u/9tendoPong

At minimum, how closely related to video gaming do you think characters should be in order to be considered for Smash? I am asking where you think the line should be, not where you think it is, if it has moved, etc. Note that the categories do not necessarily go linearly from most to least related, and that many of the categories may be considered spectra in and of themselves.

1. Arguable by strict definition, but is a video game for all intents and purposes.

Example: Mr. Game & Watch

2. Arguable both by definition and in practice.

Example: Duck Hunt (1976)

3. Character representing a video game while themself being a peripheral.

Example: ROB

4. Video game specific version of a non-video game character.

Examples: Dracula (Castlevania), Henry Flemming (Codename: S.T.E.A.M.)

5. Video game related software that is not a video game in and of itself.

Example: This 3DS eShop bag guy

6. Computer software that is neither a video game in and of itself, nor particularly closely related to video games.

Examples: Clippy, Hatsune Miku

7. Characters from non-video game media made to promote, adapt, or otherwise tie into video games. Later appearing in video games themselves.

Examples: Diskun, Rick Wheeler, Ash Ketchum (not pictured)

8. Characters from non-video game media made to promote, adapt, or otherwise tie into video games. Never appearing in video games themselves.

Examples: Captain N, Amelia N, Nester (not pictured)