After reading a large chunk of this thread, I decided to join Smashboards. It's only the appropriate thing to do, since I've probably spent half the days out of my life playing Smash for at least an hour since the original came out in 1999.
When - not if - a new game comes out, it will probably be in 2012 or later (unless there's a 3DS port or spin-off), I foresee 51 or 55 characters - it's not a ludicrous total, but it allows enough space for all of the major Nintendo All-Stars who aren't currently in to be playable.
The major (and obvious) question is 'who justifies as an all-star"?
And, alas, I created a list, like I've been doing since Melee came out.
This list contains 50 characters and my reasoning for their inclusion or other notes for veterans as far as moveset changes, etc. goes. I'm working on lists Stage, Items (w/ Assist Trophys, Pokeballs), and a new feature (Character Items).
On that note, what do you think of character items?
Similar to Smash Balls, only on a weaker, longer lasting scale.
For example, Link could have an ocarina (or grass blade) and call for Epona, which he could ride in a similar (and easier-to-control) style to Wario's motorcycle. Pikachu could have a surfboard that allows it to summon and ride on a wave when used. Donkey Kong could turn into Rambi.
Anyways, on to the list. (I support Retro, bit-style costumes that do not remotely change anything else, where they apply)
MARIO SERIES
1. Mario - (Dr. Mario costume) For such an important character, Mario has always been TOO average - I say 'too' because he IS the 'learner' character, but he should also be playable competitively. Make FLUDD more useful, change the cape to a CAPE and not a towel slap to improve his recovery. Just give him a slight all-around buff.
2. Luigi - he's alright the way he is, he's supposed to be a spastic character. Poltergust 3000 item.
3. Peach - she's weak when it comes to KO ability, but like Luigi, i like her the way she is.
4. Bowser - I've always had problems with Bowser in Brawl compared to Melee (in most cases, it's the reverse). He can be potent, but make him a little less victimizable.
5. Toad - Toad is quite honestly the largest Nintendo character (or at least Mario character) not already playable. He can be a speedy lightweight with excellent throw and poor jump. His up-B can be a parachute similar to G&W, his side-B a Racing Kart, down-B a vegetable, that sometimes is a mushroom power-up.
6. Paper Mario - I know a lot of people oppose him, but he's an infinitely better choice than the Doc. Attribute-wise, Mario-G&W lovechild. B hammer, up-B paper airplane.
ZELDA SERIES
7. Link - As I said, Link can summon Epona for a very defensive approach. Make him a LITTLE quicker and give him a better recovery. Like Bowser, less victimizable. Put him in the top 1/3 tier-wise. Graphically update him to Skyward Sword, with OoT and TP costumes)
8. Zelda/Sheik - Make her magic more potent, give her recovery a little angle. Buff Sheik just a TAD.
9. Ganondorf - completely change this moveset. No excuse. He can keep his dreadful speed and recovery if you just give him some quicker, ranged swordplay and magic. Change every B-move except maybe up, the A-moves are decentish. Give him better grab range.
10. Toon Link - He was actually better than Link last time, but I honestly don't mind if his moveset stays similar, but make the up-B the up-A and make up-B a Deku Leaf (little damage, amazing recovery). Give him a Windwaker item.
11. Vaati - I know less about this character than Midna & Wolf Link, the other favorite. (I've only played most of the console Zelda titles). But I'd rather have another villian with a VERY unique playstyle than another incarnation of Link with a moderately unique playstyle. Give him balanced stats, a nice final smash, and a very Lucas-esque approach.
YOSHI SERIES
12. Yoshi - I really like Yoshi's unique stats (heavyish aerial fighter), but he's so hard to become a beast with. Fix this.
WARIO SERIES
13. Wario - Wario is fine as is. The Wario Land games need some representation, but character-wise, Wario shouldn't change.
DONKEY KONG SERIES
14. Donkey Kong - Big DK has a lot going for him. Donkey Kong could use his coconut cannon, a much more powerful version of Diddy's peanut popgun, without charging, as a new side-B, to give him more range.
15. Diddy Kong - I love Little DK, but ever-so-slightly nerf him. If you must...
16. King K. Rool - a new heavyweight villian. Make him a Bowser with quicker attack speed (punches and bites), fewer good KO moves (but strong), and a projectile or two (orange grenades, crown, or TNT barrel roll are all possibilities). He deserves to be in more than any other villain except Ridley, and we all know it!
METROID SERIES
17. Samus/Zero Suit Samus - Save this legendary heroine! ZSS is an amazing fighter, but the oft-gender confused suited version of the bounty hunter needs an upgrade. Buff her missiles, beam, and bombs a bit. Make her as good as Zero Suit, in other ways.
18. Ridley - we're not discussing size here.
it's really not that big of a deal. He has amazing moveset potential. Make his down-a his tail sweep, make him heavy but frail, with great recovery and quick but predictable attacks.
