I'm updating my post from earlier in the topic (#118) to be more relevant for finding contest newcomers, though it still favors Epona the most (naturally).
If we assume the top fifteen games consist of the top five from GotD and the top ten games from any other time, I get something like this: LoZ:OoT, FF7, LoZ:LttP, RBY, SM64, LoZ:MM, FFX, SSBB, SSBM, SMW, SMB3, CT, LoZ:TP, MGS, and GE 007.
Agree or disagree, it's a fair selection for the top fifteen games on GameFAQs. Now, here's a list of characters and how many relevant appearances they make in those games.
Everybody fits at least one of the following:
--> Entered a contest before.
--> Won a NRT-rally in the most recent tournament.
-----> Everyone with a NRT-rally will be in italics.
--> Have at least two different appearances in the top fifteen games.
-----> Everyone with at least two appearances yet no contest-experience will be in bold.
Link - 8 (six if you don't count Young/Toon Link in SSBM/B, four without the SSB-series)
Mario - 6 (five if you don't count Dr. Mario in SSBM, three without the SSB-series)
Ganondorf - 5 (three without the SSB-series)
Zelda - 5 (three without the SSB-series)
Bowser - 5 (three without the SSB-series)
Peach - 5 (three without the SSB-series)
Luigi - 4 (two without the SSB-series)
Yoshi - 4 (two without the SSB-series)
Epona - 3
Pikachu - 3 (one without the SSB-series)
Jigglypuff - 3 (one without the SSB-series)
Samus - 3 (two if you don't count ZSS in SSBB, none without the SSB-series)
Toad - 2 (four if you count Peach's attack in the SSB-series)
Dark Link - 2 (four if you count Event-mode in the SSB-series)
Charizard - 2 (three if you count Poke-powers in SSBM, one without the SSB-series)
Koopa Kids - 2
Sandbag - 2
Master Hand - 2
Solid Snake - 2 (one without the SSB-series)
Mewtwo - 2 (one without the SSB-series)
Squirtle - 2 (one without the SSB-series)
Ivysaur - 2 (one without the SSB-series)
Pokemon Trainer Red - 2 (one without the SSB-series)
Navi - 2 (one if you don't count the Wii-pointer in the Wii-version of LoZ:TP)
Fox McCloud - 2 (none without the SSB-series)
Falco Lombardi - 2 (none without the SSB-series)
Donkey Kong - 2 (none without the SSB-series)
Marth - 2 (none without the SSB-series)
Ness - 2 (none without the SSB-series)
Mr. Game & Watch - 2 (none without the SSB-series)
Nana - 2 (none without the SSB-series)
Popo - 2 (none without the SSB-series)
Tingle - 1 (two if you count Great Bay in SSBM)
Cloud - 1
Sephiroth - 1
Vincent - 1
Tifa - 1
Aeris - 1
Zack - 1
Cid - 1
Midgar Zolom - 1
Barret - 1
Auron - 1
Tidus - 1
Yuna - 1
Rikku - 1
Jecht - 1
Sin - 1
Crono - 1
Magus - 1
Frog - 1
Marle - 1
Lavos - 1
Missingno - 1
Midna - 1
Revolver Ocelot - 1
Liquid Snake - 1
Otacon - 1
Sonic - 1 (none without the SSB-series)
Meta Knight - 1 (none without the SSB-series)
King Dedede - 1 (none without the SSB-series)
Wario - 1 (none without the SSB-series)
Ike - 1 (none without the SSB-series)
Pit - 1 (none without the SSB-series)
Lucario - 1 (none without the SSB-series)
Diddy Kong - 1 (none without the SSB-series)
Captain Olimar - 1 (none without the SSB-series)
Lucas - 1 (none without the SSB-series)
Seifer - 0
Morrigan - 0
FUNFACT: Mega Man is the only Noble Nine-member to have no place on this list.
More's coming...
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Nominate E P O N A.