Bowser's Castle

A stage that should have appeared in Smash long ago, Bowser’s Castle is a staple of Mario games, carrying with it its own distinct aesthetic and atmosphere, and offering up numerous possibilities in terms of hazards. The home of Bowser and his minions, the castle has appeared as the final level in nearly all adventure games and makes a constant appearance throughout the Mario Kart series as well.

As a stage, it will be a large-sized stage, with multiple different areas for fighters to brawl. At one end, a drawbridge crosses a pit of lava, with a switch appearing from time to time that will destroy the bridge. Behind it, players will find a small room that leads into a walk-off. In another area, smaller pits fire up lava bubbles and fire bars spin, making various platforms hazardous to stand on. At the top of the castle, a giant stone Bowser will loom over all, occasionally breathing fire at the topmost platforms.

Potential theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WnQBZ6idbU

Airship Fleet

Now, let's begin the stages. Obviously, these are a lot more subjective than the characters, as anyone of you could probably come up with a totally different assortment of stages even following the same logic as I did. Really these are more just my personal ideas for stages a game like this would be remiss to go without, representing either different games throughout the series or common types of levels seen hundreds of times throughout the series. They are listed alphabetically, as some of them really don't have a "chronological first appearance" per se.

First up, Super Mario Bros. 3 introduced the idea of Bowser’s forces getting around in giant flying pirate ships, which often served as home bases for the Koopalings or his other various generals. These ships would crop up time and time again, often featuring a complicated, moving level full of cannons and pits and enemies throwing projectiles.

As a Smash stage, Airship Fleet would mimic the general idea of these levels. It would be a moving stage, working its way through a complicated maze that the fighters would have to keep moving through, avoiding the cannonballs that would fire here and there and jumping over the various pits.

Potential theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teNGHggIrl8&t=121s

Pom Pom

As the Game Cube gave way to the Wii, so too did the Nintendo DS, give way to the Nintendo 3DS. With its launch, came a brand-new game that combined the linear levels of Mario’s 2D platformers with 3D layouts, rather than just the open worlds of previous Mario 3D games. This game brought with it the return of the boss character Boom Boom, alongside a brand-new female companion/alternate to take turns fighting Mario.

This is Pom Pom, a pink and red female Koopa of the same type as Boom Boom. While Boom Boom seemed to rely entirely on his muscle, Pom Pom seemed to have a bit of magic up her sleeve, using tricks and spells to mix things up. She would go on to reappear alongside Boom Boom in Super Mario 3D World, and even see a few playable appearances.

As a character, she will be an echo fighter of Boom Boom, their move pool being a conglomeration of both of their boss fighters. As an echo, she will be a bit lighter and quicker than Boom Boom, with better mastery over the magic-using spells, but still heavy and strong overall.

Likelihood rating: Piranha Plant clause

Chargin' Chuck

Dinosaurs won’t be the only hazards roaming Dinosaur Land. Bowser and his Koopa Troops are here too, fresh with a few brand new variants on the Koopa formula. Most prominent here are big heavyset Koopas dressed in football uniforms who like to charge blindly at you the moment you enter their line of sight.

These are the Chargin’ Chucks. Although charging is their attack strategy of choice, they often prove themselves the truest of sports fans with a number of moves featuring baseballs, footballs, and defensive maneuvers to keep you and Yoshi from reaching the goal line. Expect to see them as regular players across numerous Mario games, finally seeing their playable debut in Mario Golf: Super Rush.

In game, they are heavy and strong, but also quite fast. Charging headlong at opponents is a given here, but their moveset will also pull from their other sports-based moves most prominently seen in their debut game.

Likelihood rating: Piranha Plant clause

Boom Boom

Having fought your way through the fortress of the undead, you finally approach your first boss battle of the game. A huge Koopa appears before you, swinging his arms rapidly as he charges at you, extending spikes from his back if you get too close.

This is Boom Boom, one of the most recurring bosses in all of Bowser’s army. Although he would disappear for a time following this initial game, he would later find life and revitalization in the Mario series’ New Super Mario Bros. series and the Super Mario 3D series, even leading to his appearance in a handful of sports titles.

In game, he will be heavy and strong, but surprisingly fast for his size. His moveset will pull from all of his boss battles across the entire series, and will even incorporate a few moves from his female counterpart Pom Pom, who will act as his echo fighter.

Likelihood rating: Piranha Plant clause

Fursuit Mario

Now comfortable in knowing both their eastern and western audience had a Super Mario Bros. 2 to have played, Nintendo released Super Mario Bros. 3 in 1988. The game had a brand new engine and introduced a host of new enemies and mechanics alongside old enemies and mechanics from all previous games. One of the main new mechanics was the addition of brand-new power-ups that granted you new powers to help traverse the game’s worlds.

One of the most common subgroups of power-ups is the fursuits. It started with the Raccoon Leaf and the Tanooki Suit in Super Mario Bros. 3, but soon expanded to Fox Suits, Flying Squirrel Acorns, and so many more. Although frequently different in their own unique ways, many carry similar traits, such as flight and a quick slashing attack with a tail or claws.

In game, the Tanooki suit will be the first color swap, with Raccoon, Fox, Flying Squirrel and others subsequent. The character will be more floaty than regular Mario, able to drift in the air by spinning his tail and kicking his feet. His moves will pull from all the various fursuit power-ups in Mario’s history.

