Smash Bros.: Top 10 Needed Guest Fighters

Starting with the least possible character nomination, the infamous “Pyramid Head” from Konami’s Silent Hill survival horror franchise would make for a hilariously bizarre inclusion not only for its incompatibly with the Smash Bros. games but also for the extra steps that’d need to be taken to somewhat “soften” him up for a general audience. However, the sheer contrast with Pyramid Head and more cutesy characters like Kirby or Pikachu is just too good to pass up (though I’d suggest using the “White Hunter” variant based on Masahiro Ito‘s wishes for the character’s ongoing appearances).

9. Nemesis (Resident Evil)

Also being very unlikely for inclusion in a Smash Bros. game (but probably not nearly as much as Pyramid Head), Nemesis from the Resident Evil franchise could still be an interesting inclusion for similar reasons: he’s a big, horrifying monster that completely clashes with the more cartoony, Nintendo-oriented lineup of characters. Yet, in this case, Nemesis has made previous appearances in a couple of other fighting games, so has an existing move-set that could be readjusted for Smash‘s gameplay format (not to mention that the RE series already has a presence as “spirits” in Ultimate).

8. Raiden (Metal Gear Rising)

Seeing as Metal Gear‘s Solid Snake is an established guest fighter in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Ultimate, it would only be fair to include secondary protagonist Raiden, in particular, the version of the character specifically featured in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. As discussed with Nemesis above, this iteration of the character has an existing move-set from another fighting game that could be adapted for Smash‘s gameplay structure; likewise, it would be really fun (and hilariously morbid) to see Raiden succumb to his dark “Jack the Ripper” persona and (bloodlessly) tear into opponents.

7. Justin (Grandia)

In the first of a few “Now That’s a Random Character!” selections I have in mind, I’d like to include main protagonist Justin from the very first Grandia game to stand with other – albeit, more popular – JRPG characters featured in the Smash Bros. lineup (hailing from Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and Fire Emblem). While Justin and the overarching Grandia franchise is most probably too obscure for inclusion, there’s the small hope that it might reintroduce both to larger audiences…possibly even boost interest enough in seeking out and playing the Grandia HD Collection available on the Switch.

6. Klonoa (Klonoa)

Despite existing in a somewhat similar degree of obscurity as Justin, the titular character of Namco’s Klonoa franchise has a small but loyal fanbase that would love to see him attract further recognition, especially following the multiplatform release of the Klonoa Phantasy Reverie Series collection that included a Switch port. Likewise, Klonoa’s simple design and basic move-set would fit very nicely into the Smash aesthetic, and his special “Wind Bullet” weapon could make for some unique attacks.

5. Sam & Max (Sam & Max)

This one should actually be higher up with the other less-likely selections (especially due to debuting and existing in non-gaming media), but I’d be lying if I didn’t really want to see the titular duo from the Sam & Max graphic adventure franchise being unleashed into the overarching Smash Bros. universe. Operating as a single unit like the Ice Climbers and Pyra/Mythra from previous entries, Sam and Max’s inclusion could also draw attention to their games – again, available on the Switch.

4. Doc Robot (Mega Man)

Even though I’d prefer the inclusion of Mega Man’s brutish rival Bass as a playable fighter, I’ve decided to go with the Frankenstein’s Monster-esque Doc Robot instead since the former already makes an appearance during the updated version of Mega Man’s “Mega Legends” attack. Regardless, Doc Robot is an interesting pick not only for being an obscure “wild card” character but for also having the established ability to use all eight of the special Robot Master weapons from Mega Man 2, which could allow for a unique move-set combining and/or stacking them together in different ways.

3. Metal Sonic (Sonic the Hedgehog)

In a similar addition to go along with Doc Robot’s nomination, Metal Sonic from the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise would be an interesting choice to serve as a “rival” character for Sonic with partial/overlapping move-set similarities. Like with Sonic, Metal Sonic would be a very fast and agile fighter but differentiated with projectile-focused attacks and the ability to deploy his “Black Shield” for temporary invulnerability; likewise, Metal Sonic could also implement his established ability to scan and copy his opponents’ powers by temporarily replicating and using other characters’ attacks.

2. Cuphead (Cuphead)

For the last two entries, I’d like to take a couple of guest fighters that are only technically “playable” in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as available costumes for the Mii Fighters character set, and promote them to fully separate fighters with their own character models and move sets. The first character is Cuphead from the eponymous run-and-gun title, with his attacks obviously being focused on his various projectiles and his signature “slapping parry” technique to negate damage.

1. Shantae (Shantae)

And the other character I’d like to promote from Mii costume to fully playable character is Shantae from the titular cult platformer series that debuted on the Game Boy Color: as many have suggested for her inclusion in Smash, her attacks should primarily be focused on her signature “hair whip” attack and ability to turn into different forms with unique abilities. Along with Cuphead and the Sam & Max duo, it would be nice to incorporate more Western-developed IPs into the Smash Bros. roster.