Nintendo Direct - 03.8.2018

Last night, there was a Nintendo Direct special presentation which revealed a shocking teaser of Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo Switch.

The teaser provided a good look at the Inklings (from Splatoon) as they sprayed each other with ink along with closeups of Mario and Link (from Zelda: Breath of the Wild), as well as a brief glimpse of several other characters shrouded in shadow.

The last Super Smash Bros. game had 58 different playable characters total, so it's likely that the Nintendo Switch roster will be the same size or even larger. At the very least, we can confirm that the Inklings will be included the the fighting title.

As of yet, we don't truly know if this an enhanced port of the Super Smash Bros. Wii U version or a brand-new game entirely. If it is a port, it could follow the model of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Mario Kart 8 was originally released on Wii U before coming to Switch which featured more content. Both the trailer and a subsequent press release remain heavily ambiguous about what form this game will take.

Nintendo hasn't announced a specific release date yet for the Smash Bros. game, but they did indicate that it will arrive later this year.

Since everyone is going to be making fan rosters, I might as well start off with my own top 15. I think honestly, that the roster could use more playable female characters and representation. It's become increasingly difficult to come up with new, highly desired additions to Nintendo's wide list of original IPs (intellectual properties).

1. Crash Bandicoot -
   
   Crash Bandicoot: N-Sane Trilogy | July 10, 2018
   
   Following its release on PlayStation 4 last year, Activision's Crash Bandicoot remaster is coming to Nintendo Switch. As such, this can open up negotiations towards adding Crash to the third-party roster.
   
   

   

   
   
   
2. Magnus (Kid Icarus: Uprising) - The blade that Magnus uses is quite bulky in addition to being sharp, yet he can swing it with great precision. The end of the sword's hilt is also decorated with a curved piece of metal that matches the rest of the blade.
   
3. Knuckles (Sonic and Knuckles) - The current guardian of the Master Emerald, a powerful ancient relic which is his solemn duty to protect from anyone seeking to abuse it. He is also the sole remaining descendant of his clan. A trusted ally of Sonic the Hedgehog, he's gullible, but a fierce rival. He can trap the wind under his dreadlocks to glide through the air.
   
4. Krystal (Star Fox Adventures) - She made her first appearance in the series in Star Fox Adventures. Krystal is the latest recruited member of the Star Fox team. She joined the Star Fox team after the Plight of Sauria, taking Peppy Hare's place as the fourth pilot.  She serves as the team's main telepath, acts as an additional fighter pilot, and is Fox McCloud's main love interest.
   
5. Impa (The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time) -  She typically serves as a nursemaid and/or bodyguard to Princess Zelda and often offers guidance to Link. Impa is the Commanding Officer of the Hyrule Imperial Guard and a playable character in Hyrule Warriors. She is the attendant and vassal of Princess Zeld. That is the version I would like to play as she's got a giant sword.
   
6. Viewtiful Joe (Viewtiful Joe) - Viewtiful Joe is the red-costume Superhero version of Joe, an average movie lover whose world was turned upside-down when he found himself brought into the World of Movies.
   
7. Twintelle (Arms) - Twintelle is a dark-skinned woman with white hair and pink highlights. Her  hair consists of two ARMS arranged in pigtails. She wears a black mask, a white sleeveless top with her emblem on her chest, tight black pants with a purple sideline all the way down, and a pair of sneaker heels. She has an athletic yet curvy build. Twintelle is a mega celebrity, yet is unstatisfied with her awards and accolades, despite being a star of the silver screen.
   
   

8. Ribbon Girl (Arms) - She is a pop idol in the ARMS world. Her jumping ability has given her the nickname, "The Airess". Ribbon Girl has blue eyes, blonde hair, and a pink skirt. Both her hair and her arms are ribbon-like and she has a pink mask on the top of her face. Ribbon girl wears glowing dark blue earrings.

8. Spring Man (Arms) - Spring Man has blue hair stylized like a spring and blue eyes. He wears a red and white tank top with his logo in the center and dark blue trims, and his ARMS are composed of springs.

9. Shantae (Shantae) -The half-genie guardian of Scuttle Town, Shantae works tirelessly to thwart the plans of the nefarious lady-pirate, Risky Boots, or other forces threatening the town. The character was created by Matt Bozon and his wife Erin Bozon.

