Microsoft owns Rare. Even if the bridge has been crossed doesn't mean it'll be any easier to cross it again, and for one of Microsoft's flagship characters rather than a cartoony platform character that went unused for a decade? The odds are infinitely smaller.
What if...
Smash wins Fighting Game of the Year: Nightmare is Revealed for Fighter Pass #5!
Smash wins Family Game of the Year: Geno is announced for post pass DLC!
Smash wins Game of the Year: Doomguy is announced for post pass DLC!
Smash wins Fighting Game of the Year: Fighter 5
Smash wins Family Game of the Year: Geno
Smash wins Game of the Year: Geno again.
I'm still confident in Geno, but I was just curious about something. I believe Fatman that if Sora was happening, its later, but in the event that Sora is 5, do you think this would completely block Geno? It's the only thing about that character I take issue with. Once Geno arrives, let Sora come later by all means. But it still terrifies me, and I just wanted some perspectives.
In general, I don't like Sora. I know he's a real thorn in the side of at least one of our compatriots, and the weapon Geno haters use the most, but the crux of the matter is that people with their heads in the right place know Sora is, in fact, a Disney character. Maybe one of the strangest Disney characters around, but still one. The most solid evidence I can give for that comes in the form of a billboard that has cropped up in various states, sponsored by the ad council. There's a whole blog on it, actually:
https://www.adlibbing.org/2019/02/2...ered-with-kingdom-hearts-to-prevent-bullying/
The copyrights are given to Disney, with "developed by Square Enix" being mentioned, but ultimately, if Square owned any of the characters, they'd be credited for their copyright as well, but they aren't. He's not in competition with our boy.
Now, has the internet made me petty to the point that I just never want to see him? Absolutely. I've said before that the most fitting punishment would be for him to be a Mii costume that comes with Geno and I'd still be giddy for that, but that wouldn't happen, because again, Square doesn't own him. They're just consulted for using him because... I dunno, I guess Disney actually cares about keeping the series on point? That'd go miles for Star Wars, but that's another thread.