Post by The Qu on Apr 1, 2008 0:52:00 GMT -5
And Where They Came From (Continued from the title.)
After much research into the subject, I have finally completed what I think is a mostly complete guide (I'm still working on Snake's camo, which is hard since I don't own MGS3) to Brawl's alt costumes. Here is the list! Please note that since these come directly from my in progress Nostalgia guide, they explain them, so I'm talking down to any of you! Hope you like it, and feel free to argue for or against any I have or don't have.
Mario:
Mario Bros. Luigi: Although the colors aren’t quite right, it appears to be Luigi’s original colors.
Foreman Spike: Mario’s brown look is Foreman Spike from Wrecking Crew. The foreman served as an antagonist and rival in bonus rounds and certain levels.
Classic Wario: Wario’s classic look. This is how he first appeared circa Super Mario Land 2:Six Golden Coins. For more information on him, please see his section.
Jumpman: Mario’s alt is blue shirt and red jeans. This is his look circa Donkey Kong and Mario Bros.
Fire Mario: Mario’s colors when he obtains a Fire Flower in the Mario platformers. This originates with Super Mario Bros.
Bowser’s Alternate Costumes
Original Bowser: The blue shelled & skinned Bowser with yellow hair is how he appeared on the cover art to the original Japanese cover art to Super Mario Bros. The cover art is the sticker Super Mario Bros.
Morton Koopa Jr.: The golden shelled Bowser shares a shell color with his son Morton. Morton, who appeared in Super Mario Bros 3, World, Yoshi's Safari and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Sage, has a white shell with golden highlights. I can't verify that this is supposed to be him, but look at pictures of the two. The shell is the same, albeit better detailed.
Peach’s Alt Costumes
Nurse Peach/ Wedding Peach
This isn’t an exact reproduction of Nurse Peach, who official art for Dr. Mario portrays as having a pink nurse’s outfit. Despite this, the Melee event Time For A Checkup used this as such. It resembles a wedding gown, and may now be a standin for Paper Peach’s wedding gown in Super Paper Mario. My justification is that they have a trophy of her in the dress as well as a normal Paper Peach trophy.
Daisy: Princess of Sarassa Land, Daisy was the damsel in distress Mario rescued from the tyrannical alien Tatanaga in Super Maria Land. Peach’s yellow alternate is Daisy.
Luigi’s Alt Costumes
Super Mario Bros 3. Fire Luigi: In SMB3, Fire Luigi & Mario used an orange coloring instead of the usual red. As such, orange Luigi may be a reference to this. The SMB3 sprites had black overalls, but those were obviously intended to be blue. Graphical limitations and limited color palates would have been the reason for this.
Wrecking Crew Luigi: For whatever reason, Luigi was pink in Wrecking Crew. Not this pink however. Personally, I still think this is what it’s getting at. Where else could they get the idea for a pink Luigi? Plus, there’s a decent amount of Wrecking Crew representation otherwise.
NES Cover Mario Bros. Mario: A bit of a long explanation: On the cover to the NES version of Mario Bros., Mario appears wearing a blue shirt and darker blue overalls. This seems based on that cover.
SMB Luigi/ Fire Luigi: Luigi had these colors in Super Mario Bros. He also had yellow gloves like Melee, although these are absent now. Without the gloves, it effectively doubles as Fire Luigi.
Waluigi: Wario’s brother (?) wears these purple and black clothes. Please see the Assist Trophy section for further information about Waluigi.
Yoshi’s alternate costumes:
All of Yoshi’s alts are the Yoshis playable in Yoshi’s Story.
Sky Blue
Pink
Yellow: Also in Super Mario World.
Dark Blue/grape: Also bears a likely coincidental resemblance to Boshi from Super Mario RPG. Also in Super Mario World.
Red: Also in Super Mario World.
The eight different Yoshis from Yoshi’s Island are visible on the sticker Eight Yoshis (from Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi’s Island).
Wario’s Alternate Costumes
WarioWare costume:
Original Colours: One of Wario’s alt colors has his orignal yellow & purple color scheme.
Mario: One of his is Mario’s colors.
Wario Land Costume:
Mario Colors: Mario’s standard colors. If Mario can get Wario colors, Wario can get Mario colors.
Game Boy costume: The final alt with the white shirt & hat and black overalls is his Game Boy colors. Of course, official art had him in normal colors but the Game Boy’s graphical limitations had him in black and white.
Donkey Kong’s Alt Costumes
Player Two Donkey: The yellow tied Donkey seems based off of the Player 2 Donkey Kong from Donkey Kong Country’s 2 player competition mode. His fur is darker, but Diddy has a costume evocative of his so that leads credence. See below for Diddy’s.
