Character Sheet: Toad (Original Sidescrollers)

TOAD

Now that we have all of the original sidescrolling Mario titles for the NES and SNES under our belt, I think it's time we go through and evaluate every character we have picked so far as being playable.

This time we have several, many of which can be fully developed right now, many who do not have a full moveset yet but have been pegged for their role in the series, and many with only half a moveset. We'll start with our main cast for now:

1. Mario
2. Luigi
3. Princess Toadstool
4. Toad
5. Yoshi
6. Bowser
7. Koopalings
8. Wart

Today, we will be covering Toad, Princess Toadstool's faithful bodyguard and friend of Mario and Luigi. Much like the Princess, Toad doesn't really do a whole lot in these five games, acting as a living goal post at the end of each world in Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, not appearing at all in Super Mario World, and acting as a sort of minigame host in Super Mario Bros. 3, leaving us with only Super Mario Bros. 2 to work from.

For the time being, Toad's moveset will be based almost entirely on Super Mario Bros. 2, and as such he will act as a semi-clone of Peach for now, albeit with different proportions, greater strength, and without the ability to float. So, think Toon Link to Link if that makes sense. Just like Peach, in SMB2 he could hop on top of enemies and pick them up to use as a projectile, pluck vegetables and other items from the ground, perform a special super jump if held down long enough, throw bombs around, and hitch a ride on various items such as autobombs and flying carpet. You can also count the possibility of his minigames from SMB3, which included offering a set of chests to choose from, a memory matching game, and a slot machine.

Here is the moveset I came up with, largely based on Peach's:

Standard B: Pick Up and Throw

Toad will pick up the characters faster and throw them forward farther for heavier damage, reflecting his increased strength.

Side B: Ride

Rather than an Ostro, Toad will ride around on an Autobomb which will fire projectiles forward for heavy damage.

Up B: Super Jump

Toad will crouch for a second, start to glow, and then launch into the sky like a rocket, just like Peach, though it won't take him as high.

Down B: Treasure Chest

Toad will pull a treasure chest from the ground, which can be thrown at enemies itself, or opened to reveal a random item for Toad's personal use. Can be any item within reason. (Will not be Smash Ball).

Final Smash: Slot Machine

Toad's slot machine game from Super Mario Bros. 3 will appear above the stage, each section stopping upon command from Toad's player. Whatever it lands on has a chance of dealing heavy damage to players or dropping an abundance of items.

Entrance: He enters through a Subcon door.

Taunts: "Thank you, Mario, but our Princess is in another castle."

Next up: We will cover Yoshi, Mario's steed from Super Mario World.