10. Geno (Super Mario RPG) - is a warrior from Star Road and one of Mario's partners in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. He is sent by "a higher authority" to restore peace to Mario's world. During the events of Super Mario RPG, he teams up with Mario's team, which consists of Mario, Mallow, Princess Toadstool and Bowser and helps them out on their quest to defeat Smithy, the main antagonist and final boss of the game. In battle, he has high attack, but lower defense.

11. Midna (The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess) - Midna, a member of the Twili, teams up with the protagonist, Link, to battle Zant. She has a playfully mischievous sense of humor, and showed a somewhat cynical demeanor during most of the game.

12. Elma (Xenoblade Chronicles X) - BLADE colonel and the team leader of the Reclaimers Division. In the prologue, she is tasked with retrieving the Lifepods that were ejected from the United States Ark Ship, the White Whale.

13. Linkle (Hyrule Warriors) - Linkle has a courageous heart and heroic spirit, though she is far more talkative (in contrast to Link's traditional role as a silent protagonist), and has a deeply held belief that she is destined to be the legendary hero. Her grandmother, gave her a magic compass branded with the Triforce logo that Linkle considers to be proof of her status as the legendary hero, despite her fellow villagers dismissing the idea (by pointing out this is just a folkstory that everyone's grandmother says to their grandchildren). Upon hearing of the Dark Forces' attack on Hyrule Castle, Linkle quickly dons a hooded green tunic and equips herself with two crossbows that she normally uses to defend her Cucco flock from Wolfos, determined to aid Princess Zelda and the Hyrulean Forces as the legendary hero she believes herself to be.

14. Lana/Cia (Hyrule Warriors) - Cia was originally the Guardian of Time tasked with watching and keeping the balance of the Triforce, Cia eventually began to harbor romantic feelings for the hero Link. These affections turned into jealousy towards Princess Zelda, a close friend of Link's. As Cia's resentment grew, she became vulnerable to the will of an evil being that was thought to have been sealed away long ago. With the light half of her soul driven from her body, thus becoming Lana, Cia was corrupted by the darkness in her heart.

Lana is fiercely determined to put a halt to Cia's plans, even at the cost of her own happiness. Despite her overly optimistic nature, her natural athletic energy serves her well and allows her to quickly dive around her enemies and attack with her book of sorcery, which utilizes electrifying spells that her enemies never see coming. She has a bright spirit and positive energy, dancing and striking cheerful poses in battle.

Cia

Lana

15. Sans (Undertale) - Sans is the brother of Papyrus and a major character in Undertale. He first appears in the forest after the protagonist exits the Ruins. He serves as a supporting character in a Neutral and True Pacifist Route. is a short skeleton with a dimpled smile and large orbits. He wears an unzipped blue hoodie, a white t-shirt/sweater, black shorts with white stripes, and a pair of sneakers/slippers.

Smash Bros. Fighting Ballot - Cast Yours Today!

"Who's the manliest man to ever wear a red-clad clad outfit with a pink cape? Viewtiful Joe of course! He's the embodiment of every wannabe superhero out there. With the mystical V-watch given to him by Captain Blue, he fights to save Movieland! He's perfect for the Smash Bros. battlefield because of his signature moves of slowing down or speeding up time (something that the timer item already does!). He would look great on the big screen with his catchphrase transformation, "Henshin-A-Go-Go, baby!". Joe would just be a perfect fit for the franchise. Please give him his shot in the spotlight!"

 

This is the message I sent to Nintendo regarding my pick as the next Smash Bros. Character. Submit your vote here: https://cp.nintendo.co.jp/us/

Please only one vote per person.

New Nintendo Direct -- It's going to be a real SMASH hit!!!

A brand-new Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS oriented Nintendo Direct presentation will be streamed from the official website on Tuesday, April 8th, 2014 at 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (3:00 p.m. Pacific Time). It will be available 23:00 UK time.

Nintendo Direct Video Link Featured Here

In addition to this important update, I have posted my personal top twelve desired fighters list for the new Super Smash Bros. IV game.

(Please note: Recovery moves HAVE to be kept in mind when picking characters. B+↑ not only has to fit the character, do some damage, and propel them upwards, but it's best if it is thought of as something from the character's universe.)

1. Viewtiful Joe (Nintendo Gamecube, Viewtiful Joe 1 and 2, Wii, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom) - Henshin A Go-Go Baby!!!
   
2. Krystal (Nintendo Gamecube, Star Fox Adventures, Star Fox Assault, etc.) - My only stipulation is that she keep her staff for combat. Other than that, Nintendo could use the more modern costumes/outfits that she's worn in the Star Fox series and I wouldn't mind.
   
