Microsoft's Xbox is one of the biggest video game franchises globally. Yet, it is one of the few to not pit its most popular IPs against one another in a competition to slap each other silly. Since the release of Super Smash Bros for the Nintendo 64 in 1999, platform fighters have grown exponentially in popularity. With the two other juggernauts of gaming, Nintendo and Playstation, having their own platform fighters, and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl right around the corner, Xbox could potentially develop their own and celebrate all of the amazing achievements and games that have come from Xbox and their partners.
There was once the notion that Microsoft's lack of owned properties attributed to the potential game's absence, but they now have numerous studios under their umbrella, such as Rare and Bethesda. Xbox potentially has enough characters now to create a fun platform brawler with fans' favorite characters. Here are a few potential candidates for representation in such a game.
Joanna Dark
Although Perfect Dark debuted on the Nintendo 64, the franchise is receiving an Xbox-exclusive remake sometime soon. Having Joanna Dark join a roster of some of Xbox's greatest characters would be a great way to help market that game while paying homage to a lesser-known Rare heroine.
She would most likely control like a hybrid of Snake and Zero-Suit Samus from Super Smash Bros. She would have many long-range weapons thanks to her proficiency as a marksman, and her arsenal of gadgets at her disposal would make her dangerous as a zoner. However, being an expert in hand-to-hand combat would have her still be able to hold her own at close range. She is an expert pilot and driver, which could give her multiple recovery options, and she can wire up charges that let her plant bombs for her enemies if they get too close.
Conker the Squirrel
Realistic, gritty characters make up most of Xbox's library, such as Master Chief and Marcus Fenix, so a cartoony character like Conker would help vary the roster. With Banjo-Kazooie likely unavailable since they are currently smashing up Nintendo characters, Conker makes sense. He also has specific, mature humor that would let him get away with things Nintendo could never include in a Super Smash Bros. game, such as drinking references, realistic weapons and adult language.
Conker has several unique abilities that he uses throughout his debut game, Conker's Bad Fur Day. He has access to many weapons, such as a slingshot, flamethrowers, a frying pan and plenty of guns. He can also change into an anvil and drop on onto enemies' heads. Like Tails from Sonic the Hedgehog, he can use his tail to hover for a little bit. Numerous characters from his series could appear in his move set or his potential stage, such as Birdy, Gregg and the Great Mighty Poo.
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Battletoads
Although they had fallen into obscurity, the Battletoads have been making a comeback in recent years, with Rash making cameo appearances in multiple titles such as Killer Instinct and Shovel Knight. The Battletoads received a new, full-fledged game in 2020, so making them classic-yet-relevant characters that would be perfect for an Xbox platform fighter.
With three toads to choose from, they could operate similarly to Pokémon Trainer in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with Zitz being Fast with weaker attacks, Pimple being strong and slow, and Rash being somewhere in between. The Battletoads can transform their bodies into different weapons, so their move set could have many flashy moves. They can also use their tongues for mobility, giving them a unique recovery move that they could use to attack enemies as well. The Battletoads could also incorporate their turbo bikes as special moves, similar to how Wario uses his motorcycle in Super Smash Bros.
Dragonborn
Arguably one of the most influential video games to come out of Bethesda Softworks, The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim would certainly warrant representation as a fully realized fighter. The Dragonborn has a very iconic look that even made its way into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a Mii costume. However, with a variety of weapons in Elder Scrolls, along with their weaponized shouts, they would be a force to be reckoned with and make a great fighter.
Dragonborn would undoubtedly have access to their shouts from Skyrim. The effects of these shouts vary and include breathing fire, gaining dragon aspect, and using unrelenting force to propel enemies. It would also be fun to yell Fusrodah at friends as Dragonborn launches them off the stage. Dragonborn has access to multiple weapons, such as swords and bows, but can also use magic to heal and reanimate the dead. With considerable powers at their disposal, Dragonborn could be a jack-of-all-trades with an ability for anything thrown at them.
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Ori (and Ku)
Ori would be a great first-party choice to be in the game. Ori first appeared on Xbox One in Ori and the Blind Forest and has since received a sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps. He is a small white creature that goes on a journey to save the forest of Nibel and then later the forest Niwen from a decaying crisis.
Although the game revolves around platforming, Ori, with the help of Sein, can still attack their foes. Using the light from Sein, their attacks could be light-based projectiles, and Ori could use this light to charge their heavy attacks. Their unique movements and abilities would integrate well into a platform fighter, and being lightweight would help Ori move around their enemies easily. Ori's adopted sister, Ku, could also be integrated into Ori's move list, such as their specials or recovery moves. The two could even work as a duo fighter similar to Banjo-Kazooie in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Raz
Razputin Aquato made his debut in Psychonauts for the original Xbox, making him a great character to represent that era. He also just received a long-awaited sequel in the form of Psychonauts 2, making him a prime candidate for representing his console in a platform fighter. Most of his adventures have taken place in the minds of others, but he is still a strong psychic that could take on the legends in Xbox's library of characters.
With a myriad of supernatural mind powers at his disposal and assuming he is a lightweight character, players would have to hit him fast and hit him hard to prevent any shenanigans. Raz could use his Confusion ability to debilitate his opponents, making them easier to fight. He also can turn invisible to sneak in and out of combat. His Marksmanship allows him to shoot psi-blasts at opponents as projectiles. He can even use Pyrokinesis in his specials, similar to Ness in Super Smash Bros, and his levitation would help him recover from being knocked off the stage.
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