I love Smash Bros but to say its the only ambitious game is streatching it.  The reason smash bros work is the game mechanic is very simple to pick up.  Nothing wrong with that but most competitive fighting game players like for a deeper gameplay mechanic.  Selling the most does not mean the game is better, its just that the game has a mass player appeal which usually mean complexity is taken out to allow more casuals fun playing the game.  Smash Bros has it place but it really would suck if Street Fighter, Tekken, Virtual Fighter and a number of other games I play went that route.

@Bold LOL it doesn't matter what those competitive fighting game players say when their kind clearly has a much more louder voice for their size. 

So wait a minute you think casual = simple and hardcore = complex ? (I Think were done here.)

I disagree about the content part.  Having more stuff doesn't make a game better.  There are fighting games that have 20 characters but if half that number is a mirror mechanic in gameplay as the other half the experience doesn't increase based on the content provided.

Personally I rather have 6 very distinct characters that are well balanced.  There gameplay mechanic is fun and different from the other characters and they are well defined in their combat, defense and othe abilities.  I was never a big fan of KI but I am willing to give the game a shot when I get a chance to play.

You do realize that games with more content are successful such a GTA V. Do you see a trend here buddy because I can see it from a mile away. (Destiny and watchdogs will be a smash success just so y;know.)

Nope,  I am saying that Smash Bros appeal to a larger base because the gameplay is simple to pick up and play. The complexity of moves and strategies are very easy to learn.  Also another reason why Smash Bros has a bigger appeal because its a party type of game.  4 player action where anyone can pick up the joystick and tool around appeal to a larger base.

As for Casual = Simple and Hardcore = Complex

Yes, that break down actually is correct.  A casual player is not going to practice to learn every tech move, defensive and offensive ability of the character they play.  They are not going to look at frame advantage, combo videos or practice for hours to nail that one killer combo.  Casuals play the story mode, are fine with a few moves and are happy if they can get a few combos off.  I define a casual like my Son.  He loves to buy fighting games but really takes no time to learn any character.  He wonders why he gets killed by his dad all the time and why I beat him so easily.

So I can agree we are done if you believe that any casual player takes the time to really learn a character.

So wait a minute, you think those older 2D marios are easy ? (Hahahaha, you're serious though ?) 

How could those "casual" gamers even get past through the first level of mario then ? 

Exactly what measuring stick are you basing a successful fighting game.  I believe we are not on the same page.  I am not basing my view on if KI can sell like Smash Bros, I am basing my view on if KI has enough depth to its characters that people who play fighting games on a competitive level view it as tournament worthy.  The person in question within the OP is a competitive fighting game player.  His view is along the lines of how worthy KI is as a competitive level game.

KI does not need to sell like those games you mention if it can become a stable in tournament play.

I leave sells for fanboys interested in that type of metric.

How can you compare one of the biggest franchises in history that's not even in the same genre to something considered a cult classic franchise? Seriously, very few games will ever reach GTAV success, but that doesn't mean they are failures. I really have no idea what your problem with Killer Instinct is, but your argument doesn't hold any wait. That's like comparing Call of Duty to the Witcher, doesn't make any fucking sense. 

BTW KI is 1/3rd the price of GTAV. By the time KI ever hits $60 worth of content there will be at least 24 characters on the roster. I would consider that a good price for the content. 

I am getting confused.  Why are you bringing 2D marios into a fighting game analysis.  I am talking about fighting games and you are all over the place.  Mario has nothing to do with what I just stated above, it's totally irrelevant.

Also notice I breakdown what I consider is a casual.  

That's the problem with fighters in general. They don't get the appeal in the mass market to support the franchise. What if killer instinct sells bad ? What are you gonna do once fighters die ? Hardcore fans need to shut up in order for the genre to grow.