I get the feeling that this contest will have a disproportionate number of "I told you so" matches. Plenty of people are already making rather bold statements.

Can someone explain to me how Kuja is a threat to Master Hand? The villain of the least popular of the modern FFs going up against the easily recognizable villain of one of the most popular fighting series ever.

---
Now Playing: Dragon Breed, Gyruss, Final Fantasy VII
My Video Game World Records: http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&p=35289

Because it's a stinkin' glove!
---
SC2K5 Nominations: Squall Leonhart, Tidus, Zidane, Serge, Musashi, Tifa Lockheart, Leon Kennedy, Kerrigan, Revolver Ocelot, Lloyd Irving

The villain of the least popular of the modern FFs going up against the easily recognizable villain of one of the most popular fighting series ever.

Never underestimate the power of a monkey in a thong. In any case, he's still a modern FF villain. Master Hand is a hand. That doesn't mean that Kuja will win, but I can't honestly count out ol' Trancy.
---
It's a shocking match in Heavy this week, as Alexandrian knight Beatrix duels with the Silent Death, Crono, at www.rpgdl.com!

Master Hand isn't so great. All he's got going for him is that he is a hand, and that isn't so great.
---
My luck works best when things are... random. Mat Cauthon from The Dragon Reborn

Master Hand scares me somewhat as well... It can be taken as a complete joke, or could take the SSB fanbase and run with it. Also debating on how strong Ridley is. We all know how strong he SHOULD be, but still....

My biggest thing to figure out in this contest is popularity vs. recognizability. Many of the matches come down to that factor (M. Bison, Robotnik, Ridley).


---
Graduation: April 30, 2005 "There are only 10 kinds of people in this world, those that read binary and those that don't."

Seriously, I wouldn't count out Albedo. He's a big part of the Xenosaga series. I've heard that he gets a lot more screentime in XS2, as well.

Yes, you've heard. That is my point exactly.
---
Official Queen ***** of the Universe!

A stinkin' glove that's the villain of a popular N64 game and the best-selling Gamecube game, no less. A stinkin' glove from SSBM, the game that won in a division with Halo/Starcraft/Wind Waker/GTA:SA/FFX. A stinkin' glove that will get the Glover votes, dammit!!!
---
Serious Reminder: Vote for Dr. Wily in 2k5
Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy the contest-hype.

Master Hand may be a glove but that's better than what Kuja is... if I didn't know either villain, and I had to vote based on the match pic, my vote wouldn't go to Kuja. >_>

---
Now Playing: Dragon Breed, Gyruss, Final Fantasy VII
My Video Game World Records: http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&p=35289

Because it's a stinkin' glove!
That's exactly why it'll lose, despite the recognizability. Recognizability should hardly be an issue, unless a character is quite obscure, and Kuja certainly doesn't go under that category.

---
"Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So...what is a party?"
"Well, you drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think."

Because it's a stinkin' glove!

*sniffs Mario's glove*

0_o

*phew* it really does stink.

---
VOTE FOR ULTROS!!! G'FHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Trivia XIV: MEATWADD SUCKS!!

****.

Why is Bowser on Spehs side, and not Ganon?

BS.
---
______ _______ prayed.
Giygas took 9999999 damage!

A stinkin' glove that's the villain of a popular N64 game and the best-selling Gamecube game, no less.

Please don't make assumptions solely based on the character's game. I would take Kuja to beat Kefka, and I sure wouldn't take Master Hand to come anywhere close to Kefka.
---
SC2K5 Nominations: Squall Leonhart, Tidus, Zidane, Serge, Musashi, Tifa Lockheart, Leon Kennedy, Kerrigan, Revolver Ocelot, Lloyd Irving

It's a glove! It's a goddamned glove! If Kuja, arguably the best villain in the entire Final Fantasy series, loses to a glove, I will personally lay down The Fury upon thy ass.