Arcade Donkey Kong: Red DK's fur matches the color of Donkey Kong's from the original arcade game. I'll freely admit this might be a coincidence, but put him next to 8-Bit DK in 75M and tell me they don't look alike!
Diddy’s Alternate Costumes
Dixie Kong: The Diddy with lighter fur and pink clothes is based off of Dixie from the Donkey Kong Country games.
Player Two Diddy: Diddy’s yellow shirt and white hat are in reference to the player two Diddy in Donkey Kong Country.
Samus’ Alternate Costumes
Fusion Suit: In Metroid Fusion, Samus is attacked by an X parasite. She is forced to have certain parts of her powersuit removed and is injected with a vaccine made from the infant Metroid from Super Metroid. The vaccine gives her suit a more organic look as well as the blue patches on it.
Varia Suit (Super Metroid) w/ Missile Visor: The Pink highlights are in reference to the Varia suit circa Super Metroid. This suit allowed Samus to take less damage from enemies as well as survive in extreme tempertures. The blue visor was the way to show she had missiles equipped in the original Metroid.
Dark Suit: The Dark Suit comes from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Based of off the native Luminoths’ technology, this allows her to take less damage in the poison atmosphere of Dark Aether.
Gravity Suit (Super Metroid): The purple highlights are in reference to the Gravity Suit, which allowed Samus free movement underwater .
Zero Suit Samus's Alt Costumes
Metroid Prime Zamus: The darker blue Zamus that is part of teh Fusion Suit is how Zamus appears in the Metroid Prime series. For some reason she has a darker suit. Thanks to Flip for this one as well.
Kirby’s Alternate Costumes
Please note that all of these colors are also alts in Kirby Air Ride. Also, Yellow, Blue and Red Kirbys are three of the four Kirbys in Kirby and the Amazing Mirror
Yellow Kirby: Shigeru Miyamoto originally wanted Kirby to be yellow. Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai disagreed. Eventually Sakurai won out. A yellow Kirby named Keeby (A portmanteau of the Japanese word for yellow and Kirby was featured in Kirby’s Dream Course and was the first appearance of a yellow Kirby in game. Beam Kirby and the later designs for Needle Kirby are also this color. Both of those can be seen in their respective trophies.
Ice Kirby: Blue Kirby is probably in reference to Ice Kirby, sans headdress. Ice Kirby can be seen in his trophy.
Fire Kirby: Red Kirby may be in reference to Fire Kirby, sans headdress.
Green Kirby: This seems based off of the Green Kirby in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror more so than green hued Kirbys like Plasma Kirby.
Game Boy Kirby: The black and white Kirby is a reference to Kirby’s coloring on the Game Boy. He may also be a reference to the cover art to Kirby’s Dream Land, which portrays Kirby as black and white. The All Star Trophy for Kirby in Super Smash Bros. Melee is a reproduction of the cover art using this Kirby, so that may support it.
Meta Knight’s Alt Costumes
Dark Meta Knight: The black tinged Meta Knight with red eyes is Dark Meta Knight from Kirby and the Amazing Mirror. Dark Meta Knight is Meta Knight’s evil twin in the Mirror World.
Dedede’s Alt Costumes
Game Boy Dedede: the sepia toned Dedede is his colors from the Game Boy version of Kirby’s Dream Land. The Game Boy did not have perfect black and white graphics, giving things a sepia tone.
Link’s Alt Costumes
Goron Tunic: The Red tunic originates in the original Legend of Zelda, where the Red Ring would halve the damage Link takes. Red Mail also appeared in A Link to the Past as well as Link’s Awakening DX. However, Adult Link first wore red mail in Ocarina of Time, where the Goron Tunic, made from Dodongo hide allowed him to survive in extreme temperatures.
Zora Tunic: Blue Mail appeared in both A Link to the Past as well as Link’s Awakening DX, improving defense. Adult Link first wore it in Ocarina of Time, where it allowed him to breathe underwater.
Lavender Link: The lavender tunic is in reference to the Blue Ring from the original Legend of Zelda. It was also the Blue Mail in A Link to the Past.
Dark Link: Dark Link first appeared as the enigmatic final boss in Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link, where he mimicked Link’s ever move. He later appeared as the mini boss of the Water Temple in Ocarina of Time, the appearance this is based off of.
Zelda’s Alternate Costumes
Original Zelda: Zelda’s red dress is in reference to her dress in the original Legend of Zelda. Both official art and her sprite show her in a dress similar to this, to the best of the latter’s ability.
Ocarina of Time Zelda: The blonde Zelda in a pink dress is her circa Ocarina of Time. This is also how she appeared in Melee.
Sheik’s Alt Costumes
Ocarina of Time Sheik: The Sheik that is paired with OoT Zelda is how she appeared in both OoT and Melee. Note the black and blue throughout the costume.
