10 Characters We’re Voting For As Super Smash Bros. DLC

With the latest Nintendo Direct, Nintendo president and CEO Satoru Iwata revealed the release date for the previously announced Mewtwo DLC for Super Smash Bros., as well as a surprise announcement that Earthbound’s Lucas is returning to the series. Perhaps even more surprising, Iwata also revealed that the Super Smash Bros. team is now taking requests for future downloadable characters through a new ballot on the Super Smash Bros. website.

While we’ve given you some Super Smash Bros. roster wishlists in the past, they’ve always been filled with more outlandish picks or focused on crossover characters. This time, we want to take a look at some of the characters that would have a more realistic shot of appearing in Super Smash Bros. if they received strong enough support in the new Smash Bros. Fighter Ballot. Check out our picks and let us know the characters you’d like to see yourself.

This feature originally ran on April 3, 2015.

Bayonetta

The Wii U-exclusive Bayonetta 2 ended up being one of the best games in Nintendo’s 2014 lineup, and now it’s time for the shapeshifting witch to face her next challenge. Bayonetta is not only battle-hardened, but she’s armed to the teeth and would act as a formidable challenger for any opponent. With her versatility in combat, she could be one of the most enjoyable characters to control, as well. Some of her moves would have to be toned down, since several of her abilities could be too risqué for the lighthearted, family-friendly Smash Bros. tone. If Nintendo could figure that out, however, she would be a great addition to the roster. Also, her Final Smash would be absolutely crazy.

Waluigi

It’s been a long time coming, but we can finally say that it’s Waluigi time. Wario’s purple partner has appeared in several of Mario’s side games, but has never stepped up to the big leagues. If he made the transition from being an Assist Trophy to being a full-on fighter on the Smash roster, it would be his most triumphant appearance yet – even if he’s just a DLC character. The biggest problem is that Waluigi has never made an appearance in his own game, meaning his moveset would have to be built from the ground up. I’d imagine Waluigi would have an arsenal of tricks up his sleeve, like The Joker in every fighting game he’s ever appeared in. It may be tough, but the time feels right for Walugi’s big break.

Toad

Even though he doesn’t look like he’d be the most formidable opponent in a fighting game, Toad has been a mainstay in the Super Mario Bros. franchise from the very start. Sure, he was just the consolation prize for clearing the wrong castle in your search for the princess, and Peach even uses him as a shield as one of her moves in Super Smash Bros., but Toad is destined for something more. While regular Toad could be a fast character capable of rapid fire attacks, his Final Smash could see him transforming into Captain Toad, giving him a whole new arsenal of attacks for a set period of time.

Shovel Knight

Shovel Knight was the indie darling of Nintendo’s 2014 lineup, and it’s time the Knight made his appearance in the Smash Bros. roster. With pixelated graphics and catchy chiptune music, the critically acclaimed 2D platformer brought players back to a simpler time in the genre. The titular character in Shovel Knight has a good selection of attacks he could use, and his Scrooge McDuck-esque pogo jump would serve as a great double jump. In addition, his Final Smash could summon Shield Knight to jointly attack their on-screen adversaries.

Kamek

While the Pokémon Trainer has been taken away in favor of making Charizard a standalone character, the same interchangeable summoning concept could be applied to Bowser’s trusted advisor, Kamek. The powerful Magikoopa could stand in the background (as he typically does in Mario games) and summon iconic Mario enemies to do his dirty work. From Goombas to Chargin’ Chucks, the summoned Mario enemies would make playing as Kamek a diverse experience, and would keep opposing fighters on their toes. Not only would Kamek’s summoning of Mario’s enemies allow the Smash Bros. roster to represent the iconic characters that the plumber faces off against in every entry, but it would bring another vastly unique character to the roster.

Head to page two for more Smash Bros. hopefuls!

Young Link

Young Link previously appeared in Super Smash Bros. Melee before disappearing in favor of Toon Link. Though that made sense, Young Link would be a great character to rework and inject back into the roster using abilities from Majora’s Mask. By giving Link a good selection of masks from the classic that was recently re-released on 3DS, Young Link could possess a diverse set of moves that would make him play very differently from Link and Toon Link. Of course, Young Link’s Final Smash would have to be turning into the supremely powerful Fierce Deity Link.

Knuckles

Sonic has proven himself a worthy addition to the Super Smash Bros. lineup, and he seems here to stay (unlike Snake). Why not expand the roster to include the Sonic the Hedgehog character that is probably the most deserving of a spot in a fighting game? Knuckles is one of the few peripheral characters that fans of the series aren’t split on, and with his versatile moveset that includes gliding, climbing, and delivering powerful attacks, he would be a great Smash Bros. addition. Knuckles is no slouch in the speed department – in the older games, at least – and can turn into Super Knuckles using the Chaos Emeralds for his Final Smash.

Elincia

The Fire Emblem series is full of characters ripe for the Super Smash Bros. roster, and while the return of Roy would probably be the most obvious pick, Elincia would probably be the more interesting one. She would be great at close range with her good speed and attack (even if her defense and health are a little low), but her Final Smash of summoning her Pegasus would allow her to deliver devastating attacks to her adversaries from up above. With Marth already in the game, Elincia would bring something different to the table. 

Wolf

Wolf made his sole Smash Bros. appearance in Brawl on the Wii before vanishing from the roster for Super Smash Bros. on Wii U and 3DS. Even though he wasn’t a full-on clone, Wolf was loosely based on Fox and Falco, so it’s easy to see why he was removed, but with Star Fox for Wii U on the horizon, Wolf being released as a DLC character would be pretty great promotion. If Wolf does return, we want him to be even more varied in his attacks. Even though his ship is pretty similar to Fox’s in the games, the Smash Bros. team should give Fox’s archrival unique moves, including a Final Smash that isn’t just his own version of the Landmaster.

Simon Belmont

Though the Castlevania series has left Nintendo’s consoles behind in favor of PlayStation and Xbox, who could ever forget playing the first Castlevania on NES? From the amazing level design to the masterfully orchestrated music, the original Castlevania is one of the most iconic games in the NES library. Because of this, Simon Belmont would be a stellar addition to the Smash Bros. lineup.  Between his whip, throwing knives, holy water, axe, and crosses, he already has an established moveset that would translate well. His Final Smash would most likely utilize his Stop Watch move (which freezes all enemies on screen) in conjunction with a super-powered version of his flame move from Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest.