Well, this'll be a long one. Fortunately quotes shorten things up from the reading end.
Today we've got two rerates for whom, honestly, not much has changed since they were first rated. Let's see what comes to pass.
Original quote
Chance: 1%
Third party characters by nature make things complicated. Doubly so here, since there's a lot special about this. I'll start by acknowledging that she's got a decent amount of support in the US polls. And that's it. The head of WayForward liking the idea of her in smash is of no consequence. What is he supposed to say? "Ew, I really don't want another company to pay me to put my character into a game and give me loads of free publicity..." Besides, look at all the publicity he got just from saying he likes the idea.
Now, and this is true for all third party proposals, it comes down to the dollar signs. Is Nintendo, a company whose last console didn't quite do as well as hoped, going to be willing to pay another company, specifically a rival, sums of money to make their character as a guest DLC? Seems like a major loss for Nintendo, and a major gain for the third party, and that is never going to happen. Now, if the third party tried to pull off the same trick that Sony/Marvel Studios is doing with Spidey, that could get somewhere. Basically, the only way I see any third party getting in is if the other studio gives Nintendo the rights for the low price of $0 - including the DLC, and the amiibo stuff (maybe if they got a small cut of the amiibo sales) - in exchange for free publicity. Let's face it, Smash sells things, and you need look no further than Marth in Melee for that.
So I think it's never a good sign when I have to go read up on a character since I know nothing about them. A character who is being billed as a Nintendo All-Star should already be known. I should not have to look them up. I never needed to read up on Villager, Rosalina, or Kirby, despite never having played any of those games. Even the current third-parties are video game all-stars - I've never played Mega Man, but I was really happy to see him included since I know of that game. Most of the Smash cast is already known worldwide, and those who aren't stick out oddly. She isn't. And unlike characters like Marth at the time of Melee, Nintendo is a Japanese company - characters with huge Japanese and no American fanbases have so much more of a chance than the opposite (which may explain why the few Sm4sh character who aren't all-stars did get in). I doubt any characters unknown in Japan will get a chance. If Sakurai doesn't recognize the character, will he throw it in? Especially if it means cutting other characters he DOES recognize?
Let's also point out the fact that her first game was published by Capcom, and we've got a Capcom character in. And also another one is highly expected. And that game was released for GBC at the time GBA was released, so it was on a dying console. Her latest is being funded by Kickstarter, and is going to all company consoles. She hasn't even had a 3D appearance yet, and let's face it - sprite art is nice and retro if you're into that. But it's not the 90s anymore; most companies have moved on to actual graphics. Altogether, not a lot of good points there.
In terms of the look, she fits the whole 'kawaii' theme so that's ok. The outfit may be a bit of an issue, but then again the Gerudo Pirates in Ocarina of Time wore the same thing. And that's all I can say.
I think that she's definitely being overrated here. That's one of the problems of the internet (well, all over really) - a vocal minority usually trumps a silent majority. Here, it may seem like everyone is a supporter, but is that truly the case? Particularly at Nintendo HQ where it matters?
It all comes down to Nintendo and finances. Will Nintendo be willing to take a chance on a US Indie character? The negotiations will probably be easy, but will WayForward be able to handle it? Nintendo probably will not want to pay to advertise someone else, so will they be able to foot the bill, especially if they're making the game through Kickstarter?
Want: 0%
Honestly, I don't like guest characters in anything. Smash, with it's all-star matchup makes it a little more palatable, but still... I feel that the only guests we should have should represent gaming history, and I don't know if Shantae is that big of a character to have made a huge splash on the industry.
And my reasons from the above. Sorry.
...whew, forgot how much I wrote for that one. Still got a lot more to write. This might get a bit ranty, so here's a flame-bait warning:
So, apart from WayForward going bat-poo insane on social media trying to pathetically beg people to vote for their character and someone throwing up a fake leak on a database easier to make up data than Wikipedia, nothing has changed for her. However, I do need to acknowledge how rabid her fanbase is, which does raise her chances. However, while she may have started as a Nintendo exclusive, she's getting rid of that with Kickstarter no less. She is relatively unknown in Japan, and we know Sakurai favors the Japanese fanbase a bit more than the international.