Tetra: The lighter blue Sheik has a red bandana wrapped around her face, This seems to be in reference to Tetra from The Wind Waker, who can be seen in her trophy and a sticker, 'Tetra (The Wind Waker)'. This is of note since Tetra was basiclly that game's Sheik, as she was a disguise of Zelda's. Thanks to Flip ♦'s Spheals on the Nintendo Database for this one.
Ganondorf's Alt Costumes
Ocarina of Time Ganondorf: The brown costume is based on how he appears in OoT. His amror has brown highlights, his hair is darker and most notably, his cape is completly different.
Toon Link’s Alt Costumes
Please note that for all of toon Link’s different Tunics, the reason stated in Link’s entry still stand, in addition to the reasons listed below.
Red Link: This is the same design as the red tunic wearing Link in the Four Swords subseries, which began with The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past’s Game Boy Advance port. In the series, Link can split into four Links. The series is The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures and The Minish Cap.
Blue Link: The same as the blue tunic wearing Link in the Four Swords series.
Violet Link: The same as in Four Swords.
Classic Link: This design is Link as art in the original Legend of Zelda, as well as Zelda 2, A Link to the Past and Link’s Awakening portray him. He has brown hair rather than blonde, and his sleeves are brown. Art for him can be seen on the sticker ‘Link (The Legend of Zelda’.
Dark Toon Link (or Shadow Link): In Four Swords Adventures, Link is stalked throughout the game by a shadowy doppelganger of himself. Since Toon Link seems partially inspired by this game’s sub series, as well as having costumes for the other Links, it is of my opinion that this is supposed to be Shadow Link, as he is called in the game.
Lucas’s Alt Costumes
Claus: The costume in which Lucas’s hair turns orange is his twin brother Claus. Claus goes missing early in the game and is presumed dead. Towards the end of the game, it is revealed that he is the Masked Man that is part of King Porky’s Pig Mask Army. Claus’s sprite can be seen in the sticker ‘Claus (Mother 3)’.
Ness’ Alt Costumes
Fuel: The costume where Ness’ shirt turns red and white greatly resembles Fuel, a character in Mother 3. My justification is that this is one of only two costumes where Ness’ shirt losses its stripes. I apoligize, but I don’t know much about Fuel save his appearance as Mother 3 is Japan only. Sorry. Thanks to 8BitRetroHobo on the Nintendo Database forums for this one
Fox’s Alt Costumes
Command Fox: The costume where Fox’s shirt is colored like a green jacket with a beige shirt is what he wears in Star Fox Command..
Pikachu’s Alt Costumes
Shiny Pikachu with Ash’s Hat: The hat Pikachu wears is Ash Ketchum’s hat from the Pokemon anime. The Pokemon Trainer was the inspiration for Ash, as his early official art is what Ash is based on. However, Ash in turn became the inspiration for Red in Pokemon Silver/Gold, and was intended to be the trainer from the first game. Shiny Pokemon are very rare alterations in Pokemon. Pikachu’s is slightly red tinted, and is represented here.
Brendan’s headband: The green headband is Brendan. Brendan is the male character in Pokemon Emerald, as well as a character in the Pokemon Anime.
‘Evolved Pichu’: The blue goggles really have no origin in the Pokemon games. However, they were one of Pichu’s alts in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and as such are a reference to the cut character.
Leaf’s hat: The white hat with red lines is Leaf’s hat from the manga, Pokemon Special, as well as the game Pokemon Leaf Green/Fire Red, wherein she is the female protagonist. Her name seems to be in flux, with some translations giving it as Blue, or Green, or Leaf.
Jigglypuff’s Alt Costumes
Shiny Jigglypuff: The green eyed Jigglypuff is her Shiny form.
Leaf’s hat: The white hat with red lines is Leaf’s hat from the manga, Pokemon Special, as well as the game Pokemon Leaf Green/Fire Red, wherein she is the female protagonist. Her name seems to be in flux, with some translations giving it as Blue, or Green, or Leaf.
SLeep Kirby: The sleep cap Jigglypuff has is a Kirby Super Star era, complete with yellowish dots. The cap can be seen on the Sleep Kirby trophy.
Pokemon Trainer’s Alt Costumes
Gameboy Pokemon Trainer: The first costume is based off of the Pokemon Trainer’s sprite in the original Pokemon Red/Green/Blue.
Brendan: Pokemon Trainer’s green costume is based off of Brendan. Of note is the orange vest, a replication of Brendan’s.
Ivysaur’s Alt Costumes
Gameboy Ivysaur: Ivysaur’s first alt seems based on his original sprite. Of note is his darker green color, and the color of his bulb. This is particularly evocotive of the original Japanese Red/Green sprites.
