shovel [shuhv-uhl]
noun
1. An
implement consisting of a broad blade or scoop attached to a long handle, used for taking up, removing, or throwing loose matter, as earth, snow, or coal.
EX. It is no secret that I dig
Shovel Knight.
Not only did I give Shovel Knight a great review but, as of right now and since its release, it has been a hot contender for my Game of the Year up against Mario Kart 8 and a few indie titles that I need to complete. The game isn't just a great action platformer in the style of Mega Man or Duck Tales, it is one of the best action platformers of all time.
And that's how I wanna start my argument for why Shovel Knight should be a DLC character in the new Smash Bros for Wii-U and what his moveset might look like.
In his titular game, he must defeat the Knights of No Quarter and acquire new skills in his quest to stop the Evil Enchantress from corrupting the land.
All along the way, Shovel Knight has dreams about his beloved long lost love Shield Knight falling from the sky. In the dreams, Shovel Knight must fight through hordes of enemies and every dream ends with him trying to catch Shield Knight. This side of Shovel Knight gives him just enough pathos to stand out from your average "save the day" types and really makes you feel for the little guy.
As for his method of combat, his "shovelry" is pretty unique and, despite having plenty of sword wielding guys in the new Smash, we don't have any knights and we especially don't have a Shovel Knight. Unlike most of the characters, I also imagine that his design focus would be about speed and mobility over power/reach. Furthermore, he has a lot of unique platforming ability and spells he can learn in the game that would lend to an exciting moveset built around digging and hopping.
And lastly, the dude has already made cameos in a bunch of indie games including Hex Heroes, Aegis Defenders, Story Wars, C-Wars, Super World Karts and so many other indie titles that he has a lot of cross representation across enough games to be fairly recognizable. And, if we've learned anything from the Smash series, a cameo in Smash can take a character from the niche market to the international market (just look at Fire Emblem).
Now, if that doesn't convince you of his value, let's take a look at what his extensive moveset might be and how it might set him apart enough to be a real interesting contribution to the series (there are a lot of moves so please hit the link below to read on):
