Summary
Speculation began on the nextSuper Smash Bros.game the second the final character for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate dropped. As usual, speculation around the game usually revolves around new additions to its roster.
Nintendo has a wide range of characters to choose from, both from its first-party offerings and from third-party publishers. Characters both need to be popular and significant to video game history, and fit well with the gameplay of the series. And since there’s no room for every character to get in, here are just a few of the most popular and requested suggestions.
Super Mario Bros.
Mario Tennis (2000)
Waluigi is arguably the most highly requested character to be in the next Super Smash Bros., though more so as a meme than a serious suggestion.Because he is exclusively a spin-off character in Mario media, he may not be a big enough name to get in on his own merits. That being said, the mythical status his exclusions from the games to date have become may ironically help his case.
One possibility for Waluigi could be to have him as the spin-off representative, using attacks referencing Mario Kart, Mario Party, and the Mario Sports titles, as he originated in Mario Tennis.
However, if Nintendo were to lean into the meme side of his character, an alternate interpretation could be to have him be a fourth-wall breaking trickster, similar to Deadpool in the Marvel vs. Capcom games. Either way, fans will rejoice at his inclusion, and a new character will likely take his place as the meme request of the series.
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996)
Despite being a one-off character from a Mario video game that never got a sequel, Geno has been one of the most requested characters for Super Smash Bros. ever since at least the Brawl era.
In fact, he is probably at this point more known for being highly wanted in Smash games than for his original appearance in Super Mario RPG. Originally a doll owned by a Toad named Gaz, he would come to life and aid Mario and his friends.
The biggest obstacle to Geno’s inclusion in Smash has been ownership disputes between Nintendo and Square Enix, who developed Super Mario RPG, but the companies have a close relationship, and Square ultimately got four characters into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. With a remake of Super Mario RPG on the Switch releasing in 2023, Geno’s chances have improved significantly.
The Legend of Zelda
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (2024)
The Legend of Zelda hasn’t had a new character added to the Super Smash Bros. series since Toon Link debuted in Brawl, and part of the reason why may be because most characters outside the main trio of Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf have only appeared in one or two games each. So, if any new Zelda characters are added, it will most likely be more variants of those three.
However, if there’s one possibility that could be considered, it’s Toy Zelda, from the 2024 Switch gameThe Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, the first official Zelda game in whichthe titular princess is the main playable character instead of Link. In contrast to the Zelda currently in Smash, Toy Zelda would specialize in using her Tri-Rod for magic attacks, as well as summoning Tri the Fairy to attack.
Kirby
Kirby Super Star (1996)
While the Kirby series has been represented by its three most recognizable characters since Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it has not gotten any new additions in the following two games. However, one character who has grown in prominence since Brawl’s release is Bandana Waddle Dee.
Originally introduced as the right-hand man of King Dedede in Kirby Super Star on the SNES, later installments such asKirby and the Forgotten Landhave him as Kirby’s closest ally.
Bandana Waddle Dee stands out compared to normal Waddle Dees, and not simply because of his titular headgear. He can make use of his signature weapon, a spear, both as a close range melee weapon and a long-range projectile. He also has access to a parasol occasionally, which he can use similarly to Peach and Daisy in Smash.
Star Fox
Star Fox Adventures (2002)
Krystal has been one of the most wanted characters in Super Smash Bros. ever since her debut inthe cult classic Star Fox Adventuresback in 2002. In fact, during the days of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, she was more requested than Wolf, who actually did get into the game.
Many fans believe the reason Wolf was chosen over her was because he could play similarly to Fox and Falco, whereas she was a much more unique character.
What makes Krystal stand out from the current Star Fox representatives is her staff, which she can both use as a melee weapon and to shoot projectiles from, including ice. She could also have access to many unique costumes, from her tribal outfit from Star Fox Adventures to her mission suits from Assault and Command.
Additionally, adding her would increase female representation for a series of games that currently has none in Smash.
Pokemon
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (2022)
Every Smash game so far has introduced at least one new Pokemon from the newest generation out at the time, and the next game likely won’t be an exception. The previous two games each introduced fully evolved starter Pokemon, namely Greninja in Smash 4 and Incineroar in Ultimate.
