Junahu
Smash Ace
Thread for the discussion of an additional Sonic Character (other than Sonic himself) appearing in SSB4
Now that it is confirmed that Sonic himself is returning for Super Smash Bros for WiiU and Super Smash Bros for 3DS, it's time to consider whether or not he will be bringing other playable rodent friends into the fight. And if so which characters will he bring?
While oft criticized as bogging down the series, the colorful parade of Sonic characters runs the full gamut from iconic to bizarre and everything in between.
So, go ahead and discuss, theorise and argue!
The following list of potential candidates, which is by no means finished, is roughly ordered by how likely they are to be chosen as the '2nd sonic character' (clicking the character picture will take you a potential moveset for them, courtesy of the MakeYourMove contest);
2nd only to Sonic himself in terms of recognition and branding power, Tails is the curious little tagalong that everyone remembers from their youth. The longest lasting of all of Sonic's animal friends, and by far the most prolific in terms of game appearances. For many people, you can't mention Sonic, without also talking about Tails. Even in games where Sonic is the only playable character, Tails is always there with him to provide support, to help him with his mechanical knowledge, or just to be a friendly face.
As a playable character, Tails brings with him a similar set of abilities as sonic, super speed and the ability to curl into a ball. While the Super Spin Dash and the Spin Attack are clearly Sonic's domain, Tails has his own iconic moves; such as the twin tails from which he received his nickname. He can fly for short distances, and even airlift his friends about. He is also an accomplished mechanic and pilot, leveraging both talents in his most famous creation; the Tornado bi-plane.
As a anti-hero counterpart to Sonic, Shadow is a longstanding character who has managed to set himself apart from the blue blur in many ways. His popularity rivals that of Sonic in some circles, to the extent where he actually received his own game (an honor shared only with Tails and Knuckles). Shadow is consistantly and continuously returning in new Sonic games in order to challenge his spined rival, managing to overshadow even longstanding classic characters like Knuckles. His existance as an Assist Trophy in Brawl was proof enough of how highly Sega thought of him. The only question is, is Shadow still relevant TODAY?
As a playable character, Shadow has the unenviable benefit of being capable of performing anything and everything Sonic can do. From his speed, to his super spin dashes, Shadow even has a Super Form. But what really gives Shadow his potential as a character, is his bevvy of other moves and tricks. There's the obvious time freeze of the Chaos Control, along with the various energy blasts Shadow can shoot. Even the less popular aspects of Shadow, such as his Motorcycle, could make an appearance.
Considered the third pillar that is "Classic Sonic" protagonists. Being the third banana is symultaneously Knuckles biggest strength, and the only thing keeping him out of more games. When Sonic needs a friend, it's Tails. When Sonic needs two friends, it's Tails and Knuckles. Regardless, Knuckles' importance to the Sonic series cannot possibly be overstated. He was the foot in the door that allowed the series to graduate from the basic plots of "Robotnik is being bad, stop him Sonic!", and is one of the very few characters to have a real sense of depth/history, without jamming dialogue down your throat all the while. Knuckles remains a consistant fixture in Sonic games.
What could pave the way for a playable Knuckles in SSB4, is his sheer potential to be an outrageously fun character. The ability to Glide and Climb up walls is a given, and his brute strength mixed with his surprising speed would make him feel uniquely satisfying to clobber things with. His true potential however, lies in his ability to tunnel underground, either as a trick to hide, or a means of launching a surprise attack from under his opponent's feet.
Knuckles is the only likely (protagonist) character who wouldn't have a moveset heavily based on Sonic's. Variety is good, and Knuckles can provide it.
A real contender for the position of "Sonic's Rival", at least when it comes to Sonic games with a classic tint to them, Metal Sonic is a Robotic counterpart to his fleshy nemesis. Appearing in one form or another in most of the Classic era Sonic titles, Sonic Heroes, and making a resurgence with the release of Sonic 4 Episode II, Metal Sonic is an antagonist that has endured almost as long as Eggman himself. What really hinders Metal Sonic's chances at securing the coveted 2nd rep slot, is the general aprehension that Metal would end up as little more than a cloned moveset of Sonic's. Unlike other candidates, "Sonic" is part of Metal's name, and thus the negative stigma of being a clone set is unavoidable, regardless of what the moveset itself turns out to be like.
