Let's Discuss: If Smash Bros was western

[UserKev]

A nice twist on the over stayed third party discussion. What If Smash Bros was a western title? I did some analyzing and, a western Smash Bros would have been amazing and just as interesting as Smash. With a director with the same skill as Sakurai, a western Smash could have pulled some mind blowing physiques with how extremely unlikely western characters now, likely would have been. Shoe in characters would be similar to this:

Rayman
Crash Bandicoot
Scorpion
Sub Zero
Doomguy
Lara Croft
Banjo Kazooie
Spyro The Dragon
Grand Theft Auto rep
Assassin's Creed rep
Dragonborn

I didn't list the other incredibly obvious reps because they've been so discussed, you can mention them yourself.

Exceptions would be similar to this:
Resident Evil rep
Ryu
Little Mac
Sonic
Pac-Man

For me personally though, I would have loved a Quake 2 stage and Nick Kang, True Crime.
Aye, I'm biased.

 

[GoodGrief741]

It’d probably be pretty similar to PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, maybe a bit less advertising focused if they had Sakurai’s decency.

 

[Sheng Long]

If Smash were western.... well besides the main icons of Nintendo being represented, there'd be some different characters:

We'd have Mike Jones for sure
I could see Ubisoft, Activision, E.A., Bethesda and THQ representation being a thing
Ubisoft: Rayman, Rabbids, Assassin's Creed rep
Activision Blizzard: Crash, Spyro, CoD rep, Diablo, Worldcraft rep, Starcraft rep
EA: Commander Shepard, Spore creature, Imitator Plant (PvZ)
Bethesda: Doomguy, William Blazkowicz, Dovahkiin
THQ: Crypto, Death
We'd probably see some indie characters too like Steve, Shovel Knight, Shantae, and Alien Hominid
Perhaps Earthworm Jim, a Worm from the Worms series, Abe from Oddworld, and Scorpion
From Japanese companies, I could see Sonic, Snake, Bill Rizer, Simon Belmont, Frogger, Ryu Hayabusa, Pacman, Megaman, RE rep, etc.
I wouldn't be surprised if western Smash allowed fourth party characters (like how MK does) such as Spiderman or Batman or even James Bond.

 

[UserKev]

It’d probably be pretty similar to PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, maybe a bit less advertising focused if they had Sakurai’s decency.

Smash Bros. was released in 1999. Battle Royale was released in 2012. The western Smash would have played the same as Sakurai's.

If Smash were western.... well besides the main icons of Nintendo being represented, there'd be some different characters:

We'd have Mike Jones for sure
I could see Ubisoft, Activision, E.A., Bethesda and THQ representation being a thing
Ubisoft: Rayman, Rabbids, Assassin's Creed rep
Activision Blizzard: Crash, Spyro, CoD rep, Diablo, Worldcraft rep, Starcraft rep
EA: Commander Shepard, Spore creature, Imitator Plant (PvZ)
Bethesda: Doomguy, William Blazkowicz, Dovahkiin
THQ: Crypto, Death
We'd probably see some indie characters too like Steve, Shovel Knight, Shantae, and Alien Hominid
Perhaps Earthworm Jim, a Worm from the Worms series, Abe from Oddworld, and Scorpion
From Japanese companies, I could see Sonic, Snake, Bill Rizer, Simon Belmont, Frogger, Ryu Hayabusa, Pacman, Megaman, RE rep, etc.
I wouldn't be surprised if western Smash allowed fourth party characters (like how MK does) such as Spiderman or Batman or even James Bond.

I thought Frogger was western. I can't see how he would play but his games have amazing soundtrack potential. It seems a western Smash would have the too many shooters syndrome as Sakurai's to the too many swords syndrome.

 

[MrRoidley]

Thinking back in 1999, pretty sure SSB64 would be heavy in Donkey Kong and Banjo-Kazooie. Maybe other Rare games as well, but it's blurrier bc many of the other Rare hits at the time were graphic FPS games
Largely I think that the biggest difference would probably be Diddy Kong and Banjo in, and Ness definitely out. MAYBE Kirby out as well (he'd be by Melee definitely though). oh and Meowth would've been in instead of Jigglypuff based on popularity

In subsequent games, I guess Little Mac would've gotten way earlier as a retro character, and Mike Jones would be a shoo-in by Brawl (he'd probably be the Pit of that game)

And also, Melee would definitely have been weird. Conker, some Diddy Kong Racing character, an extra Banjo character and Joanna Dark would definitely have been included, only to one year later not be Nintendo-related characters anymore, and thus be cut in Brawl alongside Banjo. Man, would it be bizarre (and sad)

By now? I think third-party support would definitely be doubled down. Bethesda and Ubisoft would definitely all have their characters in on top of all the ones we already have

 

[Sheng Long]

I thought Frogger was western. I can't see how he would play but his games have amazing soundtrack potential. It seems a western Smash would have the too many shooters syndrome as Sakurai's to the too many swords syndrome.

