I hate to post the same thing thrice, but in defense of Toad, I feel it necessary...
~
The following was posted by a user on the Gamewinners forums. Please have patience, it's a long read.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Importance Intro
Nintendo/Famicon
Super Nintendo/Super Famicon
Nintendo 64 General
Mario Party Series
Gamecube General
Hand-Held General
Super Princess Peach
Other Media
III. Popularity
IV. Toad vs. Toadsworth
V. Q&A
VI. Moveset
Introduction
Some may ask, why Toad? Well, Toad's importance, popularity, and chances of getting in SSBB surpass that of any Mario character not already in SSBB. Mario and Wario are already confirmed. Luigi, Peach, Bowser, Yoshi, and DK, if someone can explain why they’d be axed, then I’d accept Toad not getting in. The only one not standing in Toad’s way is Dr. Mario, because he’s nothing more than an alternate form of Mario, with cloned moves nonetheless. With this, I’ll explain Toad’s history in the Marioverse, as well as his history in Media in the form of popularity. I’ll also answer some of the most common questions asked about/argued against Toad. Finally, I’ll show you the moveset I made, to show an example of how Toad might work.
Importance Intro
First off, let’s look at his importance. Toad is extremely under-appreciated when it comes to how important he was to the Marioverse. He’s been around since the beginning, has earned a place in Mario Stardom, has had his own game, etc. Throughout this entire group of sections, you’ll see why Toad is important enough to be in SSBB.
Nintendo/Famicom
To get things started for Toad’s career, he was at the end of every castle to deliver you a message in the original Super Mario Bros (except for the final castle, where Peach was waiting for Mario.) At the time, Toad was known quite simply as one of the “Mushroom Retainers.” The message he gave today is one of Toad’s most famous lines. The message itself was ”Thank you Mario, but our Princess is in another castle!”
In the sequel of the sequel, Super Mario Bros 3, Toad played a similar role, with a few additions. Instead of telling you where the Princess wasn’t, Toad would tell you that the king had been transformed, and that you needed to find the Magic Wand to change him back. In addition to that, he ran the item house’s and the mini-games.
To go a little backwards now, he was also one of four playable/main characters in Super Mario Bros 2, a remake of the Japanese Doki Doki Panic. He starred along with Mario, Luigi, and Peach. He was the strongest AND the fastest of the characters, being able to lift items with ease, and zip through stages like a rabbit. He got a full 5 stars in each of those. To counter-act that, his jumping was horrendous, getting only 2 stars.
So, let’s do a quick summary. You may be wondering why he’s important with 3 games, especially considering he was only playable in 1. Well consider this: with the exception of SMB2, the only characters to be playable in any Mario game on the NES was Luigi and Mario himself. Not only Toad but Peach as well first became playable in SMB2.
Super Nintendo/Super Famicom
Despite being absent from Super Mario World and Super Mario World 2, Toad still managed to stay strong on the SNES. If nothing, he became strong (importance wise) with the SNES.
To start out with a bang, I’ll go ahead and bring up THAT. Oh yes, you know what it is, Wario’s Woods. This game featured Toad, as the main character, and the only playable character. And what else does this mean? Toad was put into the star of his own game before characters like Luigi, Peach, and Bowser.
He also appeared (as Kinopio) in Super Mario RPG. He helped you get the game started on the way to Mushroom Kingdom. After that, he spent most of the time in the Castle Throne Room with the Chancellor. He also instructed you on how to play the mini-games, and finally, ran an item shop in Smithy’s Factory. His most memorable part in this game was his famous bazooka quote, which many speculate could be an attack for Toad.
He also appeared along with Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Bowser, DK Jr, and Koopa as a playable character in Super Mario Kart, starting off something, which I’ll get more in depth with later. He was also a character in the Japanese Mario Excitebike, along with Mario, Luigi, Peach, Wario, and Koopa Troopa, which should being saying something significant, he got in before Yoshi and Bowser.
To summarize this, Toad received a lot on the SNES. He got his own game, for one thing. He got recognition, considering that SMRPG recognized Toad as his own character, not just another random part of a race of creatures. And finally, he was obviously popular, considering his appearances in spin-offs.
Nintendo 64 General
Toad appeared in SM64, mostly sitting around the castle and telling you that they needed help, although, he also handed over a couple power stars. Also, in the DS remake, he returned the characters hat whenever it was lost.
He also appeared in the N64 RPG, Paper Mario, as a generic species. Some assume that the Toad hiding in the closet in Peach's Castle is Kinopio, but nothing is certain. Another more specific Toad included The Master, a Toad with supreme martial arts skills, whom you fought 3 times as an extra boss in the Dojo. And on another note, you also receive a post card from a Toad being shown in a Martial Arts uniform and throwing a punch, basically proving Toad’s can fight.
