Smash Hopefuls: Volume I

The first of (hopefully) many entries in a series, here's part one of Smash Hopefuls — a feature in which I detail characters who fans of the Smash Bros. franchise were hoping to make Brawl's roster of playable fighters... but didn't.

Bowser Jr.
First Appearance: Super Mario Sunshine (GCN, 2002)
Latest Appearance: Super Mario Galaxy (Wii, 2007)

A recent addition to the Mario cast, Bowser Jr. made a strong debut in Super Mario Sunshine as the mastermind behind Mario's apparent "vandalism" of Isle Delfino. In actuality, it was Bowser Jr.'s alter-ego, Shadow Mario, who used his magic paintbrush to paint grafitti all over the town's buildings. Bowser Jr. has subsequently appeared in all of Mario's adventures, ranging from main baddie (New Super Mario Bros.) to supporting henchman (Super Mario Galaxy). Whatever the role, Bowser Jr. is a force to be reckoned with, and a paintbrush-based move set would surely be interesting.

Krystal
First Appearance: Star Fox Adventures (GCN, 2002)
Latest Appearance: Star Fox Command (DS, 2006)

The girlfriend of Fox McCloud, Krystal made her staff-wielding debut in Rare's Star Fox Adventures. As the only female member of Team Star Fox, Krystal is one of the series' more popular characters, and (with the confirmation of her voice actor's involvement in Brawl) was considered by many to be a shoo-in. But, in an upset, the villainous Wolf O'Donnell made it in over her. Hopefully Krystal secures a spot in the next Smash Bros. roster, with her trusty staff in hand, and perhaps a Team Star Fox airstrike-summoning Final Smash.

Little Mac
First Appearance: Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! (NES, 1987)
Latest Appearance: Super Punch-Out!! (SNES, 1994)

The underdog hero of the Punch-Out!! series appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as an Assist Trophy, but many fans were hoping to see him in playable form. Alongside Mr. Game & Watch, R.O.B., Ice Climbers, and Pit, Little Mac would fit right in as a "retro" character representative of Nintendo's past. With all sorts of punches, he'd have no problem making the transition from The Bronx to the world of Smash Bros., but what would that mean for the rest of his move set? Surely a punch-exclusive arsenal would come across as boring, but anything else would be out of character.

Balloon Fighter
First Appearance: Balloon Fight (Arcade, 1984)
Latest Appearance: Balloon Fight (NES, 1985)

From the popular arcade/NES game, it's the unnamed Balloon Fighter. Fans clamored for his appearance in Brawl, but alas, such was not the case. Originally considered as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee, he (in both Brawl and Melee) can only be seen as a collectable trophy. With balloon-based movement, the Balloon Fighter would offer a unique play style. Although it could be difficult to come up with moves for him, Nintendo created original, befitting move sets for Fox, Captain Falcon, and others, so here's to hoping we see the Balloon Fighter in a future installment of Smash Bros.