Let's be real for a second. When the first Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl dropped, we all lost our minds because finally, someone was actually trying to challenge Smash Bros. But then you look at the Nickelodeon All Star Brawl roster and things get... weird.
It’s a rollercoaster. You get the high of seeing Jimmy Neutron finally show up, but then the crushing realization that they cut Lincoln Loud from the sequel. Like, how do you cut the main character of one of your biggest modern shows? Honestly, the roster decisions in this franchise feel like they were made by a chaotic neutral algorithm sometimes.
The Evolution of the Fights
The roster has gone through some serious growing pains. In the first game, we had a weird mix. We got Powdered Toast Man (legendary pick) but no Jimmy Neutron or Rocko at launch. They fixed a lot of that in Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2, but it came at a price. They basically rebuilt the game from the ground up, which meant some characters just didn't make the cut.
It's a "give and take" situation.
We gained heavy hitters like Squidward and Azula, but we lost CatDog and Oblina. If you’re a fan of the 90s era, it’s mostly a win. If you’re a Loud House or Aaahh!!! Real Monsters fan, you’re probably still a little salty. I don't blame you.
Who Actually Made the Cut?
If you're looking at the current state of the game in 2026, the lineup is actually pretty solid, even if it feels a bit lopsided toward certain franchises. Here is how the main heavyweights break down:
- The SpongeBob Squad: It’s no surprise that Bikini Bottom dominates. You’ve got SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, and Mecha Plankton. Mr. Krabs joined later as DLC, bringing a unique "money" mechanic where he literally gets stronger the more "cash" he picks up during the fight.
- Avatar & Korra: This is arguably the most "competitive" part of the roster. Aang, Korra, and Azula are staples. Zuko and Iroh were added as DLC, making the Fire Nation representation absolutely stacked.
- The Turtle Problem: This is where the community gets heated. In the first game, we had Leo and Mikey. In the second, they swapped them for Raph and Donnie. It’s cool to see the different brothers, but not having all four on the screen at once feels like a crime.
- The Cult Classics: This is where the game shines. El Tigre, Jenny Wakeman (XJ-9), and the Angry Beavers (Daggett and Norbert play as a duo) are incredible inclusions that show the devs actually care about the deep cuts.
The DLC Gamble
Gaming in 2026 is all about the long tail. The Season Pass for the second game was pretty specific. We got:
- Mr. Krabs (SpongeBob)
- Zuko (Avatar)
- Rocksteady (TMNT)
- Iroh (Avatar)
People were a bit annoyed that half the DLC was just more Avatar characters, but honestly, playing as Iroh is such a vibe that most people stopped complaining once he actually released. The issue is that there are still massive gaps. Where is Timmy Turner? We've been asking for Timmy since 2021. There are all these rumors about licensing issues with Nelvana, but man, it feels empty without him.
Why Some Favorites Got Axed
You might be wondering why your main from the first game is gone. Basically, the developers (Ludosity and Fair Play Labs) decided to give every character a "Super" move and a much more complex moveset.
Doing that for 30+ characters is expensive.
Characters like Sandy Cheeks and Toph were left behind in the transition. It sucks, but the characters that did stay feel ten times better to play. They aren't just "Smash clones" anymore; they have unique mechanics like the "Slime Meter" that lets you cancel moves and power up specials.
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The Future: Will the Roster Grow?
There are always leaks. Always. Right now, the "BrainGremlin" leaks are circulating online, suggesting a third game might be in the works with a "Everyone is Here" approach. We're talking rumors of Ronnie Anne from The Casagrandes and maybe—finally—Timmy Turner.
But take that with a grain of salt. For now, the Nickelodeon All Star Brawl roster is what it is. It’s a love letter to the 90s and early 2000s with a few modern faces sprinkled in.
If you're just jumping in, I'd say start with SpongeBob or Jimmy Neutron. They’re easy to pick up but have a lot of depth once you figure out how to use Goddard or the bubble projectiles.
Next Steps for Players:
- Check the current tier lists: Characters like Azula and Raphael are currently dominating the high-level meta due to their speed.
- Master the Slime Meter: This is the biggest difference between the first and second game. If you aren't using Slime for recoveries or "Slime Cancels," you're going to get bodied online.
- Experiment with the "Oddballs": Don't sleep on Grandma Gertie or Nigel Thornberry. They have weird hitboxes that can really mess with people who are used to fighting the standard "sword-style" characters.