Mario Kart, I said I’d get back to this. The 8 characters in Mario Kart 64 were classified as the Big 8, being the 8 characters that appeared the most in Mario games and were the most popular of the Mario characters. And just look where they are now. Wario, DK, and Yoshi all have separate franchises from Mario. Luigi, Peach, and Toad have all gotten their own games. Bowser has been a constant reoccurring villain, and Mario is…Mario. And on one more note, he's been in EVERY Mario Kart game to date, beating out big names like Wario and DK for the SNES version. And he was even was in the Arcade version, Mario Kart GP, with Pac-man, and is confirmed for the arcade sequal.
On one final note, Toad was playable in Mario Tennis (as well as the original Mario Tennis for the Virtual Boy.) And to summarize the rest of this up, Toad was in the only cannon game for the N64, as well as the only sub-cannon game. He had a good amount of spin-off roles as well, considering his success in the Mario Kart franchise. Oh yeah, and don’t forget Mario Party, where Toad got another big push.
Mario Party Series
One of Toad’s most notable spin-off roles, other than Mario Kart, was in the Mario Party games. In the beginning of Mario Party, it says Mario is with his 6 best friends (who, coincidently, are the other 6 members of the Big 8 minus Bowser, though he was in it as well as the villain.) Toad was the host of the entire game, selling you the stars. Probably most importantly, he served as the final "boss" in mini-games Island. After defeating Slot Car Derby, the final mini-game, Toad would challenge you for one more round of Slot Car Derby. His skill in that game surpassed anyone's, which led some to believe that he was the greatest racer in the Marioverse. He played a host role in the next MP, but really didn't do much more importance wise as he did in the precedor. He appeared in the final 64 MP with two roles. His first role was playing an active role as the “good-guy” of mini-games (as opposed to Koopa Kid) and running the item shop for the game. His second role, was being a fighting partner in duel mode, disproving the theory of Toad being unable to fight. The biggest advantage of him was that when you landed on a space the opponent had taken over, you didn’t have to pay coins. Also, he was VERY useful when powered up, as for only two coins; he could deal 2 damage and could sustain 2 HP of attacks. He played the role of host again in MP4, along with Boo, Koopa, Goomba, and Shy Guy. He was made a playable character in MP5, and has been one ever since.
Gamecube General
Toad appeared in the cannon/sub-cannon Mario games on the Cube, Super Mario Sunshine and Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door. In the former, a group of Toad’s traveled with Mario, Peach, and Toadsworth to Isle Delfino. In the latter, Toad was once again a generic species, but this time, there were more specific Toad’s with interesting roles. Such as, for example, Prince Mush, an ex-fighter from the Glitz Pit, and Toadette, Toad’s female counterpart.On a final cannon role, Luigi’s Mansion, Kinopio appeared again, basically allowing you to save.
As stated before, he was in Mario Kart Double Dash (as secret character.) And (much to enragement of Toad fans) he was absent as a playable character in Mario Power Tennis. He was also playable in Mario Baseball and Soccer, and is set for the Soccer sequel. And, he played an active role in Mario DDR, or in other words, he spent the entire game adventuring with Mario and Luigi.
To be blunt, the cannon/sub-cannon games didn’t do much for Toad. On the flip-side, however, he got many good spin-off roles added to his collection, being playable in just about every sport. The most under-looked, but biggest thing on the Cube was DDR, which featured Toad as a main character in a storyline again, showing Nintendo hasn’t forgotten Toad as a main character.
Hand-Held General
Toad got to be controllable for a brief moment in the beginning of Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, showing even more that Nintendo still cares for the little guy. He went on to appear in this game’s sequel, with a similar role to the last (without being controllable.) He was playable in Mario Kart: Super Circuit, and Mario Kart DS, and appeared a cameo in Mario Hoops. He also appeared in some of New Super Mario Bros’ mini-games.
Sure, Toad didn’t do much in hand-helds. But considering that most Mario hand-helds were classic platformers with Mario and occasionally Luigi, I think Toad did pretty well for himself.
Super Princess Peach
But wait, there’s more! Before starting, I’ll answer why I made SPP separate. This game marked something significant for Toad. Please read on…..
In Super Princess Peach, the start of the game mentions Hammer Bros kidnapping Mario, Luigi, and Toad (aka, Kinopio.) Why would Bowser (or Nintendo, depending on how you want to look at it) go through the trouble of kidnapping Toad as well? This, I think, is what currently helps Toad the most. Bowser must see Toad as some sort of threat; otherwise he wouldn’t go through the trouble of kidnapping him. More importantly, it shows that Nintendo hasn’t forgotten Toad’s importance to the Mario franchise.
