10. Decidueye
Interesting character with an interesting moveset potential. Would complete the trio of water, fire and grass starters in smash too which would be pretty neat. I would be happy if another interesting pokemon rep or a new generation 8 pokemon made it in instead though.
9. FE Switch rep
I know we have more than enough FE representation in smash already but I'm sure the next console Fire Emblem game is gonna rock (making the first return to console since Path of Radiance/ Radiant Dawn – 2 of my favourite games) and hence deserves representation. Like Robin, the newcomer can be original and bring some new gameplay aspects to the table hopefully. (If there's really nobody interesting in the new FE then either Anna or Micaiah would be my pick but hopefully there will be)
8. Ridley
Metroid like Zelda, needs more love in smash. Ridley's really overdue in Smash bros. Alternatively, I'd be more than happy if Ridley returns as a boss character (not a stage Hazard) and a METROID PRIME 4 rep gets in instead, although this seems unlikely if Metroid prime 4 doesn't come out this year.
7. Labo-man
Very interested to see what Sakurai and his team could do with the move-set of a character who would be very relevant to Nintendo’s ongoing project. Giant Robot making a cameo would definitely be welcome too!
6. Springman/ Ribbongirl (alt-costumes):
An arms rep seems very likely considering it's a relatively new Ninty IP and an appearance in smash would be perfect for more exposure. Moveset could incorporate stuff from all the ARMs cast not just the one character and I think it’d be quite an interesting and very relevant character to bring to smash.
5. Crash Bandicoot
A massive 3rd party character who would be a perfect fit for smash alongside the other iconic 3rd party characters currently in Smash. Plenty of moveset potential too
4. Paper Mario
Paper Mario is a huge spin-off series and deserves some representation in smash bros. Would definitely not be a generic Mario clone and has plenty of moveset potential with plenty of games to pull moves from (although personally, I’m hoping for most of them to come from TTYD – I’m only slightly biased…). Would obviously be a paper light character but with quick moves and an excellent recovery, could still be quite a threat.
3. Ganondorf (not Falcondorf)
Like seriously, the lack of love for Zelda characters since melee is one of the worst parts of the smash
Series in my opinion. Ganondorf has SO much potential for a unique moveset. Personally, I'd like him to have aspects of both his OoT and TP attacks merged with aspects of the current smash 4 ganondorf moveset. He can keep the same general playstyle of being a strong slow character who can deal heavy punishes if he reads your attacks. Sakurai needs to take some notes from project m’s visions of ganondorf.
He could also use both his physical, sword and magic attacks and if you mixed all of this intoone character then the end result could be one of the most interesting characters in the game.
2. Sans
This guy may just about fit the bill, seen as he is coming to the switch... eventually.
Now that Undertale's coming to switch, I know at first glance a rep seems unlikely and might annoy some people but I think Sans fits Sakurai's Smash criteria for a number of reasons;
His troll-like personality suits Sakurai like a tee
Sakurai's played the game so clearly it has his attention.
3rd party character with a large fanbase that could be brought to smash
Lots of potential for a unique moveset - I'm sure Sakurai could find away to incorporate Undertale's gameplay style into a smash character. He could even partner up with Papyrus if that would be a better fit.
Characters like Undyne, Asgore, Asriel and Metatton could fit into smash too but Sans is the most iconic and I think those characters would be a better fit in an Undertale stage as optional stage hazards with a skele-ton of Undertale music to go with it. All of this is very unlikely considering all the other 3rd party options, but a man can dream…
1. Impa
As I said, Zelda needs more Smash bros love and Impa is one of the coolest recurring characters in the series and remains relevant making her the perfect character to add. Her design could be drawn from Skyward Sword/ Hyrule Warriors. As a Sheikah, her gameplay could draw some aspects of gameplay from the Yiga and a certain monk in BotW and also draw aspects of her naginata gameplay from Hyrule Warriors. We already have enough characters wielding large swords but a naginata would be a completely new weapon to bring to smash bros (Bandana dee uses a spear not naginata and would not be as interesting a character as Impa could be imo). She would bring even more Breath of the Wild representation, which as game of the year, is well-deserved. Sure, she may only appear as an old-lady in the game itself but she could be set as the Impa from before calamity ganon and her moveset can still pay tribute to BotW.
For some Yiga-inspired moves, check out this article (no credit to myself for these sources obviously):
https://sourcegaming.info/2018/01/30/dream-smasher-impa/
However, I think not utilising her Hyrule Warriors naginata moveset would be a massive opportunity lost. Particularly, using some of her moves such as her entry cutscene in Hyrule Warriors as her neutral-a (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwWTYcFgHZo – 1:22 - again no credits to myself for this). Some of her other moves from Hyrule Warriors would also be so cool to see in Smash such as when she throws her spinning naginata forward and then another move when she throws it to the ground and uses it as a pole to kick from (1:47). Overall a cool, relevant and interesting character with great move-set potential, makes Impa my clear top vote!
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