Summary
Super Smash Bros. Ultimateis set to receive some new content this January, the game’s publisher, Nintendo, has revealed. The small update will feature characters from other Nintendo properties likeThe Legend of ZeldaandSplatoon, among others.
Developed by Bandai Namco Studios and legendary game designer Masahiro Sakurai’s Sora Ltd., 2018’sSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateis often considered to be the best entry in theSuper Smash Bros.series of fighting games. The Nintendo Switch exclusive has been praised for combining the best elements of its predecessors and having the largest cast of characters in the franchise. It also introduced new mechanics like the Spirits, which are power-ups and collectibles in the game that enhance a character’s stats or provide them with other buffs. There are currently more than 1,500 Spirits inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, but that number is expected to go up very soon as Nintendo has announced that new ones will be added to the game this month.
In a Twitter post, Nintendo revealed that new Spirits based on characters fromThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,Xenoblade Chronicles 3, andSplatoon 3will appear onSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Spirit Board for five days starting January 11. While it was not explicitly stated, there should also be Spirits based on characters fromPikmin 4as art for the game was included in Nintendo’s post. All the games mentioned are their respective series' latest titles, with thehitPikmin 4that was released in July 2023being the newest game.
Due to its nature as a crossover title,Super Smash Bros. Ultimatehas a diverse pool of Spirits, some of them not being based on Nintendo characters. For instance,Sophia fromPersona 5 Strikerswas turned into aSuper Smash Bros. UltimateSpirit, along with other characters from Atlus' popular RPG series. The main protagonist ofPersona 5, Joker, is even amongSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate’s playable fighters.
With its impressive roster of characters, unique levels, and fun game modes, it is no surprise thatSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatehas been lauded by some as one of thebest fighting games on the Nintendo Switch. The game, however, is not perfect, andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate’s online mode in particular has received flak for sometimes exhibiting poor technical performance.
Sakurai, who is the creator of theSuper Smash Bros. series, revealed in 2021 that the future of the franchise was uncertain and that there were no plans at the time for asequel toSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. Should a sequel ever arrive, it will most likely have a hard time matching or surpassingSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
WHERE TO PLAY
Gaming icons clash in the ultimate brawl you’re able to play anytime, anywhere! Smash rivals off the stage as new characters Simon Belmont and King K. Rool join Inkling, Ridley, and every fighter in Super Smash Bros. history. Enjoy enhanced speed and combat at new stages based on the Castlevania series, Super Mario Odyssey, and more!Having trouble choosing a stage? Then select the Stage Morph option to transform one stage into another while battling—a series first! Plus, new echo fighters Dark Samus, Richter Belmont, and Chrom join the battle. Whether you play locally or online, savor the faster combat, new attacks, and new defensive options, like a perfect shield. Jam out to 900 different music compositions and go 1-on-1 with a friend, hold a 4-player free-for-all, kick it up to 8-player battles and more!