Squirtle’s Alt Costumes
Gameboy Squirtle: When viewed from the front, as when facing a Squirtle in battle, the Squirtle appeared to be light blue with a very light blue or white shell in the original Gameboy Pokemon games.
Gameboy Squirtle, part 2: When viewed from behind, as when using one, the Squirtle’s shell was shown to be a darker shade of blue.
Shiny Squirtle: The Squirtle with the green shell is his Shiny form
Charizard’s Alt Costumes
Gameboy Charizard: In the original Gameboy games, Charizard is a lighter shade of orange. Of note is the white color of the interior of its wings as opposed to green.
Ike’s Alt Costumes:
Soldier: Ike’s first costume is meant to resemble an ordinary soldier in Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance. This was one featured in the Color Change update on the Dojo.
Sigurd: Ike’s blue costume is meant to represent Sigurd from Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (Genealogy of the Holy War, if I’m not mistaken). Sigurd is allegedly Sakurai’s favoriite Fire Emblem character, and in Melee, was the name of Roy’s debug name. Roy hadn’t been named when work began on Melee.
Marth’s Alternate Costumes
Leaf: The lead character form Fire Embem IV: Thracia 776. Leaf’s distinctive white armor is where this costume comes from.
Fire Emblem 3 Marth: The last costume is Marth from Fire Emblem 3. Official art portrayed his armor as a lighter blue. This can be see on the sticker ‘Marth ( Fire Emblem: Monsho no Nazo)
Olimar’s alt costumes
Louie: The alt that changes the soles of his boots, gloves and the antenna is Louie from Pikmin 2. Louie is Olimar’s assistant, and is the cause of the debt of the Hocotate Freight Company. Much like Olimar’s, the suit is given a major revamp since Pikmin 2.
Captain Falcon’s Alt Costumes
F-Zero X Falcon: The lighter blue Captain Falcon is how he looked in both F-Zero X and Melee. Notice the red collar and lighter blue coloration. He can be seen on the sticker ‘Captain Falcon (F-Zero X)’
Blood Falcon: The dark red Captain Falcon is his clone, Blood Falcon, introduced in F-Zero X. The emblem on his back changes to a skull with the phrase ‘Blood Hawk’ underneath it. He can be seen in the sticker ‘Blood Hawk (F-Zero GX)
F-Zero X commercial Falcon: The black Falcon seems to be based off of a Japanese F-Zero X commercial. Admittedly, I’ve only seen a single still, but it’s rather convincing in my opinion. Much thanks to Parrothead on the Nintendo Database for originally pointing this out, and CrappyCaptureDevice for mentioning it again in a thread I read.
James McCloud: The green Falcon seems to based off of James McCloud's uniform from F-Zero GX. Green suit, white gloves, red scarf...
Jody Summers: The pink Falcon seems to based off of Jody Summers from F-Zero.
Pit’s Alt Costumes
Zeus Level One: Throughout Kid Icarus, Pit can meet Old Man Zeus and level up to increase his attack and defense if he has killed enough enemies. The green robe is the first level.
Zeus Level 2: The sky blue robe is the next level.
Zeus level 3: The red robe is the last level.
Mr. Game & Watch's Alt Costumes
Mr. G&W's may be references to the Panorama or Tabletop series of Game & Watch units. In particular, his green, light blue and red costumes look like G&W's from the Super Color game Crab Grab. This can be seen on the first post on page three. Thanks to Parrothead1983 for this one.
R.O.B.’s Alt Costumes
North American R.OB.
The grey armed R.O.B. is how he appeared when released in North America, where he was recolored to match the NES. His base changes to read “Robotic Operating Buddy” instead of “Famicom Robot” as the other costumes have. This is also the color of the R.O.B. Blaster enemy.
SNES R.O.B.: The Purple armed R.O.B. is the colors of the SNES.. However, there was never an SNES R.O.B.
R.O.B. Launcher: The camo R.O.B. is the R.O.B. Launcher enemy from the Subspace Emissary. The color is otherwise non referential.
Snake’s Alt Costumes
Flame Camo: From MGS3. Snake gets this from sedating the Fury, a rogue ex-cosmonaut. It prevents him from taking damage from flame or catching fire.
Moss: Gotten from interogatting the End in MGS3. It allowed Snake to recharge health in sunlight. Thanks to rukifellth on the Nintendo Database for helping me with this one.
Animal: Gotten from Ocelot in MGS3, it steadites the wearer's hand, reduing hand tremors. Thanks to rukifellth on the Nintendo Database for helping me with this one.
Animal
Sonic’s Alt Costumes
Rings: The costume where Sonic gets golden rings is in reference to the rings that Sonic picks up to avoid defeat in the Sonic games.
