The Official Thread For the Sal Romano/Gematsu Leak

[Ryuutakeshi]

Considering how heavily utilized mewtwo was in prerelease for x and y, his use in the demo version, and the fact that they took the time to set up an in-game event regarding Mewtwo solely to harken back to the original games, I think it pretty obvious Mewtwo is still one of the most popular pokemon around. GameFreak certainly thinks so.

I mean, only Charizard and Mewtwo got two megas and both top favorites lists everywhere. Mewtwo also had a recent important movie role and has veteran status in Smash. There's really a lot that would justify Mewtwo's inclusion in the games, and I am not saying this just as a Mewtwo fan.

The only downside is that Greninja proved Sakurai had his roster early on in.X and Y development, far before many of the things I listed. We may have to hope for him as DLC, but I'd be shocked if he wasn't in somehow.

Still, I do hope he takes the last spot.

 

[Khoru]

I'd say it's a toss up between Mewtwo and Lucas. 48 is probably the best number, as you have 4 rows of 12 for Wii U, and 6 rows of 8 for 3DS. Assuming Mii doesn't have a slot, Sal Leak is true, all Brawl vets minus Snake, Ivysaur, and Squirtle, and Rosalina, we get 48. However, Mewtwo's return isn't entirely out of the question.

Please ignore the bad organization. I just threw characters in to see what worked.
Top 6 rows = 3DS CSS, Bottom 4 rows = Wii U CSS

can homura/dr roy be a thing

 

[JaidynReiman]

Considering how heavily utilized mewtwo was in prerelease for x and y, his use in the demo version, and the fact that they took the time to set up an in-game event regarding Mewtwo solely to harken back to the original games, I think it pretty obvious Mewtwo is still one of the most popular pokemon around. GameFreak certainly thinks so.

I mean, only Charizard and Mewtwo got two megas and both top favorites lists everywhere. Mewtwo also had a recent important movie role and has veteran status in Smash. There's really a lot that would justify Mewtwo's inclusion in the games, and I am not saying this just as a Mewtwo fan.

The only downside is that Greninja proved Sakurai had his roster early on in.X and Y development, far before many of the things I listed. We may have to hope for him as DLC, but I'd be shocked if he wasn't in somehow.

Still, I do hope he takes the last spot.

By this logic, he was aware of GameFreak and their plans to hype the **** out of Mewtwo, so there's just as much reason to bring Mewtwo back.

 

[Rew]

Thanks for the answers (and dang, y'all are fast!). It sounds like I've got a couple leaks mixed up--good to know.

 

[PurpleSpaceDragon]

I'm convinced the Sal leak is incomplete. Why?

Because there are 3 months remaining until release, and I can't fathom Sakurai not revealing one more hype-inducing Newcomer very close to release: a reveal of a character at least as exciting and wanted by fans as any of the 3 revealed at E3 2014.

Chrom isn't nearly as hype-worthy as any of the E3 2014 Newcomers.
Neither is Chorus Men
Neither is Shulk.

Just for marketing purposes, do you really see any of those 3 causing even half as much cheering (and news website stories) as Pac-Man, Mii, Megaman, or even nearly as much talk as Wii Fit Trainer, Villager or Palutena?

 

[Shroob]

I'm convinced the Sal leak is incomplete. Why?

Because there are 3 months remaining until release, and I can't fathom Sakurai not revealing one more hype-inducing Newcomer very close to release: a reveal of a character at least as exciting and wanted by fans as any of the 3 revealed at E3 2014.

Chrom isn't nearly as hype-worthy as any of the E3 2014 Newcomers.
Neither is Chorus Men
Neither is Shulk.

Just for marketing purposes, do you really see any of those 3 causing even half as much cheering (and news website stories) as Pac-Man, Mii, Megaman, or even nearly as much talk as Wii Fit Trainer, Villager or Palutena?

I would argue that Shulk and Chrom are VERY hype inducing, especially for the Japanese playerbase.

 

[Omega Tyrant]

I'm convinced the Sal leak is incomplete. Why?

Because there are 3 months remaining until release, and I can't fathom Sakurai not revealing one more hype-inducing Newcomer very close to release: a reveal of a character at least as exciting and wanted by fans as any of the 3 revealed at E3 2014.

Chrom isn't nearly as hype-worthy as any of the E3 2014 Newcomers.
Neither is Chorus Men
Neither is Shulk.