Nope, Frogger is a Konami product. I recall seeing a video that gave him a moveset in terms of what his special moves would be.

I think that western Smash would have a lot of shooter characters as well (and gritty ones too) such as Samus, Mega Man, Earthworm Jim, Snake, and all of the other 3rd party shooters (I forgot to include Duke Nukem in that list).

Do you think western Smash would have gotten fourth party characters in? I mean MvC happened, Soul Caliber did it, and so did MK as well. Plus Sakurai had considered James Bond for Melee at some point. I wouldn't be surprised if western Smash had comic book characters by Smash 4 such as Spidey, Batman, or even Scott Pilgrim.

 

[UserKev]

Do you think western Smash would have gotten fourth party characters in? I mean MvC happened, Soul Caliber did it, and so did MK as well. Plus Sakurai had considered James Bond for Melee at some point. I wouldn't be surprised if western Smash had comic book characters by Smash 4 such as Spidey, Batman, or even Scott Pilgrim.

.. No, dude. Video game originated characters only. The fourth party characters would already have their own games as the example you listed. Its just not fun anymore once fourth party is allowed y' know?

 

[Lyndis_]

By which western company? Smash has a lot of third parties but it is primarily Nintendo based, so I think it would be very different depending on who was making it.

Valve, Blizzard and Microsoft come to my mind first.

 

[FunAtParties]

Interesting question.

If Smash was made by a western dev, Rayman is probably a seasoned vet at this point. He's hardly significant in Japan, but big in the West.

Nintendo characters is tough. Isaac may have made it by now. I don't agree that "Mike Jones would be a lock" at all, but StarTropics would at least have a trophy. You never know though, there's very few Japanese exclusive characters in Smash.

A few characters may have never made it in either. Who knows how long it would've taken to get any FE. Would Earthbound be here? Yeah Earthbound was an international release, but it was seen in a much fonder light in Japan. Even with Ness, I highly doubt Lucas gets a roster spot during Brawl.

Some characters would probably have turned out different. Pretty sure Warioware Wario is a bigger thing in Japan than the West.

Interesting to think about anyway.

 

[UserKev]

By which western company? Smash has a lot of third parties but it is primarily Nintendo based, so I think it would be very different depending on who was making it.

Valve, Blizzard and Microsoft come to my mind first.

It doesn't really matter. Just think of it as that one developer came up with the idea, multiple other developers suddenly liked. I always picture the same scenario happened with Sakurai.

I can see Bethesda heavily involved though.

 

[CrusherMania1592]

I think western would've gotten Ridley by Brawl, Mike Jones in Melee/Brawl, Diddy in Melee, and maybe Kirby series delayed

 

[YoshiandToad]

In this hypothetical is the game owned and created by Nintendo still(in some western branch) or is it Activision/Blizzard, Valve, Ubisoft in charge, because that would affect who the primary roster was filled with by a fair bit...

 

[Diddy Kong]

It wouldn't be a platform fighter first of all, more a traditional fighter. Items wouldn't also be there. And the overall theme would be way more voilent.

Retro characters might not've been included.

More focus would probably lie on western developed characters, which is good for a franchise as DKC. Also, Zelda and Metroid would probably be far more respected as franchises. Skull Kid and King K.Rool would've probably gotten in due to their legacy as characters.

Wario would likely be based around Wario Land, not Wario Ware.

One-off characters likely wouldn't have been considered.

Bayonetta and Cloud more than likely would've been included still.

Realistic guns wouldn't have been an issue with Snake either. In fact, there'd probably be more characters using realistic weapons.

Travis Touchdown would be included probably.

Mortal Kombat would more than likely have a character included. In fact, I would bet on a whole lot of more third party contend in general.

