CapitaineCrash
Smash Champion
That's a pretty good prediction overall, but I'm curious to hear why you said "Activision is pretty close to Nintendo" on the Crash part. I really don't think they are and I honestly think that the Smash fanbase in general is over-estimating Crash chances to be in the game.I tried using the template for Fighters Pass predictions, but it didn't work out. Whatever. Instead I'll just use text.
Here it is: My Initial Fighters Pass 2 Predictions
Please note that these are subject to change.
I'm working under the assumption of a limited budget, which would therefore lead to Nintendo working mostly with companies already on board with Smash and mainly taking B and C tier third parties (aside from one or two). We'll also assume these are the last characters, so Sakurai's trying to fill in some blanks.
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Dante (Devil May Cry)
I sincerely believe that Capcom is getting a DLC rep at some point, and I think if we're getting one it has to be Dante. Given the suspect timing of current series director Hidaki Itsuno saying that if fans want Dante in Smash they should get DMC on Switch and the soon after releases of DMC 1, 2, and 3 (with added features) on Switch, the resurgence of DMC with V achieving critical acclaim (DMC IS BACK) alongside the aforementioned ports, and Dante's surprising uptick in popularity over the span of Fighters Pass 1, I think he'd edge out the Capcom competition. When it comes to gameplay, he could use the popular style change mechanic to change fighting styles on the fly, or just have a ****-ton of moves like he does in MvC3.View attachment 258762
Lloyd Irving (Tales of)
Say hello to your core fanbase pick. I've written about Lloyd in the past, and the points about him I made back then still hold to this day. I believe the lack of his costume (or any Namco costumes in general) is kind of suspect, and unlike Heihachi he didn't get any references in base, which is even more suspect. Tales of is pretty much the last major JRPG series remaining not in Smash, Lloyd is the Tales of pick according to Sakurai, and Lloyd could bring a lot to the table with chaining arte attacks. His popularity in the core fanbase and likely solid ballot turnout are definitely also factors in his favor.View attachment 258770
Agnes Oblige (Bravely Default)
This is probably my most out-there prediction, but I believe Square is going to return to Nintendo for more sweet sweet Smash money, and they're going to put forward Bravely Default. Bravely Default is making a comeback with 2 releasing on Switch, so you could consider this somewhat of a "shill-pick" for lack of a better word, as Agnes (or any Bravely character) would be added in part to promote the franchise on Switch (it's still a solidly notable franchise regardless).
Why would Sakurai choose Bravely over other prominent Square Enix characters? One word: moveset. Sakurai is on the record saying that moveset is more important than recognizability, and the job-swapping mechanic so central to the Bravely Default games is oozing fun moveset potential. In 2016 Sakurai spitballed a job-changing moveset in an interview and then stopped himself to remark that "actually, that would be kind of interesting." I'm assuming that Sakurai is working under his eternal assumption that this is pack is the end of Smash Bros., and would therefore be interested in revisiting novel ideas like this. It's a matter of certain variables coming together in a perfect way to get Bravely into Smash.
Before you ask, yes, Geno gets hit up with the deluxe Mii Costume treatment.
OR
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Nintendo character (**** if I know)
In an alternate world where Smash DLC doesn't double-dip with companies, I'd reserve a spot for an up-and-coming Nintendo IP. I don't know why but I really feel like, if we get another Nintendo rep, it'll be from Monolith's new IP. If there's any game Sakurai would play early to include a character in Smash for, I feel like it'd be the new IP given how much he loves Monolith Soft's work. You could also include Stylist (Style Savvy - my second personal pick), Euden (Dragalia Lost - we're sleeping on him imo), or Ring Fit Trainer (Ring Fit Trainer - I heavily doubt this one since I don't know how she could properly differentiate herself from Wii Fit Trainer) among others (though I personally doubt the latter most). You could also include characters from IPs close to Nintendo, such as Travis Touchdown (No More Heroes) or Gran (or any Granblue character) (Granblue Fantasy - we're seriously sleeping on this series imo Nintendo owns 5% of Cygames it'd be so easy and get so much money). Hell, you could even put Geno (Super Mario RPG) here I guess.
This is pretty much just a flex spot since I don't ****in' know who it'll be, just that it'll be a really easy character to get.View attachment 258779
Arle Nadja (Puyo Puyo)
I feel like Arle would've been next in line as a Sega rep if only they hadn't bought Atlus. She actually placed decently in the Ballot era, especially in Western observations of Japanese fan speculation. Sega's been making a harder push for the series to be one of their main series recently, and In terms of moveset she's a puzzle rep. Sakurai could do a lot with that. Good popularity, good relevance, good moveset, good pick.View attachment 258783
Adol Christin (Ys)
Remember when I said Tales of was the last major JRPG series not in Smash? I lied.
The Ys series is pretty much the last major JRPG not in Smash, and is to Action RPGs as Dragon Quest is to JRPGs. It's been around since 1987 and pretty much paved the way for later Action RPGs (and also kinda chiptunes) after it. Falcom is a major Japanese video game development company, and while the Ys series is relatively niche in the West
There are other points to be made and I'd love to write a full speculation post on him if I had the time, but for the sake of brevity I'll cap things here.
- a) That didn't keep Dragon Quest out of Smash, and
- b) Could bring a lot of interesting movesets given the many different mechanics his games have introduced. If taking from Lacrimosa of Dana, the Flash Guard and Flash Dodge systems could be used to make him a highly mobile swordfighter who relies on precisely timed spotdodges and parries to inflict large damage on opponents.
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Crash Bandicoot (Crash Bandicoot)
A former icon of a major competitor, a defining character of the fifth generation of consoles, making a resurgence, would please the core fanbase alongside casuals, Activision is pretty close to Nintendo, etc. etc. etc.I could see these being one of the slots, but am not confident enough to predict it
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Sora (Kingdom Hearts) or Master Chief (Halo)
The other two major bombshell characters besides Dante. However, I see Dante as more likely given Capcom is already on board with Smash. Comparatively, Sora entails Nintendo negotiating with Disney, and given the timeline of Disney warming up to video games (around Summer 2019) and Pass 2 being decided (before November 2019), there's only a very small window where negotiations would even be seriously possible, let alone succeed. I also work under the assumption that, given Sora's popularity since the Ballot era, negotiations have been attempted and failed before, which adds another layer to the complicated question of "Would Nintendo approach Disney for Sora in Smash?" Master Chief has to contend with lesser popularity in Japan and the language barrier between Japanese and English. While that worked out for Banjo, it's worth mentioning that Banjo was popular in both America and Japan, whereas Master Chief is not. Both are possible, but impractical unless DLC 2 has an increased budget (which I doubt it does).
No ****in' way we get both of them in one pass. If we do I'll ****in' eat crow but there's no way it happens.
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Ryu Hayabusa (Ninja Gaiden)
It's like yeah, I see the merits of his inclusion (historic ties to Nintendo, Nintendo and Koei Tecmo being close since the Wii U era, etc.), but also he doesn't really appeal to any major groups. He only picked up traction as a result of leaks, which then brought his merits to light. His popularity in speculation seems to have fizzled down since then.
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Sol Badguy (Guilty Gear)
I think to myself "would Sakurai approach Arc System Works for Sol Badguy?" and I honestly don't know. I don't think I know enough about Guilty Gear to make a call of if it's on the same level as King of Fighters in terms of history and icon status, nor do I know how easy it'd be to license him given Guilty Gear's large resurgence. He'd be hella cool tho.
Momiji (Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword) - A pick for the obvious Ninja Gaiden costume, and a reoccurring character who's also made appearances in Dead or Alive and the Warriors games.
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