I suppose I did Min Min a bit of a disservice by not really talking about her inclusion.

I think it was a good idea to reveal the series months before the character. It tempered people's expectations. I had several theories about who it could be but I think Min Min was a great choice. She happens to be one of my favourite characters from the game anyway, but she's enough of a "default" character that she can represent the series in a straightforward way and is much more original that the other main contender, Ninjara.

I suppose I'm a bit jaded about ninja characters in media, but Ninjara is "just" a ninja. He has all the trappings and nothing terribly unique. Min Min, as "East Asian Martial Artist" would almost fall into a similar trap, but the noodles are what give her that extra layer of distinction.

Her long range style is not my kind of thing and unfortunately she seems to have fallen from fan interest pretty quickly but I try to give her a go now and then, just to keep opponents on their toes.

NOW ONTO MINECRAFT

I used to take Smash too seriously. Thankfully since Brawl I'm much more accepting of any character who makes it in and even if they're not for me, I can usually find some good in them.

So I was genuinely surprised by how disappointed I was when Steve was revealed. I figured this feeling would subside with time, after finding out how he plays and I'm pleased to say that it has! So what was my problem?

I've never played Minecraft so I don't have any investment in it. Sakurai mentioned that it is the best selling game of all time. I didn't know that! But I can believe it. Personally I think it's worth noting that it's one of the most influential games of all time. How many games released in the last ten years have a crafting mechanic? That all comes from Minecraft! There is no part of me that would dismiss the idea of Minecraft being referenced in Smash in some capacity.

But I keep talking about Minecraft, without mentioning Steve, and that's because Steve is nothing, really.
He's an avatar, yes, and there are other avatars in Smash: Villager and Inkling. But what do those two have that Steve doesn't? Charm, charisma, a design of some sort? Steve is the most basic of game avatars and I think that brings me to my biggest gripe with Minecraft: It's really ugly.

I'm well aware that the limited graphics were a trade-off for better performance, but it's now ten years later and I can't understand why the current IP holders insist on sticking to these horrendous pixel textures.

When I first saw them they looked really out of place in Smash. Why not at least give them the solid coloured textures that already appear in the spirits?
Granted, this is comparable to Mr. Game & Watch who, rather than conforming to the Smash style, brings his own style but once again he has a lot of charm that lends itself to his weirdness.

BUT, just like the strangeness of Tiny Ridley, after a little while you get used to it, you accept it, and his impressive moveset makes up for any misgivings.

As you can see, I attempted a visual style that mixed the blocky body shape with some more "realistic" details that I think works well enough. I'd like to see the original series embrace something like that. How about an animated 2D face texture, for example?

https://www.deviantart.com/professorfandango/art/SMASH-150-213-STEVE-AND-ALEX-858279958