Captain Toad: Tracking Down a Win - Challenger Approaching

For details on the canon fighters' stats and hitboxes, check out Ultimate Frame Data: ultimateframedata.com/stats.php
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Welcome to another episode of Challenger Approaching! In this series, we discuss characters who may be invited to a future entry of Super Smash Bros, then go into ludicrous detail on what they could be like if they joined the fight for real!
Our Challenger this time is one of the many characters who make up the Super Mario series' secondary cast. Captain Toad has rose to prominence in the past decade and a half, jumping from background NPC in his debut to a core cast member with roles in every mainline Mario game since, and punctuated with a starring role in a spinoff title, has put him in the running for a Smash invite alongside several of his peers.
But what if he was chosen to join the fight next time? How could his adventurer's tools, surprising strength, and eye for treasure combine to make something wholly unlike anyone we've seen in Smash yet? Let's find out.
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Follow on Twitter at: / delzethin
Support via Patreon at: / delzethin
Graphic design by Voyager: / fire_voyager
Post-production assistance by Yoshiller: / realyoshiller
Post-production assistance by Neoxon: / neoxon619
Additional Sources:
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker - Toad Brigade to Magikoopa Keep (Legomariofanatic): • Captain Toad: Treasure...
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker - Walkthrough Part 1 (Packattack04082): • Captain Toad: Treasure...
Mario Kart 8 - Announcement Trailer (Nintendo Official): • Wii U - Mario Kart 8 T...
Mario Kart Tour - Captain Toad Gameplay (ZackScottGames): • Exploration Tour! Capt...
Super Mario 3D Land - Toad House (NintendoCentral): • Evolution of Toad Hous...
Super Mario 3D World - All Blue Toad Power-Ups (NintendoBase): • Super Mario 3D World -...
Super Mario 3D World - Captain Toad Stages (NintendoBase): • Super Mario 3D World -...
Super Mario 3D World - World 2 Playthrough (Mario Party Legacy): • Super Mario 3D World -...
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury - All Power-Ups (ProsafiaGaming): • Super Mario 3D World +...
Super Mario Galaxy - Rescuing Captain Toad (TopsPlays): • Super Mario Galaxy: Pa...
Super Mario Galaxy - Rosalina’s Storybook (ItsHardToCoOp): • Super Mario Galaxy: Ro...
Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Cloudy Court Galaxy Playthrough (SullyPwnz): • Super Mario Galaxy 2: ...
Super Mario Odyssey - Captain Toad Locations (ProsafiaGaming): • Super Mario Odyssey - ...
Super Mario Odyssey - E3 2017 Trailer (Nintendo Official): • Super Mario Odyssey - ...
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - King K. Rool Reveal Trailer (Smash Bros. Official): • Super Smash Bros. Ulti...
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - Piranha Plant Mini Trailer (Smash Bros. Official): • 70: Piranha Plant - Su...
Yoshi’s Woolly World - E3 2014 Trailer (Nintendo Official): • Wii U - Yoshi's Woolly...

[@Nefnoj]

It's so funny when people make a big deal about Captain Toad not being able to jump... Not only do many characters in the Smash roster not jump, but it leads to incredible potential of the character. Having a Pichu-sized heavyweight would make something so new for Smash.

[@smt64productions40]

Alternatively, just used base Toad and have Cap. Toad be an alt

[@Hugo-yz1vb]

@@smt64productions40 Yeah good ol' Toad is far more iconic than the Cap. Toad

[@dom3306]

@@Hugo-yz1vb but the cap is the cap.! Hest totally the best little toad!

[@toast2110]

They should have it written in a trophy description/tips section that says “captain toad usually can’t jump, but he spent so much effort preparing for smash, that he built up enough strength to jump”.

[@godofthecripples1237]

The difference is that Capt. Toad's inability to jump is a core mechanic in a series known for its jumping (it literally invented platformers)

[@castform7]

Having any type of Toad not be in Smash besides being a Neutral Special just never felt right to me. With how long him and his species have been around the Mario gang, even helping out in playable appearances, he just feels like a shoe in especially after a game centered around Toads. I honestly wanted him more than Waluigi.

[@KonaKonaKaabisteru]

I've become convinced that Toad had long been deemed too boring or lacking as an overall character to warrant place in Smash by Sakurai, at least if going by how he still is a neutral special to Peach since Melee, while Sakurai found more interesting moveset potential from an usually stationary enemy species like Piranha Plant. Maybe he thinks he'd just be copying Mario Bros as seen in NSMB-games or over-relying on items from Mario-series as a basis to moveset, or thinks being a cutesy servant to Peach doesn't fighter, make? Anyway, I personally think unless Sakurai gives his role to someone else to helm the series, Toad's never going to be happening... though prolly after such huge ship missed like Ultimate, everything else might as well be kind of a letdown.