Just for marketing purposes, do you really see any of those 3 causing even half as much cheering (and news website stories) as Pac-Man, Mii, Megaman, or even nearly as much talk as Wii Fit Trainer, Villager or Palutena?

As pointed out earlier, the newcomers revealed thus far and implicated in Sal's leaks are all characters from recent games/revived franchises, which makes it seem that they're using the pre-release newcomers to promote non-Smash games, while fan-favorite newcomers with nothing to promote are being kept as secret unlockables. As such, I wouldn't expect one more pre-release newcomer reveal that wasn't one of those three.

EDIT: Plus as pointed out, Chrom and Shulk would be "hype-inducing" newcomers to the Japanese fanbase, where the 3DS version is being released first, along with promoting stuff.

 

[Deleted member]

I would argue that Shulk and Chrom are VERY hype inducing, especially for the Japanese playerbase.

This, especially considering Little Mac isn't especially popular in Japan.

 

[Shroob]

So, speaking of Miis, where did it say that Miis would not have their own roster slot?

 

[PurpleSpaceDragon]

I would argue that Shulk and Chrom are VERY hype inducing, especially for the Japanese playerbase.

I tnink Sakurai would want at least one more Newcomer announcement who would cause huge amounts of hype in the West, especially since Japan only had 21.4% of Brawl sales. I'll be happy if Shulk and Chrom get in, and I'm sure a ton of Japanese fans will be happy, but Chrom and Shulk would be less headline-causing in the West than any Newcomer revealed thus far apart from maybe Rosalina & Luma.

Sales of Brawl:

Total Units
North America:6.25m51.4%
+ Europe:2.37m19.5%
+ Japan:2.59m21.3%
+ Rest of the World:0.95m7.8%
= Global12.16m

 

[Shroob]

I tnink Sakurai would want at least one more Newcomer announcement who would cause huge amounts of hype in the West, especially since Japan only had 21.4% of Brawl sales. I'll be happy if Shulk and Chrom get in, and I'm sure a ton of Japanese fans will be happy, but Chrom and Shulk would be less headline-causing in the West than any Newcomer revealed thus far apart from maybe Rosalina & Luma.

Sales of Brawl:

Total Units
North America:6.25m51.4%
+ Europe:2.37m19.5%
+ Japan:2.59m21.3%
+ Rest of the World:0.95m7.8%
= Global12.16m

You know Awakening sold really well here too, right? By your logic, Chrom would appeal to Westerners too.

 

[PurpleSpaceDragon]

As pointed out earlier, the newcomers revealed thus far and implicated in Sal's leaks are all characters from recent games/revived franchises, which makes it seem that they're using the pre-release newcomers to promote non-Smash games, while fan-favorite newcomers with nothing to promote are being kept as secret unlockables. As such, I wouldn't expect one more pre-release newcomer reveal that wasn't one of those three.

EDIT: Plus as pointed out, Chrom and Shulk would be "hype-inducing" newcomers to the Japanese fanbase, where the 3DS version is being released first, along with promoting stuff.

But if Sakurai wants the most people possible to buy Smash 4 as soon as it releases, wouldn't it make sense to reveal a Newcomer who the greatest number of fans want?

 

[Tree Gelbman]

No.

The only five characters I can see bringing a hype inducing 'OH MY GOD!" right before release are...

Mewtwo
Ridley
K. Rool
Dixie
Toad

 

[PurpleSpaceDragon]

You know Awakening sold really well here too, right? By your logic, Chrom would appeal to Westerners too.

Yeah, but like I said, I'd argue he'd be less headline-causing and/or hype inducing than any revealed Newcomer, aside from Rosalina. He'd be a bit below Little Mac and Palutena in the West, I think.

Anyway, my main point is I think it would be illogical for Sakurai to not show at least one more Newcomer on the level of Pac-Man, Megaman, Villager, Greninja (imagine how many of the zillions of Pokemon fans were happy to see him), etc.

 

[Backgammon]

Oh my god, you do not know how badly I want Dr.Roy to be a thing now. I might have to texture him into Project M at this rate...

On topic: Honestly, I feel it's STILL too early to call this leak anything at the moment. Both sides have some very good arguments.

Edit: If Sakurai wants hype, he "leaks" Ridley somehow or just flat out announces him. Japan and the rest of the world would go goddamn mental. It would spark love, hate and everything in between.

 

[ScubaGoomba]

No.