Likelihood rating: Probably not

Smash Universe Roster, Updated

SUPER SMASH BROS. UNIVERSE

1. Mario****
2. Luigi***
3. Koopa Troopa***
3e. Dry Bones**
4. Goomba***
5. Piranha Plant***
6. Boo***
6e. King Boo
7. Princess Peach**
8. Toad**
8e. Toadette
9. Yoshi**
10. Bowser**
10e. Dry Bowser
11. Lakitu & Spinies**
12. Hammer Bro**
13. Chargin' Chuck**
14. Kamek**
15. Pauline*
16. Shy Guy*
17. The Koopalings*
18. Boom Boom*
18e. Pom Pom
19. Rosalina & Luma*
20. Bowser Jr.*
21. Shadow Mario
22. Blooper*
23. Monty Mole*
24. Petey Piranha*
25. Donkey Kong
26. Donkey Kong Jr.
27. Stanley the Bugman
28. Wart
29. Birdo
30. F.L.U.D.D. Mario
31. Cappy
32. Pianta
33. Honeybee
34. The Broodals
35. Princess Daisy
36. Wario
37. Tatanga
38. Captain Syrup
39. Fursuit Mario
40. Sprixie Princess

*Any character with a revision was moved up in the roster.
**Asterisks by a character's name indicate the number of revisions that they have had.

Thanks for reading! Now, let's move on to the mainline Donkey Kong games, starting with Donkey Kong Country!

Character Sheet: Fursuit Mario (New Series)

FURSUIT MARIO

Settle in, folks, we've got a lot of revisions to get through for this one. The "New" series featured most of the series favorites, almost all of which have been included here already and most of them brought at least something new to the table. In fact, we only have four new characters to include this time. They are:

1. Mario (Revision 4)
2. Luigi (Revision 3)
3. Koopa Troopa (Revision 3)
3e. Dry Bones (Revision 2)
4. Goomba (Revision 3)
5. Piranha Plant (Revision 3)
6. Boo (Revision 3)
8. Princess Peach (Revision 2)
9. Toad (Revision 2)
10. Yoshi (Revision 2)
11. Bowser (Revision 2)
13. Lakitu & Spinies (Revision 2)
14. Hammer Bro (Revision 2)
15. Chargin' Chuck (Revision 2)
16. Kamek (Name change, Revision 2)
20. The Koopalings (Revision 1)
22. Boom Boom (Revision 1)
25. Rosalina & Luma (Revision 1)
27. Bowser Jr. (Revision 1)
30. Blooper (Revision 1)
31. Monty Mole (Revision 1)
33. Petey Piranha (Revision 1)
11e. Dry Bowser
22e. Pom Pom
39. Fursuit Mario
40. Sprixie Princess

Fursuits, or animal-based powerups have been a thing in the Super Mario Bros. series ever since Super Mario Bros. 3, specifically featuring Raccoon Mario, Tanooki Mario, and Frog Mario. Later versions also included the Bunny Ears from Super Mario Land 2, Penguin Mario from Super Mario Bros. Wii, Bee Mario from Super Mario Galaxy, the return of Raccoon and Tanooki Mario in New Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario 3D Land (with a Fox variant for Luigi), Flying Squirrel Mario in New Super Mario Bros. U, and a Cat Form for all player characters in Super Mario 3D World.

While some forms, like the Frog, Penguin, or Bee suits, had their own special purposes, almost all of the others functioned on the same basic principal: they had a tail that they could flick enemies with and they could fly. There were a few variations (such as Tanooki Mario's ability to turn into a statue), but for the most part many of these were more or less the same. With their heavy prevalence in the New series of games, I felt it the most appropriate time to separate them fully from Mario into their own character. My base concept for it is that the first four color swaps feature Tanooki Mario, Raccoon Mario, Squirrel Mario, and Cat Mario; with either a single color swap for each, single color swaps but of different characters (such as Fox Luigi and Cat Peach), or Frog, Penguin, Bee, and Bunny represented. As those last four vary heavily from the main fursuits, I'm leaning least toward that last one. Either way, here we go!

Here's the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Tail Flip
This is the most common move shared between the main fursuits, so of course it had to be represented.

Side B: Claw
This one represents Cat Mario most of all and is reminiscent of Diddy Kong's current Side B. Fursuit Mario will launch himself forward, latching onto either an opponent or a wall and not letting go. If attached to an opponent, Mario will slash at their face, but if attached to a wall, he can climb up or down it.

Up B: Fly
Again a common feature among all of these. Admittedly, Tanooki and Raccoon's version is more of a constant up-drift, while the Squirrel and Cat version is more of a glide, I image the move would work more like the Tanooki/Raccoon version, carrying the character up into the air.

Down B: Statue
After floating into the air a bit, Fursuit Mario can transform himself into a statue and drop like a rock onto an enemy's head, similiar to Kirby's Down B.

Final Smash: P-Wing
This one is based on the P-Wing and other, um, sympathy items the game provides you with after failing one too many times. Depending on the fursuit Mario is wearing, the suit will transform into its super form and P-Wings will sprout out of his back, making him invincible and allowing him to fly around the stage attacking people. I imagine it would look similar to Sonic's final smash.

Taunt: Maybe turning into a statue really quick, flipping his tail around, making his animal noise similar to how they meow in 3D World.

Entrance: Mario catches a leaf/acorn/bell and transforms into his fursuit.

Thanks for reading! Next up, we cover the surprise inclusion this time around, Sprixie Princess!

Character Sheet: Pom Pom (New Series)

POM POM

Settle in, folks, we've got a lot of revisions to get through for this one. The "New" series featured most of the series favorites, almost all of which have been included here already and most of them brought at least something new to the table. In fact, we only have four new characters to include this time. They are:

1. Mario (Revision 4)
2. Luigi (Revision 3)
3. Koopa Troopa (Revision 3)
3e. Dry Bones (Revision 2)
4. Goomba (Revision 3)
5. Piranha Plant (Revision 3)
6. Boo (Revision 3)
8. Princess Peach (Revision 2)
9. Toad (Revision 2)
10. Yoshi (Revision 2)
11. Bowser (Revision 2)
13. Lakitu & Spinies (Revision 2)
14. Hammer Bro (Revision 2)
15. Chargin' Chuck (Revision 2)
16. Kamek (Name change, Revision 2)
20. The Koopalings (Revision 1)
22. Boom Boom (Revision 1)
25. Rosalina & Luma (Revision 1)
27. Bowser Jr. (Revision 1)
30. Blooper (Revision 1)
31. Monty Mole (Revision 1)
33. Petey Piranha (Revision 1)
11e. Dry Bowser
22e. Pom Pom
39. Fursuit Mario
40. Sprixie Princess

Well, we already talked about this yesterday. Pom Pom is kind of in a tentative state, where I'm not entirely certain whether she should be a color swap or an echo fighter. For now, I am leaving her as an echo fighter, and we'll see what the future holds.

