PREPARED TO BE LET-DOWN AND ASHAMED: SMOOTH CRIMINAL'S PREDICTIONS FOR BRAWL!
The title says it all: I have self-esteem issues. No, really. I do.
All joking aside, I've haunted this thread for quite some time now. I've said it three other times before: This is, hands down, the greatest thread on the forum. Wisey, Mendez (who has taken a month off due to some strange circumstance. I think he was taken under the nurturing wing of a government protection agency because Wiseguy got fed up with his Tingle fanboy-ism and had to relocate. I can see it taking that long), Smash Daddy, and Vali---you guys have the best debates when it comes to the character roster and it makes for a fun read.
I've decided to go on ahead and step up to the plate, answering the clarion call for the 40 Man Roster challenge that Wiseguy has issued.
Here goes:
Super Mario Bros.
Mario: As if you didn't see this one coming. The little plumber is a staple of everything Nintendo. Not being in a game like this would signal the Apocalypse (I swear!).
Luigi: Same as above.
Peach: Popular heroine (or damsel-in-distress, pick your game) from this legendary franchise. She's going to return.
Bowser: "Bwahahahaha!" Need I say more? Definitely in.
Bowser Junior: His current exploits are of considerable merit. While I wasn't all that impressed with Super Mario Sunshine, I was very pleased with New Super Mario Bros. I say he'll make it in---but not necessarily with his paintbrush. They could pull from New Super Mario Bros., with him throwing shells and the like for his attacks.
Yoshi Franchise
Yoshi: I think Yoshi is going to have another outing in the Smash world. With a stage and a song (each one displayed on the site with that obvious "egg" symbol that stands for everything Yoshi), he's practically guaranteed.
Wario Franchise
Wario: "Oh, yeah! Wario wins!" I have been waiting for this selfish *******'s debut in a Smash Bros. game ever since I played Mario Kart. I'm glad he made it in.
The Legend of Zelda Franchise
Link: Another staple of Nintendo. How could he not be in this game?
Zelda: Confirmed. 'Nuff said.
Ganondorf: I think he'll make it in by proxy, considering that the Triumvirate of the Triforce would not be complete without the wielder of the Triforce of Power. He also needs to have a SWORD and not be a CLONE of somebody else.
Imp Midna: I gotta say that the prospect of attacking people with hair while riding atop of a canine is pretty neat.
Tingle: Holy crap! Did I just list Tingle?
Kirby Franchise
Kirby: Sakurai's pink ball of fluff (and my favorite Nintendo character). How could he not make it in? Hopefully they'll thrust the burden of nerfdom that Sakurai and Company saddled on him for Melee on another character that desperately needs it---like Fox.
Metaknight: My favorite character in the Kirby Franchise (and it ain't because he talks like a corny-*** Don Juan on that crappy 4Kids anime, either). I was thrilled to see him confirmed for Brawl.
King DeDeDe: Definitely a shoe-in, considering his spot on the Japanese polls and being Sakurai's baby. He's in.
Metroid Franchise
Samus/Zamus: For simplicity's sake, I'm gonna throw these two characters in as one. Sakurai keeps hinting at a transformation mechanic for this character; I don't see how it'll work without taking away one of Samus's B-moves, but whatever.
Ridley: I may not be the biggest fan of Metroid in existence, but I will say this: The inclusion of Ridley in Brawl would be freakin' awesome. You really can't beat a hyper-intelligent, psuedo-draconic creature that breathes plasma bolts.
Dark Samus: I can foresee Sakurai and Company throwing this character in as a clone of some kind.
Pokemon Franchise
Pikachu: Duh.
Jigglypuff: Tch. She'll be in by default, considering that she was apart of the original twelve characters.
Lucario: I guess this Ki-wielding Pokemon is extremely popular. I'm a little hazy and inconclusive about his appearance among the Brawl cast, but he's got potential.
Starfox Franchise
Fox: It's Fox McCloud, a star of another extremely popular Nintendo game. Of course he'll be in!