[@puzzledhypnoshroom1004]

Same I still do

[@womblekong9790]

I think for his jump I'd use the tapable blocks that would go up when tapped in 3D World. They just launch him a little bit on his second jump after a Steve style first jump

[@andymcclurg9916]

That's exactly what I was thinking. If not for his jump, make it his up special and let him just meander around the stage, getting a positional advantage while riding with his platform.

[@tyronelesure6458]

I love this moveset and the turnip special the only change I would give it if Captain Toad is in the air he would do the plucking animation as if we he were on the ground, but will not pluck a turnip. Instead if their happens to be a foe right below Toad, he would grab that foe instead, turning it into a command grab

[@benjaminwormsley2275]

Can't wait to get to the part where it gets confirmed that Captain Toad has no jumps.

[@destroyerofworlds4663]

Uhhhhh

[@d_mon9631]

cmon, we were all thinking it at the start

[@hazy_nightshade]

This is very nice overwall, but I'm surprised you didn't include the giant turnips in his Down B (or Final Smash).

[@malcolmw121]

King Boo for Smash ...Captain Toad would not disappoint, though.

[@plushvolt7612]

Captain Toad was one of my most wanted after playing Mario 3D world and this concept is really nice!

[@waffleman8053]

Toad seems like he's in a bit of a Chrom situation. I guess developers don't really know what to give him. Hopefully a toad gets a shot in the next game.

[@smt64productions40]

Well, given Chrom became playable and still in a finasl Smash, I don't why not, and there is mutiple Toads anyways

[@JohnyTheWizKid]

That's why I'm against Chrom being in Smash, we didn't need him when we have Robin and Lucina. We could've had Lyn instead or Edelgard.

[@JohnyTheWizKid]

If we get Toad in, then Peach's neutral B has to change to something else. Any ideas?

[@smt64productions40]

@@JohnyTheWizKid Toadsworth Also there are multiple Toads so I don’t see why Peach can’t keep hers

[@JohnyTheWizKid]

@@smt64productions40 Change it to something Peach can use herself to do to her opponents.

[@alijahaskew4644]

Honestly, I'm surprised Toad ISN'T in Smash.

[@castform7]

I mean, technically speaking, he is a part of Peach's Neutral special. Pedantic, I know, but sometimes you can't help but be "that guy".

[@jacobtidwell8869]

Toad is by far and away the most-glaring omission in the entirety of the Smash roster imo. Yeah, he's been in Peach's moveset since Melee, but given how important and iconic he is to the Mario franchise, the fact that he still isn't his own playable character is shocking to me. And while I'm honestly more fond of the "regular" Toad character and would rather see him in Smash, I'd be 100% down for Captain Toad as well. And this was a fantastic moveset for the adventurous mushroom, I'd love to see this be his actual moveset should he actually join next time around. I just want a playable Toad in Smash, man...

[@alijahaskew4644]

Exactly!

[@KonaKonaKaabisteru]

Unless Sakurai leaves the series to someone else, I don't see him sadly ever happening.

[@mattr75]

I need to play Captain Toad one of these days. Solid video!

[@reviewspiteras]

From the couple of channel that I have watch that uploads videos of how would a character be in smash, i have to say yours are the one that i like the most. The way you stucture them and how you design them sound fun and is easy for me to imagine. Also like the fact that you think about stats like air speed or weight and actually asigned them a value. Good work man

[@benjaminwormsley2275]

In all seriousness though, this video is really cool. I love seeing how you manage to extrapolate moves from the game itself and the character themselves.

[@zelenpixel]

the fact that so much of his character shows here is so good

[@Neoxon619]

The way the Treasure Tracker move works kinda remind me of how the Tension Gauge works in Guilty Gear. For context, it’s your super meter used for supers &/or Roman Cancels, but it goes down if you try to move away from your opponent for too long. It’s interesting to see that concept used in a different context. Regardless, I really did enjoy helping editing the audio for (& now watching) this. As for the characters you’re considering, I’m surprised you’re doing Revali before one of the more popular Champions like Urbosa or Mipha. But hey, I’m down to see/hear your idea for him.

[@sirreginaldfishingtonxvii6149]

When I think "Guilty Gear" or "Tension Gague" I certainly wouldn't think of Captain toad. But joke's on me, it actually thematically works! Though that connection did make me think of mega rushdown anime fighter Captain Toad, which is a fun thought.