POKEMON SERIES
19. Pikachu - As is.
20. Pokemon Trainer (Squirtle/Ivysaur/Charizard) - I don't mind the stamina issue, and strangely my favorite is Ivysaur... but whatever. I don't really see a huge need to change, except maybe Squirtle, who is just too easy to KO, IMO. Give the Pokemon Type Theory a chance (make Squirtle's water-attacks a little stronger against Charizard, Charizard's fire attacks a little stronger against Ivy, etc., and in addition make those elements slightly weaker when attacking the other... for example Mario's fireball or Bowser's flames would also be a little weaker against Squirtle, but since they are not FIRE-types, they aren't weaker to Squirtle's attacks)
21. Lucario - The aura trait can stay. He's a little overpowered, if you ask me.
22. Jigglypuff - Give Jiggly a break, and increase priority. Not that Jiggly is all bad. It's an aerial beast. And give it a microphone exclusive item.
23. Mewtwo - Returns. Maybe alter a move from Melee, but make it the antithesis to Lucario overall. Keep the floatyness yet power throws, but make him more nimble and agile. Give him better dash, keep the awesome dodges.
KIRBY SERIES
24. Kirby - Nothing too bad here. Just make all the new characters outfits, other than that, as was.
25. Meta Knight - *sigh* how do you change MK without changing who he is? Just decrease that almighty priority. Keep the superior attack speed and recovery,but for the love of God, don't him make him THAT cheap. I get beat him with my mains (Diddy, Ike, Snake), but he does give me the most trouble out of all the characters I could battle.
26. King Dedede - Which brings me to the Penguin King. Nerf those grabs. He's not as annoying as his fellow franchise-mate. But do something with him.
STAR FOX SERIES
27. Fox - Still pretty good, but not too good. Maybe prioritize his attacks a tad. Overall buff him.
28. Falco - Unique final smash, please? Balance him with Fox. Mild nerfing. I love the reflector. Keep it's power.
29. Wolf - Unique final smash, if you will. Otherwise, good as is.
Sorry, no Krystal. She's not that important, think about it. I'm all for new female characters, but not just for the sake of them. I know she'd be very unique, but when you're on a limited number, she's just not my priority.
MOTHER SERIES
30. Ness - I'm not a huge Ness fan, but make him a little more usable. Make him Lucas-esque in someways. I'm removing Lucas (my only removal) simply to balance the game in number of characters comparatively. (I'm not adding an F-Zero character, so I found it the most fair thing to do).
F-ZERO SERIES
31. Capt. Falcon - Give him combos and better aerial game, keep the speed, but fix the traction.
FIRE EMBLEM SERIES
32. Marth - Satisfying as is.
33. Ike - No matter what you say about Ike, I love him as is, and feel like he's a welcome challenge as far as learner-curve goes.
34. Lyn - I chose Lyn over Michaiah because she represents the first FE game in America, and would provide the quickest swordplay in the game, combined with epic combo sweeps. She could also have a bow. Lightweight and nimble.
GAME & WATCH SERIES
35. Mr. Game & Watch - Yes.
GYROMITE SERIES
36. R.O.B. - Also yes.
ICE CLIMBER SERIES
37. Ice Climbers - Not so yes, but epic. Degrade them a tad, they're too combo-abled.
KID ICARUS SERIES
38. Pit - Give him better KO ability.
PIKMIN SERIES
39. Olimar - What's to argue? Great as is.
GOLDEN SUN SERIES
40. Isaac - A nice balance of swords and psyenergy that is very elemental based. Fire, water, earth, and wind can be selected by down-B as the Djinn, and these dictate his A-sword attacks. His B can be his hand used by the Assist Trophy.
STAFY SERIES
41. Stafy - Small and lightweight, with great speed and jump, and decent attack. He plays a lot like Sonic, with stronger, more diverse physical dash attacks minus the homing abilities.
PUNCH-OUT!! SERIES
42. Little Mac - Had to bring back a retro character. Pretty basic and straightforward fighting style (punches
)with quite good offense and defense but poor aerial and recovery.
ANIMAL CROSSING SERIES
43. Tom Nook - Great potential moveset. Net could be used for grabs. Shovel, fishing pole, slingshot, axe. Not bad. Tom Nook can be a mid-weight character with fairly strong moves and Ivysaur-like recovery.
SIN AND PUNISHMENT SERIES
44. Saki (or protagonist of Star Successor)
CHRONO SERIES
45. Crono
SONIC SERIES
46. Sonic
METAL GEAR SOLID SERIES
47. Snake
CASLEVANIA SERIES
48. Simon Belmont
WII SPORTS SERIES
49. Mii
SMASH BROS. SERIES
50. Master Hand
add one to five.
