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a) Ivysaur wasn't the "character" in Brawl, but a part of Pokemon Trainer
b) I said most Pokemon are based on an anime incarnation. Greninja is another exception.
c) That entire point was an aside to a more important one: "it should be obvious why Pokemon are a valid exception". Pokemon, generic...
Yoshi is both a species and a particular character, and it should be obvious why Pokemon are a valid exception. Not to mention the fact that most of the Pokemon in Smash are based on or at least inspired by a particular instance of that species from the anime.
Do you honestly think that...
I'd rather not see generic NPCs like Toads and Shy Guys. They aren't even character, they're a species, and I don't see what they could possibly bring to the game. Frankly I think the game is already pretty saturated with Mario characters anyway.
What could Impa do they Shiek already doesn't...
Smash sells consoles, and Nintendo are in the business of selling consoles. Even if Sakurai really is serious this time, I doubt Nintendo would give up the series just because Sakurai won't let anyone else touch his baby. They'll put someone else in charge and the show will go on. A fresh take...
So what you're saying is, Rosalina would be more manageable if they took away the entire point of her gimmick?
Anyway, I personally prefer when they are apart, when they're together Luma gets in the way of my attacks.