Pom Pom was introduced as a female variant of Boom Boom and appeared in Super Mario 3D Land and Super Mario 3D World, alternating boss duties with Boom Boom and occasionally tag-teaming with him. Both had a tendency toward brute strength and bouncing around inside their shells when hit, though Pom Pom introduced both a boomerang and a shuriken into the mix, both as throwing weapons. Not too much variance to make either fully distinct, but still enough to shake up their moveset a little.

Here is her moveset:

Standard B: Spinning Punch
The same as Boom Boom's.

Side B: Shuriken

The same as well, though it does occur to me that Boom Boom might wield the boomerang, while Pom Pom wields the Shuriken, just to shake things up.

Up B: Shell Slam

Based on her movement in 3D World, she will tuck into her shell, spin up into the air, and slam back down.

Down B: Spikes

Still the same.

Final Smash: Tag Team Bop

I suppose they can both support each other. Boom Boom will appear and they will pummel their opponents together.

Entrance: She will slam down from above.

Taunts: Maybe her own version of the angry stomp.

Next up: Let's introduce the first of our two brand-new characters, though kinda not a new character, Fursuit Mario.

Character Sheet: Dry Bowser (New Series)

DRY BOWSER

Settle in, folks, we've got a lot of revisions to get through for this one. The "New" series featured most of the series favorites, almost all of which have been included here already and most of them brought at least something new to the table. In fact, we only have four new characters to include this time. They are:

1. Mario (Revision 4)
2. Luigi (Revision 3)
3. Koopa Troopa (Revision 3)
3e. Dry Bones (Revision 2)
4. Goomba (Revision 3)
5. Piranha Plant (Revision 3)
6. Boo (Revision 3)
8. Princess Peach (Revision 2)
9. Toad (Revision 2)
10. Yoshi (Revision 2)
11. Bowser (Revision 2)
13. Lakitu & Spinies (Revision 2)
14. Hammer Bro (Revision 2)
15. Chargin' Chuck (Revision 2)
16. Kamek (Name change, Revision 2)
20. The Koopalings (Revision 1)
22. Boom Boom (Revision 1)
25. Rosalina & Luma (Revision 1)
27. Bowser Jr. (Revision 1)
30. Blooper (Revision 1)
31. Monty Mole (Revision 1)
33. Petey Piranha (Revision 1)
11e. Dry Bowser
22e. Pom Pom
39. Fursuit Mario
40. Sprixie Princess

I guess it's time to truly sit down and consider how I approach echo fighters and color swaps. Up until now, things had been pretty clear cut, as Toadette, Dry Bones, and King Boo were all very clearly distinct from their base counterparts, and those characters who were color swaps of one another came as a group set, like the Koopalings or the Broodals, and unless I wanted to introduce the premise of multi-echoes and how that would work, it was primarily the main feasible option and it worked. There was no reason to consider any method otherwise.

But this time around, we were introduced to two characters who feel sort of as though they don't quite fit either. They are distinct from their counterparts in a way, but they don't feel . . . distinct enough to warrant a whole extra fighter, if you get what I'm saying. But at the same time, it kinda feels like a slap in the face to the characters to relegate them to color swap status (I mean, who really likes the whole Olimar and Alph setup anyway), but we don't have that problem with the Koopalings or the Broodals, so what do we do?

I tested the waters and put a poll out on DeviantArt asking whether or not Pom Pom was preferred as an echo or a color swap. The results were . . . inconclusive. A complete fifty-fifty. So, that's kind of a bust. So I had to sit down and think about the situation. What exactly was the difference between a color swap and an echo fighter? Really, at the end of the day, they are both still based on the character model of the original with only moderate changes to their stats more than anything. From an aesthetic standpoint, it only means more alternate colors for the Echoes than for the Color Swaps. It seems as though the difference so far, really has mostly been the number of characters that are too close to each other to be fully distinct. In the case of the Koopalings and the Broodals, we are dealing with seven whole characters and four (or five) whole characters to deal with, and I'd rather not start listing characters as 24, 24e, 24ee, 24eee, 24eeeeeeeeeeeeeee . . . Whereas with Toad, Koopa, and Boo, they only really had one other person, so an echo was easy. But those echoes are their own distinct characters: Toadette has grown and evolved away from Toad as a character, Dry Bones have always been distinct, and King Boo is very much a distinct character from your everyday run of the mill Boos. What has Pom Pom ever been but "lady" Boom Boom? Dry Bowser literally is just Bowser. Literally the same character. But . . . FLUDD Mario is the same character as Mario, as is Fursuit Mario, and Paper Mario, and Doctor Mario, and Baby Mario, and whatever other version of the character may come around.

So, I don't know. I don't feel entirely comfortable making them full echoes, but I also don't feel comfortable tucking them away as color swaps. I am going to leave them as echoes for now, but if it suits you to consider them as only color swaps, please do. If it pleases you to consider them echoes, also, please do. We will see what the future holds. Thanks for reading.

Here is the moveset for the echo, Dry Bowser:

Standard B: Fire Breath

Pretty much the same as Bowser's.

