(12-27-2011, 06:36 AM)Koopaul Wrote: Remember only one character(s) was chosen because it would make an interesting fighting style. It was Ice Climbers and only them. Characters are usually chosen by:
Their significance to a series.
Their significance to Nintendo.
Their popularity.
Game promotion.
Well, if we're going by this, King Hippo has significance being Punch-Out's closest thing to a villain. Punch-Out as a whole is only mildly popular, but King Hippo is a very memorable character from the game. In fact, in that Captain N show, Mac was nowhere to be seen, yet Hippo was a character.
Krystal, while not very significant to the series, could be a very interesting character moveset-wise. The roster is low on both staff characters, and female characters, so she kills two birds in one stone.
Ridley... oh man where do I begin? Ridley is Samus' Bowser, Ganondorf, and Dark Matter all rolled into one. Ridley represents the side of Nintendo villainy rarely seen in their series: The cynical, heartless type. Ridley would kill a baby metroid just to get a piece of Samus, and that's no joke. Kidnap the princess? Ridley would rape the princess, demolish the castle, and shit on the remains of the henchmen, all without thinking twice. And if they defeat his body? Fuck that, he's got a million more bodies ready for use, be it Omega, Metal, or Robotic, Ridley ain't picky.
Slime and Layton represent third party franchises that have been published by Nintendo recently, mainly in the US. It's possible Nintendo is trying to gain ownership of Layton, but not a guarantee. You could say Slime & Layton represent the growing connection(lol) between third parties and Nintendo.
Little Mac is the star of Punch-Out!!, which is a nes series much more popular then the likes of Kid Icarus or Ice Climber. It got a recent wii makeover that managed to garner decent enough reception, and it sold well enough to become a Nintendo Select, even. That, and looking at Mac, he was MADE for Brawlin'.
King K. Rool is the villain of the Donkey Kong series, gaining popularity in the Donkey Kong Country trilogy by donning various costumes, each with their own tools and powers useful for some kong smashin'. While much more like Bowser than Ganondorf or Ridley, K. Rool has shown to be a threat in his own right, even if all he's really done is kidnap monkies and steal their bananas. His absence in Donkey Kong Country Returns should be a huge motivation for this character to be "redeemed", and what better place than Smash Bros.?
Saki is the main character of the original Sin & Punishment, which wasen't a popular game until the original was uploaded to the Wii Virtual Console. Sakurai even stated in the Dojo's assist trophy page that Saki "fit right in" with all of the other fighters.
Ghirahim... I dunno. We already have Ganondorf, so it would be odd to add Ghirahim, because we'd have 6 zelda characters(Link, Sheik, Zelda, Ganondorf, Toon Link, and Ghirahim). He does represent "new" Zelda games, and would be a better alternative than say, "Skyward Link".
Zoroark... well use whatever reasoning Lucario had for being in Brawl. Who knows, maybe Lucario won't be replaced? (lol)
Palutena... obviously, with the new Kid Icarus being developed by Sakurai, he would want to showcase "his" characters, much like the Kirby series in Brawl. She could focus on her bow, and also be another new female character alongside Krystal.
Shulk is the main character of Xenoblade. His inclusion could also represent Monolith Soft being part of Nintendo now. Hopefully they throw in some Baten Kaitos Assist Trophies and Stickers in there as well, s'all I'm gonna say.
Mega Man was born and perfected on the original NES, mother fuckers. Mega Man owes his creation to Nintendo, and as such, it would be criminal not to eventually host him as a guest character on Smash Bros. which celebrates Nintendo & gaming as a whole.
(Personally though, K. Rool and Krystal would be adding to already overpopulated series, and Zoroark would be pointless if he's just a modified Lucario. Everyone else though I'd welcome with open arms, and I'd love to play as Krystal and K. Rool if they do get added)