The "Nintendo Console" Rule

Chidosengan · Jun 29, 2012

I remember back in the day, when Masahiro Sakurai said during an interview that "3rd Party characters that may appear in Brawl MUST HAVE APPEARED IN A NINTENDO CONSOLE AT LEAST ONCE IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED." (paraphrased). That limited the pool of 3rd party characters that could be included.

However, now that Smash 4 is being direct by Namco Bandai, a 3rd party developer, does that rule is still in effect? I'm aware that Sakurai is still active in the project, but he's not the absolute driving force this time around.

What do you guys think?

PsychoIncarnate · Jun 29, 2012

What Namco Bandai character that didn't appear on Nintendo console would you even want?

I say yeah, Sakurai and Nintendo are still in charge

Deleted member · Jun 29, 2012

I would imagine that the rules would not change.
Given that Sakurai has the final say on anything.

Venus of the Desert Bloom · Jun 29, 2012

Yeah, Namco is only helping in the development. It's Nintendo and Sakurai who are in charge and have the final say. I imagine everything Namco does goes through Sakurai and Nintendo.

Its not even guaranteed there will be a Namco chatacter in Smash 4. It's highly likely but not a given.

Guybrush20X6 · Jun 29, 2012

Let's do a break down of what Namco Characters/ Series could appear on that rule.

Pac-Man: Too many to count, crossed over with Mario Kart
Soul Calibur: SC2 had Link as an exclusive
Tekken: Tekken Tag Tournament is coming to the WiiU
Klona: Had a Wii exclusive Remake.

Any more?

JPW · Jun 29, 2012

don't forget Tales of Symphonia on GCN.

~ Valkyrie ~ · Jun 29, 2012

TOS is so pretty heavily linked to Nintendo's history, no doubt. I still find it awkward because it's one of the installments in Tales Of-series but yeah.

bombers14 · Jun 29, 2012

batman and assassins creed are coming to the wii u

Johnknight1 · Jun 29, 2012

As for the 3rd party rule, it still applies. It's not like it matters, since every major Namco Bandai IP has appeared on a Nintendo console, including nearly all of the fan favorites, and all of the iconic characters that Namco Bandai has. Pac-Man, various Tekken and Soul Calibur characters, a few Tales characters, etc. can still happen.

@ bombers
Batman can't happen if Sakurai's rule on "no character that didn't originate in video games" still applies.

Assassin's Creed characters are another matter; everything is permitted, since everything has been on a Nintendo console! :laugh:

Pyra · Jul 14, 2012

Well technically, there's Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the DS... that counts, right?

Edit: Oh snap. Sorry about the bump. I got to this thread through that one sticky. On my phone. Didn't quite notice the date.

SSBCandidates · Jul 14, 2012

Guybrush20X6 said:
Let's do a break down of what Namco Characters/ Series could appear on that rule.

Pac-Man: Too many to count, crossed over with Mario Kart
Soul Calibur: SC2 had Link as an exclusive
Tekken: Tekken Tag Tournament is coming to the WiiU
Klona: Had a Wii exclusive Remake.

Any more?

Odd how the Tales series was mentioned in the Nintendo Direct video where they announced Sakurai working with Namco for the game.

Also, the next Tekken game for the Wii U has elements from Nintendo games like the giant mushrooms.

kisamefishfries · Jul 14, 2012

Young Horsetail said:
TOS is so pretty heavily linked to Nintendo's history, no doubt. I still find it awkward because it's one of the installments in Tales Of-series but yeah.

Yeah, tales of symphonia was the only tales game to be published by Nintendo. I'd say that gives Lloyd a good shot.

Robert of Normandy · Jul 14, 2012

I can't believe this is even a thread. Unless SSB4 somehow mutates into Nintendo vs. Namco, I guarantee that only characters with at least one appearance on a Nintendo console would even have a chance of appearing. It's a Nintendo All-Star game. Not Namco, not Capcom, not Sega, not anyone else. Sure, there's a chance we'll see more third parties, but only if they've appeared on a Nintendo system.

The only things that bugs me more than people demanding characters with no Nintendo history is people who want non-video game characters and characters owned by Microsoft or Sony.

Edit: Related question: Since we know there will probably be more 3rd parties this time around, should there be a limit on how many characters from a given 3rd party franchise or company? I personally feel that there should be no more than one playable character per 3rd party franchise.

Claire Diviner · Jul 14, 2012

Would appearing on a Nintendo handheld count as well, or does it have to be a major system that plays on the TV?

Opossum · Jul 14, 2012

I would assume any Nintendo system. I mean, otherwise Lucas couldn't of been in Brawl by that rule, assuming it covers all, including Nintendo, characters.

