YsDisciple
Smash Lord
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2019
- Messages
- 1,242
Ahh, the memories. :')
Although the announcement of more DLC Fighters was made early last September, and by now chances are that those additional fighters have been chosen; I’d still like to bring about the name of Slash Kamei from the Snowboard Kids games onto the table. I’ve had the game on my mind a lot these days and as I frequented Smashboards, I thought of looking up if there was a support thread for Slash. To my surprise I saw there was none (according to the list) and thus, this thread came to be. Before jumping onto Slash’s moveset, potential stage, music, etc.,…
What is Snowboard Kids?
Snowboard Kids is a snowboard racing video game franchise that started off with the initial release of the self-titled game on the Nintendo 64 back in December 12, 1997. It was a unique take on the sport of snowboarding with the addition of colorful characters, each with their own personalities, and most notably the incorporation of the use of items during races that could help the player, and hinder the progress of the other racers (a-la Mario Kart). The game was published by Atlus, and developed by Racdym. The cast of characters in the first entry to the series included the series’ main character, Slash Kamei, and fellow racers Nancy Neil, Jam Kuehnemund, Linda Maltinie, and Tommy Parsy.
The second entry to the series is perhaps the most memorable of the two; giving the characters more personality through short in-game cutscenes, and changing how they look (i.e. Linda; her appearance changed A LOT). Both games also gave players the option to switch between board types; there being three main types of snowboards: balance/all-around, trick/freestyle, and speed/alpine. Snowboard Kids 2 included a greater variety of special boards in comparison to the first entry (which only had 3 special boards to unlock), and you could also paint your snowboards with different themes (dragon, ice, flames, etc.).
It is worth mentioning that a port of the first game was released for the Playstation around a year after the N64 version’s original release, and years later a reboot launched for the Nintendo DS; SBK Snowboard Kids. However this last entry in the series completely changed the appearance of some of the main characters, as well as added new ones. Their appearances looked more human-like and actually ended up hurting the character’s personalities (N64 character designs will always be the best ones in my opinion).
Two other key elements that made Snowboard Kids 1 & 2 great games were the courses, and the soundtrack. In regards to the courses, these weren’t just a race to see who reach the bottom of the hill first. Racers would do three laps on each course by using the lift located at the bottom of each course (past the finish line) in order to go back to the top for the next lap. Courses weren’t limited to snowy mountains; there were also tropical beach locations, haunted mansions, night-time city outskirts, among others.
That’s it for a brief introduction to what Snowboard Kids is, so now, time to talk about Slash and what he could bring to Smash! (FINALLY!!!!)
Slash Kamei
Appearance
Slash Kamei’s default skin would preferably be his look from Snowboard Kids 2, with the one from the first Snowboard Kids being his second alt. The other 6 alt colors could interchange between both skins, having colors referencing some of the series’ main cast.
Possible Alts/Colors (by yours truly ):
From top left to right:
Color 1: Slash's Snowboard Kids 2 default outfit
Color 2: Slash's Snowboard Kids 1 default outfit
Color 3: Jam's Snowboard Kids 2 color palette
Color 4: Tommy's Snowboard Kids 1 color palette
Color 5: This one I had to be a bit creative in order to reference the Coach from Snowboard Kids 2 (the penguin)
Color 6: Mr. Dog's color palette from Snowboard Kids 2
Color 7: Damien's color palette (from Snowboard Kids 2)
Color 8: Shinobin's color palette (from Snowboard Kids 1)
For reference:
- Snowboard Kids 2 look (Default)
- Snowboard Kids 1 look
- Jam colors/Snowboard Kids 2 look (headband would have blue, white, and orange stripes; shirt would be blue with white sleeves; gloves would be orange; pants would remain white; and shoes would be blue with the tip being white, similar to Jam’s)
- Tommy colors/Snowboard Kids 1 look (his scarf would remain yellow, but his outfit would mostly be green, with dark green gloves)
- Coach shirt/Snowboard Kids 2 look [Slash’s shirt would be white, with a logo of the Coach’s face on it (who’s a Penguin); his pants would be black; gloves would be blue, and shoes yellow]
- Mr. Dog/Snowboard Kids 1 look (Slash’s shirt would be red with yellow sleeves; brown pants; pastel gloves; brown shoes)
- Damien/Snowboard Kids 2 look (Slash’s shirt would be black with yellow sleeves; wrists would have a pattern of alternating triangles of white and black; the shirt would also have a printed red bow-tie; pants would be yellow; shoes would be black having a similar pattern to the wrists on the bottom part; gloves would be turquoise)
- Shinobin/Snowboard Kids 1 look [Slash’s entire outfit (shirt, pants, shoes) would be black, with the exception of the gloves being skin-colored]
Character Icon
For Slash’s character icon (the one displayed along his damage percentage and stocks) would most definitely have to be the smiley face with the three strands of curly long hair that appears at the end of the game title.
