Crash Bandicoot

Crash Bandicoot

Notable game(s): Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time

For: Would have previously been considered a long-shot, but the Fighter Pass era and the release of all 4 main games on Switch shortens the odds. A fun, much loved character that has spin moves and agility on his side.

Against: Nintendo has zero record of collaborating with publisher Activision on the Smash Bros. series and he's a PlayStation icon historically, so...

Final Smash: Opponents get trapped in one spot as Crash jogs towards them, strange grin on his face, before spinning them off in a whirr of arms and legs.

Edelgard, Dimitri and Claude

3houses

Notable game(s): Fire Emblem: Three Houses

For: Could be unique in the lineup as a three-house echo-fest combining the power and personalities of the Black Eagles, Blue Lions and Golden Deer into a supergroup; Battle experience up the wazoo; Not enough FE characters in Smash...

Against: Jokes! Fire Emblem already had plenty of representation, and with the addition of Byleth we're up to our ears in the Fire Emblems.

Final Smash: Black, Blue and Gold combine into a muddy brown of incredible HP drainage.

Rillaboom

RIllaboom

Notable game(s): Pokémon Sword and Shield

For: Would prove correct the whispers and theories online following the pattern of Gen 6's Water starter (Greninja) and Gen 7's Fire type (Incineroar); Big ape with a drum = ace.

Against: Nothing really, except there are plenty of Pokémon already.

Final Smash: Drum Beating is a no-brainer. It's super effective.

Sora

Sora

Notable game(s): the Kingdom Hearts series

For: Hugely popular; Keyblade could offer plenty of weapon variety; All sorts of potential for Disney(!) support character cameos; Some company for Cloud.

Against: Any Disney crossover elements seem unlikely.

Final Smash: Sora sits down and threatens to explain the entire Kingdom Hearts story and associated lore. All other combatants dive off the stage.

Travis Touchdown

Travis

Notable game(s): No More Heroes, No More Heroes series

For: A stylish addition to the roster; the recent release of No More Heroes 3 has only boosted his profile.

Against: An assassin's beam katana, however cool, is still a sword, and there's arguably more than enough sword fighters already.

Final Smash: A toilet appears and Travis sits down. All opponents vacate the stage in disgust.

DOOM Guy

DOOM Guy

Notable game(s): DOOM, DOOM (2016)

For: Handy in combat; Melee skills a-plenty; Could do with a change of scenery.

Against: Possibly the least family-friendly contender on this list.

Final Smash: The Doom Slayer removes his helmet to reveal a bloody, pixelated grin. A Cacodemon appears and smashes your opponent off the stage before Doomguy cracks out the BFG and sends it back to Hell.

Cuphead / Mugman

Cuphead

Notable game(s): Cuphead

For: Oozing '20s/'30s animated style; Would make for an incredible stage.

Against: Limited run-and-gun moveset; Already a Mii costume.

Final Smash: A huge happy sun appears in the background and comes to say hello. All opponents are obliterated. Sun is sad.

Paper Mario

Paper Mario

Notable game(s): Paper Mario, Paper Mario series

For: We've already got Paper Mario stages; Paper Luigi echo fighter; He came to Switch in Paper Mario: The Origami King, so that would add some nice cross-game promo synergy, no?

Against: Nothing obvious. Meh-meh-Mario?

Final Smash: Kersti the sticker fairy turns up and turns your opponent into a sticker which Mario then picks at. Unfortunately, it doesn't come off cleanly so you roll it into a ball and flick it into oblivion.

Lara Croft

Lara Croft

Notable game(s): Tomb Raider, the Tomb Raider series

For: Iconic character with PlayStation roots; Handy with a range of weapons; Would add to the ranks of female fighters.

Against: What Lara would we really want to see? Old-school, polygonal PS1-era or the more modern, rugged (and anatomically realistic) rendition?

Final Smash: A comically polygonal T-Rex appears and wreaks havoc.

Akira Howard and Legion

Astral Chain

Notable game(s): Astral Chain

For: The dynamic between the Neuron officer and their Legion partner could create interesting possibilities; who could resist a PlatinumGames partner-up with Bayonetta.

Against: None that jump out at us.

Final Smash: Lappy, the yellow dog and police mascot, appears and opens a sizeable can of whoop-ass.

Rayman

Rayman

Notable game(s): Rayman Legends, the Rayman series

For: Platforming hero; Unique anatomical arrangement; Ubisoft and Ninty sitting in a tree...

Against: Despite some exceptional games to his name, will Rayman ever stop feeling... a bit weird?

Final Smash: Rayman and his opponent approach each other - the enemy throws a flurry of punches, but they pass through the gaps between appendages. Rayman cackles maniacally and dragon punches his rival into the sky.

Waluigi

Waluigi 6

Notable game(s): Various

For: Apparently Waluigi is quite a requested character; Smash hasn't filled its quota of wiry moustachioed fighters; Purple is the best colour.

Against: People will never be satisfied and someone somewhere will still complain about it.

Final Smash: Sakurai himself appears in-game. Everyone else dies of shock. Sakurai drops mic. Game crashes. Done.


Which fighter would you most like to see get the final invitation to Smash?

Who do you think will get the nod? Pick your fave and be sure to let us know who you think it could be in the comments; be sure to join us for the event tomorrow here on Nintendo Life, as well!