Suspiciously Similar Substitute: Difference between revisions

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** The character of Mandy is another example. If the producers couldn't get Mia Kirshner the actress who played her they created another sexy terrorist. Season 4's Nicole is a prime example, because she behaves in EXACTLY the same way as Mandy would, {{spoiler|she has sex with a character to get him on side, then reveals her true colours. Mandy did more or less the same thing in the first episode}}

* Lucy replaced Kate in ''[[Not Going Out]]''.

* When the actor who played him died, The 50's sitcom version of ''[[Dennis the Menace US]]'' replaced George Wilson with a made up "brother" named John; there never was a John Wilson in the original comics.

* ''[[Dexter]]'' had James Doakes replaced after {{spoiler|his death in Season 2}} with another detective named Joseph Quinn in Season 3. Possibly [[Lampshade Hanging|lampshaded]] if one considers [[Stargate SG-1|a former]] [[Trope Namer]]...

** Though, to give credit where credit is due, Bat Manuel is one of the funniest television characters ever.

*** Even better the actor who played Bat Manuel in the live action version of The Tick played the Mayor in the [[Batman]] movie ''[[The Dark Knight Saga]]''.

* Ashley's ultimate demise in ''[[Sanctuary]]'' was particularly predictable because in the two episodes preceding it, they were already gearing up her replacement.

* In ''[[M.I. High]]'', the third series replaced Lenny Bicknall with Frank London, both retired superspies posing as a high school caretaker.

* Amy Amanda Allen was put on a bus and replaced for ten episodes by Tawnia Baker on ''[[The A-Team]]''.

* One episode of ''[[El Chavo Del Ocho]]'' featured Don Ramon's cousin Don Roman. Roman practically did and suffered like his cousin did in a similar episode.

** At the same time, George, the resident werewolf, also left. His role in the house was replaced by another werewolf who had almost nothing in common with George. The reason? Tom, his replacement, had been an on-and-off recurring character since the first series. Zero new characterization was required.

* Put-upon straight man, oftentimes [[Only Sane Employee]], and Leslie's original love interest Mark Brendanawicz leaves [[Parks and Recreation]] at the end of Season 2, the same time put-upon straight man, [[Only Sane Employee]], and Leslie's love interest Ben Wyatt joins the cast.

* The [[Updated Rerelease|Maniax Chronicle Edition]] of ''[[Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne]]'' chucks out [[Devil May Cry|Dante]] in exchange for the series' own Raidou Kuzunoha. Consensus says it's an improvement.

** The main reason is that Raidou has the Pierce skill, an absolute necessity if you want to face the [[True Final Boss]] (and honestly, at the point you recruit Raidou/Dante, that's the only thing ''left'' for you to do). Dante was cool, but his lack of Pierce, inability to ''get'' Pierce (because you couldn't fuse him with anything) and permanent consumption of one of your party slots reduced him to [[Awesome but Impractical]].

** The Wii installment has a boxer named Disco Kid. This was originally supposed to be a character named Kid Quick from the first arcade game, but as the staff updated his design, he changed so radically that they decided it would be easier to make an entirely different character out of him. His files on the disc are still labeled "kid_quick."

** Piston Honda from the NES version was essentially a substitute for Piston Hurricane from the first arcade game. The SNES game brought back Piston Hurricane (along with other previously arcade-exclusive opponents), only to bring back Piston Honda (under the guise of Piston Hond'''o''') in the Wii installment.

* ''[[Elite Beat Agents]]'', a remake of ''[[Osu Tatakae Ouendan]]'' substituted the entire cast, replacing the cheer squads with a MIB organization. However, [[Tropes Are Not Bad]], as some people might tell you that EBA is ''better'' than Ouendan.

** EBA is much more than a substitute. It's a completely different game that uses the same engine. There's a difference.

* In the ''[[Soul Series|Soul Calibur]]'' games, Maxi replaces Li Long (from the prequel, ''Soul Edge'') as the game's [[Epic Flail|nunchaku]] user, after Li's {{spoiler|defeat at the hands of Cervantes}}. Li has only returned as a bonus character in ''Soul Calibur III''.

** Cassandra replaces Sophitia in ''Soul Calibur II'' (though Sophitia can be unlocked in the home versions), and Yunsung/Yun-seong replaces Hwang in spirit and general appearance, although doesn't have exactly the same moves. It's also notable that in this game the unlockable character Assassin DOES have the same moves as Hwang, and his fellow unlockable Berserker has those of Rock, however neither of these characters are canon to the story and so were probably included due to fan service (and their use in Story mode). Kilik replaces Seung Mina officially although both characters are still available, and his moves have become more unique by III.

* Lucca in ''[[Chrono Trigger]]''=>Luccia in ''[[Chrono Cross]]''

** Yes and no. There are some similarities between the two, most notably the hair color, glasses and occupation. Fighting styles are completely different however, as well as attitudes, and Luccia's [[Herr Doctor|accent.]]

* ''[[Mass Effect 2]]'' can have this depending on the player's actions in ''[[Mass Effect (video game)|Mass Effect 1]]''. If Wrex survived the first game, he will appear on Tuchanka leading his clan. If he was killed, it will be his brother Wreav, offering the same quests and exposition (although his personality is notably different). Likewise, if you saved the colony of Zhu's Hope but let Shiala die, an unnamed human colonist will appear in her place on Illium to offer the same quest.

** Continues into the 3rd game for characters who died in ''2''. {{spoiler|Mordin}} is replaced by {{spoiler|another salarian named Padok Wiks (who appears regardless, but quickly vanishes if Mordin is still alive)}}, {{spoiler|Grunt}} is replaced by {{spoiler|a generic krogan soldier}}, {{spoiler|Miranda}} is replaced by {{spoiler|her sister Oriana}}, {{spoiler|Tali}} is replaced by {{spoiler|Admiral Raan}}, and {{spoiler|Legion}} is replaced by...{{spoiler|a backup copy of itself (who doesn't have memory of Shepard)}}. {{spoiler|Garrus, Jacob, Jack, Zaeed, Kasumi, Samara, and Thane}} simply have their parts skipped if they died. Joker will even [[Lampshade Hanging|insist on referring to]] {{spoiler|Padok}} as "Not-{{spoiler|Mordin}}".

* Grobnar Gnomehands in ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2]]'' shares several qualities with Deekin Scalesinger from the expansion packs to the [[Neverwinter Nights|first game]], being an [[The Scrappy|annoying]], diminutive [[Spoony Bard]].

* In [[Super Mario Bros.]], Pewee Piranha and Digga Legg from [[Super Mario Galaxy 2]] are pretty much suspiciously similar substitutes to Dino Piranha and Megaleg from the original [[Super Mario Galaxy]]. The former is even found in the same general point in the game as the latter, and defeated in nearly the same way. Also, the Topmen from Galaxy are basically the same thing as the Bullies from [[Super Mario 64]], both being enemies defeated by being pushed off the edge of the platform. They even both have nearly the same boss battles in the [[Mario Kart]] series!