Stage
For Slash’s stage, there are four courses that come to mind:
- Rookie Mt. (Snowboard Kids 1)
- Sunny Mountain (Snowboard Kids 2; pretty much Rookie Mt. from Snowboard Kids 1)
- Jingle Town (Snowboard Kids 2)
- Ice Land (Snowboard Kids 2)
Music
The Snowboard Kids games (N64 specifically) have a rather compact soundtrack, but most of them are excellent pieces. From the first two games, I believe either the original versions, or some remixes would do for the following tracks:
- Board Shop (Snowboard Kids 1)
- Big Snowman (Snowboard Kids 1)
- Night Highway (Snowboard Kids 1)
- Silver Mountain (Snowboard Kids 1)
- Starlight Highway (Snowboard Kids 2)
- Snowman Robot (Snowboard Kids 2)
- Ice Land (Snowboard Kids 2)
- Sunny Mountain (Snowboard Kids 2)
- Damien Robot (Snowboard Kids 2)
Alright, time for the good stuff.
Moveset and animations
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has shown us that characters from different series play slightly (or closely) similar to the games they originally come from. Keeping this in mind, and the idea that a character should most importantly be fun to play as, Slash’s moveset would feel true to the Snowboard Kids games. Most notably since he would fight having his snowboard(s) with him.
Slash’s moves mostly involve him using his snowboard, although not explicitly as a weapon (like him picking it up and smacking opponents with it), but most of his moves would have him perform tricks that can be done in his games, as well as some being inspired by actual snowboarding tricks.
Animations & Basic Movement
- Idle animation: Slash stands with one foot on the snowboard, and the other touching the ground. After a while he’ll quickly turn his head to look around, and then face forward and return to his initial animation.
- Walk animation: Slash pulls forward with his grounded foot, while having the other on his snowboard.
- Run/Dash animation: Slash places both feet on his snowboard, riding along the ground (if the analog stick is released, he will still remain moving, although he’ll begin to slow down until he comes to a full stop).
- Turning in place: Slash moves to face the opposite direction, by doing so switching the foot that stands on the board, and the one that stands on the ground.
- Turning when dashing: Slash turns with his snowboard, sliding for an instant before facing the opposite direction.
- Standing on edge of the stage (facing away from the stage): Slash stands with both feet on his snowboard, while struggling to maintain balance as he tilts occasionally forward.
- Standing on edge of the stage (facing to the stage): Slash stands with both feet on his snowboard, while trying to retain balance as he tilts occasionally backwards.
- Hanging from ledge: Slash hangs onto the ledge using one hand while the other grabs onto the snowboard.
- Jump: Slash jumps while still on his snowboard (with both feet) (Ollie).
- Mid-air jump: Slash performs what is called an Indy Grab (hops once again in mid-air, while slightly bending to grab onto the side of the snowboard with one hand).
- Forward roll: Slash performs a Forward 180 on the ground (with both feet on the board, he spins 180 degrees clockwise on a horizontal axis).
- Back roll: Slash performs a Back 180 on the ground (with both feet on the board, he spins 180 degrees counterclockwise on a horizontal axis)
- Spot dodge: Slash leans slightly back while still standing on his snowboard with both feet.
