More is always better with Smash Bros. More characters, more weapons, more stages, more options in every way, shape, and form. More everything, which can often include more weird. The recent addition of the Wii Virtual Trainer to the upcoming Smash Bros. game was definitely a weird one, but that could be just the beginning.
A petition has been circling asking for the President and Chief Operating Officer of Nintendo of America, Reggie Fils-Aime, to be included in the new Smash title. The petition is barely a week old, and whether real or a gag, it's caught the attention of the 'net. At the time of this posting, the petition has almost 13,400 signatures.
Reggie's E3 presentations have earned him something of a cult-like fan following, and while he's never featured in a Nintendo game, he's been with the company longer than the Virtual Trainer, and almost as long as other Smash brawlers like Pikmin's Captain Olimar and the Animal Crossing villager.
The petition's author, "Subik Cookies," notes Fils-Aime's celebrity status as a decent enough reason for his inclusion, and suggests "He could use Nintendo controllers and characters to his advantage as attacks." Sounds like someone has experience with an annoying sibling.
Supporters' arguments are without a doubt the best part of the petition. As Hubert Erglegrue confesses, "Until age 9 my life had no meaning. I was little more than a wandering soul in an empty world that just couldn't understand me..But then one day on what seemed to be another typical summer afternoon, I decided to turn on the TV to see what sort of cheap entertainment could help me get through another pointless day. The screen turned on and revealed a grand convention hall lined with hundreds in attendance. Suddenly lights lit up the stage and a dark figure walked out to the front. "My name is Reggie", he said, "I'm about kicking ass, I'm about taking names, and we're about making games." My eyes lit with wonder and fascination. "Reggie", I repeated in my head, a name that seemed to imprint itself on the texture of my brain and sink deep within the chambers of my heart...Not only has he earned his spot in his company's most anticipated new title, but he ought to have a game centered on his life and legacy...We, as members of the human race, can absolve ourselves if we put him in this game."
The possibility of it happening? Well, in all honesty, slim to none, and slim may have just left town. Fils-Aime said he's up for it on an episode of Jimmy Fallon earlier this summer, but the decision comes down to Smash's new director, Masahiro Sakurai, who notes that "we can not answer any questions about the content. Please note that I won't be able to answer any questions," at the top of his own Twitter page.
At the rate the petition is going, it will reach its goal of 15,000 signatures (and more) before the sun sets on the east coast. As for Reggie ultimately becoming a Smash character? I wouldn't hold my breath.