How do you regard Mario branch series in Smash?

[Dorayaki]

*Post pic only serves as example, not a showcase of fixed options of fighter candidates from each series.


We know the four series come from same universe. But despite they're considered seperate under Smash franchise classification, their invididual propotion of the roster is obviously not equivalent.

Of course I'm not saying the four series need to have exactly same number of fighters (especially it's not working with Yoshi which doesn't have that many nominees to begin with). But consider Smash claims to be about franchise crossover, I think the gap of the rep number doesn't quite meet the standard of a crossover roster.

Now we're moving onto a new Smash in near future, so let's assume that Nintendo is assigning one or two Smash invites for any candidate from the four Mario world franchises, between the four series, would you tend to give branch series higher priority? Or you'd still root for Super Mario rep because they're more demanded or significant?

And in the case of picking branch series reps, do you think there is still need for a new Super Mario rep in the same game? Or you think branch series reps may be considered as a mutual treat for Super Mario so it is sufficient enough?

 

[Skuchi037]

I could easily see Dixie or Funky Kong being an Assist Trophy in the next Smash Bros game.

 

[Fawfulthegreat64]

I mean my most wanted are still characters that would most likely have the Mario emblem (there's a chance Waluigi could get the Wario emblem or that the Mario RPGs become their own subseries if they get represented on the roster, but those are less likely outcomes imo)

 

[Uniju]

they should add ashley from wario ware as a playable character

 

[Lily]

I still think Luigi's Mansion should also be it's own series in Smash

 

[winstein]

I currently cannot tell if there's still a strong pushback for Waluigi for various reasons, or that he's one of the more accepted requested fighters. Regardless, I think he's currently the biggest fighter omission for the Mario series.

I think Yoshi sort of lacks a strong secondary fighter option even with Poochy (who's supposed to be invincible), though I think Baby Mario is probably the best candidate. Donkey Kong would probably be Cranky Kong or Dixie Kong, since those two felt like more prominent characters. Wario... I don't have any opinion on the series because I am not interested in any of the supporting cast.

With that said, the biggest omission for Smash (in relation to Mario, though it could also apply for the first party side) is the iconography of Mario Party. While you can claim that the characters from that series is already there, and that they have music tracks, it's missing the point. When it comes to the Mario ensemble games, the characters are a given so the iconography from that series matters more for the representation. Music using the original tracks is also not special because it's easy to reuse tracks and can be construed as "throwaway", whereas if it's rearranged or at the very least have a medley, that shows that effort is placed in the music. Take Mario Kart: it has stages, items AND rearranged music that are from the series, so on that front, it's represented well.

Thank you for reading.

 

[Fawfulthegreat64]

I'd argue Mario Party has characters that can represent specifically it as well. Are they Smash material as far as playable fighters are concerned? No, but I think they are still underutilized across the board. I'm talking characters like Tumble, Brighton & Twila, MC Ballyhoo, Koopa Kid, Millennium Star, etc. It's true they've been phased out since the end of the Hudson era, but I'm also critical of that choice. I think not only should they be used to represent the series, outside of it, but some of them should return to the series proper and new characters in that vein should start appearing again to host the games.

 

[Skuchi037]

I currently cannot tell if there's still a strong pushback for Waluigi for various reasons, or that he's one of the more accepted requested fighters. Regardless, I think he's currently the biggest fighter omission for the Mario series.

I'm not sure why Waluigi would be a fighter. What exactly does he bring to the table? He only appears in the spin-offs to be Wario's best friend and partner-in-crime and all his characterization and abilities are derived from what he does there. I think he would need to appear in a mainstream Mario game or two to get some limelight so he can eventually become a fighter.

 

[Salmancer]

He can swim in the air, grow vines, and has dancing moves. He could probably use a tennis racket in a special move. And he has really long limbs, though I guess he has nothing on Min Min. It can't be "Waluigi has no distinct powers".Anyhow, I think some of the feeling in favor of Waluigi comes from the idea that Smash Bros should "complete the set". Waluigi is a major Mario character, pretty much every Mario character more important than he is is already a playable character, therefore Waluigi should be playable. This makes sense, it lets us have more of the dream matchups with characters of the same franchise and more decisively pit different franchises against each other because each individual franchise gets to have its full breadth of options. Plus, there's the benefit of following/creating patterns in the addition of playable characters, and humans love those. I did vote for Bandana Waddle Dee in the Smash Bros. Ballot, a character whose primary claim to fame is being Player 4, after all. (In Mario terms, Bandana Waddle Dee is the Blue Toad equivalent.) On the other hand, I think a crossover fighter is actually served better by breadth over depth in terms of the playable character roster. Having more franchises means there are more aesthetics and tones the game gets to explore and more locations to visit. They make the crossover more grand and special. I think being able to put Luigi in Dracula's Castle is more interesting than getting to have Captain Toad fight Bowser. If I want a comphrensive Mario roster, aren't I better off playing a Mario video game?.

Uh, I guess I still have to respond to the prompt? Well, given this I would be content with the non Super Mario groups here having just three characters because I would happier with having room for adding other franchises. So yay Yoshi, yay Wario, nay Donkey Kong, and nay Mario? Lets go with that. Yoshi and Wario could use at least one friend to pair up with, though Yoshi does easily fit with the Mario cast.

Yoshi's pretty hard pressed for playable recruits though, considering there is has almost nothing to work with aside from the dinosaur. Poochy is too defined by being invincible, and half the fun of playing with him is in indirectly managing his movements. He would be better as an Assist Trophy or stage element. Baby Bowser's proportions are different from Bowser in ways that make cloning more difficult. Even taking that route, you probably have to replace Flying Slam, side smash dropkick, and down throw flop with different things: Baby Bowser is too small. (You might get away with keeping forward throw head swing.) We really shouldn't even consider putting Baby Bowser in a Koopa Clown Car as a Bowser Jr. clone. Baby Mario is mostly an accessory in Yoshi games, a Baby Mario Smash Bros. moveset would probably fail to feel like the character as depicted in a Yoshi game. So, in my opinion that leaves only two potiential playable characters: Kamek and Burt the Bashful? Ralphael the Raven is non-viable: his memorable elements come from his arena and would fail to translate to playability. I'd consider going with Bandit, Ukiki, Goonie, or Tap-Tap here. So it does make sense that there has only ever been one Yoshi characer even five rosters into this series.

 

[Xiahou Ba]

Waluigi was popular enough to become an Assist Trophy in three Super Smash Bros. games, far more than what most mainline only Mario characters got, so I say he's got something over them.

 

[Skuchi037]

He can swim in the air, grow vines, and has dancing moves. He could probably use a tennis racket in a special move. And he has really long limbs, though I guess he has nothing on Min Min. It can't be "Waluigi has no distinct powers".Anyhow, I think some of the feeling in favor of Waluigi comes from the idea that Smash Bros should "complete the set". Waluigi is a major Mario character, pretty much every Mario character more important than he is is already a playable character, therefore Waluigi should be playable. This makes sense, it lets us have more of the dream matchups with characters of the same franchise and more decisively pit different franchises against each other because each individual franchise gets to have its full breadth of options.

I guess that makes sense, but I'm honestly dying for Waluigi to finally appear in a mainstream Mario game. It would give him the spot he deserves and really flesh out his character and especially explore his relationships with Luigi and Daisy.