If Smash 6 does the same withScarlet and Violet, the likely candidate is Meowscarada,who is the most popular of the three introduced, and which would ensure each starter type has been represented at least once as an individual character.
Meowscarada is based on a stage magician, and its signature weapons are its flower bombs that it can both throw and stealthily plant on different surfaces. Its Flower Trick movie involves throwing a bouquet of flowers that will never miss the opponent. Its other moves could be based off of classic magic tricks, such as levitation or making objects appear and disappear.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic Adventure 2 (2001)
As one of the biggest video game series of all time, Sonic the Hedgehog seems like the most obvious choice for a second representative from a currently-featured third party IP.While Tails, Knuckles, and Dr. Eggman are all also in contentionfor that slot, Shadow might be the most logical choice for a second representative.
Because of his similarities to Sonic, he’ll be relatively easy to implement either as a partial or full echo fighter. Plus, his 2024 starring turns in bothSonic x Shadow Generationsandthe Sonic the Hedgehog 3 moviegive him a boost over his rivals.
However, despite the similarities, Shadow has some notable differences with his gameplay style. For starters, his rocket shoes are distinct from Sonic’s natural speed, and their fuel can be used as a weapon to burn opponents. He also has access to Chaos powers with the Chaos Emeralds, like the Chaos Spear projectile attack, and his signature Chaos Control, which he can use to teleport or freeze time.
Ace Attorney
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2001)
Capcom already has two of its biggest video game series represented, namely Mega Man and Street Fighter, and there are plenty of options if Nintendo wants to introduce a third one.
While most of its biggest series, like Resident Evil and Devil May Cry, might be too violent for a Smash Bros. game, the lawyer-detective seriesAce Attorneymay be a better fit, and who better to represent it than its original protagonist, Phoenix Wright?
Like his Marvel vs. Capcom 3 incarnation, Phoenix could be a unique character, having a gimmick in which he gathers evidence to use against his opponents. Then, he can question them when he’s in trial mode, and finally indict an opponent if he has enough solid evidence in his case.
Implementing it in Smash would likely be a bit different, but Sakurai and his team would probably take enough creative liberties to have their own take on the mechanic.
SoulCalibur
Soul Edge (1996)
Bandai Namco’s most iconic fighting game already got representation in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate when Tekken’s Kazuya Mishima joined the brawl. But there’s another villain protagonist waiting in the wings to represent its sister series.
Despite not being quite as popular as Tekken, SoulCalibur is probably the more important of the two series in Nintendo’s history. SoulCalibur 2 was a huge hit on the GameCube owing to a guest appearance from Link from the Legend of Zelda, so having Nightmare in Smash would be returning the favor to Namco.
Originally a corrupted alter ego of the noble swordsman Siegfried after encountering the sentient sword Soul Edge, Nightmare would later split off into his own separate character. Nightmare’s attacks mostly consist of using Soul Edge as a weapon, but he can also attack with his giant claw, summon dark energy to shoot at opponents, and transform into his final form, Night Terror.
Halo
Halo: Combat Evolved (2001)
Having Halo’s Master Chief in Super Smash Bros. would be thought as unthinkable even back during the production of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Microsoft has been a direct competitor to Nintendo, and their games have always been exclusive to their Xbox consoles.
While it was willing to lend out characters like Banjo & Kazooie and Minecraft’s Steve before, both have pre-existing history on Nintendo consoles before Microsoft bought out their original creators. Halo, meanwhile, was created specifically for the Xbox.
However, the Chief’s appearance may be more likely than ever. In 2024, it was announced that Microsoft will start to publish their first party games on competitors' consoles. Halo’s legendary protagonist going toe-to-toe with NIntendo’s all-stars would be seen as a peace offering in a similar vein to when Sonic the Hedgehog joined Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
WHERE TO PLAY
The first appearance of the crossover-filled platform fighting game series on Nintendo Switch, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was the biggest edition yet when launched. It features 89 fighters, upwards of 100 stages, and both single-player and multiplayer modes.
