5. Sonic (Smash Bros. Brawl)
If we were ranking the most iconic characters to make their Smash Bros debut, the venerable Mr. Needlemouse here would definitely rank number 1.
But take note of the title, keen observers. We’re talking about the best reveals, and alas, when the blue bur sped onto the scene, he did so with more of a fizzle than a sizzle. Low key, that’s some wordplay artistry right there.
If you’re scratching your head trying to recall how Sonic the Hedgehog — the fella who singlehandedly took the fight to Mario in the 90s — was unveiled, it’s because he was basically suddenly there one day.
Hello, Sonic! Surely you could have made a better entrance? It’s kind of like walking into a room and just breaking wind. Like, we’re happy to see you, but we’re a little underwhelmed.
The issue, you see, is that Sonic’s reveal trailer was first screened at a closed-door event, leaving most of us to find out through relayed second-hand information, or a short while after, while checking the Dojo one sleepy October morning.
He also came bearing bad news, as his debut was made in conjunction with an announcement that Brawl’s release date would be pushed back by several weeks. Ironically, the mascot characterized by his penchant for going fast was handcuffed to the knowledge that the game would not be quite as expedient.
On a completely unrelated note, how on earth did we ever survive having to watch videos at such a low resolution back in the mid-2000s?!
4. Joker (Smash Bros. Ultimate)
Joker’s shocking addition to the Smash Bros. echelons is unique from the other entries on this list, because he was the only character whose identity preceded the context in his initial trailer, allowing us to get hyped in a completely different way.
When he came to crash the party at the Game Awards 2018, we could see from the get-go who it was, but as this was not a Nintendo show, we didn’t immediately understand why he was here. Were they about to unveil a new Persona port? Or a spin-off of some kind? Maybe Joker just really wanted to congratulate Epic for attaining the award for best ongoing game?
Once the envelope appeared onscreen, the sharpest minds clicked immediately, for it was the trademark indication that a new fighter had been invited to Smash. Then it flipped over to reveal that circular emblem, and our suspicions were all but confirmed…
Joker had become a mailman, and the long-awaited sequel to Paperboy was finally going to arrive on the current console generation!
Of course, we’re just being funny, albeit not very funny, because even we didn’t laugh at that gag.
Out of all of the characters to ever hit Smash, this was the one with the least amount of Nintendo exposure, having only appeared as a costume in Sonic Forces on the Switch. It was surreal, unexpected, and exquisitely delivered, adjectives that suit the Persona franchise quite well.
3. Snake (Smash Bros. Brawl)
Brawl may have the reputation for being the black sheep of the franchise (landing smack bang in the middle of our pre-Ultimate rankings), but it generated hype at an incredible pace.
Whether it was the tantalizing updates of the whimsical Dojo or the growing fanbase drawn in by the rollicking success of the Wii, it was a thrilling time to be a Nintendo fan.
The first trailer, screened at E3 2006, delivered surprise after surprise. Pit has returned from the dead! Wario has no sense of common decency! Samus has a gun so powerful it makes her nekkid!
It was a joy to behold, but the best was saved for last. After we thought it was all over, an incoming transmission displayed on the screen. We recognized the source, but the circumstances were completely foreign.
Solid Snake was on a recon mission, scouting out potential threats… in Super Smash Bros.
It was a huge game changer, because it opened the door for just about anyone to make the jump to Nintendo’s roster of all-stars, a delightful notion that continues to this day.
What was once the exclusive playground of the first-party elite had now been opened up to unlikely competitors from every walk of life, whether they were absolutely ludicrous (Goku) or unfathomably distinguished (Bop-Louie).
2. Banjo-Kazooie (Smash Bros. Ultimate)
Could this lofty position for the bear and bird be inflated by recency bias? Possibly… but to be honest, we are just too thrilled to even care.
The reunion of this beloved duo with a Nintendo console is sweet nourishment for the soul. It’s the return of the prodigal son (and daughter), and it all looks absolutely sublime.
In a way, the downfall of Banjo-Kazooie as a license mirrors the decline of Rare itself. There was a time when Banjo was as synonymous with the Nintendo 64 as Mario or Link, offering an embarrassment of riches that felt like it would last forever.
We all know what happened next. Nuts & Bolts isn’t the antichrist it’s made out to be, but it felt like an unnecessarily vindictive swipe all the same, proclaiming that we were all tired of “collecting pointless objects” while using “outdated moves.” Its whole tone was a little snarky in the early stages, when it really didn’t have to be.
But that’s all in the past. For now, however fleeting it may be, they’re back home. Where they belong.
…Hopefully, Sakurai doesn’t make them bottom tier to spite Microsoft.
1. Cloud (Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U)
This one still feels surreal, to be quite honest. When titans from Nintendo’s past return, ala Mega Man or Simon Belmont, we rejoice, because it is a homecoming befitting of their legacy.
As for Cloud Strife, however, his inclusion is so gratifying, simply because it had no right to happen.
The mercurial mercenary had only the briefest sojourns with a Nintendo system, via cameos in Theatrhythm and Kingdom Hearts. To ever believe that he would land in Smash was a pipe dream, for he was one of Sony’s golden boys. With golden hair. And golden Chocobos.
Then, it happened. A trailer that built slowly, enticingly, beguilingly (terrible adjective), until at last, those improbable words appeared: Super Smash Bros x Final Fantasy VII.
Needless to say, we all freaking lost it. We lost it so much, we are still yet to locate it. Please let us know if you ever find it, because we’re worried that we’ll someday learn it’s being hawked by Drake on eBay.
“Never thought I’d see the day…” he declares with his trademark apathy, echoing the sentiments of gamers across the globe. It was a special day, and even watching it now produces goosebumps.
Cloud is one of gaming’s greats, but in no way one of Nintendo’s greats. It didn’t matter, because he made it in any way, reaffirming our beliefs that Sakurai is in actual fact some kind of magical wizard.
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