Tom Powter looks at the ten best newcomers in Super Smash Bros. 4….
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS is released tomorrow! It’s been a long six years since Super Smash Bros. Brawl came to the Nintendo Wii in 2008 and a lot’s changed since then. As with each new Smash Bros game, we are treated to a new set of characters – some old, some appearing for the first time.
If there is one thing that the new Smash Bros is being almost universally praised for this time around, it’s the character roster. It’s massive, diverse and features a fantastic selection of new characters, ranging from the heavily requested to downright obscure. With this article, I want to list the top 10 best newcomers to the game.
Now let’s clear this up – this isn’t an order of my favourites. This is a list based on the characters’ overall uniqueness and what they bring to the game. Move set and general design will also be taken into account, as well as how much work it looks like has gone into making the character all round. Remember, this is only my list, so please do leave yours in the comments! Also, the dates of characters’ first appearances are taken from their earliest possible releases.
Without further ado, let us begin! Spoilers inbound for unlockable characters!
10. Rosalina & Luma
First appearance: Super Mario Galaxy (2007)
Rosalina & Luma, despite adding to the overly saturated number of Super Mario representatives, are an excellent looking pair. They seem to play almost completely uniquely, with Rosalina being a powerful, magical fighter while Luma is a standalone warrior in his own right. Rosalina & Luma can team up for attacks, such as shooting cosmic star bits at their foes, but Luma can also attack independently – something never seen before in Super Smash Bros. The Ice Climbers might have done the double act first, but Rosalina & Luma completely redefine it.
If only her final smash wasn’t so terrible.
9. Wii Fit Trainer
First appearance: Wii Fit (2007)
Did anyone see this coming? Like, seriously?
I don’t think anyone expected the Wii Fit Trainer to make an appearance as a playable character, yet that’s what makes her so endearing. Not only is she a totally unique character, with a hilarious move set that encompasses a number of healthy tips, she is the embodiment of the casual game – something that sent the Nintendo Wii shooting to the top. Wii Fit Trainer’s final smash is a psychedelic display of multicoloured yoga positions and it looks amazing. Wii Fit Trainer is a very welcome and yes, still somewhat peculiar addition to the roster.
It’s the out-of-the-blue characters that make Smash Bros. so special and Wii Fit Trainer is the perfect example of that.
8. Little Mac
First appearance: Punch-Out!! (1987)
One of the older characters from Nintendo’s vast repertoire, Little Mac was the most heavily requested character after Mega Man for quite some time in the Western market. Smash Bros seems to have done him justice as well – his move set is totally original and really something we’ve never seen before in the series. Little Mac’s moves consist of powerful, land-based punches, emphasising a play style where you need to dip in and out speedily. Little Mac is almost useless in the air however, giving this immensely powerful fighter a substantial weakness.
His final smash, Giga Mac, is also somewhat lacking, but the amount of thought gone into the rest of his moves makes up for it. Also, his knockout punch is cinematic and awesome, almost guaranteeing a KO if it lands!
7. Palutena
First appearance: Kid Icarus (1986)
This heavenly goddess was heavily tipped to appear in the new Smash Bros game for quite some time – after all, director Masahiro Sakurai now works on Kid Icarus as well!
It’s a good thing she did appear as well, as her character design is stunning. Flowing emerald hair and crystal blue wings make her one of the more standout characters in the game. Her moves don’t disappoint either, with an amazing up-smash consisting of a blue laser that reaches the skies! Palutena is a fantastic addition to the game, adding to the unfortunately low number of female representatives in the series. Her final smash is also all kinds of awesome.
6. Shulk
First appearance: Xenoblade Chronicles (2010)
Another character who many expected (and wanted) to see grace the new Smash Bros, Shulk is a unique character who wields the intriguing powers of the Monado sword.
Shulk’s move set distinguishes him from every single Smash character there’s ever been – rather than having a simple set of moves, Shulk is able to bolster a number of his attributes through the use of the Monado Arts, which allow him to run faster, smash harder or do a multitude of different things. Having to change arts on-the-fly makes Shulk a tricky, but skilful character to use.
Also, his final smash calls in characters from Xenoblade, making for a great looking move.
Originally published October 2, 2014. Updated April 15, 2018.
