Well, if it's any consolation I defended Roy fans when they were being attacked for "being idiots who like a character without actually knowing him". I mean, it kind of makes sense from their point of view. But they're looking at Roy from a NA FE fan perspective, not a Smash fan perspective.
Ahh, oh well. Though, good luck with your ambitious poll.
The poll is gonna include SSB4 Stages as well. Got Star on board. So yeee~
I've had Chu and Chrono do this, so I figure I might as well. Would love to see anyone else break down these characters if they'd like. Before I get into this, I would like to note ALL of these characters are popular, interesting and relevant enough to warrant play-ability in Smash. This isn't Brawl, and this definitely isn't Melee. We have room to let the little guys in this time.
Megaman [Capcom] 417
Megaman has skyrocketed, and this isn't that suprising. He is the Sonic of Smash4. If Sakurai is bringing back third parties, and wants to include another, I think this character will be the first one he goes for. Unless he had some previous ideas. likegenocoughcough. I mean, it's 4chan who boosted him so even if someone wasn't that big of a Nintendo fan, they may have voted for him and like two other characters. Debates break out about Pac-Man vs Lloyd, or Lightning vs Geno, but no one questions Megaman, and that says something. Personally, don't care either way, but if they're going to bring back third parties I would rather it be Megaman than most other choices.
Mewtwo [Pokemon] 383
Simple. This is the only Pokemon Smash fans can
actually agree upon. He's a veteran, he was planned for Brawl, and he's the best choice the Pokemon franchise. Plus, like Megaman, he's freaking MEWTWO. One of Nintendo's big faces should be in Smash. (Maybe like the Miis eh?) Not much needs to be said, because he's Mewtwo. Personally, you can do what you want with Lucario, Zoroark and Pokemon Trainer, but Mewtwo
NEEDS to be added.
Ridley [ Metroid] 333
It makes sense that Ridley dropped to third, honestly. He has a few silly detractors who say he's too big. But, more importantly, he isn't anywhere near as iconic as Mewtwo and Megaman. Still, he's been a popular choice since Melee really. Unlike Goroh, his popularity hasn't died, it's still extremely strong. Plus, Sakurai won't be detered by the amount of characters metroid has, since all they have is the two Samus'. I want Ridley just because Metroid should have another character, and there's too many fans to not add him. I wouldn't mind a Firebrand for Smash.
King K. Rool [Donkey Kong] 309
Pretty much the same thing I've said for Ridley. The only difference with K. Rool is he has Dixie Kong to compete with. It's no garuntee at all that we will get one of them, let alone BOTH. I don't see Diddy being edited at this point either, seeing as how Ganondorf is still Captain Ganon. This means it's a competition between these two, completely. I want them both, but I don't think we will get both.
Little Mac [Punch Out] 300
Little Mac is the small franchise inclusion this time around. He's the Olimar of Smash4. Isaac, Takamaru, Shulk, and Nook just do not compare in terms of fan demand. Really, it all comes down to whether or not Sakurai wants to add a boxer. Who knows? His AT acts like a character more than a hazard. Not much to say about this character.
Waluigi [Super Mario] 257
Blegh. He's popular without a doubt. He was an AT, and Doc was planned for Brawl, which says a lot for the Mario characters. Really, he suffers more than he flourishes. Again, this goes for all the Mario reps, with the acception of Doctor Mario. Personally, I'm not a fan.
Isaac [Golden Sun] 249
Isaac is a good choice, without a doubt. His biggest issue is his licensing to me. Plus, he has some competition. Shulk, Saki, Mac, Takamaru and Miis are all good candidates for those few smaller franchise slots.
Palutena [Kid Icarus] 223
She's a fan favorite because of KIU, and the votes show it. Kid Icarus has a plethera of good choices, and she tops the list. It's just a matter of will Sakurai give his baby some spotlight? To me, there is a good chance he will.