After much research into the subject, I have finally completed what I think is a mostly complete guide (I'm still working on Snake's camo, which is hard since I don't own MGS3) to Brawl's alt costumes. Here is the list! Please note that since these come directly from my in progress Nostalgia guide, they explain them, so I'm talking down to any of you! Hope you like it, and feel free to argue for or against any I have or don't have.
Mario:
Mario Bros. Luigi: Although the colors aren’t quite right, it appears to be Luigi’s original colors.
Foreman Spike: Mario’s brown look is Foreman Spike from Wrecking Crew. The foreman served as an antagonist and rival in bonus rounds and certain levels.
Classic Wario: Wario’s classic look. This is how he first appeared circa Super Mario Land 2:Six Golden Coins. For more information on him, please see his section.
Jumpman: Mario’s alt is blue shirt and red jeans. This is his look circa Donkey Kong and Mario Bros.
Fire Mario: Mario’s colors when he obtains a Fire Flower in the Mario platformers. This originates with Super Mario Bros.
Bowser’s Alternate Costumes
Original Bowser: The blue shelled & skinned Bowser with yellow hair is how he appeared on the cover art to the original Japanese cover art to Super Mario Bros. The cover art is the sticker Super Mario Bros.
Morton Koopa Jr.: The golden shelled Bowser shares a shell color with his son Morton. Morton, who appeared in Super Mario Bros 3, World, Yoshi's Safari and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Sage, has a white shell with golden highlights. I can't verify that this is supposed to be him, but look at pictures of the two. The shell is the same, albeit better detailed.
Peach’s Alt Costumes
Nurse Peach/ Wedding Peach
This isn’t an exact reproduction of Nurse Peach, who official art for Dr. Mario portrays as having a pink nurse’s outfit. Despite this, the Melee event Time For A Checkup used this as such. It resembles a wedding gown, and may now be a standin for Paper Peach’s wedding gown in Super Paper Mario. My justification is that they have a trophy of her in the dress as well as a normal Paper Peach trophy.
Daisy: Princess of Sarassa Land, Daisy was the damsel in distress Mario rescued from the tyrannical alien Tatanaga in Super Maria Land. Peach’s yellow alternate is Daisy.
Luigi’s Alt Costumes
Super Mario Bros 3. Fire Luigi: In SMB3, Fire Luigi & Mario used an orange coloring instead of the usual red. As such, orange Luigi may be a reference to this. The SMB3 sprites had black overalls, but those were obviously intended to be blue. Graphical limitations and limited color palates would have been the reason for this.
Wrecking Crew Luigi: For whatever reason, Luigi was pink in Wrecking Crew. Not this pink however. Personally, I still think this is what it’s getting at. Where else could they get the idea for a pink Luigi? Plus, there’s a decent amount of Wrecking Crew representation otherwise.
NES Cover Mario Bros. Mario: A bit of a long explanation: On the cover to the NES version of Mario Bros., Mario appears wearing a blue shirt and darker blue overalls. This seems based on that cover.
SMB Luigi/ Fire Luigi: Luigi had these colors in Super Mario Bros. He also had yellow gloves like Melee, although these are absent now. Without the gloves, it effectively doubles as Fire Luigi.
Waluigi: Wario’s brother (?) wears these purple and black clothes. Please see the Assist Trophy section for further information about Waluigi.
Yoshi’s alternate costumes:
All of Yoshi’s alts are the Yoshis playable in Yoshi’s Story.
Sky Blue
Pink
Yellow: Also in Super Mario World.
Dark Blue/grape: Also bears a likely coincidental resemblance to Boshi from Super Mario RPG. Also in Super Mario World.
Red: Also in Super Mario World.
The eight different Yoshis from Yoshi’s Island are visible on the sticker Eight Yoshis (from Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi’s Island).
Wario’s Alternate Costumes
WarioWare costume:
Original Colours: One of Wario’s alt colors has his orignal yellow & purple color scheme.
Mario: One of his is Mario’s colors.
Wario Land Costume:
Mario Colors: Mario’s standard colors. If Mario can get Wario colors, Wario can get Mario colors.
Game Boy costume: The final alt with the white shirt & hat and black overalls is his Game Boy colors. Of course, official art had him in normal colors but the Game Boy’s graphical limitations had him in black and white.
Donkey Kong’s Alt Costumes
Player Two Donkey: The yellow tied Donkey seems based off of the Player 2 Donkey Kong from Donkey Kong Country’s 2 player competition mode. His fur is darker, but Diddy has a costume evocative of his so that leads credence. See below for Diddy’s.
Arcade Donkey Kong: Red DK's fur matches the color of Donkey Kong's from the original arcade game. I'll freely admit this might be a coincidence, but put him next to 8-Bit DK in 75M and tell me they don't look alike!