Side B: Bony Boulders

Dry Bowser will chuck a boulder, the same way Bowser does, but I think this version should be made up of a bunch of bones crunched together into a ball.

Up B: Shell Spin

Dry Bowser will tuck into his shell and spin much as Bowser does.

Down B: Slam Down

Dry Bowser will also slam down, making a shockwave, but unlike Bowser, he will fall apart momentarily due to the impact.

Final Smash: Giant Dry Bowser

Much like Bowser's final fight, this one will likewise be patterned after the New Super Mario Bros. Wii fight.

Entrance: Bowser's skeleton will be lying on the ground before coming together again.

Taunts: Shaking so that his bones shift around. (I'm pretty sure I've seen that animation).

Next up: Let's do the same for Pom Pom.

Character Sheet: Monty Mole (New Series)

MONTY MOLE

Settle in, folks, we've got a lot of revisions to get through for this one. The "New" series featured most of the series favorites, almost all of which have been included here already and most of them brought at least something new to the table. In fact, we only have four new characters to include this time. They are:

1. Mario (Revision 4)
2. Luigi (Revision 3)
3. Koopa Troopa (Revision 3)
3e. Dry Bones (Revision 2)
4. Goomba (Revision 3)
5. Piranha Plant (Revision 3)
6. Boo (Revision 3)
8. Princess Peach (Revision 2)
9. Toad (Revision 2)
10. Yoshi (Revision 2)
11. Bowser (Revision 2)
13. Lakitu & Spinies (Revision 2)
14. Hammer Bro (Revision 2)
15. Chargin' Chuck (Revision 2)
16. Kamek (Name change, Revision 2)
20. The Koopalings (Revision 1)
22. Boom Boom (Revision 1)
25. Rosalina & Luma (Revision 1)
27. Bowser Jr. (Revision 1)
30. Blooper (Revision 1)
31. Monty Mole (Revision 1)
33. Petey Piranha (Revision 1)
11e. Dry Bowser
22e. Pom Pom
39. Fursuit Mario
40. Sprixie Princess

There's not a whole lot to say today either. Really just a whole lot of reconfirmation of decisions made in the original consideration of this character. Monty (as well as Rocky) appear in multiple entries of the series, both in the standard pop out of a cliffside and walk around version, the version that hides inside a hole only to pop out and throw a projectile, and once as a boss riding around inside of a tank throwing bob-ombs and shooting bullet bills. He also gained a larger, redder cousin named Morty but that's about it. So, yeah, I think our old moveset is still a solid representation of the character.

Here it is again:

Standard B: Bob-Omb

Side B: Bullet Bill

Up B: Pop Up

Down B: Tuck In

Final Smash: Monty Tank

The tank will extend up to three tiers and start driving around wildly, firing projectiles in all directions, based directly off the Monty Tank boss in New Super Mario Bros.

Entrance: Pop out of a hole in the side of a cliff.

Taunts: Crouch down inside the tank and glance around. Maybe make his little squeak noise.

Next up: We'll finally finish up the revisions with Petey Piranha!

Character Sheet: Blooper (New Series)

BLOOPER

Settle in, folks, we've got a lot of revisions to get through for this one. The "New" series featured most of the series favorites, almost all of which have been included here already and most of them brought at least something new to the table. In fact, we only have four new characters to include this time. They are:

1. Mario (Revision 4)
2. Luigi (Revision 3)
3. Koopa Troopa (Revision 3)
3e. Dry Bones (Revision 2)
4. Goomba (Revision 3)
5. Piranha Plant (Revision 3)
6. Boo (Revision 3)
8. Princess Peach (Revision 2)
9. Toad (Revision 2)
10. Yoshi (Revision 2)
11. Bowser (Revision 2)
13. Lakitu & Spinies (Revision 2)
14. Hammer Bro (Revision 2)
15. Chargin' Chuck (Revision 2)
16. Kamek (Name change, Revision 2)
20. The Koopalings (Revision 1)
22. Boom Boom (Revision 1)
25. Rosalina & Luma (Revision 1)
27. Bowser Jr. (Revision 1)
30. Blooper (Revision 1)
31. Monty Mole (Revision 1)
33. Petey Piranha (Revision 1)
11e. Dry Bowser
22e. Pom Pom
39. Fursuit Mario
40. Sprixie Princess

Today, there ain't much to say. After making his case in the 3D games (specifically Sunshine), Blooper went back to his basic classical appearance in these "New" games, just swimming around and darting upward the way he always does. That's okay, I suppose.

Here is the moveset:

Standard B: Ink

Side B: Surf

Up B: Inkjet

Down B: Tentacle Slap

Final Smash: Gooper Blooper

Entrance: Maybe float onto the stage, referencing how they can fly in The Lost Levels.

Taunts: Ink a little the way they do in Mario Kart. Wave a tentacle around. Float upward in the same animation from the original games.

Thanks for reading! Next week, we finish up our character revisions, starting with Monty Mole!

Character Sheet: Boom Boom (New Series)

BOOM BOOM

Settle in, folks, we've got a lot of revisions to get through for this one. The "New" series featured most of the series favorites, almost all of which have been included here already and most of them brought at least something new to the table. In fact, we only have four new characters to include this time. They are:

1. Mario (Revision 4)
2. Luigi (Revision 3)
3. Koopa Troopa (Revision 3)
3e. Dry Bones (Revision 2)
4. Goomba (Revision 3)
5. Piranha Plant (Revision 3)
6. Boo (Revision 3)
8. Princess Peach (Revision 2)
9. Toad (Revision 2)
10. Yoshi (Revision 2)
11. Bowser (Revision 2)
13. Lakitu & Spinies (Revision 2)
14. Hammer Bro (Revision 2)
15. Chargin' Chuck (Revision 2)
16. Kamek (Name change, Revision 2)
20. The Koopalings (Revision 1)
22. Boom Boom (Revision 1)
25. Rosalina & Luma (Revision 1)
27. Bowser Jr. (Revision 1)
30. Blooper (Revision 1)
31. Monty Mole (Revision 1)
33. Petey Piranha (Revision 1)
11e. Dry Bowser
22e. Pom Pom
39. Fursuit Mario
40. Sprixie Princess

Today, let's cover Boom Boom, the old Super Mario Bros. 3 boss, who saw a resurgence with the New series (specifically the 3D games), including the introduction of his girlfriend?, Pom Pom. To some extent, we'll also be laying the groundwork for Pom Pom as well, as she has been set as his echo fighter. I considered making her simply a color swap of Boom Boom, taking up his last four slots kind of like Alph, and I'm still uncertain as to whether that's the better option or not. Please let me know below which option you prefer.

