Super Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai has revealed a new assist trophy for the upcoming Wii U and 3DS game. Perhaps known only to avid import players and Japanese gamers, the Sablé Prince from Game Boy title Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru will make a special appearance in the brawler’s release later this year.
Released in 1992, Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru may be an awkward mouthful to non-native speakers, however its direct translation “The Frog for Whom the Bell Tolls” features word play derived from the Hemingway novel of a similar title. Though the action RPG was only released in Japan, an English fan translation surfaced in 2011 to honour the game’s unique story.
Along with the image above, Sakurai has also displayed the Sablé Prince in trophy form. Due to events in the original story, the prince can shape-shift into a snake or a frog, so it’s wise to keep an extra eye on this slithering foe at all times. Here’s what the director said on Miiverse:
“In this Smash Bros. installment, this little guy is also making an appearance! I…don’t know his name, but he’s the Prince of the Sablé Kingdom. He’s from the Game Boy game Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru (translated as The Frog For Whom the Bell Tolls), which was only released in Japan.
“Here’s the trophy of the Sablé Prince. He transforms into a snake or a frog, and unloads multiple attacks on any opponent he catches. Keep attacking your foes when they’re trapped in his dust cloud.”
Thanks, takamaru64
odd choice but cool
This is Smash Bros. after R.O.B nothing can get odder. Lol
I still think Wii Fit Trainer is more strange than R.O.B.
When you think about it it’s not that strange, wii fit is one of the best selling games ever
so is tetris, but a tetris block has no right to be a fighter. neither does the wii fit trainer. at least rob, while not directly participating in combat, still fought against those smicks with professor hector. wii fit trainer doesn’t fight.
The only character that was in a fighting game before smash bros. was Link in Soul Caliber II (i think there may be one or two more). But if your referring to fighting, such as Link’s sword skills, no character has really fought, other than Samus, Pit, Link, and a handful of others. Peach never really did any thing but jump and pull vegetables before smash bros.
Soul Calibur II was released after Super Smash Bros. 64 and Melee.
But it’s true, fighting skills can be added to some characters; Sakurai himself said that the reason behind the Villager not being playable in Brawl was that he wasn’t a fighter, but this time around he made the him/her a fighter.
The ones that wanted him to be playable should be glad. He’s a very niche character, and this actually increases his chances of being a fighter in the next installment.
Seriously, I now fucking hate assist trophy ideas now….
Why what’s wrong with it?
I think some assist trophies should get Amiibos. ;)
I’d KILL for a Metroid or Resetti amiibo.
No thank you, my wallet would hurt too much
Thats a real interesting idea, or at least official Nintendo figurines. I know a couple people that would absolutely love to buy the original Earthbound amiibos if they came out
I hate the idea of you being conceived.
Looks weird. His name sounds French. It reminds me of Final Fantasy.
~Breada~
Maybe we can get this game in the eshop some time soon, as well as the Japan only Fire Emblem.
No, it’s still not coming. It’s never coming. But at least you can enjoy looking at this guy. XD
Sadness at its best. ;(
Well, Takamaru’s game is releasing in NA for the first time via VC, so it might be unlikely, but totally possible.
Inb4 Sable x Lucas becomes a thing. XD
Either way, I knew the Assist Role would happen for him since Sakurai never adds any Game Boy reps that aren’t from Pokemon or KIrby.
New club nintendo rewards are in.
I’d like to see a remake/sequel of his game, kinda like what happened with Pit.
It’s pretty disappointing to see characters like Dillon, Takamaru, and now the Sable Prince only as assist trophies. I think that if the character in question is the main character of the game, then they should be playable in Smash.
Any Smash Bros news is good news. That’s how I see it. I’ve never heard of this guy and the actual assist doesn’t seem like it’ll be very useful, but it’s still good to see more fighters in the game, even if they aren’t playable. Now, we just need to await the Rayman, Snake, Shadow, Shulk, and Ridley announcements alongside the Ganondorf, Ness, R.O.B., Mr Game and Watch, Ice Climbers, and Jigglypuff confirmations.
Rayman, Snake, Shadow, and Ridley won’t be playable. Shadow’s an assist trophy though.
I wouldn’t count Rayman, Snake, or Ridley out just yet. I know that Shadow’s basically a lost cause though…it’s too bad.
But Shadow is already a confirmed assist trophy, and Rayman a regular trophy.
We know that Rayman has a trophy…doesn’t mean that he’s not playable.
Now release his game on VC. Or do a remake Sakurai! Establish Project Sora: Reborn!!!
In related but I thought of an idea. If Nintendo brought back custom robo for wiiu and added ammibo support they could actually sell amiibo toys that could be customized to the player character bot they main with. It would either be a cash cow or fail…. (Amiibo could be used in smash as an assist trophy for the regular custom robot assist trophy)
Yes! this is an awesome choice! I played that game on an emulator on my dad’s laptop on vacation once. I loved, it, it was awesome. so funny and cool at the same time. Some were saying that the sable prince would be a good playable character but i think he fits more as an assist. takamaru however…. shouldve been playable.
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Still waiting on Ridley to be confirmed for the game as playable or a stage boss.
he is most likely to be a boss
At this point, it’s still 50/50. Sakurai loves teasing the fuck out of people. He seems to be having a damn good time teasing the Ridley supporters & anti-supporters.
he is most likely to be a boss