Roy [Fire Emblem] 194
Roy, Roy, Roy. He's like a mini Mewtwo to me. He's got the same prerequisites, just on a smaller scale. Which is probably why we see more Roy vs Chrom/Lucina/Micaiah/ectectect. With Mewtwo, Zoroark DOES NOT stand up to him, and really.... neither does Lucario. He's still the smartest choice, and that's ultimately why I'm betting on his inclusion. Because if Sakurai had his way during Brawl's development, he would have been included.
Shulk [Xenoblade] 194
He's the new it boy, and that's definitely a good thing. Xenoblade was released at JUST THE RIGH TIME for him to be included in Smash4. The moveset writes itself, and his futuristic swordsman thing is something yet to be in seen in playable form (I see you Saki AT) in the Smash series. He's got competition though, and he has a lot of proving to do. Those two things could really hurt him.
Ghirahim [Legend Of Zelda] 180
Like Shulk, but possibly even moreso, his moveset was written after the first battle with him in SS. He's got a large fanbase for a 1 shot character. In the past this would have never mattered, because one shots don't mean much when Sakurai still has to add Meta Knight, Dedede, and Olimar. But, unlike Midna, this is a new age. An age where most characters are on the same level. Who knows? He really DOES fit into Smash, and Sakurai may be more laxed on Zelda reps this time around. (By that I mean, he might let a character that isn't Link, Zelda, or Ganondorf be included)
Chrom [Fire Emblem] 170
I don't know much about FE, but I know enough to see that whenever Sakurai goes to add a FE character, the latest one is often the one suggested to him. He wanted to add Leaf, but they suggested Roy. Then we had Ike included when he was the newest addition. I hear he's pretty lame in terms of interesting moves. But I don't know how much that matters really. How canon is Ike in Smash? I think I read somewhere that Sakurai kind of just threw him together. I mean, it looks like he even has an unused Brawl Roy move. His inclusion wouldn't be suprising, but he does have some competition. That's Roy. Roy himself is a clone, so, you can't say Krom being boring is reason enough to not add him. Roy is however, more popular in general. I have mixed feelings about who would win out for a spot in Smash4. My mind says Roy, but... Sakurai's pattern says Chrom. I usually don't pay attention to patterns, but this series isn't Pokemon, Roy isn't Mewtwo, and Chrom isn't Zoroark. It's not nearly as OBVIOUS who should be added. Much more shades of gray.
Bowser Junior [Super Mario] 157
Junior is an interesting character. He's got the clone thing up his sleeve, which is a small plus for his inclusion. Unlike Toad and Waluigi though, he has a decent role in the Mario franchise, and this time around he isn't a new character to the series. He's consistently showing up with the same type of role. Really, he may not be memetastic like Waluigi, or as oldschool as Toad, but he's prominent in the 3D and SM franchise now. Which is something much more solid for a characters inclusion.
Takamaru [Murasame Castle] 152
Hands down the best retro choice. We like him, Sakurai likes him. Retros really don't have any competition besides other retros, and, well, the closest thing next to him is Mach Rider. He's a damn good choice.
Pac - Man [Namco] 145
He blends into Smash damn well. Chrono just showed you guys how easily his franchise can blend with Mario's. Mrs. Pac-Man and one of the ghosts have even raced alongside the Mushroom kingdom crew. He has no problem blending in, and Namco definitely would have no qualms with his inclusion. It's Sakurai who does, and, I think he's made it CLEAR that just because Namco is working on Smash, doesn't mean there will be a Namco rep in Smash. Does that mean there wont be? No. He doesn't HAVE competition. Megaman and him aren't competeing at all. There inclusions are two totally separate processes. Sakurai just needs to be down with adding him.
Geno [Square Enix] 145
Smash's underdog. He's got nothing going for him other than pure fan support. And, it's possible Sakurai has already looked into his inclusion during Brawl (Or it could have been Banjo). Either way, not much going for him other than that. SE is much much much too stupid to ever give us what we want, let alone get a rep in the Smash series. That company, I swear.
