Okay, so I'm finally doing my own roster speculation. However, I'm doing something different than most. My selections are being made based upon roster symmetry. This isn't something many people consider when discussing characters, and it plays an important role. What do I mean by "symmetry"? Simple, the roster is designed and arranged in a way where each "bracket" (row) ties into a series or theme.
Smash 64 and Melee arranged their brackets horizontally, while Brawl switched to a vertical arrangement. In my opinion horizontal is the best method as it makes the screen appear less organized, in ways adding a dynamic element to selecting characters. Hard to explain but hopefully you catch on.
So let me get started by presenting my initial starting roster.
Notice the available starters are roughly equal to that of Brawl's. Technically five more boxes could have been added into the middle, achieving a better starting selection. But unlockables are fun and since this is my graph I can do however I please.
To those who are less then astute, Jigglypuff and Falco are not unlockable this time around. But somebody else is missing... Hmm...
The only newcomer playable from the start is Mii. As Mii would more than likely have some level of customization that would be better to display than hide.
So now let me move onto my final roster...
Ta-dah! Since Melee, each bracket has consisted of nine boxes. Brawl basically added another row while filling up the two gaps left in Melee. I simply added another row given the present pattern. The unlockables are arranged along the border of the starting roster with a hidden vertical column expanding in the middle. 50 characters total including Zero Suit Samus, Sheik, and the three Pokémon Trainer Pokémon. 10 new characters, Metwo returns, and most everyone from Brawl returns minus Lucario.
The theme's are as follows:
1: Mario - Mario Spin Off
2: Donkey Kong - Earthbound - Legend of Zelda
3: Pokémon - "Fantasy" (Kid Icarus, Fire Emblem, Golden Sun)
4: "Space" (Kirby, Star Fox, Pikmin, Metroid)
5: Returning guests - Retro - System - New Guests
I can already hear the snarls of many for whom I did or did not select. So let me break down my reasonings for you.
Q: Why two Mario characters?
A: In Melee we had 5 Mario characters, Brawl lost one in Dr. Mario. Given the fact that we should still have 5 all I'm really doing is adding one more. Additionally the Mario group was lacking and to keep things in line it required two spaces to make up the difference. Typically Donkey Kong would have fallen in the "Mario Spin Offs" category alongside Yoshi and Wario, but moving them into the first row would isolate King. K Rool. Since it is extremely unlikely we won't get another Mario representative I made the choice I did. The Mario characters are a little interchangeable. I happen to feel Paper Mario is unique enough to not be a clone and despite all the complaints about Toad he is still a recognizable face. There isn't one set Pikachu or Jigglypuff yet we have them? What makes Toad any different?
Q: Why is Earthbound in such a funny place?
A: Earthbound has always been difficult to place. In Melee ,Ness was between Fox and Ice Climbers. In Brawl both Ness and Lucas were underneath the Fire Emblem characters. Although at least with Fire Emblem you have a stretch in saying they are both RPG's (using the term loosely). So in some ways I guess it has always been the whipping boy of symmetry? Isn't that the story of Earthbound and it's fans in general? lol
Q: Who is Victini? And why did you select it?
A: Victini is one of the latest legendaries from Pokèmon Black/White.
Game Freak has made it so every game has a "promotional" Pokémon in it. Zoroark hasn't really taken off like earlier speculation thought, while Victini is becoming the break out star. The one that is popular at the time is usually derivative of the latest movie. With it's movie set to be released soon and development of another Smash probably not to far out from now I have a feeling everyone is looking at the Generation 5 representative. Just what I wanted, another rodent...
Q: Only three new series?
A: Look at the series added in Melee; they were Fire Emblem, Ice Climber, and Game and Watch. Look at Brawl; discounting the third parties we had Pikmin, Kid Icarus, R.O.B, and WarioWare. There aren't many big series to choose from anymore, Sakurai has even admitted such. Golden Sun, Punch Out, and the Mii's are the most likely to be included next. Maybe Starfy could slip in there, but it would mean removing one of the third party characters.
Q: Third party characters?
A: This is the big iffy here. There are several different scenarios that could happen.
1: We don't have anymore 3rd party characters - So now I would have 4 empty spaces that need filling. Which means I could fit another series or two along the bottom. Move Isaac to the bottom row and substitute his space for Roy. Add Starfy and another retro character like Takamaru. So then the bottom would become new series - retro - system.
2: Only have two or three - Only thing that would happen is the bottom bracket would be arranged differently. If it were three they'd be in the middle of the last bracket, if two it'd stay symmetrical on the sides.
Q: Slime?!
A: Yes, the mascot of the Dragon Quest series. I have already discussed this topic to death so I'll spare the lecture this time. It is probably the most Nintendo friendly series right now and given Nintendo's pledge to expand this series in the West it is likely this scenario could happen. To the delight of millions of Japanese men, women and children.
Q: What the heck is with Captain Falcon?
A: He was the puzzle piece that didn't quite fit... This isn't supposed to be perfect. Ok?
Q: Why weren't more cut?
A: There isn't much reason to. When you have so few choices already why remove an established character with people who enjoy using that character? The only sacrifice here is Lucario, send your hate mail to Victini, not I.
So all in all I think this is more likely of what we will see. Please discuss or make a comment.