Diddy’s Alternate Costumes
Dixie Kong: The Diddy with lighter fur and pink clothes is based off of Dixie from the Donkey Kong Country games.
Player Two Diddy: Diddy’s yellow shirt and white hat are in reference to the player two Diddy in Donkey Kong Country.
Samus’ Alternate Costumes
Fusion Suit: In Metroid Fusion, Samus is attacked by an X parasite. She is forced to have certain parts of her powersuit removed and is injected with a vaccine made from the infant Metroid from Super Metroid. The vaccine gives her suit a more organic look as well as the blue patches on it.
Varia Suit (Super Metroid) w/ Missile Visor: The Pink highlights are in reference to the Varia suit circa Super Metroid. This suit allowed Samus to take less damage from enemies as well as survive in extreme tempertures. The blue visor was the way to show she had missiles equipped in the original Metroid.
Dark Suit: The Dark Suit comes from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Based of off the native Luminoths’ technology, this allows her to take less damage in the poison atmosphere of Dark Aether.
Gravity Suit (Super Metroid): The purple highlights are in reference to the Gravity Suit, which allowed Samus free movement underwater .
Zero Suit Samus's Alt Costumes
Metroid Prime Zamus: The darker blue Zamus that is part of teh Fusion Suit is how Zamus appears in the Metroid Prime series. For some reason she has a darker suit. Thanks to Flip for this one as well.
Kirby’s Alternate Costumes
Please note that all of these colors are also alts in Kirby Air Ride. Also, Yellow, Blue and Red Kirbys are three of the four Kirbys in Kirby and the Amazing Mirror
Yellow Kirby: Shigeru Miyamoto originally wanted Kirby to be yellow. Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai disagreed. Eventually Sakurai won out. A yellow Kirby named Keeby (A portmanteau of the Japanese word for yellow and Kirby was featured in Kirby’s Dream Course and was the first appearance of a yellow Kirby in game. Beam Kirby and the later designs for Needle Kirby are also this color. Both of those can be seen in their respective trophies.
Ice Kirby: Blue Kirby is probably in reference to Ice Kirby, sans headdress. Ice Kirby can be seen in his trophy.
Fire Kirby: Red Kirby may be in reference to Fire Kirby, sans headdress.
Green Kirby: This seems based off of the Green Kirby in Kirby & The Amazing Mirror more so than green hued Kirbys like Plasma Kirby.
Game Boy Kirby: The black and white Kirby is a reference to Kirby’s coloring on the Game Boy. He may also be a reference to the cover art to Kirby’s Dream Land, which portrays Kirby as black and white. The All Star Trophy for Kirby in Super Smash Bros. Melee is a reproduction of the cover art using this Kirby, so that may support it.
Meta Knight’s Alt Costumes
Dark Meta Knight: The black tinged Meta Knight with red eyes is Dark Meta Knight from Kirby and the Amazing Mirror. Dark Meta Knight is Meta Knight’s evil twin in the Mirror World.
Dedede’s Alt Costumes
Game Boy Dedede: the sepia toned Dedede is his colors from the Game Boy version of Kirby’s Dream Land. The Game Boy did not have perfect black and white graphics, giving things a sepia tone.
Link’s Alt Costumes
Goron Tunic: The Red tunic originates in the original Legend of Zelda, where the Red Ring would halve the damage Link takes. Red Mail also appeared in A Link to the Past as well as Link’s Awakening DX. However, Adult Link first wore red mail in Ocarina of Time, where the Goron Tunic, made from Dodongo hide allowed him to survive in extreme temperatures.
Zora Tunic: Blue Mail appeared in both A Link to the Past as well as Link’s Awakening DX, improving defense. Adult Link first wore it in Ocarina of Time, where it allowed him to breathe underwater.
Lavender Link: The lavender tunic is in reference to the Blue Ring from the original Legend of Zelda. It was also the Blue Mail in A Link to the Past.
Dark Link: Dark Link first appeared as the enigmatic final boss in Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link, where he mimicked Link’s ever move. He later appeared as the mini boss of the Water Temple in Ocarina of Time, the appearance this is based off of.
Zelda’s Alternate Costumes
Original Zelda: Zelda’s red dress is in reference to her dress in the original Legend of Zelda. Both official art and her sprite show her in a dress similar to this, to the best of the latter’s ability.
Ocarina of Time Zelda: The blonde Zelda in a pink dress is her circa Ocarina of Time. This is also how she appeared in Melee.
Sheik’s Alt Costumes
Ocarina of Time Sheik: The Sheik that is paired with OoT Zelda is how she appeared in both OoT and Melee. Note the black and blue throughout the costume.
