Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Arriving on the Nintendo 64 back in 1999, Super Smash Bros. has gone on to become one of Nintendo’s marquee titles and is eagerly awaited by fans around the world.
The upcoming Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch is no different. In fact, Ultimate is shaping up to be the biggest and baddest installment in the Super Smash Bros. franchise yet.
Not only is this title bringing Super Smash Bros. to the Switch, you can be sure that it is also going to be taking full advantage of the console’s play anywhere, anytime capabilities.
We’ve had portable Smash before, but this is going to be on a whole new level.
Arriving next month, early rumblings about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate really does have it living up to the “ultimate” in its title.
Here’s everything you need to know about Ultimate’s new features, content, and changes ahead of launch.
Character Roster
If you love Super Smash Bros. for its ability to bring together a disparate cast of characters, then Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has your number.
Not only will there be a huge roster of Nintendo favorites and guest stars, but there will also be a new concept of “Echo Fighters.” An Echo Fighter is basically a reskinned version of a primary character with similar moves and controls. Think Samus and Dark Samus, for example, or Peach and Daisy. Not only is this an awesome way to expand the roster but also adds a ton of variety in terms of the cast. Not too mention A LOT more fan service!
Here’s a list of all the new characters (and where they’re from) coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate!
• Simon Belmont (Castlevania)
• Richter Belmont (Echo Fighter – Simon Belmont)
• Incineroar (Pokémon)
• King K. Rool (Donkey Kong)
• Ridley (Metroid)
• Inkling (Splatoon)
• Isabelle (Animal Crossing)
• Daisy (Echo Fighter – Peach)
• Dark Samus (Echo Fighter – Samus)
• Chrom (Echo Fighter – Roy)
• Ken (Echo Fighter – Ryu)
• Piranha Plant (DLC)
Character Roster
If you love Super Smash Bros. for its ability to bring together a disparate cast of characters, then Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has your number.
Not only will there be a huge roster of Nintendo favorites and guest stars, but there will also be a new concept of “Echo Fighters.” An Echo Fighter is basically a reskinned version of a primary character with similar moves and controls. Think Samus and Dark Samus, for example, or Peach and Daisy. Not only is this an awesome way to expand the roster but also adds a ton of variety in terms of the cast. Not too mention A LOT more fan service!
Here’s a list of all the new characters (and where they’re from) coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate!
• Simon Belmont (Castlevania)
• Richter Belmont (Echo Fighter – Simon Belmont)
• Incineroar (Pokémon)
• King K. Rool (Donkey Kong)
• Ridley (Metroid)
• Inkling (Splatoon)
• Isabelle (Animal Crossing)
• Daisy (Echo Fighter – Peach)
• Dark Samus (Echo Fighter – Samus)
• Chrom (Echo Fighter – Roy)
• Ken (Echo Fighter – Ryu)
• Piranha Plant (DLC)
Stages
Similar to the character roster, Ultimate is going all out when it comes to the stages they’ll be featuring. So far, we’ve been promised a total of 103 stages. And, no doubt we’ll be getting more along the way in future updates. Nevertheless, that’s already a ton of different stages to choose from and, no doubt a good number will be callbacks from previous games.
Interestingly, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has you select your stage BEFORE selecting your character. As any dedicated Smash player will tell you, the stage can have a huge impact on your strategy in a match. At first glance, this doesn’t seem to be that significant of a change but in reality, it completely changes the dynamic of the character selection phase and introduces a whole new element of strategy into the game. So instead of just selecting whoever you feel like playing, you’ll be more inclined to choose a character with a skill set that fits the stage you’ll be fighting on.
Another interesting new feature is “Stage Morph” wherein the arena you are currently in literally transforms into a whole new, completely different stage. This is super cool as it has the potential to flip the match on its head at a moment’s notice.
Combat Gameplay
Taking inspiration from Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tweaks combat here and there for a more streamlined experience that makes it easy for newbs to get into but still caters to veteran players with a high skill ceiling.
Changes include increased damage in one on one combat as well as directional dodge mechanics. Charge attacks can be started while in the air, A and B together unleash a Smash Attack, and a “perfect shield” can be achieved through the timed release of the shield button.
New Game Modes
There will be 5 main modes in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Classic, Tourney, and Training, Squad Strike, and Smashdown. Squad Strike and Smashdown are the new modes coming to Super Smash Bros. for the first time.
• Squad Strike takes team/group battles to a whole new level. With options for 5v5 or 3v3, I can already see Ultimate taking the competitive gaming scene by storm (even more than before) with eSports teams vying to take the top spot.
• Smashdown is an elimination-style mode where, instead of eliminating players, it eliminates characters, making them unavailable for the next match. So for all you one-trick ponies out there, better start learning new characters! In other words…git gud.
Let’s not forget about the new single player story mode, World of Light. World of Light features 2 more new modes, Adventure Mode and Spirit Board. The concept of World of Light revolves around collecting Spirits that power up your characters. By completing 5 different Challenges offered by World of Light, you collect spirits while advancing through the story and putting your Smash skills to the test.
Summary
Outside of this will be some new items as well as assist trophy items. Up to 8 players can play against one another locally and online. Best of all? Nintendo is making a special edition controller for the release that mimics the iconic design of the GameCube controller (the preferred controller of many professional Smash players).
A nice little bonus is the fact that Ultimate will feature around 900 or so music tracks. If you’ve ever played any of the previous Smash games before, you know just how good the music is. Actually, super underrated if I do say so myself.
Needless to say, I am beyond hyped and cannot wait for Super Smash Bros. to finally come out! The good thing is, the December 7th, 2018 release date is right around the corner so we won’t have to wait much longer.