In Boom Boom's boss battles, several of his moves from before return, including swinging his fists around, spinning rapidly while punching, flying with small wings, ricocheting rapidly inside his shell, and turning invisible. Pom Pom fights in a similar fashion, though she wields both a boomerang and a shuriken in different fights, creates doubles of herself, and can float in the air while spinning in her shell. Together, plenty to go off of. Separately, not quite there. So, together it is.

Here is the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Spinning Punch
Since it's probably Boom Boom's single most iconic move, I figure it's perfectly reasonable to keep it as his standard B move (though it could function as a Side B).

Side B: Shuriken

For this one, Boom Boom will whip out a Shuriken, like the one that Pom Pom uses, but will likely be designed to have a more "masculine" appearance, as they are somewhat masculine and feminine versions of each other.

Up B: Shell Slam

I think I'll leave Boom Boom's wings as an additional jump, while for his actual Up B, he'll tuck into his shell and spin rapidly, rising into the air suddenly and slamming back down, mirroring Pom Pom's variant on his own spin move.

Down B: Spikes

This one will remain, and give Boom Boom and Pom Pom an even mix of moves from the both of them.

Final Smash: Tag Team Bash

Well, this might be a little odd, but hey, if Chrom can still appear in Robin's Final Smash, why not? Pom Pom will appear in a cutscene beside Boom Boom, and together the pair will proceed to beat up on their opponent.

Entrance: He will slam down from above.

Taunts: Maybe his angry little stomp around as seen during several games.

Next up: Let's consider what we can do for Rosalina, who appeared as a secret character in one single game this time around.

Character Sheet: Hammer Bro (New Series)

HAMMER BRO

Settle in, folks, we've got a lot of revisions to get through for this one. The "New" series featured most of the series favorites, almost all of which have been included here already and most of them brought at least something new to the table. In fact, we only have four new characters to include this time. They are:

1. Mario (Revision 4)
2. Luigi (Revision 3)
3. Koopa Troopa (Revision 3)
3e. Dry Bones (Revision 2)
4. Goomba (Revision 3)
5. Piranha Plant (Revision 3)
6. Boo (Revision 3)
8. Princess Peach (Revision 2)
9. Toad (Revision 2)
10. Yoshi (Revision 2)
11. Bowser (Revision 2)
13. Lakitu & Spinies (Revision 2)
14. Hammer Bro (Revision 2)
15. Chargin' Chuck (Revision 2)
16. Kamek (Name change, Revision 2)
20. The Koopalings (Revision 1)
22. Boom Boom (Revision 1)
25. Rosalina & Luma (Revision 1)
27. Bowser Jr. (Revision 1)
30. Blooper (Revision 1)
31. Monty Mole (Revision 1)
33. Petey Piranha (Revision 1)
11e. Dry Bowser
22e. Pom Pom
39. Fursuit Mario
40. Sprixie Princess

Hammer Bros, and their variants, are kind of a delight in this series. They're so easy to categorize and work with, and it was a genuine delight seeing all the various types come back this time around. We had Hammer Bros, Boomerang Bros, Fire Bros, Sledge Bros, and Sumo Bros all return, all acting more or less the way they did before, with the exception of Sumo being upgraded to a boss and sending out electricity when he stomps instead of fire. We also got to see a brand new type introduced: the Ice Bro. Sadly, however, none of this adds really anything to the moveset, as Fire hadn't been included in the previous lineup, and Ice likely will not either, both probably being worked into some of his standard and smash moves, rather than his specials. (And of course, we have color swap options with all of these).

Here is the moveset so far:

Standard B: Hammer Toss

Side B: Boomerang

Up B: Sledge Jump

Down B: Sumo Stomp

Final Smash: Amazing Flyin' Hammer Bro

Entrance: Floats down on its platform

Taunts: Jumping around and tossing a single hammer would fit maybe. Maybe something reflecting how hyper they are in Odyssey.

Next up: Let's work with Chargin' Chuck once again.

Character Sheet: Bowser (New Series)

BOWSER

Settle in, folks, we've got a lot of revisions to get through for this one. The "New" series featured most of the series favorites, almost all of which have been included here already and most of them brought at least something new to the table. In fact, we only have four new characters to include this time. They are:

1. Mario (Revision 4)
2. Luigi (Revision 3)
3. Koopa Troopa (Revision 3)
3e. Dry Bones (Revision 2)
4. Goomba (Revision 3)
5. Piranha Plant (Revision 3)
6. Boo (Revision 3)
8. Princess Peach (Revision 2)
9. Toad (Revision 2)
10. Yoshi (Revision 2)
11. Bowser (Revision 2)
13. Lakitu & Spinies (Revision 2)
14. Hammer Bro (Revision 2)
15. Chargin' Chuck (Revision 2)
16. Kamek (Name change, Revision 2)
20. The Koopalings (Revision 1)
22. Boom Boom (Revision 1)
25. Rosalina & Luma (Revision 1)
27. Bowser Jr. (Revision 1)
30. Blooper (Revision 1)
31. Monty Mole (Revision 1)
33. Petey Piranha (Revision 1)
11e. Dry Bowser
22e. Pom Pom
39. Fursuit Mario
40. Sprixie Princess

