So, Ness fans might like him. I could never manipulate projectiles in a practical fashion while fighting, though.

The fact that those projectiles could be controlled is why I didn't like them. It was impossible to successfully steer that stuff in the middle of a heated battle, and you couldn't just shoot it straight because it wasn't worth it damage-wise.

Would Zero Suit Samus really fall in the 'Newcomer' group, rather than the veterans group Mario and Link are in? Last I heard, ZSS would be used after some kind of transformation while using Samus.

I seriously hope there's going to be another EarthBound character in Brawl.

Either a new one from EarthBound, or Lucas or Flint from Mother 3. Either way, I'm just happy to get any update on the game .:D

That would be interesting. It would be like Zelda from SSBM, but with a big laser gun/sword thing. And we all know that big laser guns make everything 72.4% better, right?

Yeah, I could see that happening. During a discussion about her on another forum, someone pointed out that they could easily cut Shiek out and give ZSS some of her moves (or at least some modified version of them).

Anyone checked out the latest update? Pit's up special is flight, and the arrow shot sounds like it'd be tricky to use in the heat of the moment.

I love using Ness' lightning to annoy the hell out of opponents. It's not the easiest thing to use in the middle of heated battles, but fun when you can.

I had a friend or two that were good at shooting me with Ness's lightening after they had smashed me off the side of the platform and it made it so I couldn't get back over. It's seems like that's the best sort of use for it.

Also, why would Samus need an alternate form? It's not like she isn't pretty good right now (unlike Zelda, I don't know anyone that played as her normally).

There's no reason why she shouldn't have one, since it's just Samus without her armor. Why toss her into the newcomers list when she clearly isn't, and it wouldn't be too hard to have Samus pop out of her suit after some requirements have been met.

I doubt they'll use characters that aren't widely known... like, any of the other Earthbound characters are pretty much not gonna happen. I was surprised Marth and Roy were ever used, actually.
As for Pokemon, if they're shortening up the roster (which is a good thing if they have enough new characters to make it a new playing field), then they really need to only have two Pokemon MAX.
Finally, I would imagine that Samus changes like Zelda changes... whenever you want her to. I wonder if any other characters will have that ability....

Marth isn't all that odd from the perspective of the Japanese audience. Roy was used mainly for promotional purposes (his game was released just a month or two after Melee).

The new update is the "Final Smash" move, which is triggered by the item "Smash Ball".

The info today was pretty interesting. Of course we all saw it from the E3 trailer, but it's nice to get a confirmation. Mario Shinku-Hadoken!!!

Today's info might answer the Samus debacle being discussed here: Perhaps once you get the Smash Ball you do a mega-blast, while at the same time shedding your armour (also seen in the E3 trailer)

The biggest issue I have with Samus changing like that is then without items on no one is able to play Zero Suit Samus. Even if that is the case, I image there will be some way to play Zero Suit Samus without having to go through any hoops.

Perhaps hold A when the match starts, ala Shiek/Zelda. I just can't see them not allowing Zero Suit Samus to be played "at the beginning of a match."

Maybe everyone loses their clothes after performing a final smash. That would be so hawt.

Gannon in a speedo? DO. NOT. WANT.

More liek Mewtwo.

NO SIR I DO NOT WISH TO GO TO AGNPH WHEN I PLAY THIS GAME. :( :( :(

I've kicked a whole lot of ass with just plain old Zelda. She's like Jigglypuff: In the hands of a skilled player, she'll knock you all over the place. She moves kind of slow, but nearly all of her moves have tremendous power.

Today's update is being able to MOVE AND SHOOT AT THE SAME TIME.

Well, ain't that interesting. No need to jump cancel when you fill your foe with laser energy, huh?

It looks like the engine has really been tweaked to provide a nice free-feeling experience when battling. Still, I wonder if there is a line that should not be crossed in regards to freedom. I just hope they keep the balance of the last two iterations.

This isn't good if they kept the Ray Gun or have a new weapon that has a similar effect of knocking people back a good ways and handing them a little more damage than just the 1HP/shot of the Super Scope. That could be cheesed, easily.

Good point, Dopefish, though if they throw in some new items or ways to null this new advantage it might work. I'm wondering if this applies to all projectile weapons, so that would mean folks with guns can fire while moving as well.

Digging holes in the stage?

But still, things are shaping up just fine. I'm both happy and sad that Final Smash can only be done once and is in the form of an item so it can be turned off. However, the fact it can only be used once means there's no room for mistakes and it seems like only a single character can use it so not everyone will have a chance for it. As long as it can't be changed to multiple uses (turn off all items but leave final smash on on very high item rates) then it's tolerable.

All I know is that Mewtwo's Final Smash better be Psychic...

And Bowser better kick more ass than he does now...

And Sonic better be in...

Also wondering here if Mario will be able to spit fireballs while moving.

(I'd giggle if they allowed you to have no more than 2 on the screen at once.)

Probably not possible since moving while shooting fireballs will result in the cape instead.