~*ST*~
---
Winner of the Spring 2004 "Best. Game. Ever." Contest
"If my fate is to die, I must simply laugh!" -Magus Zeal

Liquid should be in Bowser's division, not Ocelot, for that matter.
---
SC2K5 Nominations: Squall Leonhart, Tidus, Zidane, Serge, Musashi, Tifa Lockheart, Leon Kennedy, Kerrigan, Revolver Ocelot, Lloyd Irving

Take what Ulti just said, multiply it a thousand fold, and you have my feelings on the subject.
---
SC2K5 Nominations: Squall Leonhart, Tidus, Zidane, Serge, Musashi, Tifa Lockheart, Leon Kennedy, Kerrigan, Revolver Ocelot, Lloyd Irving

Wow, are we really thinking of Master Hand beating Kuja? I cannot think of a single reason for that. Kuja is not some obscure, unrecognizable FF villain. I would take him over Kefka given the chance.

---
As we struggle with the Great Poison, something stirs at the edges of our vision. It is the Hatchling Samus...

If Kuja lost to Master Hand, it would more than make up for both Albedo's early loss and Kerrigan's nonexistence in my eyes. The picture of the poll results would be my desktop wallpaper for the next year.
---
Official Queen ***** of the Universe!

I'm not making any final judgments yet, I'm simply thinking out loud and playin' devil's advocate along the way.
---
Serious Reminder: Vote for Dr. Wily in 2k5
Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy the contest-hype.

Kefka would beat Kuja, quite easily. Kuja is about as recognizable as Ultimecia.

---
Now Playing: Dragon Breed, Gyruss, Final Fantasy VII
My Video Game World Records: http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&p=35289

Kefka would beat Kuja.
---
Official Queen ***** of the Universe!

Kefka would beat Kuja, quite easily. Kuja is about as recognizable as Ultimecia.

Please tell me you're joking.
---
SC2K5 Nominations: Squall Leonhart, Tidus, Zidane, Serge, Musashi, Tifa Lockheart, Leon Kennedy, Kerrigan, Revolver Ocelot, Lloyd Irving

People, do you understand just how weak characters would have to be for Kefka to beat anyone easily? Kefka is a weak bastard.

---
As we struggle with the Great Poison, something stirs at the edges of our vision. It is the Hatchling Samus...

Vivi should beat MH about 80%-20%

Now, how strong is Kuja.
---
Vote in the Spring Contest 2005 http://www.freewebs.com/springcontest2k5/

I'm not joking, I'm being realisitc. Kefka has been in the Summer Contest twice, and has even won matches. Kuja hasn't been in at all. POTD still has FF3/6j as the second-most popular FF on this site, with FF9 being the fifth. FF9 is the game that has led some people in my city to say "it never happened." Even people who have played the game before don't always recognize who Kuja is, and not everyone who does likes the guy... at all. Also, he'll probably have the worst match pic out of anyone.

People, do you understand just how weak characters would have to be for Kefka to beat anyone easily? Kefka is a weak bastard.

I told you his division was weak. Kefka will make it to the Elite Eight, guaranteed.

---
Now Playing: Dragon Breed, Gyruss, Final Fantasy VII
My Video Game World Records: http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&p=35289

i asked my roomate who kuja was, he said "boss guy from ff9"

i asked him if he was cool and he said "not really"

i asked him who he would pick, kuja or master hand and he said "kuja"

unbiased advice from a casual uneducated gamer.
---
Mario Sunshine-120 Shines || BtT 3:34.97 || HRC 37,592.3 ||

Kefka has been in the Summer Contest twice, and has even won matches.

To be fair, he's only won a single match, and it was a rather unimpressive one against Pac-Man.

POTD still has FF3/6j as the second-most popular FF on this site, with FF9 being the fifth.

FFVIII is also the most hated. Are you telling me that Squall wouldn't destroy any character from FFVI?
---
SC2K5 Nominations: Squall Leonhart, Tidus, Zidane, Serge, Musashi, Tifa Lockheart, Leon Kennedy, Kerrigan, Revolver Ocelot, Lloyd Irving

btw - is anyone else highly irritated that Bowser, Ganondorf and Liquid Snake all wound up in different divisions AND won't even meet in the Final Four? any of those three could have been shifted around to make the Elite Eight and Final Four actually interesing.

above anything else, that disappoints me the most about this bracket.

