Here is a new roster that I threw together. I think it's cool, mostly logical, and fairly representative of Nintendo. I think 50 characters is an appropriate number. Even though it is a lot, Sakurai has asked for a large team this time and a 15 character increase isn't asking TOO much. The characters are arranged with the character select screen in mind with five rows and ten columns, each franchise being kept to a column. Oh, and I have provided REASONING for everything! How bout that, huh?!
WARNING! GENO INCOMING! I CAN'T HELP MYSELF! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
Super Mario Franchise
1. Mario
2. Luigi
3. Peach
4. Bowser
5. Geno (Third Party Character) – Geno is a huge fan favorite that people have been asking for since melee. Although he was simply a supporting character of one game, Super Mario RPG was an iconic Super Nintendo game and Geno is essentially its mascot. In addition, Geno's moveset would be fairly easy to put together and it would certainly be more interesting than other reps from the Mario franchise that people are asking for, such as Bowser Jr and Toad.
Yoshi's Island Franchise – It's obvious that the Yoshi franchise doesn't need any new additions.
6. Yoshi
Wario Ware Franchise – Same goes for Wario Ware. Although there are a plethora of characters in the game, they simply aren't important enough.
7. Wario
Donkey Kong Franchise
8. Donkey Kong
9. Diddy Kong
10. K. Rool – King K. Rool is the main villain of the DKC franchise and any Donkey Kong fan will tell you that he deserves to be in Brawl, even though he got shafted in Donkey Kong Country Returns. He has four different incarnations that provide a large pool of possible abilities that would be immensely cool and unique.
Legend of Zelda Franchise – I feel like the Zelda Franchise is perfectly complete with these four characters. I would suggest Ganondorf and Toon Link to be decloned so they would practically be like new characters. The only other possibilities that are usually suggested are Tingle and Skull Kid, and that is really grasping at straws.
11. Link
12. Zelda/Sheik
13. Ganondorf
14. Toon Link
Golden Sun Franchise
15. Isaac – Isaac has been asked for for a long time now and to be honest, I was surprised he wasn't in Brawl. Although he would be another sword character, he is a magician which could add to his kit favorably. Not to mention he was an assist trophy showing that Sakurai acknowledges his popularity.
Pokemon Franchise
16. Pikachu
17. Pokemon Trainer
18. Jigglypuff
19. Lucario
20. Zoroark – Zoroark is essentially the mascot of generation 5 and his body type lends very well to a Smash game just like Lucario. I wouldn't replace Lucario because he is already established and Zoroark would have a new and unique moveset to leave room for both. I know many people want Mewtwo back, but generation 1 already has 3 reps, so I figure we might as well let generation 4 keep theirs.
Kirby Franchise – Like Zelda, these three perfectly represent the Kirby franchise.
21. Kirby
22. Meta Knight
23. King Dedede
Kid Icarus Franchise
24. Pit
25. Medusa – I know, I know... I didn't want to put her on here either. However, Sakurai IS Sakurai and as we saw in Brawl, he LOVES his own characters. With the release of Uprising, I think it is pretty obvious that Sakurai will add a character from this since he can't legitimately add another Kirby character. Medusa is the main antagonist and appears to be relatively unique so I actually wouldn't mind her inclusion.
Metroid Franchise
26. Samus/ZSS
27. Ridley – Ridley is a character who really should have been in Brawl. He is a hugely important figure in the Metroid franchise and a villain that not only looks amazing, but also offers qualities that many other bad guys do not. I think that Sakurai just wasn't well read enough into Metroid to know how important Ridley was. And I won't get into the size debate because 10 years of arguing have clearly shown that people who think Ridley is too big are wrong. Also, sorry Dark Samus fans, an evil recolor just doesn't do it for me.
F-Zero Franchise
28. Captain Falcon
29. Black Shadow – Black Shadow is yet another villain which Smash desperately needs. Although Samurai Goroh is a very, VERY close contender with an Assist Trophy and all, he would be yet another sword character and when one has the option to have Black Shadow instead, why not? Although people say he would just be a Captain Falcon/Ganondorf Clone, that isn't true at all. He has his own powers and abilities that would make him a completely unique character. I mean, come on, giant bull horns can be used in SO many ways.
