The Super Smash Bros. series features many playable fighters from various video game franchises. Most of them are Nintendo's original IP, like Mario, Link, and Samus. Others come from third-party companies, like Sora from Kingdom Hearts, Cloud from Final Fantasy, and Sonic from Sonic the Hedgehog.
However, there are plenty of franchises the Super Smash Bros. series has yet to represent as playable characters. Some of these franchises make appearances as Assist Trophies, Boss fights, or simply just collectible Spirits in the game. One way or another, these characters would make great representatives for their individual series.
10 Andy & Sami (Advance Wars)
This turn-based strategy series has been dormant since 2008's Advance Wars: Days of Ruin on Nintendo DS. Prior to that, the series saw many releases on Nintendo consoles since its initial debut in 2001 on GameBoy Advance. The series also had an Assist Trophy, Infantry and Tanks, that appeared in Brawl and Super Smash Bros. 4.
However, the series is making a comeback on Nintendo Switch with the re-release Advance Wars 1+2: Boot Camp. Consequently, the series' protagonists, Andy and Sami, could be introduced as playable fighters in the next Super Smash Bros. title. They could function as alternate costumes of each other, like Minecraft's Steve and Alex, or Splatoon's Inklings.
9 Paper Mario (Paper Mario)
The Super Mario franchise already has many fighters included in Super Smash Bros., with many others on fans' wishlists. However, the spin-off franchise Paper Mario has yet to include its titular 2D plumber as a playable fighter. Even though Paper Mario is just Mario, his moveset could be unique enough to his 3D counterpart.
Luckily, the Paper Mario franchise has a lot of different abilities to pull for a potential moveset. Paper Mario could use his wooden hammer, which has yet to make an appearance in any Super Mario characters' moveset. Paper Mario could even utilize some more unique abilities, like the ones seen in Sticker Star or Color Splash.
8 Isaac (Golden Sun)
The Golden Sun series hasn't seen much love from Nintendo in recent years. The latest installment, Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, was released for the DS in 2010, and the handheld-exclusive franchise never made it to 3DS systems. That hasn't stopped Smash fans from clamoring for protagonist Isaac's inclusion in the series.
Isaac currently appears in the Super Smash Bros. series as an Assist Trophy, utilizing abilities like Move, Pound, and Lift to disturb players. In the Golden Sun series, Isaac has a lot of abilities that manipulate earth and plant life, meaning he could be a unique fighter in the Super Smash Bros. roster.
7 Hunters (Monster Hunter)
The Monster Hunter franchise has seen a big boost in popularity in the past few years, especially in the West. The most recent installment, Monster Hunter Rise, was made exclusive for Nintendo Switch before being ported to PC in early 2022. One of the series' flagship monsters, Rathalos, even appears as a boss character in Ultimate.
A Hunter would be perfect for Super Smash Bros., with alternate costumes varying in armor and gender. The moveset could, like Inkling, incorporate many playable weapons, like Sword & Shield, Insect Glaive, and Hunting Horn. Plus, a fully-fleshed out Monster Hunter map would make for some pretty spectacular views while fighting.
6 Takamaru (The Mysterious Murasame Castle)
Takamaru was a popular choice to be included in Super Smash Bros. 4, though the samurai was relegated to Assist Trophy status. His franchise, The Mysterious Murasame Castle, had one entry on Famicom systems in 1986. However, it has seen re-releases on Game Boy Advance, as well as 3DS Virtual Console internationally.
However, Nintendo certainly hasn't forgotten about the character or his franchise. Takamaru even had his own minigame in the Wii U launch title Nintendo Land. There's certainly potential for Nintendo to revive The Mysterious Murasame Castle, updating Takamaru's abilities and giving him a shot in the next Super Smash Bros. game.
5 Monita (Nintendo Land)
Speaking of Nintendo Land, Monita would be an interesting and perhaps humorous choice for a playable Super Smash Bros. character. Monita appears in Nintendo Land as a guide for players as they venture through various attractions based on Nintendo properties. She also cameos in several mini-games as an antagonist figure.
The Super Smash Bros. franchise has definitely not shied away from including characters from Nintendo's own history, like R.O.B. and Mr. Game & Watch. The series has also been known to include some peculiar choices, like Wii Fit Trainer and Piranha Plant. Monita could be a surprisingly beloved fighter among Smash Bros. fans.
4 Ray (Custom Robo)
Custom Robo is another franchise, like Golden Sun, that hasn't received much love from Nintendo for many years. Its last release was Custom Robo Arena for the DS in 2006, with its first release outside of Japan being two years prior with Custom Robo for GameCube. Perhaps it's time this series is due for a revival.
There may have been some hope for Custom Robo with Ray Mk III appearing as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Ray Mk III also appeared as a Mii Fighter costume in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, making him semi-playable. However, fans of the abandoned franchise may not be satisfied until they get to see Ray make a full appearance as a fighter in a future Smash Bros. installment.
3 Shovel Knight (Shovel Knight)
Shovel Knight has become indie game royalty since his debut title appeared on 3DS, Wii U, and PC. The titular character even shows up as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which is definitely a win for indie game fans. However, seeing Shovel Knight fully realized as a playable fighter would be an even bigger victory.
Shovel Knight's moveset could work similar to Mega Man, utilizing the various power-up he gains from defeating boss characters. The Shovel Knight game also features a large cast of characters, like Plague Knight, Specter Knight, and Shield Knight, that would make great Assist Trophies, or even playable characters themselves.
2 Shantae (Shantae)
The Shantae series, like Shovel Knight, is among the most beloved indie platformers. The series follows the titular Shantae, a half-human, half-genie with the ability to shape-shift. Simply put, Shantae is one of those characters with enough uniqueness, personality, and appeal that makes her perfect for Super Smash Bros.
Currently, the Shantae series is only represented in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate through a Mii Fighter costume of Shantae, as well as a Spirit. Hopefully, the inclusion of characters like Shovel Knight and Shantae could open the doors for more indie characters, like Cuphead, Sans from Undertale, and Zagreus from Hades.
1 Chorus Kids (Rhythm Heaven)
By far the most surprising lack of inclusion in Super Smash Bros. is that of the Rhythm Heaven franchise. According to mined game data, a Rhythm Heaven character was meant to appear in Super Smash Bros. 4 before being cut, though a representative never even made it to the follow-up, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Many characters could work as Rhythm Heaven representatives, like Karate Joe or series mascot Marshall. However, the fan-favorite choice are the trio of choir boys known as the Chorus Kids. They could stand on each other's shoulders and move altogether, with moves relying on players' timing, just like the beloved music-based series.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is currently available on Nintendo Switch.