---
VOTE FOR ULTROS!!! G'FHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Trivia XIV: MEATWADD SUCKS!!

I told you his division was weak. Kefka will make it to the Elite Eight, guaranteed.

And he's a contributor to his own division being weak. Thus is why Ridley will be visiting the final four.

---
As we struggle with the Great Poison, something stirs at the edges of our vision. It is the Hatchling Samus...

I didn't think of that, cyko. To be fair, though, I don't think there would be too much question of which of those would come out on top.
---
Official Queen ***** of the Universe!

Here's my brief analysis on each match (witness my 1337 writing skills...riiiiiight):

1)Bowser vs. 8)Pyramid Head
Okay...no discussion needed.
Pick: Bowser
Confidence: 100%

4)Sigma vs. 5)Andross (
The villain of MMX vs. villain of Star Fox...well, who would vote for that ugly face, Andross? You all know the popularity of anything having to do with Mega Man around here. Plus, he seems to have attitude and looks that Dr Wily lacks.
Pick: Sigma
Confidence: 95%

3)Revolver Ocelot vs. 6)Nemesis
One of the most acclaimed MGS villains won't have problems with this RE villain...Nemesis won't be higher than Jill Valentine.
Pick: Revolver Ocelot
Confidence: 99%

2)Dr. Wily vs. 7)Ultros
I personally find Dr. Wily to be rather lame, and I'm sure many feel the same. Ultros has a small fanbase and is from the ever popular FFVI, but I believe his role is too minor to win. Oh, how I would cry in happiness if Ultros pulled it off...
Pick: Dr. Wily
Confidence: 75%

1)Sephiroth vs. 8)Ramirez
Now who was it that said Ramirez who wanted Ramirez to be paired with Sephiroth claiming that only this guy could do the job? Okay, whatever...
Pick: Sephiroth
Confidence: 100%

4)Vergil vs. 5)Ghaleon
Vergil's the brother of Dante, huh? I see Ghaleon having little chance, despite his extremely dilligent fanbase.
Pick: Vergil
Confidence: 98%

3)Lavos vs. 6)Mother Brain
A rather overhyped match in mind. These two are quite comparable, which makes it easier for me to make my decision. CT > Metroid. Lavos > Mother Brain among fans.
Pick: Lavos
Confidence: 80%

2)Liquid Snake vs. 7)Officer Tenpenny
There's no way Tenpenny could be ahead of Vercetti...Liquid Snake has this in the bag.
Pick:Liquid Snake
Confidence: 99%

Well, that's half of Round 1...

---
"Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So...what is a party?"
"Well, you drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think."

Vivi should beat MH about 80%-20%

Where did you get those numbers? Oh yeah, out from your ass.

I've given Kuja and FFIX a lot of crap lately (just for fun), and I know he's not really a pushover, but neither is Master Hand. I'm still not seeing how MH doesn't have this won. He comes from the more popular game(s), he's the more recognizable of the two, and I'd rather vote for a giant glove than a man wearing a thong.

---
Now Playing: Dragon Breed, Gyruss, Final Fantasy VII
My Video Game World Records: http://www.twingalaxies.com/index.aspx?c=22&p=35289

I do not think that this contest is easy by any stretch. There is a lot here that I am greatly uncertain about. Though I do expect there to be a perfect bracket--multiple ones, in fact. The odds of a perfect bracket are vastly higher for a 32 character bracket, and people have gotten pretty good at predicting around here. The BOP I think will greatly increase the likelihood of a perfect bracket. The main problem is, of course, that the vast majority of characters are untested. So while I expect some perfects, I don't think that the overall scores will be that great.

Comments:
*Ridley vs. Diablo - NO IDEA
*Lavos vs. Mother Brain - Again, no idea.
*Sigma vs. Andross - Ditto.
*Vergil vs. Ghaleon and Luca Blight vs. Wesker - I'm assuming that both these matches will have clear-cut favorites, and that Vergil will be favored in the first one. But independently I'd have not a clue about these.
*Dr. Robotnik vs. Sin - Leaning towards Robotnik. But people say that no one actually cared about Sin...do people really care about Robotnik?
*Kuja vs. Master Hand - Deceptively difficult. Master Hand is, IMO, very under-seeded relative to what his strength will be.