[@Neoxon619]

@@sirreginaldfishingtonxvii6149 Now I’m imagining Captain Toad doing dust loops with his backpack.

[@ElTaitronAnim]

Fun concept :) And I'm way into all three of your next picks!

[@Koobird784]

It would be pretty fun if his tumbling animation after Mini Minecart had a hitbox on it. Maybe it could combo from the Minecart’s hitbox for Extra Funny TM.

[@felixgarcia9960]

Daaaaaang bro!!!! This series is amazing!!!!!! You are fantastic!! They better hire you for the next game!!!! Love it!!

[@empoleon7750]

Did you ever see that AMAZING animated moveset showcase somebody made for Captain Toad a few years back?

[@MrMoron-qn5rx]

You mean lvl up?

[@empoleon7750]

I mean this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaLOYamigMyoaMU

[@destroyerofworlds4663]

@@empoleon7750 A man of culture, I see

[@empoleon7750]

Thanks.

[@wanderlustwarrior]

It's so weird hearing you refer to him as "Cap", since I refer that name to either Steve Rogers or Sam Wilson.

[@CaptainKirbz]

Captain Toad was always my fav character He relates to me alot and I really wanted him in smash, one day I hope he is added based off this moveset because it’s amazing

[@GigaMan91]

I'll be honest. I know some people would rather have a distinct character as their Smash fighter, but I think a regular Toad would be a better choice. I think there's just more potential there and wouldn't be limited to specific features of a distinct Toad. It's why I think Piranha Plant was a better choice than Petey Piranha. Toadette would still be an alt though since she can do everything a Toad can do and more.

[@jorgehernandez-fl2qq]

all I want is to see Isaac (Golden Sun) in Smash as a character

[@playcasket1519]

Haha, this is pretty entertaining to watch. Didn't think someone would revisit a character that's semi-guaranteed to be in the next game eventually.

[@cobrangertheone3601]

Thank you for this video! Captain Toad for the next smash game!

[@MrSupersmash93]

Nice job, can’t wait for the next one. Might I suggest Spyro or Rayman? Or how about one of the Husain Pokémon like Zoroark?

[@sideeswipe]

I think it’s absolutely ridiculous Captain toad hasn’t gotten since toad is the most popular Mario character after Mario, luigi, bowser, peach and yoshi and they’ve all been in since melee. He has his own game, an entire moveset ready to go and the perfect alt costume with toadette that would get two Mario reps in the roster without using a full character or echo slot. Mario deserves another rep as the roster keeps growing since fire emblem is getting dangerously close and pokemon already exceeds them. I think it’s a safe bet to assume pirahana plant and dr Mario will get cut in the next game if it’s not a port so bringing in captain toad will help offset those losses (even though the loss of doctor Mario wouldn’t matter much). Also we need paper Mario, the only other rendition of a main character we need in smash, if we can have Mario in a lab coat, link pre puberty and samus without a suit we can have a paper version of Mario

[@baguettehero4430]

Please Nintendo, put this man in charge of the characters for the next Super Smash Bros game 😆🥺!!

[@darkshot4424]

When I heard into the unknown I just thought of toad singing that song and am now cursed with the thought of just the frozen movie but toad instead of Elsa.

[@LodestarLogado]

Ok so as an offshoot, the opening really brings me back to when I was fiending for Wart to come back (SMB2) and you know what - IM STILL FIENDING FOR THE RETURN OF WART, I don’t know if legally he’s owned by the Doki Doki Panic umbrella but even then just reboot him and bring him back as the king of shy guys or something I think he could be the Jabba the Hutt analog for the Mario franchise - big, slimy/smarmy, and grandiose. Maybe they have him as a main antagonistic force for Sarasaland (Daisy’s Kingdom) could be a cool way to reintroduce more obscure Mario cast members.

[@MT_Rift]

I think the only thing standing in the way of Captain Toad for me is missing out on the speedster nature of normal Toad and making his mechanics in Mario 2 & 3D World translate into Smash seamlessly as they do with Mario, Luigi, and Peach. Otherwise, I’m on board with Captain Toad!

[@diegocalderon5190]

Just another idea for his final smash but it could also be Captain Toad throwing a star at the other players that automatically grabs into them, then Wingo the main antagonist of the game comes and picks them up, getting them high into the stage throwing them hard into the ground later.

