Smash Both Versions

There's little doubt over what counts as this week's most exciting event, from the perspectives of many Nintendo gamers. The company decided to build hype levels by announcing a special Super Smash Bros. reveal video, and the three minute live broadcast delivered a slickly animated sequence in which three new Challengers were introduced — Captain Falcon, Lucina and Robin, with Chrom making a cameo as a Final Smash. That takes us up to four characters — five if you count Robin's male and female options — from the Fire Emblem franchise, and reminds us that F-Zero, despite its ongoing position on the sidelines in Nintendo's catalogue, is still loved enough to appear in the mascot battling titles on Wii U and 3DS.

If you did miss that video, or simply want to watch it again, it's below.

Those additions mean we're now up to 36 characters, or 38 if you want to count the three classes of Mii Fighters separately. Super Smash Bros. Brawl was considered meaty at 35 characters, though the number could be considered higher depending on your interpretation of characters that transform into each other — such as Samus to Zero Suit Samus — or the fighters available through the Pokémon Trainer. Thankfully matters have been kept a little simpler with the Wii U and 3DS entries, with Zero Suit Samus Sheik getting their own spots on the roster. There's still some area for debate over the current numbers, however — the flat number to date is 36, but incorporating the three classes of Mii Fighter (Gunner, Brawler and Swordfighter) takes the number up to 38, though we think it'd be a stretch to argue that gender swaps in others (Wii Fit Trainer, Robin and Villager) represent different fighters, as their moves and strengths are identical.

Amiibo Smash

It seems, then, that Sakurai-san is a workaholic, with no suggestion that this is the final line-up — we'd bet there'll be at least one more major reveal prior to the 3DS version's launch in October. Let's also consider that Nintendo plans to release an amiibo toy for every character — those without a lot of cash will likely need to be picky, and Nintendo has a lot of work on if it's to meet that goal and produce enough toys.

While we wait for the final roster to be pinned down, we thought this would be a good opportunity to take stock of the line-up and learn which of the fighters have you most excited. We want to know which of this week's reveals pushed your buttons the most, which of the Newcomers have captured your imagination, how many amiibo toys you think you'll buy — with prices potentially comparable to Skylanders and Disney Infinity equivalents — and, finally, who's your favourite right now? Naturally these choices are down to which you simply want to choose, as we've not had the opportunity to find a favourite to suit our play-styles — that'll have to wait for another day.

As a note, we've taken our cues from the official website — if it's good enough for Sakurai-san, it's good enough for us. In the Newcomers list, we've left out those that appeared in previous games as transformations or through other means, such as the aforementioned Pokémon Trainer.

Share you choices in the polls and, of course, feel free to debate the merits of the roster — and who you feel has to be added — in the comments section.

Which challenger was your favourite announcement this week? (995 votes)

  1. Captain Falcon36%
  2. Lucina16%
  3. Robin36%
  4. I can't decide!5%
  5. I didn't like any of them6%

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Which Newcomer is your favourite? (1,039 votes)

  1. Robin8%
  2. Lucina3%
  3. Pac-Man7%
  4. Palutena7%
  5. Mii Fighter5%
  6. Greninja8%
  7. Rosalina & Luma6%
  8. Villager7%
  9. Mega Man26%
  10. Wii Fit Trainer4%
  11. Little Mac14%
  12. I can't decide!5%
  13. I don't like any of them  0.5%

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How many amiibo Smash Bros. toys do you think you'll buy? (1,001 votes)

  1. I want to try and buy them all16%
  2. As many as I can afford, which probably won't be all of them10%
  3. I'll pick about a dozen of my favourites10%
  4. Roughly half a dozen, I think8%
  5. Just a few for me25%
  6. I'm going to buy just one Smash Bros. amiibo6%
  7. I won't buy any11%
  8. I'm not sure yet14%

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Which is your favourite Super Smash Bros. for Wii U / Nintendo 3DS challenger so far? (978 votes)

  1. Pit3%
  2. Bowser  0.4%
  3. Pikachu2%
  4. Wii Fit Trainer1%
  5. Fox2%
  6. Kirby4%
  7. Mega Man9%
  8. Samus5%
  9. Link5%
  10. Villager3%
  11. Donkey Kong1%
  12. Mario2%
  13. Pikmin & Olimar1%
  14. Luigi2%
  15. Peach  0.9%
  16. Toon Link3%
  17. Sonic2%
  18. Rosalina & Luma2%
  19. Marth1%
  20. Zelda1%
  21. Little Mac5%
  22. King DeDeDe  0.7%
  23. Lucario1%
  24. Greninja3%
  25. Diddy Kong  0.4%
  26. Zero Suit Samus5%
  27. Mii Fighter2%
  28. Sheik  0.8%
  29. Yoshi2%
  30. Palutena2%
  31. Charizard1%
  32. Ike3%
  33. Pac-Man2%
  34. Captain Falcon4%
  35. Lucina1%
  36. Robin4%
  37. I can't decide!11%
  38. I don't like any of them  0.7%

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