Virtual Console - Indicator of Newcoming Characters?

[EarthboundMun]

I've given it plenty of thought over the past month or two, and decided to share my character speculation with you all as a whole. Normally I'd rather stick to EarthBound/Mother-related character speculation, but I've got a broad range of interests, and figure.. why not?

In this case, the topic of discussion is whether or not the Virtual Console is an indicator of newcoming characters. Obviously.

To flesh it out more, what I mean is this: Are games being released for the Virtual Console with certain priority for newcoming characters in Brawl?

I'm a firm believer in following the money. Brawl will be a huge money maker, but more than a few people will sit down and pay for the games where characters can be seen in/originate from. I'm sure that the majority of us here have never sat down to Kid Icarus, yet we all like Pit.

So there-in lies my theory. Virtual Console releases coinciding with potential picks? This might not apply to /every/ Virtual Console game, but it's best to apply this to games/characters that apply best to the ground rules set for Brawl inclusion.

For example:

Kid Icarus: We already know Pit is in, so what better way to pull in plenty of money by adding Kid Icarus? Even Sakurai mentioned the Virtual Console himself, which is the basis for the speculation/theory in the first place.

Donkey Kong: Need I say more?

Punch-Out!!: Little Mac supporters might enjoy the idea of this theory. Will this bring new life to the Little Mac speculation?

Adventures of Lolo: Pretty much a given there.

Castlevania/Super Castlevania IV: As much as I loathe the Castlevania franchise with every fiber of my being, this, once again, applies to my theory. A lot of people want Castlevania characters.

Ninja Gaiden: Applies.

Balloon Fight: Ditto.

Paper Mario: Yup.

Sonic the Hedgehog: The big one. I don't even need to say anything here.

Bomberman: Another big one.

This is by no means a solid, concrete, comprehensive list. That's just what's out right NOW in English Virtual Console. Similarly, we can look at the 'Future Releases' list and get a good idea as well..

Kirby Super Star: Brawl seems to have a pretty strong emphasis on the Kirby Super Star themes. The recent explaining of Battleship Halberd (not sure if that's the correct spelling, but oh well) shows plenty of KSS elements. Is this an indicator as to future boss battles or AT's, like Marx or Dynablade, or even playable characters?

Super Mario RPG: Again, lots of people either love or hate Geno, but that doesn't mean we should leave Mallow out of the equation, either. Though we're not sure when Mario RPG will be released on VC, it's coming eventually, and a pre-November/early-November release would certainly help them rake in cash when those of us who haven't played Mario RPG wonder, 'Who the heck is Geno?' when we unlock him. Or find him as an AT. Whichever.

Mother/Mother 2/EarthBound Zero/EarthBound: Yeah, it's going to happen eventually, so why beat around the bush? If there's likely to be any firm indicator outside of Ness' profile on the website that Ness will be returning, it's likely the release of EarthBound for VC. Though there's no official word that it's coming, it's going to happen eventually. But probably too late to apply to my theory.

So, feel free to discuss or offer ideas. I'm sure I've missed a few games that people've been suggesting characters for. Any other games on VC now, or planned in the immediate future, that might apply here?

 

[Caael]

Castlevania/Super Castlevania IV: As much as I loathe the Castlevania franchise with every fiber of my being, this, once again, applies to my theory. A lot of people want Castlevania characters.

Get out. Stop wasting my oxygen.

 

[Hejiru]

I think you've been thinking too much.

Really people, stop trying to read too much into things. Im not saying this theory dosent have any credit to it, but I don't think Sakurai is saying, Oh, PunchOut was on the VC, so we have to include Little Mac. The VC and Brawl have nothing to do with one another.

 

[EarthboundMun]

I think you've been thinking too much.

Really people, stop trying to read too much into things. Im not saying this theory dosent have any credit to it, but I don't think Sakurai is saying, Oh, PunchOut was on the VC, so we have to include Little Mac. The VC and Brawl have nothing to do with one another.

Get out. Stop wasting my oxygen.

Yeesh. I'm not thinking too much into things, it's character speculation. Crazy, considering that the majority of us that're speculating characters/AT's/bosses are already thinking too much/too deep into things. This is simply a suggestion, an attempt to point out something that might be a precursor to material/content included in Brawl.

And, sorry, Caael. I don't like Castlevania. My personal opinion.

 

[Memo326]

I'm thinking it's gonna be the other way around, actually. If a character gets in Brawl, especially the most obscure ones, Nintendo will most likely want to use that hype for the character and release its respective game(s) soon, so that it would get a lot of sales. That's what I think, anyway.

 

[EarthboundMun]

I'm thinking it's gonna be the other way around, actually. If a character gets in Brawl, especially the most obscure ones, Nintendo will most likely want to use that hype for the character and release its respective game(s) soon, so that it would get a lot of sales. That's what I think, anyway.

Oh, of course. Potentially. The reason why I suggested this is because, well.. if you follow the money, there's very little else that will haul in purchases of Kid Icarus, Donkey Kong Country, Castlevania or Super Mario RPG like the inclusion of characters from those respective franchises.

 

[Limey]

I'm not a big believer in this theory. I mean, i know Nintendo do do occasional promo things for upcoming games, but i don't think that they'd use Brawl to practically determine the games they put on the VC. Punch Out, for example, is considered to be a classic NES game, so it makes sense to put it up.

It'd be cool if it did hint towards new characters, but not everything Nintendo does relates to Brawl.

 

[EarthboundMun]

I'm not a big believer in this theory. I mean, i know Nintendo do do occasional promo things for upcoming games, but i don't think that they'd use Brawl to practically determine the games they put on the VC. Punch Out, for example, is considered to be a classic NES game, so it makes sense to put it up.

It'd be cool if it did hint towards new characters, but not everything Nintendo does relates to Brawl.

I agree, but the amount of sales that Nintendo will rake in related to Virtual Console games based on the lesser known characters, even the 'you're living under a rock if you don't know these' characters, are likely to grow pre-and-post-Brawl release. Another good reason why I suggested the theory was back during Smash Bros. days. When I first unlocked Ness, I was curious who he was, and what game he came from. I knew pretty much all the other characters, and now.. well.. I think the name kinda says it all. I'm a Mother fan now.

I'd imagine that there are plenty more people who have thought that way before.

I also agree that not everything Nintendo does relates to Brawl, but it doesn't have to be /directly/ related to it, but they'd be foolish not to take advantage of Brawl to rake in extra cash via Virtual Console, since Brawl's release is highly anticipated.

 

[Chidosengan]

NO

Spoiler

10char

 

[Xaron Fisk]

Like you said, Sakurai has gone out of his way to encourage players to check out the VC, so people shouldn't act like it's crazy to make the connection. For all we know, it could have played a major role in certain decisions. We already know he has consulted fans for their suggestions and hopes. What could be a more sincere statement on what people want than what they're willing to pay for? The money going into the VC is not exactly chump change. And as Sak seems to be a bit of a retrophile...I get impression that the VC is his favorite Wii channel.

In summation: You never know. Personally, I don't think it's an unreasonable idea.

Now, do I think games are being released on the VC to account for brawl newcomers? No. These games are already classics...for the most part.

 

[Xanderous]

How can someone hate Castlevania?

 

[Luke Groundwalker]

NO

Quoted for truth.