Falco: Sorry, Wisey, but I don't think Falco's going anywhere yet. Considering that the character has been around since the very first game and is one of the most recognizable faces in the Starfox universe, I'm gonna say that he's gonna be around. They'll probably make him a bit Luigified, but he'll be in.
Wolf O'Donnell: Introduced in Starfox 64. He kinda lingered in the background for a while, but he makes his triumphant return in the more recent iterations of Starfox. I can imagine him being a powerhouse with alot of claw-based attacks and explosives. Real vulpines, after all, rely on brute strength to get through anyway. Right?
Krystal: Ack. As generic as I think she is, I'll concede. She'll probably make it in, brandishing that staff of hers.
Donkey Kong Franchise
Donkey Kong: I'll be really surprised if he doesn't make it in. Seriously.
Diddy Kong: Here's a fun fact, guys. Did you know that, whenever I played DKC 1 and 2, I made sure Diddy was always the leader? Yeah. At any rate, I say that Diddy should get into Brawl simply because he's highly recognizable and has been the star of a couple of games, respectively.
King K. Rool: Donkey Kong needs a good villain, and I think K. Rool foots the bill (I don't think those simians from Donkey Konga would make much sense). However, I do not see his inclusion as being clone-like. I can see K. Rool having a unique moveset, one that spans across the many incarnations that he's had across the franchise. Throwing a crown, shooting a blunderbuss, taking a HUGE bite outta people...just to name a few.
Earthbound/MotherFranchise
Ness: The star of a very, very under-appreciated game (at least in my book). Since he was part of the original Smash Bros. cast, I think it's safe to say that he'll make a comeback.
Lucas: As mentioned, he is a "fresh face" in the land of rising sun. Besides, Earthbound needs at least one more rep.
Fire Emblem Franchise
Ike: The newest Lord, Ike is a very popular character overseas and on our shores. It also doesn't hurt to mention that he was on Sakurai's poll and was in a considerable position. I say he'll make it in, through hook or crook.
Black Knight: I haven't got around to playing the newest Fire Emblem yet, but whenever I see a picture of this dude I salivate. It'd be freakin' awesome.
(Y'know, everybody *****es and moans about the Black Knight. There are couple of reasons I don't get that relate to the plot, but the one that I see flying out there that I do understand is the fact that he can't possibly jump in all of that armor. When has that been a factor? I mean, consider the following:
A plane is massive. How does it get off of the ground?
Answer: Powerful locomotion in the form of its engines and design. Note that the engines give it the propulsion to even get into the air, mind.
How does the Black Knight jump?
Powerful locomotion in the form of great leg strength.
Draw your conclusions.)
F-Zero Franchise
Captain Falcon: One word: YEHSS!
Samurai Goroh: The good Captain's rival throughout most of the series. This man deserves to be a clone, at the very least.
Pikmin
Captain Olimar: Okay, okay. The people in this thread convinced me. I'm all for the little slave-driver's appearance in Brawl. I haven't played the second Pikmin game yet, but I really did enjoy the first one. He'd be a very unique character, to say the least.
Retro
Pit: But of course...!
Mach Rider: Huh? Oh. Well, Sakurai had hopes of throwing his happy *** into Melee. There may be a chance that he'll actually get around to it this time.
Takamaru: A buddy of mine convinced me to put him on here for a twofold reason: His game is considered to be the counterpart to the Zelda franchise and he was on Sakurai's poll. He's another sword-wielder, I know, but there's some potential there.
3rd Party
Snake: I did not expect to see this guy. Whatever, though---I'm glad he's in.
Sonic: If Sonic made it into Brawl, I could finally die happy. Seriously. Considering his chances are pretty good, I'm going to throw him on my list for good measure.
Megaman: The world's a crazy place, I know. Many people think that Megaman doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of appearing in Brawl, but I have to argue. Megaman has more history with Nintendo than any other console that he's appeared on. He started out there for crying out loud. It is very feasible that he could make it in.
There you go, guys. My list.
Smooth Criminal