1. Palutena - She was one of my most wanted characters for Smash 4 and I'd like if she could be in this roster too. Uprising is a great game and everyone at the time was excited to see what it could offer to Smash. If we're looking at series that have seen massive boosts between games, it's Kid Icarus...
2. Robin - ...and Fire Emblem. Yeah, Awakening is a really important game. It's founded the modern direction of the series and its success arguably saved it from retirement. I think Robin was the right move out of the game's protagonists, and a mage juxtaposes well with the kind of fighters FE has garnered thus far. Feels like a no brainer, if any series was gonna see new content in Smash 4 this is the most obvious answer.
3. Bowser Jr - I would have liked to be more creative with these picks, given the innovation from many of you in your pitches, but we're still setting the stage on this game and working out the essentials. Mario ought to get at least a new character and Bowser Jr is probably the smartest choice. He's been a rising star since Sunshine and between Brawl - Smash 4 has only gotten brighter. And his clown car provides a striking, fun gameplay hook to explore.
So with that, and the addition of Greninja, I think we tap into the series that most warrant new characters. If we do another round like this, I'll try to endorse more varied characters who may not have been so fortunate in our universe's version of Smash 4. But 4 was quite efficient with its newcomers and I'm sure we'll largely follow in its footsteps. Little Mac and Shulk are no brainers in upcoming rounds, and I'm sure Mega Man and Pac-Man will return.
Out of these, I'd be interested to see Magolor or Ashley come up again later. Ravio is a cool idea too, although I'm skeptical of whether or not he'd be viable for consideration for a roster decided in 2012. Not impossible, but Pokemon usually remains the sole exception.
I want to speak a bit on BWD, just because it's something I've been thinking about for a little while - as much as he's remained a persistent part of the series to this day, during Smash 4's project plan he really didn't exist to be much more than RTDL's Player 4. Come Triple Deluxe, he was regulated to a minor supporting role.
For now, until he establishes his unique role in the series a bit further, Dee doesn't hold much weight on his own. I'm trying to judge this in the context of 2012 and not 2024, so he just doesn't strike me as very compelling yet. Probably a conversation I'd be more interested in having next game.
Job 33: 
An extra character to boost most of the major series, as well as the protagonist of a series that has just received a new game that year. Pokemon just got Greninja and I'm satisfied letting Fire Emblem show off the new guy before we bring back the old heads (assuming Robin makes it). Ness and Falcon should return soon, but I don't mind letting them be added a little later. In their stead I just want to stick my neck out for Dedede and Ridley.
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