People are actually debating Albedo vs. M. Bison?? Maybe I'm crazy, but doesn't Bison have that in the bag? That match seems very lopsided to me.


On Samus and Ridley: I would presume that the gap between is two is extremely large. Can't see how anyone would think Ridley was close to Samus. Ridley may be well-known by Metroid fans, but relative to Samus, he's obscure.

If Ridley does beat Kefka, I expect it to be a big bracket-buster. I would think that Kefka's name recognition will be vastly greater than Ridley's among bracket-makers in general. The fact that Ridley is a cool looking dragon is what makes me unsure about him possibly winning.


From: therealmnm | Posted: 4/11/2005 11:45:33 PM | Message Detail
Since it bit me in the last spring contest, does anyone else think that Diablo may have the potential to pull a Starcraft in this contest?

Yes.


From: Leonhart4 | Posted: 4/11/2005 11:46:21 PM | Message Detail
Diablo as a game would do well. Diablo as a character will bomb.

I would say this would hold for Kerrigan/Starcraft. But not for Diablo, I think. Not only is his name likely to garner heavy support from fans of the Diablo series, but he is a real evil looking devil.


From: kaonashi1 | Posted: 4/11/2005 11:47:59 PM | Message Detail
...but what about Diablo as a villain?
Which brings up my next point: will voting trends change because it's a villain contest, as opposed to a general character contest?

I have thought about this as well. Will people really think, "Who's the better villain?" I think there's a chance this might have some impact. It would presumably benefit the more villainy-looking characters, and Diablo is foremost among those.


From: UltimaterializerX | Posted: 4/11/2005 11:52:49 PM | Message Detail
I fail to see how Diablo couldn't get the recognition his game gets. His name is the same as the game he appears in. He also just so happens to be on the cover of said game(s). Ridley over Diablo is no foregone conclusion.

I think the same.


From: Lucid Faia | Posted: 4/12/2005 12:24:21 AM | Message Detail
Kuja is about as recognizable as Ultimecia.

I don't know about that.
---
In America, men flirt with women. In Shinra Midgar, Don Corneo flirts with YOU!

Kujas from a Square game and he's fighting a giant hand which not even alot of Nintendo fanboys will prob support. Kuja will win.
---
Diablo WILL be the Starcraft of the Spring competition. Look out Ridley and Kefka.

He comes from the more popular game(s),

Doesn't make that big of a difference in the grand scheme of things. Kerrigan would stand no chance against characters from any of the games StarCraft beat.

he's the more recognizable of the two,

And this would only matter if Kuja was obscure, which he isn't.

and I'd rather vote for a giant glove than a man wearing a thong.

Speak for yourself.
---
SC2K5 Nominations: Squall Leonhart, Tidus, Zidane, Serge, Musashi, Tifa Lockheart, Leon Kennedy, Kerrigan, Revolver Ocelot, Lloyd Irving

People are actually debating Albedo vs. M. Bison?? Maybe I'm crazy, but doesn't Bison have that in the bag? That match seems very lopsided to me.

I would consider Sigma > Andross more of a lock than that match. Sigma will rank higher than Wily, bet on it.
---
SC2K5 Nominations: Squall Leonhart, Tidus, Zidane, Serge, Musashi, Tifa Lockheart, Leon Kennedy, Kerrigan, Revolver Ocelot, Lloyd Irving

Got a question; was Andross in either of the SF:A's?
---
Serious Reminder: Vote for Dr. Wily in 2k5
Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy the contest-hype.

Vivi should beat MH about 80%-20%

Where did you get those numbers? Oh yeah, out from your ass.

It's only an educated guess, but a good one indeed. Vivi shouldn't get any lower then 75%. Where I got those numbers? Same reason why I said that the winner of Frog/Liquid Snake would win the 4-pack (Don't forget that I didn't take think that Halo 2 hype would have so much influence) I just put a whole bunch of past numbers together.
---
Vote in the Spring Contest 2005 http://www.freewebs.com/springcontest2k5/

SF:Adventures SPOILERS!