The only five characters I can see bringing a hype inducing 'OH MY GOD!" right before release are...

Mewtwo
Ridley
K. Rool
Dixie
Toad

Of these, Mewtwo seems to have the most broad appeal. Older and younger gamers all recognize it and Pokémon is huge around the world.

 

[JCDied4U]

No.

The only five characters I can see bringing a hype inducing 'OH MY GOD!" right before release are...

Mewtwo
Ridley
K. Rool
Dixie
Toad

Shulk would bring more hype than Dixie. Just saying.

 

[Omega Tyrant]

But if Sakurai wants the most people possible to buy Smash 4 as soon as it releases, wouldn't it make sense to reveal a Newcomer who the greatest number of fans want?

Nearly everyone interested will buy the Smash games regardless, or will immediately do so upon finding out the roster if they must have specific characters. There's no need to reveal even more newcomers while sacrificing potential secret characters, Smash 4 is hyped enough (one of Brawl's common complaints among casuals was that so few of the newcomers were actual secrets, which I think is getting rectified this time).

Also, the West already had their big "hype-inducing" newcomer in Little Mac, while the Japanese haven't really gotten such an equivalent. The West is not entitled to one more pre-release "hype-inducing" newcomer that appeals mainly to us, especially when we gotten E3, the Invitational, and the demos, which the Japanese did not get.

 

[Tree Gelbman]

Shulk would bring more hype than Dixie. Just saying.

No, I'm sorry. Shulk is awesome, but more people will recognize Dixie Kong than would recognize Shulk. When we think broad appeal we can't trick ourselves into thinking that means ''Hardcore gamers."

It doesn't. It means us and EVERYONE ELSE.

 

[Deleted member]

Oh my god, you do not know how badly I want Dr.Roy to be a thing now. I might have to texture him into Project M at this rate...

I can't take credit for Dr. Roy. I saw the icon in the Roster Maker thread, and had to use save it.

 

[Bedoop]

This, especially considering Little Mac isn't especially popular in Japan.

Whats funny is, alot of Japanese People--when Little Mac was announced--we're mostly like;
"...Who? "

 

[ScubaGoomba]

I mean, when you boil it down, there's no entitlement at all. There's no real reason to promote Smash 4 any more than they already have; it's a huge title that everyone who's going to buy it knows about and everyone that doesn't know about it, likely wouldn't have found out through any pre-release information.

The Gematsu leak, honestly, seems pretty likely, even if "likely" means "very good guesser that got a tip off about Wii Fit Trainer." The DLC spoken of in the leak may seem "greedy," but it looks to be more of a boon than a burden. The devs can create their niche characters now and then release others after the game's out, allowing people to get a complete game sooner and get more characters in. With Smash games coming out every six years or so, DLC can keep the series fresh. We're not talking COD-style games that pump out multiple titles every year, we're talking about a game that has a lot of thought and effort put into it given a chance to continue to expand without costing another $50+ every year.

What I'm getting at is that the DLC characters coupled with a late-game announcement that Ness or Lucas won't be in the final roster could, actually, strengthen this leak in its entirety. The devs decided that, in order to meet the deadline, they would hold off on finishing one of these characters and put them in later, when they can devote their full attention. And, as many people have said, the leak has been inclusive, but not exclusive. We're not getting glimpses at who won't make it, only those that will. Presumably.

EDIT: Whoops! A bunch of responses came in while I was typing! This was started in response to Omega Tyrant's post.

 

[PurpleSpaceDragon]

For the record, I fully, 100% believe the Gematsu leak is true, and that we're getting Shulk, Chrom, and Chorus Kids.

I also fully, 100% believe either Chrom or Shulk will be revealed before the Japanese release.

All I'm saying is it would be irrational to not give the West one more major hype boost before the Western release date.

After 3 months, the E3 hype will have long died down. Don't you think Sakurai will announce something close to the US release date to get all the Western news sites writing articles, and fans buzzing?

I think more people than you'd think would be swayed in to buying Smash 4 if Mewtwo were revealed. Ridley less so in terms of added potential sales, but his announcement would cause a firestorm on Western website and forums, bigger than the firestorm caused by a Mewtwo reveal even.

 

[Mechonis]

I'd figure the direct would show a character that the Japanese fan base wants, since we are getting the game a month after them. Show off Japanese wanted character = more sales in Japan. By the time we get it in October, we'll already know who else is in the game. Which means people in the west will be looking to see if their wanted characters are in.

