I honestly don't think K. Rool will be like Dedede or Bowser Jr anymore than Little Mac is like Captain Falcon.
They may share similar gameplay elements on a fundamental level (defensive zoner with a diverse toolkit), but I have no doubt that Sakurai can make him stand out in that respect.
The comparison to Snake is, I agree, fairly apt, and the closest example we have to what K. Rool would hypothetically play like. If PM Ganondorf is a more brutal and savage version of canon Ganon, then I think K. Rool could function similarly with regards to PM Snake: a heavy zoner focusing on setting up complex and destructive traps, though with a brutal and savage playstyle that rewards aggressive play and violent tactics just as much as elaborate intricacies of his toolkit.
To that end, I'm in favour of what I call the "discharge" mechanic for K. Rool: K. Rool's main moves (i.e. specials, smashes and maybe a few other normal moves) can be charged to increase their power and range. This is pretty standard fare for projectile specials and smashes, though in this case, it would make a huge difference - say, the difference between a Bowser Jr-style dud cannonball and a super-fast spiked variety that wrecks shields. The same would apply across the board: K. Rool's moves hurt if they're fully charged, and they encourage you to go ham if the situation calls for it.
The trick here is that, much like his hated nemesis Diddy's Peanut Popgun, if K. Rool holds the charge for too long...
Boom!
It blows up in his face, wasting the move and doing heavy damage to the King himself! This works for smashes as well as specials, so you have to be very careful with how you use K. Rool's tools. Judicious and crafty use will ensure K. Rool plays at the top of his game and does huge damage to anyone that dares get in his scaly green face; reckless aggression will yield more harm than help, though, and cause poor Rool to feel the wrath of his own wicked devices.
There's a good chance you're thinking to yourself, "But top-level players would just have perfect timing and never discharge! K. Rool would be OP!"
To which I respond: true! Yet power comes at a price: K. Rool is rendered totally vulnerable while charging, meaning he needs to be very, very careful of how and when he goes full-on with the big guns, and know when it's best to just take it easy and bide his time.
Of course, if K. Rool did nothing but charge and run the risk of blowing himself to kingdom come, he'd be rather ineffective in the overall scheme of things. Rushdown fighters would make mincemeat of him, and characters with reflectors would laugh in his bountiful visage. How kroo...er, cruel!
Which is why I propose that, just to flesh out our King's royal repertoire, he would have a few trap-based moves as well to cover his bases and ensure he doesn't just become combo food. Have fun working your way over a bona fide minefield while K. Rool charges a spike-skewered round of buckshot from a safe distance~!
Just a few thoughts on how I would design K. Rool, had Daddy Sakurai deigned it fit to bequeath the responsibility unto me.
What say y'all? Discharge: yea or nay?
