Nintendo fans of all kind went into the newest Nintendo Direct with high expectations. There was one thing fans wanted to learn in particular, though: the identity of the last DLC fighter to joinSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. Nintendo has made it clear that the nextSuper Smash Bros. UltimateDLC will be its last, so fans were eager to know more. While Nintendo didn’t reveal the final guest, it did confirm a presentation withSmash Ultimatedirector Masahiro Sakurai in early October, during which Sakurai will reveal the last fighter and explain their moveset.
Some fans are probably disappointed that the fighter didn’t get a reveal, and it’s uncommon for Nintendo to tease the reveal like this, promising a specific date in advance. On the other hand, this was a wise choice on Nintendo’s part. Revealing the last DLC for a game as successful asSmash Ultimatein the midst of many other announcements would’ve been too unceremonious. ANintendo Direct all about the lastSmash UltimateDLCappropriately puts both the game and its next fighter in the spotlight.
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Smash Ultimate Should Go Out With a Bang
For mostSmashDLC, it makes perfect sense to put a reveal trailer just about anywhere in a traditional Direct. After all, no matter how exciting each guest fighter is, they’re still just more DLC for the game; the guest fighters don’t need to get special treatment every time. However, the context of the final DLC fighter is very different.Smash Ultimatehas become a central part of Nintendo’s brand and the Nintendo Switch’s lineup, soa traditionalSmashDLC trailerwould’ve ignored the legacy and been a pretty muted end to the game’s long run of additional content.
Nintendo must be aware that the end ofSmash Ultimate’s Fighters Pass 2 is important. It is planning an entire Direct about meeting the finalSmash Ultimateguest and revealing their kit. It could bea great opportunity for Masahiro Sakuraito reflect onSmash Ultimate’s development and the history of his work onSuper Smash Bros.as a whole.Smash Ultimate’s ambitious “everyone is here” model, critical accolades, and millions of copies sold add up to an important game in Nintendo’s history. Hopefully the company uses this Direct to broadly celebrate the work of Sakurai and his team.
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A Standalone Direct Bodes Well for the Last DLC
The fighter is an important part of the upcomingSmash UltimateDirect, no matter who they might be. Nintendo’s choice to reveal them during aSmashDirect could send a message about their identity.Smash Ultimatefans naturally hope the last fighter will be an explosive, coveted pick in order to serve asthe perfect capstone onSmash Ultimate’s legacy. Giving the fighter such undivided attention might mean that Nintendo really has someone special in store. Thankfully, fans won’t have to wait much longer to find out.
Speculation is sure to run wild in the days leading up to Sakurai’s presentation.Smashfans still want to seeeveryone from Master Chief to Crash Bandicootadded to the game, and now that there’s only room for one last fighter, debates will be more heated than ever. That said, it’s a shame to think theSmash UltimateDLC rumor mill is in its final days.Smash’s future is impossible to predict after the titanic game that isSmash Ultimate,so nobody knows when fans will get to debate again. Fans will just have to celebrate the long life ofSmash Ultimate’s DLC cycle, rather than mourning its end.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimateis available now for Nintendo Switch.
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