[@DittoMaster6]

I'm personally fond of his Final Smash being him riding on Draggadon's head to launch giant fireballs like he does in a short sequence in the game. He could have quite a few good Final Smashes.

[@Wolfiyeethegranddukecerberus17]

I feel like he should have one alt that's just Vanilla Toad, replace the Treasure Tracker stuff on Cap's render with generic Mario blocks

[@harrybest2041]

5:25 That Purple Toad isn't Captain Toad's döppleganger, but another member of the Toad Brigade. For some reason, Nintendo has decided to forget about him in most games and replace him with Toadette.

[@dernamenlosefan]

"You aint no air fighter cap!" -Toad Louis

[@yourlocalghastyt285]

ik this is sorta unrelated, but i feel like we would have to get more of an icon character before we get captain toad

[@supacyanide4442]

No cap captain toad was my most wanted character after geno lol

[@BigBossMan538]

Wake up, babe! New Delzethin video!

[@SpadeJr]

I don't how Isabelle and Villager got in still, but if they can be in smash then Captain Toad can be smash too!

[@SpadeJr]

Also for his neutral special, I would make it so that if you hold the Special button he pulls up a slightly bigger turnip that does more damage. However, it wouldn't be thrown as far because it is heavier. This would only work on the ground.

[@Officialencode]

As a doc main i love this

[@spamite3378]

There’s a Captain Toad mod for Rivals of Aether, pretty neat

[@DeCryptid23]

Me after playing Brawl for the Nintendo Wii: Wario is finally here, this games roster is really great, but where's Toad at? Me after playing Smash 4 the Nintendo Wii U: Rosalina & Luma are good representation for Mario Galaxy, and Bowser Jr. for Sunshine, and both have super unique playstyles that feel distinct. That being said, where is Toad? He's the player 3 of the Mario universe. His omission is starting to feel kinda weird with how big the roster is getting. Me after playing Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch: Ok, Daisy is... good (not really sure what warrants making her an echo fighter but not Alph), and Piranha Plant is and will continue to be my main and favorite character in every game he continues to be in, but FOR FUCKS SAKE WHERE IS TOAD. Me after playing Smash 6 for the Nintendo Swap: King Boo makes sense, and I'm glad Luigi finally has his own victory theme based on Luigi's Mansion, BUT WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL. Me after playing Smash 7 for the Nintendo Substitute: Pauline and Geno are both great and all, but WHY? Me after playing Smash 8 for the Nintendo Replacement: FUCKING NABBIT AND LAKITU Me after playing Smash 9 for the Nintendo Give Us Your Money: After all these years... finally. Toadette with Toad as an alt. We all should have seen this coming when the made her playable in Mario Maker 2 before Classic Toad and gave her that damn Super Crown power up. They've been pushing for this for years.

[@godofthecripples1237]

I don't think Capt. Toad's inability to jump should be ignored. It's a core mechanic in a spin-off of the series that literally invented platformers. A momentum-fueled hop in a mobile kart racer doesn't change that. My idea is a spring popping up beneath him whenever he jumps from the ground, that can be used by other players and disappears as soon as he touches down.

[@metareaper8008]

Captain toad is a poor man's bandanna dee

[@ikagura]

If it weren't for the overrepresentation of Mario in Smash I wouldn't have minded him. On the other hand Bandana Dee would probably be in there as well.

[@MrYee-xf6ze]

Honestly, Captain Toad would fit more of as an assist trophy than a fighter in my own thoughts.

[@hunterbeaune7626]

Maybe for a different kill throw he uses one of the purple turnip cannons and shoots his opponent out of it

[@PenguinLotion522]

turnips of varying sizes, that is all

[@joshuana5132]

If I were a patron, I'd vote Rayman. But, can't be helped. Don't have a way to pay online. One character I'd love to see is Knack. Even have a number of ideas for him already. At the same time though, that would only help so much, and knowing you, you could really come up with a way to fit him thematically. All the characters you've made so far for this series have REALLY fit the characters they're based on.:D

[@PLAYER42_ready]

19:05 does it show how much damage it deals or or Rare it is? I can’tbtell

[@MotobugGaming]

YES! Toad deserves to be in Smash!! *YAHOO!*

[@Boywithukefan392]

you should get someone to illustrate your ideas so then people who are more visual can see what your talking about but it sounds great

[@forhisneutralspecialhewiel2295]

Honestly I would rather have a regular Toad as a fighter, and have some of its moves coming from Captain Toad. It fixes the problem of him not being able to jump.

[@SuperPlacido1]

Olimar want to know your localisation.