VictoryIsMudkipz · Jul 14, 2012

I would believe Namco would respect the franchise & sakurai & not clutter the game with their characters, plus their biggest mascot Pac-Man has been featured in multiple nintendo games, so i wouldn't see a problem between the two

Deleted member · Jul 14, 2012

I think the rule is still in place. It's to help enforce that while third-parties are allowed, this game is about Nintendo and it's characters and that should remain the main priority. The last thing we need are ineligible characters running around in a game not meant for them. Heck, almost all eligible third-parties are unworthy of a spot.

Phaazoid · Jul 14, 2012

I would assume the three rules are in effect

The must have appeared on console rule, the must originate as a videogame character rule, and hot damn I forgot the third.

Ussi · Jul 14, 2012

Namco can have 1-2 characters i won't hate. I don't think anyone would be against Lloyd Irving and then namco can have pacman or maybe their own third party rep from tekken/soul caliber like Snake was in brawl.

If anything, namco helping develop should give them some token of appreciation. 1-2 reps from namco won't remove the nintendo all-star feels especially if they use the right reps.

SSBCandidates · Jul 15, 2012

Sol Diviner said:
Would appearing on a Nintendo handheld count as well, or does it have to be a major system that plays on the TV?

I also wonder if the Virtual Console counts.

There is something I want to say about a Final Fantasy rule, but not sure how or where.

Deleted member · Jul 15, 2012

Ussi said:
Namco can have 1-2 characters i won't hate. I don't think anyone would be against Lloyd Irving and then namco can have pacman or maybe their own third party rep from tekken/soul caliber like Snake was in brawl.

If anything, namco helping develop should give them some token of appreciation. 1-2 reps from namco won't remove the nintendo all-star feels especially if they use the right reps.

Do not want.

I don't see why Pac-Man wouldn't be the Namco rep if we got one.

Johnknight1 · Jul 20, 2012

Yeah, Pac-Man would be "the guy" since he is arguably the most recognizable video game character EVER! Awesome characters like some of the Tekken, Soul Calibur, and Tales series characters can have other roles. Maybe we could get some assist trophies, trophies, stickers, and maybe even a boss from those franchises!

samusrules93 said:
I would assume the three rules are in effect

The must have appeared on console rule, the must originate as a videogame character rule, and hot damn I forgot the third.

1st. samusrules, I am glad to see you back around these parts my boi!
2nd. Agreed.

dlbpc · Jul 20, 2012

Sakurai brought other developers on board to work on Brawl, too. Namco-Bandai are basically supplying grunt work. I wouldn't expect much to change because of them.

Robert of Normandy · Jul 20, 2012

dlbpc said:
Sakurai brought other developers on board to work on Brawl, too. Namco-Bandai are basically supplying grunt work. I wouldn't expect much to change because of them.

Yeah, Nintendo has gotten other companies to help with some games before(Sega with F-Zero GX, Capcom with the Oracle games and Minish Cap) and those games didn't end up being crossovers. People need to shut up about this.

Not saying there WON'T be Namco characters, but it isn't more likely than any character from any other companies.

Hypercat-Z · Jul 20, 2012

That rule gives more chances to Cream and Blaze, since not only they appeared but they DEBUTED on a Nintendo console.
On another side....

Is that a signal of their possible appearance in the game?

Robert of Normandy · Jul 20, 2012

Hypercat-Z said:
That rule gives more chances to Cream and Blaze, since not only they appeared but they DEBUTED on a Nintendo console.
On another side....

Is that a signal of their possible appearance in the game?

That picture is ftom the Wii U veriosn of Tekken Tag Tournament 2. It's been floating around the internet for a few months now. It has NOTHING to do with Smash.

Pyra · Jul 20, 2012

shinpichu said:
That picture is ftom the Wii U veriosn of Tekken Tag Tournament 2. It's been floating around the internet for a few months now. It has NOTHING to do with Smash.

Well, looks like someone's about to get smashed...

volbound1700 · Jul 21, 2012

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Smash_Bros._(Wii_U/3DS)

A Capcom Character appears to be a strong possibility.

Robert of Normandy · Jul 21, 2012

ToasterBrains said:
Well, looks like someone's about to get smashed...

volbound1700 said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Smash_Bros._(Wii_U/3DS)

A Capcom Character appears to be a strong possibility.

Fixed for you. And everyone knew he wanted to do that, or at least TvTropes did.

Retroend · Jul 22, 2012

if the nintendo console rule applies, then i expect that commander shepard from mass effect has a chance. its coming out for the wiiu and all. heck we could use another realistic character like snake.

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