Man, I love Bowser. Even if certain other characters give me nothing new to work with, he's always shaking up the way he does boss battles. Final boss's privilege, I guess. Let's see. He appears in all six games, each time as the final boss and a few times in between. In New Super Mario Bros., he . . . just does the original boss battle all over again. But then he dies, comes back as a skeleton, and then comes back and fights as a giant, spewing large blue fireballs now. In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, he . . . does the original boss fight all over again. But this time after he loses, he becomes gigantic and demolishes the platforms you can fight him on. In New Super Mario Bros. 2, he . . . does the original fight again. Hmm. In New Super Mario Bros. U, he at least fights you as a giant alongside his son, not in the same way this time. His airship does have a giant extendable arm though, so that's cool. In Super Mario 3D Land, it's kind of the same fight, except laid out in 3D, so that he can make shockwaves and throw barrels at you. And finally in Super Mario Land, he fights you several times while riding on the back of a car, throwing soccer ball bombs at you, spewing lava balls, and takes on a cat form to chase you up a wall, smash through that wall and claw at you, and duplicate himself. I mean, it's something. For sure.

Let's see what we've got:

Standard B: Fire Breath

I mean, yeah.

Side B: Boulders

He's always throwing something as far as I can tell. Barrels, boulders, big blocks of stuff. It seems only right that that be represented here as well.

Up B: Shell Spin

Well, now that the Klown Kar has been firmly distributed between Bowser and his children, and since the move he has in Smash currently, which had previously only been used by the Koopalings, has been demonstrated by the big guy himself, I suppose its fair to let him have it.

Down B: Slam Down

He slams a lot, making shockwaves as he does so, so I suppose this is also quite appropriate.

Final Smash: Giant Bowser

Bowser has appeared in giant forms in many, many games so far, so it's only fitting that be the case her. I think I prefer it's New Super Mario Bros. Wii variant specifically.

Entrance: Bowser will land in his Koopa Klown Kar.

Taunts: His evil laugh from Super Mario 64, many of his taunts from Odyssey and other games, holding up a captive something or other, the list goes on.

Next up: Let's cover the Lakitu species.

Character Sheet: Toad (New Series)

TOAD

Settle in, folks, we've got a lot of revisions to get through for this one. The "New" series featured most of the series favorites, almost all of which have been included here already and most of them brought at least something new to the table. In fact, we only have four new characters to include this time. They are:

1. Mario (Revision 4)
2. Luigi (Revision 3)
3. Koopa Troopa (Revision 3)
3e. Dry Bones (Revision 2)
4. Goomba (Revision 3)
5. Piranha Plant (Revision 3)
6. Boo (Revision 3)
8. Princess Peach (Revision 2)
9. Toad (Revision 2)
10. Yoshi (Revision 2)
11. Bowser (Revision 2)
13. Lakitu & Spinies (Revision 2)
14. Hammer Bro (Revision 2)
15. Chargin' Chuck (Revision 2)
16. Kamek (Name change, Revision 2)
20. The Koopalings (Revision 1)
22. Boom Boom (Revision 1)
25. Rosalina & Luma (Revision 1)
27. Bowser Jr. (Revision 1)
30. Blooper (Revision 1)
31. Monty Mole (Revision 1)
33. Petey Piranha (Revision 1)
11e. Dry Bowser
22e. Pom Pom
39. Fursuit Mario
40. Sprixie Princess

Toad, and the Toad race, appear throughout all games in this series, generally as playable characters in the console games, and as support characters in the handheld games. In New Super Mario Bros. Wii and New Super Mario Bros. U, the Blue and Yellow Toads (officially-unofficially named Buckenberry and Alagold respectively) act as the player 3 and player 4 slots after Mario and Luigi, while Buckenberry appears alone as the player 4 slot in Super Mario 3D World. The main red-spotted Toad makes frequent appearances regardless, generally taking up the support role in the console games, and is playable in a sort of in-game demo for Toad's Treasure Tracker in 3D World.

As a support character, Toads will generally appear in Toad Houses, offering you treasure chests or presents from which you can grab an item. In the playable versions, Buckenberry and Alagold can do everything the other characters can do, meaning Fire Flowers, Starmen, Mini Mushrooms, Ice Flowers, the Penguin Suit, the Propeller Hat, the Flying Squirrel Suit, Baby Yoshi, the Cat Suit, Double Cherries, Cannon, Flashlight, and Propeller Blocks, the Tanooki Suit, the Mega Mushroom, and Boomerang Flowers can all be considered for their moveset. While Captain Toad's Treasure Tracker levels are an entirely new playstyle and moveset, he doesn't really do anything besides walk around in them. The simplicity is part of their charm, truly, but I can't really make a case for any moves to be added or even a separate character to be created. At least, not yet.

Let's see what we can do:

Standard B: Pick Up and Throw

Sure, why not. Let's keep this one as his base move, as he is the only member of the Super Mario Bros. 2 cast to still retain it, and not have a unique move that particularly stands out as a solid replacement.

Side B: Ice Flower OR Boomerang Flower

I think I'm kind of regretting giving both of these to Luigi already. Ah, well, c'est la vie. We'll see what future games can bring to us. (After all, I distinctly remember a pickax item in Treasure Tracker, so we'll see how it goes. Also we do have the Luigi Missile, which, while never being seen in any games so far, is pretty iconic for the Smash series, so there's possibilities.)

Up B: Propeller Hat

Toad gains the Propeller Hat item from New Super Mario Bros. Wii, with the propeller launching him up into the sky at high speed before drifting back down again.