Now, I've mentioned that I'm biased against third-parties. And she is absolutely no exception. There is nothing special about her. Sonic was Mario's rival all through the 90s. Pac-Man is pretty much the father of video gaming. Ryu is the father of fighting games. Even Mega Man is recognizable to the casual fan due to his longevity and status as Capcom's icon. Shantae is none of these. To anyone who claims that the indie component is her best deal, I ask why that makes a difference. Jut because someone has to sell their games on Kickstarter as opposed to GameStop doesn't make a character more iconic. If you wanted to go that route, I'd argue that Freddy Fazbear is more important to the indie world - Scott Cawthorn is a single person as opposed to a small company, and Freddy has reached memetic levels of popularity in an incredibly short time - you can barely go onto YouTube without seeing at least one video of the Let's Play star-of-the-week getting scared by Foxy popping up. Besides, he's even figured out that you can make an indie game with something more impressive than 90's era pixel art - I'm not really a fan of retreaux, please join the rest of us in the 21st century. Shantae, on the other hand, is a random hero on a quest. The only big thing she can count on is that she's female. So is Peach. And Zelda. And Rosalina. And Lucina. And Palutena. And the WFT and Villager and Robin and even BJ all have female options. Oh, and the first female video game hero in a platformer, who is a Nintendo first-party.
Now, for my want score...Abso-effing-lutely not. Everyone has their character they will be do not want to see whatsoever, and she's mine. Mainly because of the implications that would carry for other characters. I've supported Ridley and K.Rool, so I've now gotten heaping piles of hate thrown for both characters, who have undeniable importance to their respective series, both of which are pathetically underrepresented in Smash. I can't believe an indie darling is any more important than the two of them. Even other third-parties are more important to gaming than her. Heck, we just re-rerated Snake, who has a moveset already, and is the protagonist of a very highly acclaimed series. What about someone like Hatsune Miku - she's important enough she brought the rhythm games to a new level and is a video game character that sells out concerts in Japan? What about someone like Ivy from Soul Calibur - first fighting game to get a 40/40 on Famitsu (second game after Ocarina)? Someone from Final Fantasy, one of the most recognizable
interactable animes video games of all time? StarCraft? Elder Scrolls? A lot of non-gamers recognize these game titles...but not Shantae. She is not iconic. At all. And I do not want to see a third-party which is not iconic. Besides it only being a seller for hardcore fans, that's dev time they wasted on not bringing in someone who could sell. Leave Smash to the Nintendo characters, and leave the third-parties to their own crossover games.
Also, part of it is the fanbase: I realize a lot of people were turned off of Ridley and K.Rool due to rabid, abrasive fans. Shantae, however, has them too. Even worse, Shantae's creators are basically begging for attention in what is reminiscent of the pathetic end of a political election. I'm turned off so much by that attitude. And really, my first contact with Shantae was that I noticed her picture was one of the most common images seen in the avatar/sigs of the worst Ridley detractors and tear-drinkers, so that also really turned me off of the character. First impressions are hard to break.
On the whole, though, I really like the idea of third-parties getting Mii costumes, and I think she should definitely get one. By all means, give her a trophy too. Mii costumes are great ways to get characters playable who are basically third-party and not earth-shatteringly important. I've not had a problem with making Link and Zelda as custom characters in a different company game/console like Soul Calibur 4 or 5, but I kinda have a problem if someone as important as K.Rool is getting nothing more than a customization option in a game about his home company. And yes, theat will still bring popularity to the holder of the third party. I think this is really the best option.
whew...
So, in conclusion...I will gladly support Shantae to get in the game. Once Ridley and K.Rool are playable. Until then, no dice. And for bonus points, I'll also take Midna, Ghirahim, and Squirtle's return, and an improved Ganondorf from Hyrule Warriors. Give me those and I'd support even Shrek.
Final rating:
Chance: 5%
Want: 0%