[@oliverstanic1724]

Propeller box also apeared in Super Mario 3D Land What came in 2011

[@LancerAccelerant]

The final smash should've had the huge turnip

[@ebensirges]

I'm surprised you didn't weave Treasure Tracker into the neutral special itself-it feels like he just wouldn't have a down special for most of the match, and when you do get one you just kinda sacrifice it for a new (temporary) neutral special. I love the idea, but I wonder if making the activation require a long-press of B (or something else distinct) would have worked better, instead of it taking up the most variable special move slot a character gets.

[@juanrodriguez9971]

Mario has maybe my favorite additions to Smash because unlike all the other franchises they can go crazy with the movesets and creating quite unique stuff, which other franchise can provide you a plant as playable without being the protagonist of a successful game? If we happen to get more Mario dlc I would like them to keep adding crazy stuff like a toad, another enemy liker the koopas, an old boss like dimentio, etc. And now that we are on that, another Mario assist trophy that could be a great addition could be the huge Cheep Cheep from Mario World and other 2D Marios, filling the stage with water and eating opponents when in contact with them.

[@alijahaskew4644]

Or King Boo or Fawful!

[@juanrodriguez9971]

@@alijahaskew4644 imagine a regular boo whose neutral b is the boo-wheel thing, covering a big area with only one of them randomly being the actual hurtbox, the side b being a scream that just like PP's down be expands his body as well as his hurtbox, and just like Jigglypuff instead of having a recovery up b has something else like throwing enchanted projectiles upwards while heaving 5 or 6 jumps.

[@latorasmith]

What if the champions (botw) were in smash as a Pokémon trainer type character

[@sonder420]

King Bob gaming made a toad for project M like 2 years ago. Guy put in a lot of time to make a custom character and not just a skin. Maybe you could do a video about how different he is from what you came up with.

[@radley136rath]

If you gonna make a Crazy Dave (from PVZ ) moveset, I think you should make Dave a Pokémon trainer but with plants.

[@urielperez8429]

I hope you do scorpion from mk one day

[@dyll_pyckle]

I love the concept! Still hope to see Phoenix Wright someday lol

[@chronogames9072]

A rivals of aether content creator called Muno made a really good captain toad charachter, this one definitely would fit the context of smash better tho... since the other one is somewhat gimmicky (still really good tho!)

[@Banaanivatkuli]

Did you forget to do taunts or did I just miss it?

[@Kingsbeak]

i will sacrifice all smash ultimate DLC for toad to be in

[@Alexs23743]

The neutral special should be like Peach's down special, shouldn't it? ^^

[@big_axolotl_]

I think the final smash should’ve been several double cherry instead.

[@metareaper8008]

Nice moveset, too bad it's attached to a toad... Although honestly it's very nice

[@TaylorOnyx123]

Hoping the Patrons pick Zoroark cause the icon looks to be for both original and new.

[@thatonecaster6501]

I hope we get something with Ashley

[@thunderboargames8369]

I'm waiting for SSBU Deluxe (or a Follow up) until the day i died.

[@syweb2]

2:28 CT's arms look a little to long and thin in this art, it's kind of unsettling.

[@SogekingFirebirdStar]

I wish Nabbit had enough to him to be made into a viable fighter. No such joy, sadly.

[@jennifergriel861]

I love this moveset, but I hate the minecart. I hate smash moves that are like “a vehicle appears out of nowhere!” even the ones that are actually in the game like Wario’s motorcycle. It just feels lazy to me.

[@mushroomfusion245]

Patrons please vote Rayman…

[@toad8514]

FINALLY IM IN SMASH

[@amigomaster6367]

Pls remaik sonic

[@kingnewcomer2029]

Alright, first Patreon pick for the next "Challenger Approaching!" video, and it's Captain Kinopio (I prefer that name more, sorry, they're mushroom people, not amphibians)! :D You once again have pulled another "smashing" (pun 100% intended) moveset for another potential Smash fighter (if there will be any future Smash installments)! I have seen GameXplain's take on having Captain Kinopio ditch items from his backpack in order to make himself jump, and the more he tosses out, the higher he'll be able to jump, but at the cost of him being really light, and much easier to K.O. early, and while I do think that could work if pulled off right, and I did enjoy that video overall, honestly, I liked your take on the character much better! You really seem to find the perfect balance of representation, and gameplay when it comes to making Smash fighter movesets! :) I can't wait for the next Patreon Challenger Approaching pick video in March! Oh, yeah, and this video was also coincidentally released on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, so, Happy (Late) Twosday, Delzethin! XD

[@TheRealZXXZ]

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