Is this a troll post? Because this is such an inversion of reality that it's just absurd beyond belief. You're just simply objectively wrong. Like you are literally saying that Sora from Kingdom Hearts is more likely than a Bomberman or Castlevania character, let alone likely AT ALL. You are talking about a character hardly anybody recognizes (MH), a second fighting game character (Heihachi), a Dragon Quest character I've never heard anyone request, and a Disney character. These are the characters you think are more likely than Bomberman and Simon Belmont who are infinitely more iconic and popular than all of these characters combined and have been requested since Super Smash Bros Brawl, probably even earlier.
SURELY you jest.
Sorry to everyone, but this long. I had to make a point.
My God. Are you okay? It’s just Smashboards and speculation. I admire you passion, but honestly, you could’ve worded that a lot better as to not sound so self rightoues. Neither of us work with Sakurai, Nintendo, or any of their subsequent subsidiaries. We are on an even playing field here in terms of knowledge about this game.
However, honey if you want to spill tea, then let me be the one to serve it to you.
Since you’re so sure Bomberman and Simon are the most likely 3rd Party newcomers, let’s look at some facts.
I’ll be looking at things such as the company the franchise originates from, lifetime sales, and history with Nintendo, as well as the gaming world.
Bomberman and Simon both come from Konami. The same company as the lost and beloved Smash community’s fan favorite, Snake.
“Snake not coming back doesn’t mean Bomberman and Simon don’t have a chance!” Correct! His inclusion has little bearing on their possible inclusion. Kojima, Snake’s creator and a friend of Sakurai’s, is no longer involved with Konami. Konami has a history of being somewhat difficult to work with. That being said, Snake is probably never coming back, as Konami owns the rights to him, while Kojima has the prestige as Metal Gear’s creator. It’d be a slap in the face to Kojima. Snake is the “face” of Konami. They’d probably want the most well recognized and accomplished of their franchises as the face of Konami in Smash. That’s from a company stand point however. From a franchise stand point, Bomberman and Simon’s franchises, while yes iconic in their own right, I suppose, are not nearly as iconic as the franchises that I mentioned I feel are more likely to receive representation on the Smash roster.
Firstly, let’s look at it from a sales standpoint.
(Globally sales since inception.)
Bomberman: Since his introduction to the gaming world back in 1983, he’s had over 30+ games appear on Nintendo consoles! That’s quite impressive. He saw a boost in popularity in sales in the 90’s, which I’m sure many of us on Smashboards are of that decade. Which is probably why many of us see Bomberman as more iconic than he actually is. It’s nostalgia. That nostalgia mixed with the bias and often narrow mindedness of people in this SMALL part of the Smash Community, can create quite the passionate support group in regards to a character’s inclusion. However, with over 30 years under his belt, Bomberman’s sales only amount to about 10 million units. Not really all too impressive.
Simon, from the dark, and beautiful Castlevania. I’ll admit. I remember playing Castlevania. I loved it. Castlevania has had several iterations on Nintendo consoles. In fact, it’s first title was on a Nintendo console, the Famicom. Castlevania has done somewhat better in terms of sales than Bomberman. Shipping out 20 million units. Castlevania has somewhat of a cult following. Again, with over 30 years under his belt, 20 million units isn’t that impressive.
Now, for the characters and respective franchises I mentioned.
Monster Hunter: Since it’s inception back in 2004, Monster Hunter has done incredibly well for itself. In 14 years, it’s managed to put out 48+ million units. Also, Monster Hunter has been pretty faithful with having their titles appear on Nintendo consoles. Up until recently with Monster Hunter World, which hasn’t been completely ruled out to appear on the Switch at a later time. Capcom and Nintendo are on wonderful terms, and with the breakdown of of Capcom letting Monster Hunter appear in MarvelVSCapcom, the possibility to appear in one of the gaming world’s most iconic fighting games may just get Capcom’s attention and approval. While they may not be requested a lot of Smashboards, GameFAQ’s, and other American centric Smash Bros propaganda websites, it doesn’t mean the rest of the world hasn’t possible desires and vocalized for their inclusion. With Mii Costumes, and the franchises rising popularity, it isn’t hard to imagine a Monster Hunter as a newcomer. Especially with incredible fan base the franchise has in Japan.