Other Media - There were three TV shows back in the day. Mario Super Show, Super Mario Bros 3, and Super Mario World. Toad was absent from only the SMW show, as he wasn’t even in the game.
In the Super Show, Toad would often go with the Mario Bros to rescue Peach from Bowser. Though on some cases, Toad was captured as well. In one episode (The Fire of Hercufleas) the show showed Toad in an alt color scheme, which was described as Toad with a Fire Flower.
Toad remained a regular in the SMB3 show, though this time he usually stayed behind with Peach in his house (in which he let the Mario Bros stay in.) Oddly enough, he complained about always having to be left behind in the final episode.
And then in the comic book, Super Mario Bros, Toad often tagged along with Mario, seemingly replacing Luigi as the hero’s sidekick.
As you can no doubt see, Toad has been around in the Marioverse as long as people such as Peach and Bowser. Also note, Toad has been made into a plushie toy and an action figure, along with a small slew of other characters (basically, the Big 8.) He's had his own game, as well as a slew of spin-off roles, and a few other big roles.. So from all of this, we can say that Toad’s importance to the Marioverse is high.
Popularity
Toad's popularity can be first represented by Toad being on the list of characters Sakurai is considering (which, mind you, is a BS list. The only thing being taken from this is that Toad was popular enough to be suggested.) It can be further represented by Toad getting SECOND in the poll hosted by NP asking subscribers of who they wanted in the new SSB. (he was second to Wario, who is already confirmed. It should also be noted that Peach and Bowser were the top two for the Melee poll, and they appeared in SSBM. It can be assumed that the same is true for Wario and Toad, and it already IS true for Wario.) Plus the fact that he’s always appearing in just about every Mario game has to mean something (he also cameo’s in Kirby’s Super Star for goodness sakes!)
Finally, there is one last piece of history that explains Toads popularity. His absence from Mario Power Tennis. Toad fans were enraged by his absence from the popular tennis sequel. Their blood was really boiled when a picture of Toad and Toadette was found on the tournament bracket in the opening video, and still Toad wasn't even unlockable. So, we can conclude that Toad's popularity = HIGH
Toad vs. Toadsworth
Some say Toadsworth has been replacing Toad. This is true; Toadsworth has been replacing Toad, as a host. Toad has recently been pushed into more playable/active roles (Mario Superstar Baseball, Super Mario Strikers, Super Princess Peach, Mario DDR, etc) while Toadsworth has been hosting more things (MP7 and NSMB.)
Q&A
Toad is a generic character.
Answer To: There is one Toad that is singled out as THE Toad (Kinopio), much like Yoshi and Kamek. Kinopio appears in such games as SMB2, SMRPG, the MK series, the MP series, Wario’s Woods, etc.
Toad is Peach's B-move.
A/T: That can easily be replaced by Toadsworth, a generic Toad, or Perry, Peach's umbrella.
Toad is a filler character and has no big roles.
A/T: Toad was playable in SMB2, had a huge part in the plot of Mario Party, and was the main character for Wario's Woods, just to name a few.
There are too many Mario characters.
A/T: The Mario series is the flagship series for Nintendo. Plus, Wario, DK, and Yoshi don't count as a Mario characters in SSB.
Why Toad? Why not Waluigi, Daisy, or Birdo?
A/T: Toad was part of the Big 8 and is the only character from the Big 8 not to be in Smash yet. That and, he’s more deserving and popular.
Toad isn't a fighter! He is a weakling!
A/T: Toad was the strongest character in SMB2 out of Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad. This game was remade twice, both times keeping Toad the strongest. More recently, SSBM and Mario Superstar Baseball have re-emphasized Toad’s strength with profile.
Killing Shy Guy’s doesn’t count as fighting! He didn’t even punch them!
A/T: How is throwing veggies or the enemies themselves not fighting? If you throw a rock at someone, is that not considered fighting? They used veggies because it’s Mario, and knowing Shiggy, it was going to be out of the norm. And you want to see Toad throw a punch? Go play Mario Party, 5-7 more specifically. Mini games occasionally require Toad (or whoever you’re controlling) to punch, kick, ground pound, and even jump kick.
Toad wouldn't have an original moveset.
A/T: See the Moveset I made.
Toad is way too small and light.
A/T: In Mario Kart 64, Yoshi in Toad were in the same weight class. Yoshi is not the lightest character in Smash. And for his size, Kirby is supposed to be like, 8 inches, and Bowser is usually 3 times as big as Mario. Point being, they can re-size him.
Toad has an annoying voice.
