NeonZ
Member
As for Sakurai ignoring non-Japanese games/popular Japanese games, I'm assuming that since Sakurai has put in vague Japanese only items but hasn't even put in the Prime series dispite its popularity.
Huh... Diddy Kong is an English creation and his special moves are mostly based on Donkey Kong 64, it seems...
Anyway, just posting that list from Sakurai's Q&A again, along with some comments written by me... As I understand it, this result isn't really a total poll, but only based on the messages which Sakurai chose to show in that site. However, it might reveal his interest in some characters, not necessarily their popularity. Only the characters with more than 1 mention are listed:
I'll be really surprised if he isn't in, at least, as a boss, but he probably will be playable. This time Sakurai doesn't seem to be restricting the Kirby franchise, considering Metaknight's inclusion and all the focus on his ship.King Dedede(5)
Confirmed.Diddy Kong(4)
Geno(4)
...
If he makes it to the game, I'll kill somebody. I'll never understand the appeal of his character and it'd be a real waste... there won't be many 3rd party characters, after all, it'd be a total waste of a slot.
Confirmed.Ike(4)
If not playable, he surely will be in as a boss, I think.Ridley(4)
I could see Olimar making it as the "secret character with weird fighting style" unlocked almost after everything else, like Ness in the original SSB or Mr. Game & Watch in SSBM.Captain Olimar & Pikmin(3)
Bah. Never liked her design and she hasn't really done much after her first game.Krystal(3)
2 Japan only characters? Melee had that, so it could happen again, I guess. However, isn't Takamaru another swordsman? Considering Ike's instant slash attack, which seems the kind of thing a cartoony/anime-ish samurai often gets, I think he won't be in as a playable character, though he probably will be an Assist Trophy.Takamaru(3)
The Japanese seem to call him "cat eye Link" according to random online translators... Anyway, we've seen a Tingle Trophy using the Wind Waker model, including cell shading, so I do think he might make it.Windwaker Link(3)
Animal Crossing MC(2)
Hm... I'm not sure about this one. Revealing the stage before the character just seems weird, and he'd be even more generic than the Pokemon Trainer. However, I do think he'd be the only proper representation of the franchise.
Lucas(2)
Confirmed.
Maybe, everyone in the (3+) area will be fully playable! I'd be generally pleasantly surprised.
Claus(2)
... ???
I don't see how they'd make him very different from Lucas, unless they really want to spoil Mother 3's entire storyline.
However, it'd be awesome if Sakurai had included a compact 3d version of Mother 3's storyline inside Subspace Emissary, I'd even forgive him for replacing Ness, if that happens.
Demiru/Demille(2)
Another Japanese only character, right? Or have I just missed his games?
I'm not sure what to say about him.
He seems to be completely forgotten these days, and would be yet another sword wielding character. It's especially unlikely due to the diminished relation between Nintendo and Camelot.Isaac(2)
Jeff(2)
Assist trophy, at most. This game seems to clearly focus on Mother 3, there's not much space for him, I think, unfortunately. I'll be happy enough if Ness and a Mother 2 level are still in...
Kawasima(2)
Secret single player boss, I'm calling it now!
King K.Rool(2)
He could be an unplayable boss with limited moveset like in the battles of the old 2d DKC games, but I don't think he'll be playable- the DK franchise just doesn't seem popular enough at this point. Diddy will be the only real addition to the DK cast, I'm guessing.
Lip(2)
Nintendo of America hates her apparently so there's no way she'll ever appear as a main character.
Mega Man(2)
The original! If Lucas made it he can appear too! Ok, not really the same situation, but I'm really hoping he appears in Brawl.
Capcom should include Megaman and Demitri (from Darkstalkers- Smash Bros lacks vampires with DBZ-like auras!)! >_> (though the later has 0% chance of making it in).
Oguma(2)
The first Fire Emblem is finally getting released outside of Japan, so everyone will be able to see the original mercenary/hero of the Fire Emblem series. He could appear as an Assist trophy if Marth is still in, I think. However, I'd be disappointed if he's playable at this point, as Ike's slower and powerful sword style would make him redundant, even if he were in his Hero form with the large shield and different animations.
Perfect assist trophy characters. Nothing much else to say.Ouendan(2)
Nintendo's first fighting game and side scrolling action mix. I could see Sakurai including the first robot as a Game & Watch character of sorts, but it's even more doubtful than the former due to his Japan-only status. Of course, after the Mother 3 centered additions, there is no guarantee he won't include more Japanese-only characters, anyway.Sukapon(2)