Like Shadow, Metal Sonic can perform and even outperform Sonic in almost every aspect. His mechanical frame gives him heightened endurance, along with the ability to perform attacks that no other character has the physiology to even attempt. The ability to fly, throw up a electric shield whilst moving, among other tricks, gives him a bit of an edge over the more limited characters.
Almost in spite of his status as the series' primary and iconic antagonist (almost on par with such favourites as Bowser) Eggman has very rarely been a playable character even within the Sonic series. None-the-less, as the main bad guy in the Sonic canon, Eggman is a familiar face to not only classic Robotnik fans, but younger players too.
As a natural born coward, Eggman would never dream of fighting without superior tech on his side. Almost always seen piloting a robotic machination of some sort, Eggman has given the world some of the most memorable and iconic boss battles and attacks ever made. To list them would likely just result in a list of every single Eggman battle ever.
In SSB4 Eggman's cunning ineptitude could certainly work as a foil to Bowser's feral avarice, making for a villainous team-up that the world would throw its money at to see happen.
Certainly not a first choice for popularity, nor even relevance. Blaze stands however, as one of the precious few popular Sonic characters to originate on a Nintendo Platform, and represents the ongoing Nintendo Handheld Dimps era of Sonic as a whole. Like Shadow, Blaze exists as a counterpart to Sonic, albeit one that doesn't immediately oppose him. She cameos fairly regularly in the Sonic series, which is astonishing given the fact she was written out of the Sonic universe, and technically shouldn't even be in this dimension. Naturally, if Sega feels like pushing a female Sonic character into the next Smash Bros, Blaze is more than certainly their best choice.
In terms of potential as a playable character, Blaze is pretty close to Sonic ability-wise. She cannot spin dash, nor curl into a ball in general, but has equivilent substitutes for those abilities. Blaze inherently uses and manipulates the element of fire, giving her attacks a burning edge. Blaze has consistantly been demonstrated as being a more style orientated aerial version of Sonic, which would feel at home in the general high-flying nature of Smash Bros fights.
Extra: Possible Stages
Very likely to return as one of the next Smash Bros' "past stages". Green Hill Zone is so very iconic that it almost certainly will be a stage in one form or another
A modernized look Green Hill Zone. This stage has been confirmed to appear in Super Smash Bros for WiiU, and it is based on Sonic Lost World's aesthetic. The stage has the series' iconic curved surfaces, along with flatter platforms running above the stage
Similar in style to Green Hill zone, but with a strong theme of water, the Aquatic Ruin Zone is memorable for its winding paths, waterfalls, and log bridges. It has been heavily referenced in Sonic 4 Episode II, and has just enough in common with Green Hill zone to feel like a quintessential "Sonic" stage.
An iconic archetype of stage that is only slightly less well known than Green Hill. Its bright neon lights and inviting, layered architecture was a memorable time waster for many a player back in the day. The Casino stages are also the most prominent in terms of utilising gimmicks and entertaining features, a strong hallmark of the Sonic series.
The most striking and memorable stage from the entire Sonic3&Knuckles saga. Set high in the sky, among some gorgeous and complex scenery, Sky Sanctuary is ripe for a "travelling platform" stage, in the same vein as Delfino Plaza.
The "Green Hill Zone" of the post-classic era of Sonic. The beach locale, and iconic scenery (killer whale cameo!) can cover a wide variety of stage types, but work especially well for gentle inclines and long, flat stretches. Definitely the type of stage where a Sonic character could stretch his legs.
The steep roads are undoubtedly a problem for a more lean-minded Smash Bros stage, but City Escape's memorability within the Sonic series is uncontestable. A stunning coastal city, and the first city stage to breathe true life and charisma into its streets.
A stage from the Nintendo exclusive "Sonic Colors", and more than capable of pulling double duty as both a Green Hill zone, and a Scrap Brain zone type of stage symultaneously. The unique juxtaposition of these two main themes of the Sonic franchise, makes a Planet Wisp stage an attractive prospect.