Tetra: The lighter blue Sheik has a red bandana wrapped around her face, This seems to be in reference to Tetra from The Wind Waker, who can be seen in her trophy and a sticker, 'Tetra (The Wind Waker)'. This is of note since Tetra was basiclly that game's Sheik, as she was a disguise of Zelda's. Thanks to Flip ♦'s Spheals on the Nintendo Database for this one.
Ganondorf's Alt Costumes
Ocarina of Time Ganondorf: The brown costume is based on how he appears in OoT. His amror has brown highlights, his hair is darker and most notably, his cape is completly different.
Toon Link’s Alt Costumes
Please note that for all of toon Link’s different Tunics, the reason stated in Link’s entry still stand, in addition to the reasons listed below.
Red Link: This is the same design as the red tunic wearing Link in the Four Swords subseries, which began with The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past’s Game Boy Advance port. In the series, Link can split into four Links. The series is The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords, Four Swords Adventures and The Minish Cap.
Blue Link: The same as the blue tunic wearing Link in the Four Swords series.
Violet Link: The same as in Four Swords.
Classic Link: This design is Link as art in the original Legend of Zelda, as well as Zelda 2, A Link to the Past and Link’s Awakening portray him. He has brown hair rather than blonde, and his sleeves are brown. Art for him can be seen on the sticker ‘Link (The Legend of Zelda’.
Dark Toon Link (or Shadow Link): In Four Swords Adventures, Link is stalked throughout the game by a shadowy doppelganger of himself. Since Toon Link seems partially inspired by this game’s sub series, as well as having costumes for the other Links, it is of my opinion that this is supposed to be Shadow Link, as he is called in the game.
Lucas’s Alt Costumes
Claus: The costume in which Lucas’s hair turns orange is his twin brother Claus. Claus goes missing early in the game and is presumed dead. Towards the end of the game, it is revealed that he is the Masked Man that is part of King Porky’s Pig Mask Army. Claus’s sprite can be seen in the sticker ‘Claus (Mother 3)’.
Ness’ Alt Costumes
Fuel: The costume where Ness’ shirt turns red and white greatly resembles Fuel, a character in Mother 3. My justification is that this is one of only two costumes where Ness’ shirt losses its stripes. I apoligize, but I don’t know much about Fuel save his appearance as Mother 3 is Japan only. Sorry. Thanks to 8BitRetroHobo on the Nintendo Database forums for this one
Fox’s Alt Costumes
Command Fox: The costume where Fox’s shirt is colored like a green jacket with a beige shirt is what he wears in Star Fox Command..
Pikachu’s Alt Costumes
Shiny Pikachu with Ash’s Hat: The hat Pikachu wears is Ash Ketchum’s hat from the Pokemon anime. The Pokemon Trainer was the inspiration for Ash, as his early official art is what Ash is based on. However, Ash in turn became the inspiration for Red in Pokemon Silver/Gold, and was intended to be the trainer from the first game. Shiny Pokemon are very rare alterations in Pokemon. Pikachu’s is slightly red tinted, and is represented here.
Brendan’s headband: The green headband is Brendan. Brendan is the male character in Pokemon Emerald, as well as a character in the Pokemon Anime.
‘Evolved Pichu’: The blue goggles really have no origin in the Pokemon games. However, they were one of Pichu’s alts in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and as such are a reference to the cut character.
Leaf’s hat: The white hat with red lines is Leaf’s hat from the manga, Pokemon Special, as well as the game Pokemon Leaf Green/Fire Red, wherein she is the female protagonist. Her name seems to be in flux, with some translations giving it as Blue, or Green, or Leaf.
Jigglypuff’s Alt Costumes
Shiny Jigglypuff: The green eyed Jigglypuff is her Shiny form.
Leaf’s hat: The white hat with red lines is Leaf’s hat from the manga, Pokemon Special, as well as the game Pokemon Leaf Green/Fire Red, wherein she is the female protagonist. Her name seems to be in flux, with some translations giving it as Blue, or Green, or Leaf.
SLeep Kirby: The sleep cap Jigglypuff has is a Kirby Super Star era, complete with yellowish dots. The cap can be seen on the Sleep Kirby trophy.
Pokemon Trainer’s Alt Costumes
Gameboy Pokemon Trainer: The first costume is based off of the Pokemon Trainer’s sprite in the original Pokemon Red/Green/Blue.
Brendan: Pokemon Trainer’s green costume is based off of Brendan. Of note is the orange vest, a replication of Brendan’s.
Ivysaur’s Alt Costumes
Gameboy Ivysaur: Ivysaur’s first alt seems based on his original sprite. Of note is his darker green color, and the color of his bulb. This is particularly evocotive of the original Japanese Red/Green sprites.
