Highlights
- The success of Super Smash Bros. has inspired other big franchises like Warner Bros and Sony to create their own brawlers with exclusive characters.
- Microsoft and Xbox could create a darker, Xbox-exclusive brawler with characters from their owned properties like Morrowind, Sea of Thieves, and Fable.
- Characters like Vivec, Captain Briggsy, and Jack of Blades have unique abilities and characteristics that would make them great additions to a Smash Bros-like game.
The first Super Smash Bros. game in the series was released in 1999 and was a Nintendo fan’s wildest dream. The game included many of the console’s exclusive characters in a fighting game unlike any other. Players could cross over characters like Mario, Link, and even Pikachu in this action-packed brawler. The game was such a success that other big franchises like Warner Bros and Sony have tried to imitate this formula with exclusive characters.
That begs the question, what would it look like if Microsoft and Xbox made a similar game with the properties they owned? The game would no doubt be a lot darker, but who would the playable characters be?
7 Vivec
The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind
- Potential Abilities: Teleportation
When Bethesda announced that their games would all become Xbox exclusives from 2021 onward, many fans expected to see Morrowind get a console release. The game is an RPG that allows the player to create their own protagonist, so this makes it difficult for the game to add anyone to a fighting game roster. However, many players will run into or hear of Vivec during their playthrough.
Vivec is the deity whom all the Dark Elves worship in Morrowind. He is an all-powerful presence who floats as he speaks poetry. As such, these powers would make a great addition to a Smash Bros-like brawler. He could teleport about the battlefield and be immune to a ring-out KO.
6 Captain Briggsy
Sea Of Thieves
Sea of Thieves
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- Released
- March 20, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Rare
- Publisher(s)
- Microsoft Game Studios
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Potential Abilities: Swordfighting
Sea of Thieves is a huge open-world pirate game, so adding a swash-buckling melee fighter to a roster of brawlers makes sense. However, picking one pirate from this game isn’t easy. By far one of the most popular characters among fans is Captain Briggsy. This young daredevil is wildly fun and unpredictable.
Not only could Captain Briggsy entertain players with her unique sword fighting, but she could also be a source of witty one-liners. The skeleton pirate may appear frightening on the surface, but new players will quickly warm to her charms.
5 Jack Of Blades
Fable
Fable (2004)
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox (Original), Xbox 360
- Released
- September 14, 2004
- Developer(s)
- Big Blue Box Studios, Lionhead Studios
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Potential Abilities: Magic & Sword of Aeons
One of the very first Xbox–exclusive titles that had gamers debating over which console to buy was the first Fable from 2004. This fantasy game promised players so much and delivered plenty. While there have been sequels to this original game, few characters in the series are as recognizable as the villain, Jack of Blades.
This hooded menace is a powerful magic user and combatant. As such, he will not be limited in terms of combat. Also, the Sword of Aeons could be featured in one of his special moves and as an easter egg for fans who remember this great game.
4 Adoring Fan
Starfield
Starfield
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Released
- September 6, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Bethesda
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG
- Potential Abilities: Comic Relief
Of course, the biggest video game release from Bethesda since their deal with Microsoft has been 2023’s Starfield. This sci-fi RPG has players engaging in a new environment for the developers. However, the space opera is still filled with a lot of the quirks fans have come to expect from a Bethesda game.
One such quirk is the return of the adoring fan from Oblivion. This easter egg is a nice touch and serves to remind gamers just how annoying this character is. Now that he is a Microsoft exclusive, many gamers would queue up for the chance to knock the adoring fan around in a Smash Bros-style brawler. His powers would be limited, but that won’t be a concern for players.
3 Arbiter
Halo
Halo 2
- Platform(s)
- Xbox (Original), PC
- Released
- September 4, 2004
- Developer(s)
- Bungie
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
- Potential Abilities: Energy Sword & Plasma Rifle
Many Xbox fans were beside themselves when they discovered that they got to play as an elite halfway through Halo 2‘s campaign. This elite is called The Arbiter, and his part of the story follows the character as he begins to learn of the true intentions of The Covenant. He eventually sides with humanity and is a playable character in Halo 3 while still making appearances in the franchise’s expanded media.
The Ying to the Master Chief’s yang, The Arbiter is instantly recognizable when wielding an energy sword. As such, his character build could focus more on a melee style while also having the option to pull out a plasma rifle if needed.
2 Marcus Fenix
Gears Of War
Gears of War
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox 360
- Released
- November 7, 2006
- Developer(s)
- Epic Games
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
- Potential Abilities: Rifle & Chainsaw
The first Gears of War did a lot for video games when it was released in 2006. The third-person shooter established a cover system that is still widely used by other games today and introduced many horror elements to a mainstream title. It would take a hardy protagonist to navigate the war-torn levels in this series, so the developers created Marcus Fenix.
Fenix is a brutal, no-nonsense leader with a keen tactical mind. He is also a dab hand with both a rifle and chainsaw when necessary. Marcus Fenix has been a huge name in gaming since Gears of War first debuted, and it would be a crime to omit this legend from an Xbox-exclusive title.
1 Master Chief
Halo
Halo: Combat Evolved
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox (Original), Xbox 360, Xbox One
- Released
- November 15, 2001
- Developer(s)
- Bungie, Gearbox Software
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- Potential Abilities: Pilot a Vehicle
The crowning jewel of the Xbox is the Halo series as this was the launch title of the original console. As such, the protagonist of the initial game, Master Chief, quickly became the console’s mascot. Master Chief is the hero every franchise wishes it had. He is an unstoppable killing machine who can use any weapon and pilot any vehicle.
Master Chief is just as iconic as any other video game mascot, from Mario to Sonic. As a result, it would make sense for Microsoft to put him front and center of anything they do in the future.