 

[osby]

My predictions:

• We probably wouldn't get Miis or Wii Fit Trainer and maybe even Villager
• Jigglypuff probably wouldn't have stay power as much as "badass" Pokemon
• I doubt we'd get Zero Suit Samus
• Mother and Fire Emblem would likely get a lot less content. Kid Icarus too.
• We'd get Olimar and Shulk later
• Would we get Rosalina and Bowser Jr.? Maybe, maybe not.

It wouldn't be a platform fighter first of all, more a traditional fighter. Items wouldn't also be there. And the overall theme would be way more voilent.

Retro characters might not've been included.

More focus would probably lie on western developed characters, which is good for a franchise as DKC. Also, Zelda and Metroid would probably be far more respected as franchises. Skull Kid and King K.Rool would've probably gotten in due to their legacy as characters.

Wario would likely be based around Wario Land, not Wario Ware.

One-off characters likely wouldn't have been considered.

Bayonetta and Cloud more than likely would've been included still.

Realistic guns wouldn't have been an issue with Snake either. In fact, there'd probably be more characters using realistic weapons.

Travis Touchdown would be included probably.

Mortal Kombat would more than likely have a character included. In fact, I would bet on a whole lot of more third party contend in general.

I'm not familiar with Western game developers so much. Why one-off characters would not be considered for playable characters? (and why this means Skull Kid would have more chance?)

 

[Crystanium]

When you said "western", I thought you were talking about if Super Smash Bros. was in a western setting, who would each character represent. Oh well.

 

[PsychoJosh]

A western Smash developed by passionate and caring people who know what it needs would be just as good as a Japanese one. The Rivals of Aether guys are proof that talent, passion and creativity aren't region locked. But I also think you might be overestimating how much these types of devs would like western characters. From what I've seen people who are into Smash are generally not going to go crazy for characters like Doomguy and Sub Zero. They'd mostly want to pay tribute to the Japanese games of the 80s and 90s which were the majority of their childhood gaming experiences, since Japan dominated the industry back then. If they did end up picking western characters I think they'd go for the ones with style and uniqueness to them, so Rayman, Crash, Spyro and my boy Earthworm Jim would be up there. They all have very unique and interesting mascot designs which are of paramount importance to being in Smash.

 

[UserKev]

When you said "western", I thought you were talking about if Super Smash Bros. was in a western setting, who would each character represent. Oh well.

..You kind of got the idea by the end of your post. Unless I'm looking into wrong. A western Smash made by western video game developers.

 

[UserKev]

A Western Smash has really intrigued my gears. Haha Seriously tho, I'm beat of Japanese IP's. At least those of the traditional sense.

A western smash needs to be given a 2nd chance since Its likely that Japan may not stem away from its comfort zone. With the right characters and proper development, it could rack in legitimately decent sells as the closest to rivaling Smash.

Crash, Spyro, Scorpion, Lara Croft, Rayman, Croc, Doomguy, Banjo-Kazooie, James Bond, Carl, Dragonborn and an unlockable is the most perfect starter roster of a western smash and makes for an amazing experiment.

For Frogger, I don't know. I can't imagine a move set even though I actually played Frogger 2. He'd be a great assist. I'm also all for a Frogger stage.

 

[Xelrog]

I mean, Smash was only able to start because it was originally just Nintendo. In a hypothetical world where a Western company did the crossover fighter successfully first, I don't know why you would assume it would be more than one company. I guess because it would have to be? No one else had as many recognized IP's to draw from as Nintendo.

You could conceivably make an argument for Sony, but that's another Japanese company. Though they work with a lot of studios who are non-Japanese. Crash, Spyro, Lara Croft, Rayman, and Croc would all be conceivable, along with maybe a few others like Gex and... weren't the early Tom Clancy and CoD games PS1? But no way would Rare have happened as they were still tied firmly to Nintendo, nor would something like James Bond. If that were possible he'd be in Smash. No way some unproven little startup project by Sony would get the right.

 

[UserKev]

I mean, Smash was only able to start because it was originally just Nintendo. In a hypothetical world where a Western company did the crossover fighter successfully first, I don't know why you would assume it would be more than one company. I guess because it would have to be? No one else had as many recognized IP's to draw from as Nintendo.

You could conceivably make an argument for Sony, but that's another Japanese company. Though they work with a lot of studios who are non-Japanese. Crash, Spyro, Lara Croft, Rayman, and Croc would all be conceivable, along with maybe a few others like Gex and... weren't the early Tom Clancy and CoD games PS1? But no way would Rare have happened as they were still tied firmly to Nintendo, nor would something like James Bond. If that were possible he'd be in Smash. No way some unproven little startup project by Sony would get the right.