Squirtle’s Alt Costumes
Gameboy Squirtle: When viewed from the front, as when facing a Squirtle in battle, the Squirtle appeared to be light blue with a very light blue or white shell in the original Gameboy Pokemon games.
Gameboy Squirtle, part 2: When viewed from behind, as when using one, the Squirtle’s shell was shown to be a darker shade of blue.
Shiny Squirtle: The Squirtle with the green shell is his Shiny form
Charizard’s Alt Costumes
Gameboy Charizard: In the original Gameboy games, Charizard is a lighter shade of orange. Of note is the white color of the interior of its wings as opposed to green.
Ike’s Alt Costumes:
Soldier: Ike’s first costume is meant to resemble an ordinary soldier in Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance. This was one featured in the Color Change update on the Dojo.
Sigurd: Ike’s blue costume is meant to represent Sigurd from Fire Emblem: Seisen no Keifu (Genealogy of the Holy War, if I’m not mistaken). Sigurd is allegedly Sakurai’s favoriite Fire Emblem character, and in Melee, was the name of Roy’s debug name. Roy hadn’t been named when work began on Melee.
Marth’s Alternate Costumes
Leaf: The lead character form Fire Embem IV: Thracia 776. Leaf’s distinctive white armor is where this costume comes from.
Fire Emblem 3 Marth: The last costume is Marth from Fire Emblem 3. Official art portrayed his armor as a lighter blue. This can be see on the sticker ‘Marth ( Fire Emblem: Monsho no Nazo)
Olimar’s alt costumes
Louie: The alt that changes the soles of his boots, gloves and the antenna is Louie from Pikmin 2. Louie is Olimar’s assistant, and is the cause of the debt of the Hocotate Freight Company. Much like Olimar’s, the suit is given a major revamp since Pikmin 2.
Captain Falcon’s Alt Costumes
F-Zero X Falcon: The lighter blue Captain Falcon is how he looked in both F-Zero X and Melee. Notice the red collar and lighter blue coloration. He can be seen on the sticker ‘Captain Falcon (F-Zero X)’
Blood Falcon: The dark red Captain Falcon is his clone, Blood Falcon, introduced in F-Zero X. The emblem on his back changes to a skull with the phrase ‘Blood Hawk’ underneath it. He can be seen in the sticker ‘Blood Hawk (F-Zero GX)
F-Zero X commercial Falcon: The black Falcon seems to be based off of a Japanese F-Zero X commercial. Admittedly, I’ve only seen a single still, but it’s rather convincing in my opinion. Much thanks to Parrothead on the Nintendo Database for originally pointing this out, and CrappyCaptureDevice for mentioning it again in a thread I read.
James McCloud: The green Falcon seems to based off of James McCloud's uniform from F-Zero GX. Green suit, white gloves, red scarf...
Jody Summers: The pink Falcon seems to based off of Jody Summers from F-Zero.
Pit’s Alt Costumes
Zeus Level One: Throughout Kid Icarus, Pit can meet Old Man Zeus and level up to increase his attack and defense if he has killed enough enemies. The green robe is the first level.
Zeus Level 2: The sky blue robe is the next level.
Zeus level 3: The red robe is the last level.
Mr. Game & Watch's Alt Costumes
Mr. G&W's may be references to the Panorama or Tabletop series of Game & Watch units. In particular, his green, light blue and red costumes look like G&W's from the Super Color game Crab Grab. This can be seen on the first post on page three. Thanks to Parrothead1983 for this one.
R.O.B.’s Alt Costumes
North American R.OB.
The grey armed R.O.B. is how he appeared when released in North America, where he was recolored to match the NES. His base changes to read “Robotic Operating Buddy” instead of “Famicom Robot” as the other costumes have. This is also the color of the R.O.B. Blaster enemy.
SNES R.O.B.: The Purple armed R.O.B. is the colors of the SNES.. However, there was never an SNES R.O.B.
R.O.B. Launcher: The camo R.O.B. is the R.O.B. Launcher enemy from the Subspace Emissary. The color is otherwise non referential.
Snake’s Alt Costumes
Flame Camo: From MGS3. Snake gets this from sedating the Fury, a rogue ex-cosmonaut. It prevents him from taking damage from flame or catching fire.
Moss: Gotten from interogatting the End in MGS3. It allowed Snake to recharge health in sunlight. Thanks to rukifellth on the Nintendo Database for helping me with this one.
Animal: Gotten from Ocelot in MGS3, it steadites the wearer's hand, reduing hand tremors. Thanks to rukifellth on the Nintendo Database for helping me with this one.
Animal
Sonic’s Alt Costumes
Rings: The costume where Sonic gets golden rings is in reference to the rings that Sonic picks up to avoid defeat in the Sonic games.
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