New Character: Alice (Balloon Kid and Balloon Fight GB)

[parrothead]

Did Masahiro Sakurai said that SSBB would be 100% clone-character-free? If not, then he might still do it by adding Alice, as well as another Ray from another Custom Robo title, Stapy (Stafy's sister), and a couple of others.

 

[Lord_Deathborne]

While I agree with you, I just wanna point out that BF HAS appeared in a LOT of newer games lately. Balloon Fight is being thrown in with Mario, Zelda, Metroid, etc. as one of the "lol retro" titles, as opposed to stuff like Kid Icarus or Punch-Out. So more people WOULD recognize the character, oddly enough.

Yeah... I don't deny his chance are VERY good, but I do think that there's better among the ranks of the retro characters...

 

[SupaSmashBrotha]

Who?... No, just no. Why her and not BF? There's no way she should get in over BF or anybody for that matter.

 

[Thrillhouse-vh.]

Are you sure? The ol'goofy Balloon Fighter is better, more recognizable, and yet generic, but that's the way he is. Personality? Name? Most people screw that when it comes to retro characters.

"The ruler of the high altitudes. You have unlocked BALLOON FIGHTER!"

I, as a BF supporter, want the true BF. Alice is a character that Nintendo doesn't reckon right now. Just play most BF cameos (Tetris DS, Wario Wares...), all featured by the godly Balloon Fighter.

Classic Baloon Fighter FTW!

Anyone who LOVES Balloon Fight will LOVE this game too:

http://www.ugoplayer.com/games/balloonduel_movie.php

 

[parrothead]

A Balloon Fighter is just like an Excitebiker (which is another nameless character that people call him/her an occupation). How about replacing Excitebiker with someone from Excitebike 64, like "Jumpin' Jim" Rivers? There are several Nintendo protagonists that are nameless.

If you think Mac from the SNES Super Punch-Out!! looks like a Super-Saiyan Brian Peppers, then I think that generic Balloon Fighter looks like Mr. Magoo after Jesus Christ touched his eyes to make him see.

You might think that the blonde-haired boxer from the SNES Super Punch-Out!! is nameless, you thought he is (incorrectly) billed as "Little Mac" by Nintendo in EA's Fight Night Round 2, and you agree with that motherfreakin' negative review at the bottom of the SNES Super Punch-Out!! Wikipedia article. Ya'll are looking forward to a pretty plain-looking boxer, Little Mac. Well, I'm sure Sakurai would choose the blonde-haired boxer, who isn't "Little", but is "Mac". Also, the green-haired boxer from the arcade versions would be one of Mac's good costumes, because he also doesn't wear tanktops, and the arcade versions are what Nintendo is focusing on more than the NES versions, because they started it all and not one ever thinks about them. I hope Nintendo would add their arcade classics to the Virtual Console list.

 

[Thrillhouse-vh.]

A Balloon Fighter is just like an Excitebiker (which is another nameless character that people call him/her an occupation). How about replacing Excitebiker with someone from Excitebike 64, like "Jumpin' Jim" Rivers? There are several Nintendo protagonists that are nameless.

If you think Mac from the SNES Super Punch-Out!! looks like a Super-Saiyan Brian Peppers, then I think that generic Balloon Fighter looks like Mr. Magoo after Jesus Christ touched his eyes to make him see.

You might think that the blonde-haired boxer from the SNES Super Punch-Out!! is nameless, you thought he is (incorrectly) billed as "Little Mac" by Nintendo in EA's Fight Night Round 2, and you agree with that motherfreakin' negative review at the bottom of the SNES Super Punch-Out!! Wikipedia article. Ya'll are looking forward to a pretty plain-looking boxer, Little Mac. Well, I'm sure Sakurai would choose the blonde-haired boxer, who isn't "Little", but is "Mac". Also, the green-haired boxer from the arcade versions would be one of Mac's good costumes, because he also doesn't wear tanktops, and the arcade versions are what Nintendo is focusing on more than the NES versions, because they started it all and not one ever thinks about them. I hope Nintendo would add their arcade classics to the Virtual Console list.

Wow, I'm not really sure what your talking about, you lost me. No, The Excitebiker should saty as THE Excitebiker, not someone from a Mediocre sequel that had nothing to do with the games, as the Balloon Fighter should stay the balloon Fighter.