Down B: Treasure Chest

Yeah. Imma keep it. Providing items has always been a strong part of the Toad character/s.

Final Smash: Mega Mushroom

Now, while I did give this one to Mario, Toad's item-centric nature makes this a solid pick for his Final Smash. Plus, Mario could have other options down the line, so I'm not worried about it.

Entrance: He arrives aboard the Toad Brigade's ship.

Taunts: "Thank you, Mario, but our Princess is in another castle." That whistle bit at the beginning of the Toad Brigade's leitmotif. "Alright."

*Note: All changes apply to Toadette as well, with the exception of the Peach Crown as her Final Smash.

Next up: Let's see what we get from Yoshi this time.

Character Sheet: Princess Peach (New Series)

PRINCESS PEACH

Settle in, folks, we've got a lot of revisions to get through for this one. The "New" series featured most of the series favorites, almost all of which have been included here already and most of them brought at least something new to the table. In fact, we only have four new characters to include this time. They are:

1. Mario (Revision 4)
2. Luigi (Revision 3)
3. Koopa Troopa (Revision 3)
3e. Dry Bones (Revision 2)
4. Goomba (Revision 3)
5. Piranha Plant (Revision 3)
6. Boo (Revision 3)
8. Princess Peach (Revision 2)
9. Toad (Revision 2)
10. Yoshi (Revision 2)
11. Bowser (Revision 2)
13. Lakitu & Spinies (Revision 2)
14. Hammer Bro (Revision 2)
15. Chargin' Chuck (Revision 2)
16. Kamek (Name change, Revision 2)
20. The Koopalings (Revision 1)
22. Boom Boom (Revision 1)
25. Rosalina & Luma (Revision 1)
27. Bowser Jr. (Revision 1)
30. Blooper (Revision 1)
31. Monty Mole (Revision 1)
33. Petey Piranha (Revision 1)
11e. Dry Bowser
22e. Pom Pom
39. Fursuit Mario
40. Sprixie Princess

Today, let's cover Princess Peach once again. In this series of games, she almost never played much of a role outside of being the person held captive by Bowser, the sole exception to this being Super Mario 3D World, which took a bit of a leaf from Super Mario Bros. 2, with Mario, Luigi, Peach, and a Toad being the playable characters. As such, in it, she can run and jump, use the Fire Flower, Starman, Cat Suit, Double Cherry, Cannon Block, Flashlight Block, Tanooki Suit, Propeller Block, Mega Mushroom, and Boomerang Flower. In Super Mario 3D Land, a series of postcards depict an escape attempt by Peach, but the only action shown is a smack to the head of a Goomba with her umbrella. Let's see what we can do!

Here is the moveset I came up with:

Standard B: Toadsworth

I've never really liked this move, as it has always felt like the main factor blocking Toad from entry in the Smash series, but I can't really see any of those listed above as a better move for Peach specifically than Toadsworth already is.

Side B: Parasol Smack

I will use her sharp use of her parasol against her captors during her escape attempt in Super Mario 3D Land for the current moveset though.

Up B: Parasol

Still can stay as Peach's current Up B.

Down B: Vegetable

Same as always

Final Smash: Music Box

This still works, as it is an item used in the games by Peach, and bears a strong resemblance to her current Final Smash.

Entrance: She floats down from the sky on her parasol.

Taunts: Her kiss of Mario at the end of many games could be one, a lot of her small movements throughout her cutscenes perhaps, some of her victory screens from Super Mario 3D World maybe.

Next up: Let's see what we can do with Toad.

Character Sheet: Boo (New Series)

BOO

Settle in, folks, we've got a lot of revisions to get through for this one. The "New" series featured most of the series favorites, almost all of which have been included here already and most of them brought at least something new to the table. In fact, we only have four new characters to include this time. They are:

1. Mario (Revision 4)
2. Luigi (Revision 3)
3. Koopa Troopa (Revision 3)
3e. Dry Bones (Revision 2)
4. Goomba (Revision 3)
5. Piranha Plant (Revision 3)
6. Boo (Revision 3)
8. Princess Peach (Revision 2)
9. Toad (Revision 2)
10. Yoshi (Revision 2)
11. Bowser (Revision 2)
13. Lakitu & Spinies (Revision 2)
14. Hammer Bro (Revision 2)
15. Chargin' Chuck (Revision 2)
16. Kamek (Name change, Revision 2)
20. The Koopalings (Revision 1)
22. Boom Boom (Revision 1)
25. Rosalina & Luma (Revision 1)
27. Bowser Jr. (Revision 1)
30. Blooper (Revision 1)
31. Monty Mole (Revision 1)
33. Petey Piranha (Revision 1)
11e. Dry Bowser
22e. Pom Pom
39. Fursuit Mario
40. Sprixie Princess

Alright, let's cover the Boo today! There's really not much difference to Boos this time, aside from a few . . . relatives, I suppose, in the form of Peepas and Broozers, though they aren't quite the same so I don't think they should count really. There is a version of the Boo that puffs itself up when looked at, and it seems as though they can possess candlesticks and blocks to throw them at opponents, so that's fun.

Here is their updated moveset:

Standard B: Obake Candlestick
Boo will use his powers to possess a candlestick, raise it into the air and throw it at opponents.

Side B: Bomb Boo

Sticking with Bomb Boo, since it works just fine.

Up B: Boo String

I kind of wanted to use the Boo that inflates itself for this one, but as I'd imagine Boo would move in a similar fashion to Kirby in Smash, I imagined that it would simply be better for his multi-jump animation, so sticking with Boo String for now.

Down B: Vanish

Combining Boo's previous Standard B with his Down B for this one, since they were almost the same move anyway. Boo will vanish, leaving behind a floating block, as a defensive move.

Final Smash: Roulette

Same as before

Entrance: Appears out of nowhere

Taunts: Just the basic cover-your-face animation. That screech of theirs needs to be included too. When they flash and show off a blue coin for sure.

