Sourcegaming translates another Sakurai article.
This one's about his thoughts regarding additional features in games and fan reaction to them (this is also the article where he compares this to getting extra food). He also mentions Fire Emblem Fates in regards to "optional extra features".
As usual, I'm linking because I find these articles interesting, but it seems that this is one of the more controversial articles. I recommend reading the whole thing, but this bit from the end of the article just about sums it up:
From a developer’s point of view, I suppose it’s better not to force users to play these extra features in order to beat a game. Making users play a bunch of minigames only invites unwanted criticism, and I think that makes sense.
However, so long as that bonus content isn’t integral to completing a game, I think developers should be free to create what they like. After all, even if you don’t use a certain feature, someone else out there might absolutely love it.
edited 7th Aug '15 11:21:10 AM by Customer
Honestly, I think Sakurai and crew really dropped the ball when it came to the starter-unlockable ratio in both versions of Smash 4, but especially the Wii U version. I can understand making characters like Captain Falcon and Marth starters, but I find it a shame that the only non-clone newcomer that isn't available from the start across both versions is Duck Hunt. Why couldn't they have made Shulk or Pac-Man unlockable characters? Why didn't Toon Link, Lucario, and Sonic remain unlockable? Why isn't Wario available from the start?
Call me Willy Whistle 'cause I can't speak, baby. Something in TV Tropes really drove me crazy.Actually, I kind of like the entire original 12 available from the get-go in the Wii U.
I'd say Marth and Ike are starters, Robin and Lucina are unlockable, and Roy is downloadable.
Call me Willy Whistle 'cause I can't speak, baby. Something in TV Tropes really drove me crazy.Regarding challenges, I like to look at the pictures unlocked by completing challenges as if they were screenshots from a hypothetical Smash Movie.
Call me butter, because I am on a roll! 3ds friend code: 5258-0885-3903 Wii U: Bowser CharizardUnlockables are kinda nice, but in a fighting game, I think it's better to just have the options all available from the start, or near to it. Nobody likes a launch day party where they realize that their favorite character requires a run through Cruel smash or leaving the console unattended for a half hour.
I have a message from another time...Ness and Captain Falcon were starters in Melee. And, honestly, in Brawl I'd rather have Ness and Marth as starters and Ike and Lucas as unlockables. Specially with the entrance Ike got in SSE.
Having newcomers from old series as unlockables is a good move. Promoting unlockables to starters if they are the prime representatives of a franchise is also a good move.
So, I'd have Mario, Peach and Bowser as starters, and Luigi, Rosalina and Bowser Jr. as unlockables, for instance.
And Jigglypuff should be the "beat Classic to unlock" character. No exception.
There's something to appreciate about how he says all this for an installment that scrapped tons of single-player features established throughout the franchise's history and replaced them all with forgettable side-shows you could easily get anywhere else.
edited 7th Aug '15 12:59:39 PM by Demonfly
"Tell them to shut up and have some faith in me." - dead flashback guySomething along the lines, yes.
I'd also like to point out that Brawl wasn't the only game preceding 4.
edited 7th Aug '15 1:18:44 PM by Demonfly
"Tell them to shut up and have some faith in me." - dead flashback guyBreak the Targets was all but dead in Brawl anyway. We went from one per character to, what, 3? Maybe 5. Can't remember the exact number.
I guess Target Blast is the progression of the withering.
And how could I forget scoring? All those sweet delicious Points.
edited 7th Aug '15 1:19:11 PM by Enlong
I have a message from another time...Here's how I think the starter-unlockable ratio should have gone:
Starter:
Mario
Peach
Bowser
Yoshi
Wario
Donkey Kong
Diddy Kong
Link
Zelda
Sheik
Samus
Zero Suit Samus
Pit
Marth
Ike
Kirby
King Dedede
Meta Knight
Fox
Pikachu
Charizard
Ness
Captain Falcon
Villager
Olimar
Wii Fit Trainer
Mega Man
Mii Brawler
Mii Gunner
Mii Swordfighter
Unlockable:
Luigi
Rosalina & Luma
Bowser Jr.
Mr. Game & Watch
Little Mac
Ganondorf
Toon Link
Palutena
Robin
Duck Hunt
Falco
Lucario
Jigglypuff
Greninja
R.O.B.
Shulk
Dr. Mario
Dark Pit
Lucina
Pac-Man
Sonic
Downloadable:
Mewtwo
Lucas
Roy
Ryu
Total:
30/55 starters (54.5%)
21/55 unlockables (38.2%)
4/55 downloadables (7.3%)
Add in appropriately challenging requirements for each unlockable character and you're all set.
edited 7th Aug '15 1:43:02 PM by BurntMario
Call me Willy Whistle 'cause I can't speak, baby. Something in TV Tropes really drove me crazy.

I swear the universe is bending in my favor whenever I play Lucas.
edited 7th Aug '15 9:38:17 AM by FullMoon