 

[parrothead]

I think the reason why Balloon Kid didn't become popular enough is because the protagonist is a girl, and people thought it was for girls. Also, like most other sequels, people want originality to continue with more twists. Originality isn't always important. Also, many people were too addicted to Zelda: Link's Awakening and Super Mario Land, which is also why several other original Game Boy titles like Mole Mania, Kaeru No Tame Ni Kane Wa Naru, and Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters didn't sell well and never became recognizable. This is also the reason why Nintendo did not release Balloon Fight GB (the colorized version of Balloon Kid) outside of Japan.

Here is the official artwork for her little brother who she had to save in both titles:

I'm sure Balloon Kid/Balloon Fight GB is pretty popular in Japan.

 

[Ryu777]

Wow, this is grerat. one, people cans styop whining about the lack of females and, two, she has a real name, she isnt just generic "balloon fighter"

 

[Lord_Deathborne]

At least some people agree...

 

[Ryu777]

I have an idea for gameplay, how about her balloons have a set amount of stamina (sort of like in stamina mode) and when you pop one she loses alot of her flaotiness and her attacks become slightly less powerful. When she has at least one ballon though, it is impossible to kill her horizontaly (unless you hit her past the blast zone. To make up for beign near impossible to kill, she should be about as light as pichu for ez vertical kills. When she has no ballons she loses her B-up, her floating ability, and becomes a sort-of fastfaller. Sound good?

 

[parrothead]

I have an idea for gameplay, how about her balloons have a set amount of stamina (sort of like in stamina mode) and when you pop one she loses alot of her flaotiness and her attacks become slightly less powerful. When she has at least one ballon though, it is impossible to kill her horizontaly (unless you hit her past the blast zone. To make up for beign near impossible to kill, she should be about as light as pichu for ez vertical kills. When she has no ballons she loses her B-up, her floating ability, and becomes a sort-of fastfaller. Sound good?

I was about to change here Down+B move into Balloon Pump, but I decided to let here use that as her entrance. Interesting idea. I probably need to change here Down+B move into something else besides Balloon Pop. In Balloon Kid and Balloon Fight GB, she can detach her balloons and repump new ones.

 

[GenG]

I guess I also get tee'd off that Balloon Fighter is suggested more often than more deserving retro characters like Bubbles, Mach Rider, Mike Jones, Takamaru, and even Little Mac himself... Sorry but recognisability is but one factor one needs to consider, and that's really all BF has...

Bubbles and Mach Rider more deserving? How do you measure that? Both are NES classics, and Balloon Fighter, as the name implies, fights, and could have a lot of air potential for Smash. You don't need a name, a background, a story... for a videogame character of this kind. Indeed, he has recognisability, potential and Sakurai loves him. Don't know why shouldn't he be considered before many others.

 

[FlipTroopa]

Did I post my Balloon Fighter moveset? If not, here it is, because I have time to kill

Balloon Fighter
***************
Power: Low
Jump: High
Speed: Slow, but has low traction, so he picks up speed fast
Weight: Light, but increases as he loses balloons
Gravity: Very Light, but increases as he loses balloons
****************
NOTE: Balloon Fighter is constantly suspended by two balloons. Now, when the battle starts, he has them both, and can float gently above the ground. He gets low gravity, high jumps, and can actually do a total of five "flaps" into the air. Since he floats, his traction is low, and hence he is slower but picks up speed fast. He also takes forever to turn. The balloons are separate targets into themselves. If somebody hits them hard (a tap just flaps them around), they will pop. At one balloon, gravity increases, jumping decreases, traction increases, and his ascension via jumping isn't as "floaty," and he hops a lot quicker in desperation. At zero balloons, he has full traction (though is still a slippery character), normal jump, normal gravity, and loses all his extra jumps.

B: Pea Shooter-- BF pulls out his peashooter and starts spitting pebbles straight forwards. They deal light damage, with minimal knockback (like Sheik's Needles, but slower), and if he holds B he can fire up to 10 in a row. After that, he has to reload. When used in midair, he stops where he is, flapping with one arm... Unless he doesn't have balloons... Then he just falls.

