People were wondering why Banjo wasn't in Smash 64, that's how big of an N64 icon he was. He was second to Mario only, propagated a whole genre of 3D platformers... His franchise might not have lived quite as long but there's no denying the massive popularity, even today, of his games and his legacy. King K Rool and Ridley are in a slightly different boat. They were part of a movement where people wanted to see the protagonists, but also the villains, of the games. So they are iconic in different ways, and more about completing a franchise's roster in Smash. It's why people would love to see, as an example, Tails, Knuckle and more importantly Dr Robotnik as part of the Sonic franchise representation. Can Geno claim to be similarly genre defining, or a mainstay villain in his series? No, because he was a side character, not a villain, and only part of one game. It's like asking yourself why they didn't pick any Fire Emblem side character, or anybody else but Joker, Cloud or Hero, for the main RPG series in Smash.
This is exactly what I meant by being relegated to "Geno hate". You didn't answer my questions. Of course some people like their character, but the problem with Geno is that his original popularity does not match his current popularity on here. There's a huge disconnect, and you don't see that with other characters, only with Waluigi which also became a meme. I can't deny that Geno has an original design, and that his one game was fun. But why such a surge in popularity? Why him and not Mallow, which has identical circumstances? Why him and not any of the Paper Mario sidekicks? Why such a massive movement starting with Smash 4, when there was barely anything beforehand?
Those are all very serious questions, and maybe it requires social-science essays to be able to answer, but the short answer to it is that a bandwagon formed and a lot of people jumped in for a reason or another. But unlike almost every other potential candidate (bar Waluigi), the origins of the movement are really different than any other, and as an outsider to this movement, I really wish some Geno fans would notice and admit those circumstances, realize that objectively, he's really not likely, and that no artificial push of his popularity will make it that much more likely. And I try to say that as neutrally as possible, as a testimony about what makes the majority of people not buy the Geno propaganda.
And likewise, I've seen even on the last page some saying they think Mallow would be a good pick as well, and that shows good faith in their pick. Nobody needs to justify individually why they like their pick, but as a community, you have to understand why and how a character becomes "popular", and the reach of that popularity. Some Geno fans are extremely vocal about it, and yet are such a tiny group that don't actually represent the interests. As some have stated before, realistically speaking, Geno is not popular with the masses, very few people remember him as a character, and he would be a terrible seller bar to a small bubble of super dedicated fans. At least Waluigi is present in a ton of party games the common of mortals have heard of or played.
Karting games are not exactly what I'd call a reference for a character being playable... Lots of Bowser personality and character development in there. Peach is on me, I did forget about that game, but it's not exactly the same either, there's so much more to her in SMRPG than in a 2D platformer with barely any dialogue... That being said, you didn't answer any of my questions either, just trying to discredit me for one slightly off comment?