- Guard/Block: Slash taps the tail of his board and picks it up placing it in front of him vertically.
- Parry: Similar animation to the Guard/Block.
- Trip: Slash falls on his butt; his feet still on the snowboard.
- Up Taunt: Slash faces towards the screen and waves as he smiles.
- Side Taunt: Slash raises his fist in anger, like some of the instances in Snowboard Kids 2 (such as during the scene with the Dinosaur, or the Haunted Mansion course).
- Down Taunt: Slash extends one hand, making a gesture of "come on" (such as when he does so during the cutscene before starting Linda's Castle course).
- Victory Animation 1: Slash comes in sliding on his snowboard and stops. He then does a backflip (with his board close to his feet), and once he lands he stands proudly. This is the victory animation Slash does whenever he finishes in first place in Snowboard Kids 2.
- Victory Animation 2: Slash comes in sliding on his snowboard and stops. He then does a spinning jump on his board (360 degrees horizontal axis), while raising his fist in victory. This is the victory animation Slash does whenever he finishes in first place in Snowboard Kids 1.
- Victory Animation 3: Slash comes in sliding on his snowboard and stops. He then taps the tail end of the board, pivoting it until it stands vertically and Slash grabs the nose end of the board. Slash then looks at the screen giving a thumbs up as he grins.
- Jab attack: Slash presses the tail of the board with his back feet and moves his front feet slightly sideways to move the nose of the board to hit the opponent (horizontal axis). The three jab combo is pretty much Slash doing the similar move but in opposite direction (first hit he moves board right, second left, third right).
- Grab attack: Slash hops and stomps foes with his snowboard.
- Dash attack: Slash leans back sideways, placing his weight on the tail of the board, lifting the nose to a 30 to 45 degree angle. It is similar to snowboarding’s Layback trick.
- Forward Throw: Slash pushes the opponent to stand on the tail of the board, and immediately presses on the nose to pivot the board forward, launching opponents in said direction.
- Back Throw: Similar to the forward throw, but with higher launching potential; Slash slips the nose of the board beneath the opponents and quickly presses on the tail to pivot the board backwards, launching opponents in said direction.
- Up Throw: Slash quickly releases opponents and stands on both hands and pushes the snowboard upwards with both feet. At low percent, it’s also a good juggle starter.
- Down Throw: Slash pushes/throws the opponent to the ground and stomps them while on his snowboard.
- Up Tilt: Slash stands on one hand while quickly raising his board with both feet, with his back hand holding onto its side. When opponents are at low percent, it’s a useful juggle starter.
- Side Tilt: Slash stands on both hands while pushing the board with his feet sideways. In snowboarding, this move is similar to the Tripod trick. Helps to knockback opponents.
- Down Tilt: Slash quickly presses his front feet on the tail of the board to pivot it at a 45 degree angle. Opponents are launched upwards, and at high damage percent can be a kill move (similar to Mr. Game & Watch’s down tilt).
- Neutral Air: Slash flips the board in place, close to his feet (180 degrees horizontal axis)*
- Forward Air: Slash grabs the side of the board and pulls it up in front of him. In snowboarding, this move is similar to the Suitcase trick, or a reverse Method Grab. A neat feature this move could have is that, like in the Snowboard Kids games, when you jumped at just the right time, you could deflect incoming projectiles. Like in the games, this move allows for Slash to deflect projectiles with his board.
- Down Air: Slash performs a counterclockwise 360 degree spin (horizontal axis) while on his board. In snowboarding this move looks similar to a mid-air version of a Back 360.
- Back Air: Similar animation to the Forward Air, as well as it shares the same feature of being able to deflect projectiles. In snowboarding this move is similar to the Method Grab.
- Up Air: Slash performs a backflip with his snowboard (counterclockwise arc).
- Up Smash: Slash performs a ground backflip with his board (counterclockwise arc, similar to his Up Air).