*Note: all move changes also apply to King Boo, so I guess just a bigger candlestick (maybe a whole chandelier?)

Next up: Let's see what we can do for Princess Peach Toadstool!

Character Sheet: Piranha Plant (New Series)

PIRANHA PLANT

Settle in, folks, we've got a lot of revisions to get through for this one. The "New" series featured most of the series favorites, almost all of which have been included here already and most of them brought at least something new to the table. In fact, we only have four new characters to include this time. They are:

1. Mario (Revision 4)
2. Luigi (Revision 3)
3. Koopa Troopa (Revision 3)
3e. Dry Bones (Revision 2)
4. Goomba (Revision 3)
5. Piranha Plant (Revision 3)
6. Boo (Revision 3)
8. Princess Peach (Revision 2)
9. Toad (Revision 2)
10. Yoshi (Revision 2)
11. Bowser (Revision 2)
13. Lakitu & Spinies (Revision 2)
14. Hammer Bro (Revision 2)
15. Chargin' Chuck (Revision 2)
16. Kamek (Name change, Revision 2)
20. The Koopalings (Revision 1)
22. Boom Boom (Revision 1)
25. Rosalina & Luma (Revision 1)
27. Bowser Jr. (Revision 1)
30. Blooper (Revision 1)
31. Monty Mole (Revision 1)
33. Petey Piranha (Revision 1)
11e. Dry Bowser
22e. Pom Pom
39. Fursuit Mario
40. Sprixie Princess

You know what? Piranha Plants actually do a lot. I don't know why any of us were surprised when they got included in Ultimate. There is just so much to work with, of course the game designers looked at them and said "of course." Anyway . . . the Piranha Plants appear in all six of the games covered in this section, doing their standard rise and chomp animation, and have their basic ability to breathe fire. They can also walk around and can definitively extend their necks to the length shown in Ultimate. Their ptooie ability was shown off in these games as well, and they gained four offshoot version: a skeletal plant patterned after the Dry Bones, a black colored plant that spits ink, a red-and-black spiky version best known as Fire Piranha Plant in Mario Tennis Aces, and their long massive Creeper forms from the 3D games. I certainly do have plenty to work with.

Here's what we've got so far:

Standard B: Fireball
A notable "problem," if you will, of the Plant's Ultimate moveset is the lack of a fireball move even though it is the Piranha Plant's most notable attack. Going through all of this though, I can more or less understand it, between the Fireball, Ptooie, and Paint/Ink/Poison moves, there's just a whole lot to do with the Piranha Plant, and something had to give. Since, the fireball is common to a few other characters, I suppose it seemed natural to the designers to simply sacrifice that one. For now, however, I am choosing to leave it where it is, as the Extendo-Neck move that fills the Down B slot hasn't entirely made its mark with me quite yet.

Side B: Ptooie

I'm keeping this here as well.

Up B: Fly

Stays the same.

Down B: Paint

This one is reflecting the Ink/Paint/Poison moves present across various games including Sunshine, Odyssey, and 3D World. It's just too prevalent to leave it out.

Final Smash: Piranha Creepers

Today, we're changing it up and going back (sort of) to the original Final Smash on this series, with a Piranha Plant creeper snaking its way around every facet of the stage, forming a sort of Naval Piranha-esque death trap for players.

Entrance: Pops out of a pipe.

Taunts: Chomping around the way he does now. Doing the iconic up and down movement. Maybe the sleep animation.

Next up: Let's cover Boo!

Character Sheet: Goomba (New Series)

GOOMBA

Settle in, folks, we've got a lot of revisions to get through for this one. The "New" series featured most of the series favorites, almost all of which have been included here already and most of them brought at least something new to the table. In fact, we only have four new characters to include this time. They are:

1. Mario (Revision 4)
2. Luigi (Revision 3)
3. Koopa Troopa (Revision 3)
3e. Dry Bones (Revision 2)
4. Goomba (Revision 3)
5. Piranha Plant (Revision 3)
6. Boo (Revision 3)
8. Princess Peach (Revision 2)
9. Toad (Revision 2)
10. Yoshi (Revision 2)
11. Bowser (Revision 2)
13. Lakitu & Spinies (Revision 2)
14. Hammer Bro (Revision 2)
15. Chargin' Chuck (Revision 2)
16. Kamek (Name change, Revision 2)
20. The Koopalings (Revision 1)
22. Boom Boom (Revision 1)
25. Rosalina & Luma (Revision 1)
27. Bowser Jr. (Revision 1)
30. Blooper (Revision 1)
31. Monty Mole (Revision 1)
33. Petey Piranha (Revision 1)
11e. Dry Bowser
22e. Pom Pom
39. Fursuit Mario
40. Sprixie Princess

Alright, today, let's talk about the Goomba again, Mario's most basic enemy. For most of these games, the Goomba more or less act as they always do, though they do again feature the stack-up ability shown in Super Mario Odyssey. They also made use of the Tanooki and Cat suit, mostly giving them the ability to flick with it or glide the way the cat does, and they wear a version of Kuriboh's shoe that they use to ice skate in snow levels. It's also worth mentioning that the Galoomba returns, alongside another offshoot of the Goomba called the Goombrat, and a skeletal version. They also can pop out of chestnut shells too, hearkening to their origins.

Here is the moveset as adapted so far:

Standard B: Goom Spear

Side B: Kuribo's Shoe

Up B: Paragoomba

Down B: Stack Up

Final Smash: Goomboss

Entrance: Changed to pops out of chestnut shell.

Taunts: The little hop around and squeak from Super Mario 64 for sure.

Galoomba and Goombrat for sure color swaps, also to be eventually joined by Goombella and Goombario and maybe a couple others.

Next up: Let's check out Piranha Plant.