Forward B: Flying Headbutt-- Changes with the amount of balloons he has!
2 Balloons> Flails in midair and dashes forwards, head first. He goes straight ahead when used in the air, and knocks people back with good force. In the process he sacrifices one balloon for speed and power.
1 Balloon>Same as above, but less powerful, and he falls a little during his dash. Does not sacrifice his last balloon.
Zero Balloons>No balloons, so it's pretty weak. When used in midair, he just flails and falls.

Up B: Pump-- Since he already gets pretty great jumps, he doesn't get a special third! For his Up B, BF pumps up his balloons. If he is already full, he just sits there looking stupid. But if he has any to fill up, just keep tapping B while Up is held and he'll fill them up. He's pretty vulnerable while doing this, so find a safe spot!

Down B: Static-- Changes with the amount of balloons he has once again!
Zero Balloons> Runs his feet on the ground to make static (or his legs together in midair), and is protected from one "contact" hit, shocking the opponent.
One Balloon> Rubs against the balloon, creating a stronger static field. Is protected from two "contact" hits this time, and can tap B to fire off the field in a small bolt of electricity that flies straight forwards.
Two Balloons> Rubs the two balloons together, and gets a very powerful shield that lasts 3 "contact" hits and, when released, throws off bolts in all 8 directions!


I figured he would work best as a defensive character, terrible for 1v1's, but really great in groups or on a team.

 

[parrothead]

I changed her "Balloon Pop" into "Detach / Pump".

Also, here is the official Japanese website for Balloon Fight GB.

And here are a couple of webpages about Balloon Kid / Balloon Fight GB from the director of Balloon Fight and Balloon Kid/Balloon Fight GB, Hitoshi Yamagami:

Page 1

Page 2

 

[SupaSmashBrotha]

Why is every1 arguing there is no way she is going to get over BF, I mean it was already said that Sakurai wanted him in the game. So why would he put in a random GB character over one of his favorites.

 

[Lord_Deathborne]

Bubbles and Mach Rider more deserving? How do you measure that? Both are NES classics, and Balloon Fighter, as the name implies, fights, and could have a lot of air potential for Smash. You don't need a name, a background, a story... for a videogame character of this kind. Indeed, he has recognisability, potential and Sakurai loves him. Don't know why shouldn't he be considered before many others.

Dude... that article was from before the launch of SSBM, when there was still a ton of speculation as to who was going make it in. IGN seemed to hint that Pit and Mach Rider were going to make the cut. And just because in that particular article doesn't state that Sakurai-san also likes Mach Rider or Bubbles doesn't mean that isn't the case. While I'll admit I may have jumped the gun with Mach Rider in that previous statement, as BF is more popular at the moment, I still hold to what I said in regard to Bubbles. While the BF theme has been featured in Nintendo's recent retro movement, Bubbles actually made a recent playable appearence (DK: King of Swing). I guess what I meant by "more deserving" is that they fit better. Sorry about spewing forth what seems to be hate for BF - I don't really. But agian there's just many other retro character that just fit the bill better. If you've ever played Balloon Kid/Ballon Fight GB, you would see they took the original concept several steps further, which is why I support Alice over the original BF.

BTW "Balloon Fighter" actually implies that he fights with balloons... yeah... Doesn't have anywhere near the calibur of say "Street Fighter"... And the name "Balloon Fighter" is anagolous to "Excitebiker" - simply titles to describe the originally nameless on-screen characters of their respective games - basically just the game title with the suffix "er" attached to the end. Interstingly enough, I don't see people lining up to suppor the Excitebiker for SSBB (as Excitebike was FAR more memorable than Balloon Fight), so why is this the case for BF?

 

[xianfeng]

Alice is an intresting character who would have a lot of great and original moves and great aeiral play but regular old generic baloon fighter is more likely as he was in the beta version of melee only to be replaced by the ice climbers and is one of Sakurai's personal favourite characters. I would prefer Alice ot baloon fighter because she has a personality and is more unique and original but honestly Baloon fighter is a lot more likely.

 

[Lord_Deathborne]

We don't deny he's more likely. We're just pointing out that she would probably be a better choice.

Besides, a little girl flying around with balloons is cute. A guy floating around with balloons is... kinda fruity...