I added James Bond because he's western. If he was considered for Melee but ultimately not make it to the game, he could get in a western Smash title. A western Smash could still do decent if the roster is strictly icons. Its not too late. Many of the western characters I have listed are completely recognizable by this point.

 

[Koopaul]

It doesn't really matter.

It does though. We're talking about franchises and intellectual property. What company is developing it will be the one that features the most characters and would be the core of the crossover. Realistically, there would never be just a plain old video game All-Star fighting game. There needs to be a company at the core of it all.

 

[Xelrog]

What Koopaul said. Nintendo has worked for years, literally revolutionizing the gaming industry and the way crossovers are perceived, just to get the companies we have in Ultimate cooperating.

One company in the 90's/early 2000's bringing this brand new, never-before-attempted idea to the table would not magically get every publisher and owner of every IP on board immediately. They'd be lucky to get one or two outside themselves.

 

[UserKev]

It does though. We're talking about franchises and intellectual property. What company is developing it will be the one that features the most characters and would be the core of the crossover. Realistically, there would never be just a plain old video game All-Star fighting game. There needs to be a company at the core of it all.

Naughty Dog, Ubisoft or Bethesda are examples I would list. I believe either of the two companies, especially could capture a uniquely fluid and stretchable gameplay that would work as a counterpart to the gameplay of Smash. To be specific, the gameplay could feel like a Crash Bandicoot fighting game.

 

[YoshiandToad]

How about Valve if we're talking western publishers?

I mean most PC gamers in the world have Steam already so they're not an unknown, and they have a decent handful of highly acclaimed games with memorable characters and items that I think would translate pretty well:

-Team Fortress 2 gives you NINE completely unique classes straight off the bat; Scout, Soldier, Pyro, Demoman, Heavy, Engineer, Medic, Sniper and Spy.
Scout is fast and has extra jumps. Capable of stunning opponents with a ball and is a rush down archetype.
Soldier can rocket jump up, and is great at both long range and short range.
Pyro has a jetpack and is a short range fighter that deals fire damage...a LOT of fire damage as well as being able to deflect projectiles.
Demoman fires explosives and carries a haunted blade around with him making him very good in the midrange.
Heavy is slow...but rips through enemies easily.
Engineer is a trap style fighter who can set up strategic sentry gun placements to aid him in battle.
Medic has the ability to heal team mates in team battles but is also equipped with a long range crossbow and a short range bone saw to slice and dice
Sniper is your extremely long range specialist and capable of causing critical damage if he hits the opponents head
Spy can momentarily disappear and deals huge damage if he hits you in the back.

-Half Life's Gordan Freeman may be one of the most famous western video game characters of all time. With access to an anti gravity gun and his trademark crowbar weapon, he's ready to crack some skulls. Also from Half Life you could include the deutagonist of Alyx Vance. Dog, Alyx's hulking robot Dog would make for a great Final Smash for her.

-Chell from Portal would have a moveset centered around using portals and setting traps allowing her to move freely across the map. You also have ATLAS and P-body as options for fun robotic playable characters and of course GLaDOS as a boss battle. Companion Cube of course needs to be an item, as does Wheatley and the Sentry Turrets.

-Left 4 Dead gives you a whole heap of unique infected fighters such as the juggernaut Tank, the speedy Hunter or the trapping Spitter that could be a ton of fun PLUS badass survivors like Bill Overbeck(also of Dead by Daylight fame), the 'hates everything but vests' asshole that is Francis, the other giant asshole that is Nick, the cute nerd girl Zoey, the snarky Rochelle, the optimistic Louis, the always foodcentric Coach and the incredibly amusing Ellis.

-DOTA offers so many unique heroes you could easily make an entire varied roster game out of JUST them. Pick a handful of any of them;
Seriously there's dozens of options.

I think Valve have enough IPs to start the whole schabang off, and through Steam they've made so many connections they could easily expand this roster with third party support, most of whom do often add in Valve eastereggs such as Payday 2 having Engineer's sentry gun, Saints Row the Third having giant Team Fortress 2 mask heads and Dead by Daylight including Bill as a playable survivor. The sky really would be the limit.

...of course Valve time is still a thing and we'd only ever the initial game and a sequel since Valve can't count to three