It’s no surprise that the iconic Charizard is blaring out of its pokeball and leaving its trainer behind to become a playable character in the new Smash Bros. He’s been featured as Red’s starter in the Pokemon Origins anime reboot, he’s won plenty of voting contests, and let’s face it: He was the first fire-breathing dragon that fans got to love and adore. What’s not to love about a fire-breathing dragon? Nothing.
The surprise pick here from Nintendo is Greninja, the water-ninja-frog Pokemon. Popular in many of the competitive battle circuits like Smogon, Greninja is often a banned pick for its overpowered ability Protean. This allows the glass-canon frog to switch its type based on the move it just used. More than likely the inclusion of Greninja is Nintendo’s marketing department looking to promote the somewhat new releases of X and Y.
This brings the total of Pokemon in the fray up to 4: Charizard, Greninja, Lucario, and Pikachu. Pokemon Trainer will not be in this new title. Both Charizard and Lucario are confirmed to feature their Mega evolutions in combat as well. Maybe as part of their Smash attacks?
The beauty of Smash Bros. has always been that Nintendo gives a game-long advertisement to each of its games’ stars. Someone who’s never played a Fire Emblem game may pick up Marth in a Smash Bros. title and decide “Hey, maybe I’ll pick up Awakening since I like these characters.” You like Greninja? Well, we just happen to have him featured in our newest Pokemon title on the 3DS.
What do you think Nintendo will reveal next? I’d love to lay some smackdown with Professor Layton.
