Is Ridley playable in the new Smash Bros for 3DS/Wii U?

No. At least, not so far. Now that the 3DS version is out in Japan the entire roster's been revealed, and—wouldn't you know it?—no sign of Ridley's handsomely jagged face or gentle 113-toothed smile anywhere.

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How are people taking that?

Not well:

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But some are doing constructive things too—for instance, making tributes to Ridley that suggest how he could be included as a playable character in Smash Bros, if Nintendo ever decides to go that route:

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Others have made Facebook groups in support of Ridley's poor, purple plight.

So I take it people are even more upset now?

Bingo. Many are especially outraged because Ridley's once again stuck on the sidelines while so-called "clone" characters (that is, ones that play a lot like preexisting options) like Dark Pit take up space. Why not make a real new character, these armchair designers argue. Of course, it's not always that easy, but that doesn't really mean much when they can't rampage around as their favorite purple space dragon, devouring all plumbers, Pokemon, and pink puffball men who might stand in their way.

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Is there... *dries tears* is there hope for the future?

Maybe! Rumors persist that Ridley will make his way into the newest Smash Bros game later, possibly as some form of DLC or unlockable. The newest edition of the rumor suggests that linking the 3DS and (when it comes out) Wii U versions of Smash Bros will bring new characters into the fold by way of some unknowable connective wizardry.

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These EXTREMELY RUMORED characters VERY ALLEGEDLY include Ridley, the equally mourned Mewtwo, Dixie Kong, and The Chorus Kids from Rhythm Heaven. Again, there is VERY LITTLE ACTUAL EVIDENCE to suggest that this is true.

Not much is substantiated right now. This could just be hopeful fans seeing Ridley everywhere in the same way Bigfoot believers and UFO hunters see their respective quarries in everything from forests to cereal bowls. It could mean absolutely nothing at all.

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And yet:

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On the upside, Nintendo has finally started to embrace the concept of DLC with games like Mario Kart 8 on Wii U, so we'll see. Fingers crossed.

Do fans treat any other characters this way?

Yes, although Ridley is arguably the most fervently whispered about. Donkey Kong big bad King K Rool is another banana-cream-pie-in-the-sky hopeful, though. People have been requesting his inclusion for years, and the Internet is littered with art of what his costumes would look like and even potential move sets. Fans also frequently get up in arms about Isaac from handheld fantasy RPG series Golden Sun, Krystal from Star Fox, and—perhaps most obscurely—Geno from Super Mario RPG.

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So all-in-all this sort of behavior isn't entirely atypical, but fans only really go above and beyond for a select few characters.

Ridley? Ridley Ridley Ridley?

Ridley. Definitely Ridley.

Top image credit goes to N3ON from Smash Boards.