A/T: And this should affect him getting in or not why? And if it’s really THAT annoying, hit “mute.” >.>
Why can't he be the tutorial guide?
A/T: Toad fans want more than that, Toad deserves better than that, Toad has evolved from that role, Toadsworth is the tutorial person now, etc.
Toad sux.
A/T: Once again, how does this affect Toad getting in or not? If you don’t like him, don’t use him, or use him as a punching bag.
And finally, his moveset, made by me, Yoshi_Lord
Stats
Strength – 5/5 (just like SMB2)
Height – 2/5 (about a head shorter than Mario)
Weight – 2/5 (about the same as Ness)
Speed – 5/5 (same a SMB2)
Jump – 2/5 (same as SB2)
B: Mushroom Bazooka – Straight from the SMRPG guard’s famous quote, a bazooka custom made to shoot high-powered, mushrooms. They fly at the same speed until the hit something or leave the arena (the speed being about as fast as the Ray Gun.) Decent knock-back (***) and decent damage (***)
B<>: Forest Bomb – Toad chucks one of the bombs that he used in Wario’s Woods. They don’t bounce, they stay where they land, blowing after laying there for a few seconds. They damage Toad as well. Low knock-back (**) but high damage (****)
B^: Toad Rocket – It’s the Super Jump used in SMB2, and it works in the same fashion. The biggest difference, it can be used in the air. This is a charging move, you start by pressing the buttons, and Toad will crouch down and begin glowing. Then you let go, the longer you hold it, the higher he flies. You can adjust the angle of the jump ever so slightly right as you launch. Decent knock-back (***) but low damage (**)
Bv: Mushroom – Toad pulls a Mushroom out of the ground via Peach’s Veggie attack. You can get one of 6 different mushrooms, each with different effects. Note that he pulls the Mushroom out and he can use it like an item, much like Peach’s veggie, being able to throw it at anyone. He can also throw them at himself (by throwing them down.) Also, to keep it fair, Toad can only use two mushroom's a life. After that, the Mushroom he pulls for the rest of the life is just like Peach's veggies.
Mushrooms include:
Super - Heal 25% Damage (25% chance (red and white))
Poison - Take 25% Damage (25% chance (slightly darker than super))
Metal - Turns Character Metal (18% chance (metallic colored))
Sluggish - Speed Cut In Half (15% chance (light blue and neon green))
Cursed - Hinders Controls (12% chance (purple and dark green))
Golden – Attack, Speed, and Defense x2 (5% chance (golden <_<))
Super Smash Attack - Road Rage – Toad whistles, and his kart comes speeding onto the stage. Toad jumps in, and as the name implies, causes some massive road rage. He drives around, running over everyone, and occasionally tossing some shells at opponents. Does high damage to everyone.
K = Knockback; No (K) = No Knockback
A - Punch (3%-5%)
AA - Punch w/ other hand (2%-4%)
AAA - Uppercut (K*) (6%-9%)
A^ - Jumping punch (4%-7%)
A> - Dropkick (5%-8%) (makes opponent fall over)
Av - Trip (2%-5%) (makes opponent fall over)
A^^ - Jumping head butt (K*) (5%-8%)
A>> - Toad Mallet (K****) (10%-12%)
Avv - Dropkicks to both sides of him (5%-8%) (makes opponent fall over)
Run A - Clothesline (6%-10%) (makes opponent fall over)
Air A - Thrusts his elbow (6%-9%)
Air A^ - Kick flip (K**) (7%-11%)
Air A> - Dives forward (K***) (5%-8%)
Air A< - Backwards missile dropkick (K**) (7%-12%)
Air Av – Spins drill style (9%-14%)
Z - Grabs, uses a combo of head butts and elbow cracks (3%-5%)
Z^ - Throws up like a rocket (12%-15%)
Z> - Lets go of opponent and quickly spears them (13%-16%)
Z< - Throws the opponent over his head (9%-13%)
Zv – Power bomb (15%-17%)
Taunt – Waves at the TV (O_O) and yells something cool (idk…)
Symbol – Mushroom
Victory Pose –
A) He drives in on his kart (from the right,) does a complete turn around in the center, jumps out, and thrusts his fist into the air
B) He throws a giant shy guy off the screen, and then wipes the sweat off his forehead, exhaling at the same time
C) He kicks a bomb away from him, but it rolls around to the other side of him, exploding, turning him black, he then blinks away the ash from his eyes
Costumes –
Red Jacket/Blue Spots
Green Jacket/Yellow Spots
Pink Jacket/White spots on Pink (Toadette style)
Brown Jacket/Brown Spots on Skin Color (Toadsworth Style)