Heihachi (Tekken): To be honest, I don’t think we’ll see Heihachi. We already have Ryu, and I don’t believe he is going anywhere. That being said, Sakurai himself has admitted interest in the character. Even mentioning that he was considered for Smash 4. He got a Mii Costume in the end. Tekken is an immensely popular and recognizable fighting game. Putting out over 47+ million units since it’s introduction into the gaming world back in 1994. Not overwhelming impressive, but has still managed to maintain and grow it’s fanbase over the years instead of fading into obscurity.
Dragon Quest: One is Square’s most valuable and best selling IPs. It’s popularity is mainly based in Japanese and European markets, but has gained recognition in the West over the years. Regardless, Dragon Quest has managed to sell 71 million units since 1986. Over 3 times thats of Castlevania, in the same amount of time. As for which Hero could be chosen to represent the franchise, they could honestly pull from any title, but I suppose they’d want to use the original, most popular, or most recent Hero.
Sora from Kingdom Hearts: Probably the least likely of my possible contenders, but still likely none the less. The only thing holding him back is the having to get the “Okay.” From both Square AND Disney. Square probably wouldn’t be too difficult to negotiate with. They’ve already pledged devotion towards Nintendo and developing for the Switch. They’ve been pleased with the success the Switch has brought, and are excited to develop for it. It’s not hard to find articles of these professions either. Kingdom Hearts has sold 24+ million units since it’s debut back in 2002, and that’s with only 8 titles. Some of those titles appearing on Nintendo consoles, although not being any main titles. If Disney could be negotiated with, and come to an agreement it would be both great promotion for Super Smash Bros. , and Kingdom Hearts. With Kingdom Hearts III on the horizon, it may not be as far fetched as one might think. Though, even I’ll admit, it’d be quite difficult to obtain the rights.
When I look at the possibility for the inclusions off potential 3rd Parties, I look beyond bias and nostalgia. I look at facts. I look at the receptions of certain franchises receive when new iterations are revealed to the public. I look at the level of star-power, and icon from all over the world, not just Smashboards, and the Smash Community, which tends to be entitled, and self righteous when it comes to something as insignificant as roster speculation.
Super Smash Bros. goes beyond just what we all want. The draw of 3rd Parties is to get others outside of the community to play the game. The entirety of the Smash Community does not exist in Smashboards. There’s also more than just us harden Smash veterans. There are other markets to cater to, and try to draw in.
All this being said, if you can honestly sit there, and tell me that Bomberman and/or Simon would garner more of a hype reaction than a character from Monster Hunter, Dragon Quest, Tekken, or yes, even Kingdom Hearts. You sir, are the one that’s objectively wrong, and has an aversion to the reality of the situation.
And the reality of the situation is, Bomberman and Simon are iconic, but are not nearly as iconic and had such an impact on the gaming world than their Smashboard supporters would like to believe, AND that their inclusions would only inspire hype from a small, niche group VS. the inclusion of a character from a more popular, globally successful and recognized franchises.
Just look at the facts, and next time try to use some instead of trying to attack someone else’s view of who is more likely to be a 3rd Party newcomer because it goes against your views that you try to justify with baseless, bias, narrow-minded, unimaginative, and blind support for a character(s).
Lastly, a character not being recognized/heavily requested has no valid point because before Pac-Man’s inclusion, I doubt anyone was pulling for him. Same could be said for Wii Fit Trainer, but I wanted to use a 3rd Party to get my point across. Since apparently, no one request anyone I mentioned heavily, but the support for Bomberman and Simon are through the roof.
Every character both you and I have mentioned are iconic in the gaming world to some extent. I’m not challenging that. Any one of the characters we’ve mentioned could make it in. No doubt about it. I was never challenging that either. Only that there are other characters that’d create a bigger sense of hype, and are somewhat more likely.
Again, I don’t work at Nintendo. You don’t work at Nintendo. None of us work at Nintendo.
It’s just Smash speculation.
Thank you, and I hope you enjoyed your tea.