The final Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Nintendo Direct ended with lots of new info to digest as Nintendo unveiled everything fans need to know about the upcoming title.
Director Masahiro Sakurai appeared in the 40-minute long presentation to announce the final roster of the game, its various game modes, as well as details on upcoming downloadable content.
Ken and Incineroar join the fray
The video presentation wasted no time in announcing the final two characters coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s launch roster. Ken from the Street Fighter series joins the battle as an Echo Fighter of Ryu. Meanwhile, Incineroar from the Pokemon franchise will also enter the ring when the game releases.
This brings the final roster of playable characters at launch to a whopping 74 characters, which is unprecedented for a fighting game.
Spirits
Replacing character trophies in the series are Spirits. Consisting of artwork from many of the game’s colourful franchises, you can collect these Spirits to power up your playable fighter. Spirits ranging from Chibi-Robo to Dr. Wily to Tails to Revolver Ocelot will provide abilities such as speed or strength during battles. Think of it like equipping an accessory in an RPG.
Downloadable content
Despite already having the largest fighting game roster ever, new fighters will still be coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. New fighters, stages and music will be coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate through the end of February 2020 as paid DLC. It’ll cost you $5.99 for a set which includes a new playable fighter (not an Echo Fighter), a new stage and a variety of music tracks.
A bundle of five sets as they release, called the Fighters Pass, will also be sold for $24.99. Players who purchase a Fighters Pass will also receive an in-game outfit based on Rex from Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
A potted plant for your troubles
Piranha Plant, an iconic enemy from the Super Mario series is also taking root as a DLC character. Players who purchase the game by 31st January 2019 will gain access to this new fighter for free. Piranha Plant will only be available around February 2019, though, since there’s still a lot of polishing work to be done.
If you miss this date for whatever reason, don’t worry. Piranha Plant, together with a new stage and music tracks, will be available for purchase as DLC soon after.
New amiibos
All of the new fighters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – including DLC – will get their own amiibo figures. This includes Ken, Incineroar and Piranha Plant, as well as the recently announced Simon Belmont and King K. Rool. If you’re intent on snagging some of these cool-looking characters, here’s the planned schedule of release:
- Inkling, Ridley and Wolf – 7th December 2018
- King K. Rool, Ice Climbers and Piranha Plant – 15th February 2019
- Isabelle, Pichu, Ken, Young Link, Daisy – 2019
Adventure Mode: World of Light
The previous Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo Wii U and 3DS didn’t have a story mode. Although this may have disappointed some fans who enjoyed Adventure Mode: Subspace Emissary from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, it looks like there’s nothing to worry about now. Adventure Mode: World of Light is a brand new story for the upcoming game that’s just as fleshed out as you might expect, and also shares an eerily familiar premise to Avengers: Infinity War.
Something has caused numerous video game characters in the game to lose their bodies and transform into spirits. Though all hope seems lost when our heroes get picked off one by one, an unlikely survivor rises from the ashes to keep hope alive.
Assist Trophies
Up to 59 assist trophies are available for you to try out. These trophies feature video game characters which you can activate to unleash powers, both offensive and defensive. Some notable new assist trophies include Guile from Street Fighter, Isaac from Golden Sun, Yuri Kozukata from Fatal Frame, and more.
Wireless and Online Play
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate lets players go online to engage in multiplayer battles across the globe. For Fun and For Glory modes from the previous title have been scrapped in lieu for a more streamlined system.
Matchmaking will instead be determined by Preferred Rules, which lets players choose their rules for battle and pair up with others with similar preferences. Global Smash Power, an online leaderboard that determines players’ strength, will also be taken into consideration. Lastly, matchmaking will prioritize players who live closer to each other so that connections remain smooth and enjoyable.
Elite Smash for Elite Players
Are you a competitive player? If your Global Smash Power reaches a high enough point, you will be invited to compete in elite in-game battles, where only the best of the best reside. These are VIP matches that even the game developers will be watching to see how they can better improve the game balance.
Smartphone Features and Spectator Mode
A mobile service called Smash World is being developed. This will act as an online hub for players to post and watch videos, as well as other fun features. Details on this mode are sparse, but will be revealed in the near future.
If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can still access and analyse matches within the game itself via Spectator Mode. Whether you intend to watch your own matches or those of a pro player, it’s all up to you.
Watch the entire Nintendo Direct video presentation below:
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will launch for the Nintendo Switch on 7th December 2018.
