By Joseph Walter
Marina (the Ultra-Intergalactic Cybot G) is the main protagonist of the bizarre, N64 cult classic Mischief Makers, which should be familiar to anyone who ever rented a game in a Blockbuster during the 90s.
As her name implies, Marina is a powerful "cybot" who possesses super strength and other enhancements (such as jet boosters), but she is best known for grabbing enemies and shaking them profusely while cheerfully (and descriptively) exclaiming "shake shake!!"
Iconic in her own right, she'd be a perfect fit for Smash Bros. due to her brawling fighting style (which is heavily focused on grabs and throws), plus she'd be another great female addition to the list of DLC fighters.
Stats/General Traits:
Marina is likely a mid-weight fighter. Her jumps would be decent but weighty, and her normal running speed would only be average. However, despite her heft, she's still quite maneuverable due to her boosters. Critically, Marina's most defining element would be her laser-focus on close-range combat, which would certainly set her apart.
Due to her history, it's also quite likely that her grabs and throws will be among the most powerful in the roster.
Unique Traits:
Just like in Mischief Makers, Marina's most unique trait in Super Smash Bros. would be her ability to grab any type of projectile, weaponize it further, and then turn it against her opponents.
Additionally, her ability to catch incoming projectiles and items would be significantly boosted when compared to other fighters, and she'd be able to perform grabs against mid-air targets. Likewise, she'll be able to move around after grabbing an opponent.
When Marina performs a double jump, her jet booster kicks in, just like in her game! Similarly, when Marina runs in either direction, her boosters activate and, if she is in mid-air, she can dash downwards using her booster.
When Marina is knocked out during a Stamina match, her "game over" voice line can be plucked right out of Mischief Makers.
Basic Attacks:
Marina focuses exclusively on hand-to-hand combat, and will feature a move set that's likely inspired by grapple-heavy martial arts such as jiu jitsu.
Expect punches, kicks, tosses and submissions.
Due to the nature of character, it's worth discussing the way her Grab Attacks and Throws play out.
After grabbing an opponent, attacking them makes Marina shake them, dealing damage in the process. Throwing them downwards has Marina grabbing them by the ankle and slamming them downwards multiple times like a rag doll. Throwing the opponent left, right or up will cause damage and toss them a great distance, dealing damage to anyone else caught in the trajectory.
Special Moves:
Special - Special Grab
Marina's signature move. This special attack allows Marina to grab almost any incoming projectiles and either hold on to them or toss them back. This includes things like Mario's fireballs, items, shots from the Ray Gun and more.
Also, should an opponent be firing something like the Super Scope or Fox's laser gun at Marina, if she holds down the button during the initial Grab, she'll be able to continue absorbing the shots (as long as they're of the same type), dramatically increasing the burst of energy she throws back. Once she's reached her limit for gathering whatever she's got, further shots will simply be nullified, allowing for this move to act as a make-shift shield, too.
Additionally, anything she throws back, be it item or concentrated energy blast, will pack a far more dramatic punch than it normally would.
However, it should be noted that if she has anything in her hands, she won't be able to perform any normal attacks (as pressing one of those buttons will cause her to throw whatever she's got.)
Up Special - Flight
Marina activates her boosters and is granted a brief burst of free flight. While this recovery is incredible, it's also completely harmless and leaves her open to attack.
Side Special - Slide
Over-charging her boosters, Marina can quickly travel a good distance either left or right, knocking back anyone in her way. This can also be used as a recovery move, though it's much less wieldy than "Flight."
Down Special - Special Shake / Counter Attack
Marina's Down Special is actually two moves in one.
Firstly, once Marina has a projectile in her mits following a successful "Special Grab," she can perform her Down Special.
Causing her to shake whatever she's caught (and saying "Shake shake!!", of course), she'll greatly enhance its powers or effects. This can be done up to three times per catch.
In other words, if she catches a Poké Ball, shaking it will cause it to sparkle, increasing the chance of a better Pokémon and also further multiplying the damage from the throw. Shaking it a second or third time will increase these effects.
Another example would be catching Samus' fully-charged arm blast. Shaking the already deadly ball of energy would further increase its size, power, speed and even explosive potential.