Sin and Punishment Franchise
30. Saki – A favorite of Sakurai and of fans who have played Sin and Punishment. Sakurai already said he would fit perfectly in Smash and with such a unique look to him, I think he will make it in. His moveset could be very interesting factoring in everything from his source game.
Retro Franchises – I feel like we have enough retro representation if one doesn't count Little Mac as retro. If you do, then congratulations!
31. Ice Climbers
32. R.O.B.
33. Mr. Game & Watch
Punch Out Franchise
34. Little Mac – Little Mac has been requested for a very long time as well. He made it in Brawl as an assist trophy and although Smash is a brawler, we really have not had a pure boxer. His moveset would be relatively simple but really cool and he is such an iconic character from the old days of Nintendo, he deserves to be in.
Pikmin Franchise – Captain Olimar rounds off this franchise nicely.
35. Captain Olimar
Starfox Franchise
36. Fox
37. Falco
38. Wolf
39. Krystal – While I am not above the hate for Krystal that everyone shares, you have to admit, she really should have been in Brawl. She is a female character which Smash is lacking and most of all, she is a Starfox rep THAT WOULDN'T BE A GODDAMN CLONE. Give her a staff and dinosaur magic and bam, you have a cool and unique character.
Custom Robo Franchise
40. Ray MK III – Not many people played Custom Robo but it was a really fun game that offered a fresh take on fighting(?) games. Ray, being the mascot, is the obvious rep for the franchise and with all of the skills and moves available from his games, a very cool moveset would be possible.
Fire Emblem Franchise
41. Marth
42. Ike
43. Lyn – To be honest, I am not really comfortable in making a judgment call on the third Fire Emblem rep. However, I feel like Fire Emblem deserves a third rep and there are many characters that can fulfill that role. I am not an expert, but out of Lyn, Micaiah, and Hector, I chose Lyn mainly because she was an assist trophy in Brawl, she is a female which Smash needs, and with a katana, she could have a very different playstyle from Ike and Marth. As far as Hector goes, even though his axe is awesome, I think 2 blue haired armored guys is enough for one game. Micaiah seemed less interesting than Lyn, even though she is a light mage.
Earthbound Franchise – I think Ness and Lucas are enough for Earthbound. Although Claus would be a possible new rep, I just don't think the series merit's a third one.
44. Ness
45. Lucas
Animal Crossing Franchise
46. Tom Nook – Ok, you people say he can't fight, but let's be honest, Sakurai's team could easily make him Smash-worthy. Animal Crossing is one of the most popular Nintendo franchises right now and it deserves a rep, and Tom Nook is essentially the mascot as well as one of the most popular characters. He could be extremely unique and has the entire Animal Crossing franchise to use when making his moveset. I see no reason he couldn't fight. Even though Sakurai said the player in AC was too passive, fan reactions and new developments could easily change his mind.
Legendary Starfy Franchise
47. Starfy – I hadn't even considered Starfy until I saw another roster with him on it. After I did some research I realized that Starfy would be PERFECT for Smash. He adds cuteness, uniqueness, and charm to the roster and with his own series, he could easily have an awesome moveset. Haters gonna hate, but I think Starfy stands a chance.
Professor Layton Franchise
48. Professor Layton (Third Party Character) – I think we can agree that Professor Layton is currently the most popular character on a Nintendo system created in the past 10 years by a large margin. Anyone who has picked up one of his games will immediately become a fan of the professor. Although he isn't an action star, he is capable of fighting and due to the puzzle games he comes from, his playstyle could be very unique and interesting.
Sonic the Hedgehog Franchise – NO! You CAN'T have Tails, or Knuckles, or Shadow, or Silver, or Amy, or Rouge, or Big, or Charmy Bee, or the FIND THE COMPUTER ROOM Crocodile. NO.
49. Sonic (Third Party Character)
Metal Gear Franchise – Does anyone even WANT another rep?
50. Snake (Third Party Character)
So there you have it. I would have loved to include Andy from Advanced Wars, Samurai Goroh, Dixie Kong, and hell, that new armadillo cowboy from The Rolling Western looks awesome. However, there just wasn't enough room for EVERYONE. Hope you guys don't loathe it TOO much, especially YOU, Geno haters.