Saki [Sin & Punishment] 127
No real reasons to not include him, honestly. He's just got one hell of a group of competition. He's Victini. He's Toad. He's Micaiah. No real qualms, just too much competition, you know? (Sue me for using those characters as a comparison)
Zoroark [Pokemon] 124
Pokemon is an ever evolving franchise. Characters come and go easily. We know this. Zoroark really is a decent addition to the cast. He's Lucario 2.0, in both a good and bad way. He has enough to differentiate himself, and make a unique character, it's just a matter of wether or not Sakurai:
Wants to cut Pokemon (Lucario and PT aren't clones, so not likely)
Wants to add Mewtwo (He wanted to in Melee and Brawl, why not Smash4?)
Wants possibly 6 Pokemon characters (Sakurai won't cut if he doesn't have to, but he doesn't like having too many characters from one franchise either)
Samurai Goroh [F-Zero] 120
Bless his soul. About as deserving as they come. He's just, well.... him. A character who hasn't shown up in a while. A character who most know as "That guy from Captain Falcon's game". That's the problem with your franchise being, well, semi dead. (Still betting SF, Metroid and F-Zero get next gen games) He really, really should be added. It's just a matter of whether or not Sakurai wants to. Nothing more to be said.
Toad [Super Mario] 119
Without a doubt the most iconic character of this bunch, besides Mewtwo, Megaman and Pac-Man. No if ands or buts. His biggest problem is Sakurai himself. I just don't believe Sakurai thinks too highly of him. Not enough to warrent inclusion anyway. He's got a bit of an "importance" problem, but his iconicism, popularity, and prominence really make up for that.
Krystal [StarFox] 119
Another "bless her soul" character. Like Toad and Goroh, she's got the goods, just... there's something in her way. StarFox is a small franchise, and it already has Wolf, Falco, and Fox. Sure, she could be included, but, like Dixie, there is a chance she will simply be passed over. Like Junior she has the "I can be an obvious clone, or I could be completely unique" thing going for her. She had a decent amount of requests Pre-Brawl, which is a good thing I suppose. (One of the reasons I think she shows up as a trophy, and in the codecs) Unlike most though, I dpn't believe her fanbase has "crashed and burned". It's not as big as it used to be, but it is still there, most definitely. But really, that's about it. It's possible, but nothing to hold your breath over.
Dixie Kong [Donkey Kong] 107
She was going to be included in Brawl at one point. This is a GOOD thing. It's definitely reason to keep her in your character pool. Sakurai likes to add characters he's tried to add in prior Smash games. Wolf, Wario, Dedede, Mewtwo, Bowser. She's on the same level as those characters in terms of importance to her franchise. Really, she's got a brighter outlook than most who scored in the 120 - 100 range.
Black Shadow [F-Zero] 92
Meh. What can I say? Good addition? Yes. Competition? **** yeah. It's just not likely. If Goroh is going to have a hard time being included, then Black Shadow is going to be nearly impossible. The only thing I can see going for him is the fact that he HASN'T been an AT, he WASN'T in the Melee intro, and we don't have any sort of opinion on him from Sakurai pretty much whatsoever. That could mean, he's been interested and has been saving him. OR, he don't give two ****s. Either way, he's a decent choice. Just not too likely.
Bandana Dee [Kirby] 74
I think people jumped the bandana waggon after seeing how awesome his spear action was in the latest Kirby game. Yes, he is the forth most prominent Kirby character. No, he is not on par with the other three. No he is not as prominent as Junior. No he is not as iconic as Toad. He's like those two with the Mario series, but much worse off. A great addition, but... not likely. Plus, Sakurai is a bashful man. He doesn't want to overrepresent his series. Which is sad, because spears man.
Mona [WarioWare] 71
Hey, she isn't a Wario Land character.