As for the second, and far less exciting function, should Marina use this move without having grabbed a projectile with her Special Grab, her Down Special will act as a simple counter attack.
Much like Marth, using it while an opponent attacks you will prevent damage, and then hurt the attacker. In this case, Marina grabs them and tosses them behind her, only dealing the damage they would have dealt her (but also weaponizing their bodies, causing and dealing damage if any collisions with other targets take place.)
Alt. Up Special - Missile Surf
As seen multiple times throughout Mischief Makers, Marina is fairly adept at surfing on missiles. When used, her Up Special summons a rideable missile, rocketing her back to stage at a fixed angle. While the missile is fast (and can damage enemies), it's very difficult to control, so be careful!
Alt. Side Special: Clancer Toss
Throws out a screaming Clancer from Mischief Makers, using them as a projectile. They'll sometimes explode, but it's a very rare chance. Equally as rare will be the throwing of a dodgeball, which will stick around on the playing field for a while, able to be used by others.
In Mischief Makers, every time Marina defeats a boss, the handsy Professor (whom she's sworn to protect) gets a little too close for comfort, and she angrily grapples him and tosses him into a space, where we see him flying through orbit and then reenter the atmosphere. Naturally, Marina should do the same to her Smash opponents.
When she activates her Final Smash, the nearest opponent gravitates into her grip and are treated to the orbital toss. However, if multiple opponents get sucked into her grip, the move mirrors the intro of Mischief Makers, where the targets are tossed into the background and collide with a wall, causing boulders to erupt from their impact.
Taunts:
1) The Victory Twirl - Marina's classic victory twirl that she does when beating a level.
2) Twirling a Gold Gem - Marina spins this valuable in-game item on her finger.
3) A Clancer Cameo - either the enemy-turned-ally Cat Clancer makes a quick appearance from behind Marina, or one of the normal Clancers pops out, looking left and right as if searching for something (like so many of the Clancers do in game.)
Stage Entrance:
Marina warps onto the stage through one of the many teleportation stars found in Mischief Makers.
1) Planet Clancer
A basic stage constructed using the same blocks with eerie faces that make up most structures on Planet Clancer. Nothing really special here other than a straightforward arena that takes the weird, colorful aesthetic of Mischief Makers and brings it to the next generation.
2) Imperial HQ
It would've been great to get Marina's greatest enemies, the Beastectors, in as the Final Smash, but it likely wouldn't have been worth the effort due to their relative obscurity. Instead, their voices and powerful combined mech will have to do.
Players duke it out on a stage resembling Battlefield in terms of simplicity and functionality, but in the background, you'll see the menacing super robot makes it approach, just like in the final battle of Mischief Makers.
During the match, the boss occasionally antagonizes the fighters with its devastating weapon systems, including its feet and fists.
3) Migen Brawl
This flat stage is based in an ancient temple, and is surrounded by lava on both sides. Two platforms slowly float up and down near the edges.
Things seem simple enough until the gigantic reptilian behemoth, Migen, erupts from the lava in the background, slamming his fists at combatants, and occasionally blowing fire at them. Additionally, his smaller, spell-casting counterpart makes the occasional appearance to toss out an erratically moving spell with electrical (and sometimes explosive) tendencies.
Both Migen and the small nuisance can be countered and (temporarily) defeated, just like in Mischief Makers.
Music:
1) Both the original version and a remix of "Hurry!" (a track I'm obsessed with.)
2) A remix of "Esperance 1"
2) A remix of "The Final Battle."
Reveal Trailer:
Frankly, I couldn't even begin to speculate how to reveal this character in a satisfying way, though it's quite possible that it would involve grappling, shaking, and tossing. Lots of grappling, shaking and tossing.
Regardless of what they'd decide to do, I'm almost certain the trailer would incorporate the wacky humor and tone from Mischief Makers, and I absolutely guarantee that its tagline would be some form of the following: "Marina Liteyears SHAKES THINGS up!"
Marina is a weird choice (as are some previous entries) but her genuinely unusual fighting style, cult status and bold design would make for an excellent shake up of the roster, wouldn't you say?
Now, if only I could've fit that terrifying frog boss into this somehow...
Are there any weird or esoteric characters that you want to see get included in Ultimate?
Let's talk below!