How fans can campaign effectively for Rayman in Smash 6 and Mario Kart with proven community strategies
The Developer’s Call to Action
Creative Director Davide Soliani, the visionary behind Mario + Rabbids, has issued a direct challenge to the Nintendo community: mobilize support to bring Rayman into the next Super Smash Bros. installment and potentially Mario Kart DLC.
During a recent Q&A session with Walmart Canada Gaming, Soliani expressed enthusiastic support for Rayman’s inclusion but emphasized that fan advocacy must drive the decision.
Soliani’s perspective carries significant weight given his successful track record with Nintendo collaborations. “Of course I would love to see Rayman in Super Smash Bros. Of course. But why not Rayman in Mario Kart?” he questioned, expanding the potential crossover opportunities beyond a single game.
The director made his position unmistakably clear regarding where responsibility lies: “But you need to convince Nintendo, not me.” This statement transforms the situation from developer wishlist to actionable fan campaign, providing explicit permission and encouragement for community mobilization.
Current Crossovers and Future Opportunities
Rayman in the Phantom Show represents the concluding DLC chapter for Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, yet this collaboration potentially establishes groundwork for more extensive character crossovers between Ubisoft and Nintendo properties.
Industry indicators strongly suggest fertile ground for new character introductions. With Masahiro Sakurai hinting at Super Smash Bros. 6 development and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe achieving staggering sales exceeding 55 million copies, both franchises present ideal platforms for expanding their rosters with third-party characters.
Current evidence suggests Nintendo hasn’t initiated discussions about Rayman appearing in Mario Kart, and Smash 6 development status remains officially unconfirmed. This timing creates a critical window for fan influence before creative decisions become finalized.
Historical precedent exists for Nintendo acknowledging fan requests. The company previously responded to a Rayman supporter through formal correspondence, indicating they would route the suggestion to appropriate internal departments for evaluationโdemonstrating that organized fan communication does receive official attention.
Strategic consideration: Rayman’s limbless character design offers unique animation possibilities that could translate exceptionally well to Smash Bros.’ combat mechanics and Mario Kart’s vehicle handling physics, providing creative incentives beyond mere popularity.
Proven Fan Campaign Strategies
Successful character campaigns require more than casual social media postsโthey demand strategic, sustained effort across multiple platforms with clear messaging.
The Walmart Canada Gaming Q&A demonstrated substantial existing fan interest, with numerous followers expressing desire for Rayman’s inclusion in Super Smash Bros.
This established groundwork provides momentum, but requires strategic direction to achieve critical mass.
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Avoid These Common Campaign Mistakes:
- Scattered petitions across multiple websites instead of consolidating signatures
- Aggressive or entitled messaging that alienates developers
- Focusing solely on Smash Bros. without highlighting Mario Kart potential
- Inconsistent messaging that fails to emphasize Rayman’s unique gameplay value
Proven Effective Tactics:
- Coordinated social media campaigns using specific hashtags on Nintendo decision days
- Professional-looking concept art and move set proposals
- Engaging Ubisoft and Nintendo simultaneously to demonstrate partnership potential
- Highlighting how Rayman fits Nintendo’s family-friendly brand identity
Nintendo pays particular attention to organized campaigns that demonstrate both passion and thoughtful consideration of how new characters enhance gameplay experiences rather than simply adding roster bloat.
Competition and Market Context
Soliani joins growing ranks of prominent developers advocating for their characters in Nintendo’s flagship franchises. Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon campaigns for Scorpion and Sub-Zero inclusion, while Overwatch 2 developers seek representation for their hero roster as third-party combatants.
The community preference strongly leans toward a completely new Smash Bros. title rather than an enhanced Deluxe Edition of Ultimate, potentially creating more roster flexibility for new character introductions than a simple re-release would allow.
Nintendo’s recent moves toward official esports tournaments with standardized competitive rules signals potential increased attention to character balance and diversityโfactors that could benefit Rayman’s unique movement-based fighting style.
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Rayman possesses distinct advantages in this competitive landscape: established Nintendo collaboration history through Rabbids partnerships, non-violent character alignment with Nintendo’s brand values, and unique visual design that would stand out among both current roster and competing third-party candidates.
Market timing considerations: With Mario Kart 8 Deluxe still receiving DLC and Smash 6 likely in early planning stages, the coming 6-12 months represent the optimal window for demonstrating substantial, organized fan demand that can influence development decisions before they become finalized.
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