 

[Omega Tyrant]

For the record, I fully, 100% believe the Gematsu leak is true, and that we're getting Shulk, Chrom, and Chorus Kids.

I also fully, 100% believe either Chrom or Shulk will be revealed before the Japanese release.

All I'm saying is it would be irrational to not give the West one more major hype boost before the Western release date.

After 3 months, the E3 hype will have long died down. Don't you think Sakurai will announce something close to the US release date to get all the Western news sites writing articles, and fans buzzing?

I think more people than you'd think would be swayed in to buying Smash 4 if Mewtwo were revealed. Ridley less so in terms of added potential sales, but his announcement would cause a firestorm on Western website and forums, bigger than the firestorm caused by a Mewtwo reveal even.

It's not at all irrational when we already got plenty of hype, way more than the Japanese have, and you don't need to reveal more newcomers to keep it up. And for those who would buy just for Mewtwo but wouldn't without him, they will do so upon finding out he's in the game, whether through searching up spoilers themselves or from word-of-mouth. He (and other such characters) don't need a big pre-release hype-up for those people to do so, and it's not necessarily worth sacrificing a great secret character that will cause people to **** their pants upon finding him in the game just for some excess pre-game hype (especially when such characters have nothing to promote and thus no marketing benefit to parade them around before release).

 

[aldelaro5]

At this point, the lucky wft argument doesn't hold any weight.

Let's see, for this leak to be considered unlikely, those should all be true at the same time:

• He would've guessed wft and got a big, HUGE, ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE luck (he seriously should buy lottery tickets)
• He didn't know or didn't consider the comment Sakurai made on the animal crossing guy (which was known as villager when revealed)
• He tough that mii, pac man, Palutena and little mac were all likely in his opinion

The first 2 are obvious but the last one is this: I believe someone would think that for one or 2 of them but all 4 at the same time PLUS the 2 things above? I see a lot of hate towards mii and pacman so to someone think there would be there plus everything else I said could be just "a lucky guess"?

Think what you want but this argument doesn't hold any more. Just wft is almost impossible but everything else with this? The leak is so credible that the least I can expect is being partially true which is unlikely considering how he got the last 3 reveal right. That's why I will exceptionally consider it true for now but in no way it's confirmed.

 

[Tree Gelbman]

Imagine the **** storm if Shulk got confirmed as an assist trophy.

At this point it's impossible to say that Rhythm Heaven isn't getting a rep.

But if Shulk or Chrom gets dis-confirmed. Then the whole game changes for the home stretch.

 

[Deleted member]

Imagine the **** storm if Shulk got confirmed as an assist trophy.

At this point it's impossible to say that Rhythm Heaven isn't getting a rep.

But if Shulk or Chrom gets dis-confirmed. Then the whole game changes for the home stretch.

Chrom please?

Sorry, I just really don't want Chrom. Robin > Roy > Chrom.

 

[Tree Gelbman]

Chrom please?

Sorry, I just really don't want Chrom. Robin > Roy > Chrom.

Shulk is more likely. There's not one single piece of evidence in game to support him yet. Chrom's evidence could be for any FE newcomer really but he has a better chance of surviving a deconfirm than Shulk.

 

[Deleted member]

Shulk is more likely. There's not one single piece of evidence in game to support him yet. Chrom's evidence could be for any FE newcomer really but he has a better chance of surviving a deconfirm than Shulk.

I think the lack of any Xenoblade content is because it would be so easily linked to Shulk. There are many options for a FE character even if the stage is specifically from Awakening. The same could be said for the Sneaky Spirit; there are multiple options for a Rhythm Heaven character. There is only one real option for a Xenoblade character.

But you do have a point.

I just really don't want Chrom in unless them somehow make him look extremely appealing.

 

[Omega Tyrant]

Yeah I wouldn't take the lack of revealed Xenoblade content to mean Shulk isn't in there, as it would otherwise make it obvious he's in.

 

[Shroob]

So.... anyone have proof that Miis don't take up a roster slot? From what I heard, the Miis are in a single slot instead of 3, but I never heard of them not taking a slot at all.

 

[ChunkyBeef]

Whats funny is, alot of Japanese People--when Little Mac was announced--we're mostly like;
"...Who? "

A lot of the confusion came from the fact that the Japanese are so used to being catered to in Smash that when we finally get some scraps thrown at us over here in America/Europe, the Japanese just have a hard time fathoming it. Though it shouldn't be a surprise that Punch-Out!! was never a popular series over there in Japan. I'd imagine most of the Japanese that DO recognize Little Mac remember him by name from the arcade game.

