Why are there only 4 Heroes?

[Koopaul]

Hero could've been like Bowser Jr. and each one of his 8 alts could have been a different character. There are plenty of heroes to go around. They even have the rights to use them since they are all featured in the Final Smash. So why did they only go with 4?

I most likely think it's due to development time. Making 8 unique models is a lot for DLC time. But could you imagine if all 8 of them were different heroes? What would you have wanted the other 4 to be?

Me, personally? I'd want the other 4 to be the heroes from:

Dragon Quest 1
Dragon Quest 2
Dragon Quest 6
Dragon Quest 10

 

[~The Koopa King~]

i think it's mostly because as it stands it gives each hero their own alternate appearance rather than just having one and only one color

Bowser Junior's schtick was cool and all but it did mean you couldn't have any cool little reference colors these were just the characters as they usually are no bells or whistles attached

and when in smash the default appearance is always the most bland

 

[Blackwolf666]

for 1 think it was because his model would have been bigger than everyone else's
for 2 the hero in that game canonically couldn't use magic
for 6 I got no idea because I never played 6 or did research on it.
for 10... it just might be because we never saw 10 here in the west.

Personally, I'd have preferred it if they chose alternate costumes from DQ8 and DQ11 for their respective heroes and use those as alts while using gender swaps for DQ3 and DQ4's Heroes.

 

[Koopaul]

for 1 think it was because his model would have been bigger than everyone else's

Why is that? Is it the helmet? The horns don't have to have a hurtbox.

for 2 the hero in that game canonically couldn't use magic
for 6 I got no idea because I never played 6 or did research on it.
for 10... it just might be because we never saw 10 here in the west.

I never knew that about 2. Too bad. And I didn't think it would matter if 10 never came out in the West since most westerners are unaware of the series anyway. Besides I like 10's design, even if he did come from a divisive game that tried to introduce MMO stuff.

Truth be told, I've only ever played DQ 1 and 3. Never got far with them because old NES Rpgs are, well, very grindy. But I've always been fascinated with the series due to it's art style and music. So I look at a lot of the characters and enemies from the games and read up on them. As a result I wanted even more of those great designs in Smash. Am I being greedy?

 

[KirbyWorshipper2465]

I think the palette count limitation got in the way for this one. Not even Madason from V got an alt.

 

[Minik]

Because 4 is a party in DQ. But really its amazing we even got this many.

 

[thirsty-pocket]

I do really wish that at least the Dragon Quest 1 the hero was playable. I started with dq1, and I thought it was delightful in its Simplicity and a how short it is. I'm kind of a fan to be honest. Probably a weird decision considering what the rest of the series has to offer, but I think it's my favorite. And anyway not having the one who started it all kind of feels weird to me. I guess I kind of understand how mother fans feel now ? ( I say, as if I wasn't also a mother fan )

 

[Idon]

Because making more models and getting a different VA to grunt for all of them is probably more work and money than they're willing to put in.

 

[LethalHero]

Dragon Quest 1- big model + couldn't use some spells that are showcased in smash
Dragon Quest 2- can't use magic
Dragon quest 5 - the story isn't really about the Hero, more on the other characters plus mostly depicted in his artwork with a staff.
Dragon Quest 6- said to be a black sheep from fans (otherwise I don't know.)
Dragon Quest 7- literally a kid
Dragon Quest 9- not sure (maybe the wings?)
Dragon Quest 10- more of an MMO more than a main series game.

Other than that, these are my guesses.

 

[TheLightningYu]

i think it's mostly because as it stands it gives each hero their own alternate appearance rather than just having one and only one color

But to be honest, i really enjoy the color references with alternative Erdrick -> Madason, Red Luminary for Angelo from DQVIII and alternative for Eight -> Terry from DQVI.

 

[SleuthMechanism]

Dragon Quest 1- big model + couldn't use some spells that are showcased in smash
Dragon Quest 2- can't use magic
Dragon quest 5 - the story isn't really about the Hero, more on the other characters plus mostly depicted in his artwork with a staff.
Dragon Quest 6- said to be a black sheep from fans (otherwise I don't know.)
Dragon Quest 7- literally a kid
Dragon Quest 9- not sure (maybe the wings?)
Dragon Quest 10- more of an MMO more than a main series game.

Other than that, these are my guesses.

9's issue is that they don't have a definitive design as the hero is completely customized by the player in that game

 

[Folt]

Because Classic Mode wanted references to DQ heroes across the series, with the other battles repping DQ battles against DQ enemies.

 

[Wiziliz]

I do really wish that at least the Dragon Quest 1 the hero was playable. I started with dq1, and I thought it was delightful in its Simplicity and a how short it is. I'm kind of a fan to be honest. Probably a weird decision considering what the rest of the series has to offer, but I think it's my favorite. And anyway not having the one who started it all kind of feels weird to me. I guess I kind of understand how mother fans feel now ? ( I say, as if I wasn't also a mother fan )

While that makes sense, and the Dragon Quest I Hero is cool, Erdrick (Dragon Quest III Hero) is the one who really started it all. So I think the lineup works.