3. Geno (Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Mario RPG)
   
4. Lucina (Nintendo 3DS, Fire Emblem: Awakening) - More strong, independent female fighters are desperately needed in the series and I for one, think Lucina would fit the bill nicely.
   
5. Gaius (Fire Emblem: Awakening) Gaius was a thief in Fire Emblem: Awakening with a sweet tooth like no other. He's got a great personality and I for one, would really like to have him playable as a character. At the very least, he should be an assist trophy.
   
6. Owain (Fire Emblem: Awakening) I really liked this character. When I was reading his speeches about his legendary sword hand, I got really pumped up and I wanted to make sure he joined my team in the game. Unfortunately, that never came to pass as no matter how many times I tried, he'd always die in the end. Still an awesome wielder of the "legendary" blade Mystletainn.
   
7. Magnus (Kid Icarus: Uprising) - He's got a big sword, he's pretty much a mercenary with a mouth (No, not like Deadpool), but I figure this recommendation will most certainly satisfy those Cloud (Final Fantasy) fanboys.
   
8. Amazon Pandora (Kid Icarus: Uprising) -  She's a stunningly gorgeous fighter, and she's got *drumroll* A SWORD!!! 
   
9. Mii Avatar - Would be sort of neat to see yourself in Smash Bros. I'm a bit concerned over some of the Miis created though (a lot of those created have inappropriate faces and you can download quite a few of them online) but if the movesets are customize-able, that would only further my desire for a Mii character option. I could visualize a B+↑ move being somehow related to Pilotwings: Resort in some manner, most likely a jetpack or something.
10. Shulk (Xenoblade Chronicles) - Although I've never been given the opportunity to play Xenoblade Chronicles, this blonde haired, blue eyed hero has a pretty killer looking sword. I happen to really like swords. I also like RPGs. BAM! He's made my list.
    
11. Fawful (Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga): He was a brilliantly hilarious villain and I would constantly taunt people saying "I have...FURY!"
    
12. Prince Fluff (Wii, Kirby’s Epic Yarn) - It would be nice to have a yarn looking character in Super Smash Bros. because you get to pummel string. Plus, it might get people more used to the idea of Yarn Yoshi coming out soon.
    

Honorable mentions:

1. Hades (Kid Icarus: Uprising) - He's a fun villain character because of the dialogue in the game. However, due to his standing (being a deity of sorts and his gargantuan size) he does not make my list. Palutena in Super Smash Bros. Brawl was part of Pit's Final Smash, Palutena's Army where he calls to the goddess Palutena for her army of Centurions. She was a large image in the background. If Sakurai intends to keep that attack the same for this new game, it would set precedent for her not to appear AND for Hades to be larger than life. I suppose he could be shrunk to the same height as the other fighters (like how Olimar from Pikmin was heightened to be relatively average to that of the other fighters but even so, it's way beyond what Ridley sized shrinking would be). In hindsight though, Palutena was normal sized in-game when you fought against her with the parasitic Chaos Kin so it's not too difficult to imagine a similar situation...
2. Zoroark and/or Mewtwo (Pokemon) - With Lucario and Pikachu returning, these two fighters would be a nice fit (I'm still dreaming of a Lucario vs. Mewtwo battle). With Zoroark in particular, it's a new pseudo-legendary Pokemon and would have the ability to look like other player characters. That could add an element of surprise. Maybe utilize their movesets perhaps?
3. Groose (The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword) - He was a jerk in the beginning, but ends up a pretty solid hero in the end of the game, but as to his moveset I wouldn't have a clue as to what his B+↑ would be, so he makes my honorable mention list.
4. Knuckles the Echidna (Sonic The Hedgehog 3) - He's got SPIKES on his huge knuckles. If he's not a "brawler" I don't know what is. Just don't put in the new version of him in Smash Bros. that makes him look like a buffed out Hulk or Crunch Bandicoot. I would love to glide with him (because his dreadlocks help him do so in previous games) and it would be interesting to see if some sort of digging move could be incorporated into his skill set because he's a treasure hunter.
5. Isaac (Golden Sun) - He was an assist trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and if Little Mac went from that to a playable character, I don't see why Isaac can't make the cut either. Once, again, this is another character from a game & franchise I've never played before, but I would be more than happy to welcome him to the roster.