Which, when you realize there's Wire Frame Mac as an alt costume, makes all the sense in the world.

At this point, the lucky wft argument doesn't hold any weight.

It still holds weight. It's just the real deciding factor came when he changed his original Mii reveal to Mii Fighters. He finally did something to convince us that he's got access to some kind of legitimate information. Though, all the evidence points to him only being aware of things planned to be at E3, so I'm still stickin' to my guns that there's more to the roster than the Gematsu Leaker has access to.

So.... anyone have proof that Miis don't take up a roster slot? From what I heard, the Miis are in a single slot instead of 3, but I never heard of them not taking a slot at all.

My guess is Mii Fighters will function like Pokemon Trainer's selection did in Brawl, but will require you to choose one of three before you can begin.

 

[JaidynReiman]

So.... anyone have proof that Miis don't take up a roster slot? From what I heard, the Miis are in a single slot instead of 3, but I never heard of them not taking a slot at all.

Dunno. The only thing I have heard is that Mii's have "a special slot to themselves." That could be a slot in the main roster, but considering the fact that Mii's aren't even available in certain circumstances, my bets are on them having a separate slot outside of the main roster.

 

[Maxilian]

No.

The only five characters I can see bringing a hype inducing 'OH MY GOD!" right before release are...

Mewtwo
Ridley
K. Rool
Dixie
Toad

Well...

Mewtwo: Yes

Ridley: Not that much, a lot of people will be happy but some will not (also most of the people won't really care)

K. Rool: well you will be surprised how many people that play smash don't care about him (or know him)

Dixie: No

Toad: For most people he will be a silly (cute!) character

Note: Remenber that the forums normally represents only those that really know about Nintendo and we are not more than a small group of people

 

[Wazygoose]

The initial leak is now 100% true, and the April leak already half true. If even one of the remaining 3 characters get revealed, all of them are in it as far as I'm concerned. The ghost from Rythym Heaven makes a solid case for Chorus Men I have to say. That'd be like Paper Mario characters appearing without any Paper Mario reps. WHO DOES THAT.

Anyway, if one of them is deconfirmed, I couldn't possibly believe the other two have a chance. If this leak didn't exist, I would say none of them have a chance--Chorus Men are completely unknown and Chrom and Shulk are two more Japanese sword-wielding whocares (I know a lot of people care, I just personally think Marth and Ike are enough honestly... like, how many sword-wielding Japanese dudes can people take until it gets redundant).

This might sound bad, but my impression is that most Japanese gamers in general stop caring about things as soon as they think they aren't being especially catered to.

 

[CroonerMike]

The initial leak is now 100% true, and the April leak already half true. If even one of the remaining 3 characters get revealed, all of them are in it as far as I'm concerned. The ghost from Rythym Heaven makes a solid case for Chorus Men I have to say. That'd be like Paper Mario characters appearing without any Paper Mario reps. WHO DOES THAT.

Anyway, if one of them is deconfirmed, I couldn't possibly believe the other two have a chance. If this leak didn't exist, I would say none of them have a chance--Chorus Men are completely unknown and Chrom and Shulk are two more Japanese sword-wielding whocares (I know a lot of people care, I just personally think Marth and Ike are enough honestly... like, how many sword-wielding Japanese dudes can people take until it gets redundant).

This might sound bad, but my impression is that most Japanese gamers in general stop caring about things as soon as they think they aren't being especially catered to.

What is the April Leak?

 

[Deleted member]

What is the April Leak?

Chrom, Shulk, Palutena, Pokemon from X/Y (Greninja), and Chorus Kids/Men

 

[JCDied4U]

No, I'm sorry. Shulk is awesome, but more people will recognize Dixie Kong than would recognize Shulk. When we think broad appeal we can't trick ourselves into thinking that means ''Hardcore gamers."

It doesn't. It means us and EVERYONE ELSE.

Actually there's more too it than that. For people who aren't huge fans of those series. Their reactions will be, oh Dixie, another monkey character, she'll probably be a clone, and some futuristic sword wielder with an epic soundtrack, that's cool! Or something along those lines. Dixie simply doesn't build much hype for me even though I like both franchises. A new series generates much more hype than another Falco.

 

[Sebagomez]

I love him!