- Forward Smash: Slash bends backwards and does an angled cartwheel motion, standing on both hands, while fiercely swinging his board with both feet in a horizontal swing. Due to the animation however, this move has the highest start-up out of all his moves. Use with caution.
- Down Smash: Slash does a 360 degree spin (horizontal axis) while on his board. Both the nose and tail of the board are the parts with the hit boxes.
- Neutral Special: Snowman Snowball; Slash throws a snowman head (pretty much a snowball with a face and cone hat) at opponents. When it touches the ground, it’ll travel a short distance before it disappears if it doesn’t come into contact with any object or opponent. If an opponent is hit by the snowman head, they’ll be trapped in a snowball and will have to struggle to free themselves. The higher the opponent’s percent, the harder it’ll be to break free. It’s a good move for ledge guarding.
- Side Special: Rocket – a rocket pops up on the tail end of the snowboard, propelling Slash forward at maximum speed. The nose of the board gains a hitbox and can launch opponents quite far upon impact at high percent. However this move cannot be spammed. After use, it’ll have a cooldown before it can be used again. It’s a good move for horizontal recovery.
- Up Special: Wings – a pair of wings pop up on the tail end of the snowboard, giving Slash a third jump.
- Down Special: Board Switch – Slash’s main gimmick; he can switch between three different board types: Balance, Trick, and Speed. Similar to the Snowboard Kids games, these boards affect the player’s movement (namely the speed, the ability to turn, and jump height). In Smash however, each board will affect Slash’s movement (dash speed, jump, turn around).
- Balance: The basic, all-around board type; Slash’s movements are normal (his default) while using this board. It’s the first board in the selection cycle.
- Trick: the second board in the selection cycle. When using this board, Slash’s movement speed decreases, but he’ll be able to jump higher, as well as stop immediately when dashing, and turn quicker. It affects moves such as his Up Special (making his third jump have better vertical recovery), and his fall speed decreases (allowing him to perform more aerial moves). It however affects the damage output of his Side Special (dealing the lowest possible damage while using the Trick Board).
- Speed: the third board in the selection cycle. When using this board, Slash’s movement speed increases, but his jump height will decrease (having a similar effect with his Up Special, giving it less vertical recovery). When turning around, Slash will slide for a bit more than usual. His Side Special will deal the highest possible damage, capable of KO’ing opponents at relatively moderate percent (it will also provide the best horizontal recovery).
- Balance: The basic, all-around board type; Slash’s movements are normal (his default) while using this board. It’s the first board in the selection cycle.
Final Smash – Snowman Boss
Slash’s final smash triggers if he successfully connects a snowball he tosses horizontally at the opponent. If successful, a cutscene starts with Wendy’s face popping up close to the screen, while the opponent is seen in the background dazed. A giant snowman falls on top of them, and is pushed down a snowy hill. As the opponent (trapped in the giant snowman) descends through the snowy course. The other Snowboard Kids (the other racers) race by attacking it (throwing bombs at it). Finally Damien appears piloting his mech suit and launches the final bombardments at the snowman (the opponent). Immediately the cutscene ends and the opponent is launched in a diagonal/upward angle (in the direction in which Slash was facing when he used the final smash).
Aaaaand that pretty much wraps up this opening post. Albeit Slash might be a bit late to the Smash Bros. Ultimate party, but who knows if for a future installment in the series, our spiky-haired boy gets lucky and receives his golden ticket to join the Greats.
EDIT:
EDIT 2 [12/29/19 - 9:09 AM]: Added more information to Slash's Down Special.
EDIT 3 [12/29/19 - 12:01 PM]: Changed Slash's taunt animations (Up and Side Taunt changed to Victory Animations, Down Taunt discarded).
EDIT 4 [3/14/2020 - 11:48 AM]: Added Slash's possible alt colors.
EDIT 5 [3/14/2020 - 6:05 PM]: Added images of the Balance, Trick, and Speed boards (top side, and bottom side).
Smashboard's Snowboard Kids!!! (Slash Supporters)
- YsDisciple
- SSGuy
- TheZoologist
- F FelFlick
- R RetrogamerMax
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