Andross was an Ultimecia (y'know, who the **** is that?) style final boss in Adventures.
---
"My name is Guybrush Threepwood. Prepare to die!"

I would consider Sigma > Andross more of a lock than that match. Sigma will rank higher than Wily, bet on it.

Actually you're right. When I wrote the above, for some reason I was thinking Protoman rather than Sigma. Sigma will be a force.

However I would still think M. Bison vs. Albedo is just as much of a lock as Sigma vs. Andross. Just about everybody knows Bison. Albedo? Highly obscure. Can't see him putting up a fight. Bison would likely be a mid-tier character in the regular contest--Albedo would be a jobber, IMO.
---
In America, men flirt with women. In Shinra Midgar, Don Corneo flirts with YOU!

1) I wanna see these past numbers you're using to decide Vivi/MH so easily. They seem out-of-reach.
2) I don't see how you could have "proved" the Frog/Liquid match would have won the four-pack by past matches when they were both new-comers, much like Kuja/MH.
3) Kuja will be no Vivi...or Zidane.
---
Serious Reminder: Vote for Dr. Wily in 2k5
Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy the contest-hype.

What do the 2003 X-stats say for a Seph-Ganon matchup?

---
the-elite.net
Ngamer's Contest Archives: http://geocities.com/cyber1166/gamefaqs

3) Kuja will be no Vivi...or Zidane.

Neither is Kefka. Would you take Master Hand over him?
---
SC2K5 Nominations: Squall Leonhart, Tidus, Zidane, Serge, Musashi, Tifa Lockheart, Leon Kennedy, Kerrigan, Revolver Ocelot, Lloyd Irving

Kuja is about as recognizable as Ultimecia.

You're insane. You see Ultimecia one time through all of FF8. You see Kuja for virtually all of FF9.

~*ST*~
---
Winner of the Spring 2004 "Best. Game. Ever." Contest
"If my fate is to die, I must simply laugh!" -Magus Zeal

BTW I'm quite upset that Wiegraf didn't make. HOW is that possible?? He was getting so much nomination support. Could it be that Ceej didn't think he qualified...? But that wouldn't make sense.

Also annoyed that Garland and Gilgamesh didn't make it.

And like most I was pretty surprised by the big snubs--DK (being an example and still snubbed...how embarassing), Wario. Darth Malak not making it was also unexpected.
---
In America, men flirt with women. In Shinra Midgar, Don Corneo flirts with YOU!

Wario and Seifer HAD to fall under the lame "rival" stipulation. I can't see any other way they wouldn't have made it in.
---
SC2K5 Nominations: Squall Leonhart, Tidus, Zidane, Serge, Musashi, Tifa Lockheart, Leon Kennedy, Kerrigan, Revolver Ocelot, Lloyd Irving

I've been trying to make that comparison, and I could see MH keeping up with Kefka...no chance of winning, but I could see him doing plenty respectable.
---
Serious Reminder: Vote for Dr. Wily in 2k5
Meanwhile, sit back and enjoy the contest-hype.

I counted 6 Nintendo and 6 Square villains. (someone else count it to verify...) That's assuming Ansem counts as being Disney, like Sora. Think there might've been a company cap placed?

---
"Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So...what is a party?"
"Well, you drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think."

1) I wanna see these past numbers you're using to decide Vivi/MH so easily. They seem out-of-reach.

I used Ness to find his strength. Don't ask how I did it, it all works out in the end (unless there is an unpleasent surprise)

2) I don't see how you could have "proved" the Frog/Liquid match would have won the four-pack by past matches when they were both new-comers, much like Kuja/MH.

True I didn't know either them, but I knew Master Chief's. I used Solid Snake and the Hero/Villian theory, which again is hard to explain.

3) Kuja will be no Vivi...or Zidane.

I know and that's why I said Vivi.

---
Vote in the Spring Contest 2005 http://www.freewebs.com/springcontest2k5/