Oh boy, look out guys it's gushing time
So - let's entertain the thought that the leaked roster is final, and those 5 slots will stay empty in the game.
However, there will be a DLC character pack, with 9 characters - 3 newcomers, 3 new clones and 3 veterans. Which would you choose to fill it?
Also, characters which are already stage bosses / hazards and assist trophies are ineligible.
Newcomers
The Wonderful Ones
You know me already by now. I've been vouching for a TW101 rep since the very start. It's simple really, Smash stands as a representation between the past, present and future of Nintendo, and when the Wii U was to provide new experiences, none of those were as high up the ladder as TW101 for me. To this day, they still treated this as their own baby, like a brand new IP, despite Platinum developing it. Who can blame them? The game started out as a Nintendo All-Star Crossover until Nintendo suggested they create brand new characters for a new franchise. And they fucking delivered. Not only is every single Wonderful One a character with their own distinguishable personality, they all come with their own abilities, and the world around them has an expansive story and lore to it. How can this not be considered "franchise" material, least of all Smash material when every character has their own set of moves and abilities?
But while people prefer to just say they want Wonder Red, I think that's underselling the point of TW101, and that point is teamwork, hence why I label it as "The Wonderful Ones". A tag team fighter unlike anything else, representing the characters highlighted in the image above. Much like the game they stem from, The Wonderful Ones would ideally play as a team. Three characters; Red, Blue and Green, move together as one actual unit (not being AI controlled like Ice Climbers) and mix-match attacks. Red has his short ranged but powerful fists, Blue has his long-range sword and Green attacks with projectiles (and since he's only followed by Red and Blue, two projectiles at most). And the final Smash? None other than the ultimate planetary defense mecha, Mother Platinum.
Hire me, Sakurai.
Inkling
If a three-man fighter is too much to add to Smash now that it has to share double duties with the 3DS, then this is equally as viable to fit the void. There is a perfectly good reason as to why Splatoon got the attention it did as an underdog game of this year's E3. If people had a problem with TW101 being an outsourced new IP then this takes it back to the home base with all the same principles - a recognizable character, incredibly versatile abilities and a world with some nifty lore and details to it (the music in particular being described as "the kind of music Nintendo imagine the kids of that world listen to"). I mean, Squid kids with Inkredible mobility. You can't go wrong with that.
The Inklings could have the potential to even put someone like Sonic to shame in terms of mind games if done right. The idea of ink as not just a weapon but a means of movement is incredibly exciting.
Marshal
While I fully expect a RH rep in the final game this is entertaining the assumption that they aren't. And even so I feel like if it really does end up being the Chorus Kids, that might be a misplaced character choice. The way I see it the advantages of Marshal are purely down to the idea of a Ness vs. Ninten scenario. Even though the latter was the original which their successor ended up becoming based on, there is a lot more recognizability to be had with the newer iteration not just in terms of what they do but how they're presented. The Chorus Kids stem from only one aspect of Rhythm Heaven and were only made to do one thing. On top of that, they're a trio, which could only end up making balancing them out harder when it comes to making the game for 3DS.
But Marshal? He's the guide to Fever. He has his own tutorial game. He leads you through the ins and outs of Rhythm Heaven, and is also the main star of the game's new iteration of Night Walk. Not only is his potential moveset completely open to anyone's interpretation, but as a "mascot" character, wouldn't it be awesome if every one of his moves references Rhythm Heaven in a way? Everyone says they want either The Wrestler, or Karate Joe. Wouldn't the best way to represent all of these be the way Rhythm Heaven is as a franchise; bite-sized disconnected experiences, brought together by the sum of it's whole? This character is the perfect fit for the job.
New Clones
Kumatora
I'm going to turn this into a bit of a Fox/Falco/Wolf scenario here and label Kumatora as an extended semi-clone to Lucas and Ness. The reason for this is while Lucas inherits all of Kumatora's moves (much like Ness inherits Paula and Poo's moves), Smash needs more kick-ass ladies, and Kumatora is a very physical fighter on top of that. The idea here is, the way I see it, Kumatora gets different normal moves but the special moves are virtually the same in concept, much like Wolf and Fox's parallels.
Metal Sonic
If I'd have it my way I'd mostly hope for Metal Sonic to just be an alt for Sonic, but it doesn't seem like that's going to be the case here, so this is really the best I can hope for. Metal Sonic was made to be Sonic's equal, and transplanting his moveset shouldn't be a problem. That said, there are a few changes I can see. Metal Sonic has historically in game play been a mite faster than Sonic, and while that's arguably pushing it just a tad already, it can make a world of a difference. In turn, this character could overall be weaker, and replaces spinning with some of his other moves such as his Black Shield or his Thrusters. The original Mecha also went Super so there's no problem to use that as a final Smash. That or he can adopt his Metal Overlord form if they really want to push the bar.
Weavel
I only put this guy in the clone section since I really don't know who else to pick and the newcomer slot is full. But really, Metroid deserves a new rep, and even though this guy is so low under the radar due to being consigned as an enemy in one of the most disliked Metroid games ever, Weavel has a lot of precedent to exist in Metroid, and in Smash as well. He's basically a supersoldier engineered by the Space Pirates in order to take down Samus. That is an awesome premise for a rival character, and since the only differentiating parts with each Hunter in Metroid Prime Hunters was the special ability, there shouldn't be any qualms in copying most of Samus' moves.
Veterans
I don't feel as strongly about the cuts so I'll make this one more quick instead.
Ice Climbers - The only cut I am really opposed to, as they were one of the most unique fighters and had an exciting gimmick to them. I loved to play as them in Brawl and it's sad to see them go.
Lucas - I care jack shit for Lucas but I include him mostly because if he's not in, having Kumatora as a clone wouldn't make sense.
Wolf - Because why not, he was a good character and Star Fox had a nice trio of characters in Brawl.
