With Nintendo’s presence at E3 and the expectation that we’re going to hear some Super Smash Bros. news at the show, there is a lot of buzz about which characters will be added or returning to the series. There seems to be a large question mark lingering over a couple of (subjectively) under-represented franchises – particularly Metroid.
I’m a long-time Super Smash Bros. player, having played Super Smash Bros. Melee competitively throughout my teenage years. It’s been that game that I always look forward to when Nintendo announces a new system. I’m like a kid during Christmas whenever a new trailer drops. Nintendo knows what they’re doing, too– Super Smash Bros. as a series is a genius marketing tool that introduces fans of Nintendo to their more niche franchises.
The Splatoon Inklings didn’t know what the heck was coming. (Nintendo)
This will definitely show my age, but Super Smash Bros. 64 introduced me to the Metroid series. (C’mon guys, there wasn’t a Metroid game for the Nintendo 64, and I never owned a Super Nintendo). Since then, I’ve purchased literally every game in the Metroid series, and have gone back and played the NES and SNES classics. The world of this series is so vast and spectacular– it’s unlike anything of the original game’s time. We’re now 14 games deep into the franchise (coming up on 15 with Metroid Prime 4), and many Nintendo enthusiasts are curious: will Super Smash Bros. be getting another fighter from the Metroid series?
Let’s outline some possibilities.
Ridley the Space Pirate
Samus fighting the Ridley boss battle in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. (Nintendo)
Perhaps the most obvious (and most controversial) is Ridley. This blood-thirsty space pirate is Samus Aron’s arch-nemesis. Being the one reoccurring villain of the Metroid series, he seems to be the most logical choice of a new rep for the franchise in Super Smash Bros. since he is a series staple. Ironically, he happens to also be one of the most controversial characters to add to the Smash roster. Fans of the series seem to lean heavily one way or the other, but it all comes down to one thing: Ridley is just so dang big.
Being the growing boi that he is, Ridley has increasingly taken up more and more on-screen volume since his first appearance in the original Metroid for the NES. Many Smash fans say that sizematters, but there are a lot of people that disagree. Many argue that Nintendo doesn’t really take “canon sizes” into consideration when making Smash because, well, it’s not canon. For example, Captain Olimar from the Pikmin series is literally the size of a quarter, but in Smash Bros, he stands just as tall as Mario. Heck, even Ridley himself appears in Super Smash Bros Melee’s opening cinematic, and he and Samus were roughly the same size. Sure, it looked a little ridiculous, but it’s Super Smash Bros. We have gorillas in neckties fighting faceless yoga instructors.
Samus and Ridley in the Super Smash Bros. Melee opening cinematic. (Nintendo)
Aside from the size controversy, Ridley has many attributes that would fit well into the Smash Bros. universe. His wings grant him a lot of aerial mobility. Also his lethal claws and tail provide handy weapons in close combat, and his ability to breath plasma fireballs give him some range, as well. We could see him being like a slightly less-heavy Charizard in that regard. All-around, this space pirate would be an excellent addition to the Super Smash Bros. roster, barring any, uh, size issues.
Sylux the Bounty Hunter
This is a bit of a odd ball, but Sylux has a pretty good chance of jumping into the fray. Sylux first appeared in the DS title Metroid Prime Hunters, and hasn’t really been seen or heard from since. **SPOILERS** This guy is sort of a weird one because not much is really known about him. The main reason fans suspect Sylux is because of his inclusion in the special ending of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. This ending seems to set up the next game of the series as Sylux being the main antagonist. We’ve been waiting for a while (10 years, actually), but Metroid Prime 4 is currently in development for the Nintendo Switch! We said Nintendo loves to use Super Smash Bros. as a marketing tool, didn’t we?
The Sylux Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. (Nintendo)
Honestly, the guy’s pretty unique when it comes to his fighting prowess. His main weapon, the Shock Coil (which was a prototype weapon that he stole from the Federation), shoots out an electrical beam that drains his foe’s energy and replenishes his own. He also has another form that’s similar to Samus’s Morphball called Lockjaw. He can lay out bombs and tripwires in this form, which could make for some interesting gameplay. If what Nintendo hinted in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is what we should expect for Metroid Prime 4, Sylux would be a super obvious and welcome addition to the Super Smash Bros. family.
Anthony Higgs, Galactic Federation Soldier
Anthony Higgs of the Galactic Federation from Metroid: Other M. (Nintendo)
While Mr. Higgs isn’t from the most popular Metroid game, he’s got a lot of personality to go with his pretty cool assortment of weaponry. Anthony is a solider for the Galactic Federation 07th Platoon, and a really good friend a colleague of Samus Aron. The two were both under the leadership of Adam Malkovich of the 07th Platoon and shared a sibling-like relationship even after Samus left the Galactic Federation to become a bounty hunter.
Higgs might not be the go-to likely candidate for the Super Smash Bros. roster, but I’d love to blast my friend’s Lucas in the face with Anthony Higg’s Freeze Gun (PK Freeze me one more time, I dare you). On top of that, Anthony’s been to the gym a few times, so he packs a ridiculously strong punch and can somehow do crazy acrobatics while wearing armor. Goals, honestly.