 

[GenG]

A guy floating with balloons and flapping his arms is the kind of WTF humor that is part of Smash Bros philosophy, the same with G&W.

 

[FlipTroopa]

A guy floating with balloons and flapping his arms is the kind of WTF humor that is part of Smash Bros philosophy, the same with G&W.

Hit the nail on the head there buddy

 

[Lord_Deathborne]

A guy floating with balloons and flapping his arms is the kind of WTF humor that is part of Smash Bros philosophy, the same with G&W.

Won't argue with you there, although unlike Mr. G&W I doubt BF would really be able to hold his own in the ring. But Sakurai-san is a miracle worker... Still, there are a few retro characters I really want in before him.

 

[GenG]

Still, there are a few retro characters I really want in before him.

Same here. I want Takamaru and Little Mac before him, not sure about Mach Rider. He isn't in my top 5 (maybe 9th). But I still think that BF has a retro flavor, goofyness and recognisability that Alice couldn't never achieve.

 

[Lord_Deathborne]

You do think Mach Rider's a good idea though? That's nice. Little Mac and Takamaru are pratically shoe-ins, so there's no need to worry about them. As far as BF, again I think Alice would be better, but that's just me - everyone else seems to want the original one... oh well... They should atleast include the BGM for Balloon Kid/Balloon Fight GB, as it's much better than the music of the original...

 

[FlipTroopa]

Alice has the character, but BF has the recognition. I guess it just boils down to what Sakurai feels is more important? We do have Popo and Nana simply labeled "THE ICE CLIMBERS," so it's not like they haven't done generic BS before.

 

[parrothead]

Alice has the character, but BF has the recognition. I guess it just boils down to what Sakurai feels is more important? We do have Popo and Nana simply labeled "THE ICE CLIMBERS," so it's not like they haven't done generic BS before.

NES Mac has the character, but SNES Mac has the recognition, while the green-haired boxer has neither, but he came first.

 

[GenG]

The green one has THE TINGLE RECOGNITION, and that >>>>>> every other Mac

 

[SupaSmashBrotha]

Alice does have more character but BF is just more recognizable. Even ppl that haven't played his games know him, b/c he was a trophy in SSBM.

 

[100links]

alice looks like a hoe.

anyway 100links supports this character KEKEKEKE!

 

[parrothead]

*BUMP*

Nintendo also create the Hello Kitty version of Balloon Kid/Balloon Fight GB, called Hello Kitty World, which firmly sucks. Click here and watch it.

 

[ZMan]

If Alice make it in Brawl she would have a new outfit and would look older probably.

 

[Lord_Deathborne]

A character redesign kinda goes without saying when we're talking about SSB...

 

[parrothead]

*BUMP*

Her victory theme is now added. It's longer than Balloon Fighter's. It's also hidden in one of Game Boy Camera's list of Hot Spot tracks.

But that's not all. I've added her Super Smash Move to the first post of this thread.

 

[Stryks]

Meh sorry still gotta go with plain old regular (and awesome) balloon fighter, but nice idea by the way...

 

[GenG]

Gross Why they have to change the character art in the US?

 

[Thrillhouse-vh.]

I think my eyes just imploded.

 

[SupaSmashBrotha]

Eww. She looks like a troll doll on meth.

 

[Suernova]

Boom Boom Boom Boom Boom

 

[parrothead]

*BUMP*

The reason why Balloon Kid never succeeded in America, is because people didn't appreciate the original Game Boy titles as much as the NES and SNES titles.

According to Hitoshi Yamagami, both titles are remakes of the original Balloon Fight, and Balloon Fight GB became popular in Japan. Click here for his interview about it. If you want to translate it yourself, click here, and start your translation.

 

[Lord_Deathborne]

Gross Why they have to change the character art in the US?

Bleh... maybe THAT is the reason it didn't do so well in the U.S.? But then again, bad boxart didn't stop Mega Man from becoming a runaway success...

 

[Dokuro]

i keep reading that as ball kid

[i like Alice better than Balloon Fighter, cuteness won me over crappy reason, yeah.]

also i'd like to point out that Alice is about to get eaten by a fish. suicide attempt, maybe? she looks pretty joyfull in that picture...

also 100th post and new rank! Yay ! !