Yesterday was a big day for Super Smash Bros fans around the globe. It was the day that, after months of waiting, we all were finally unveiled the next release in the Super Smash Bros franchise and the first of which on the Switch; the title that we all know now as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Smash Ultimate was the final game unveiled during yesterday’s Nintendo E3 2018 Video Presentation, and was the title the company spent the most time focusing on throughout the duration of the day. We learned A LOT about the game, and saw even more, so let’s break it down.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a culmination of everything Smash Bros we’ve gained throughout the years, the characters, the stages, music, even the game mechanics! Super Smash Bros takes a big chunk of something from each Super Smash Bros. title and combines it into one, it is without a doubt the largest Super Smash Bros. title to date!
Now, before the game was revealed and known as “Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Switch” or “Smash 5”, many were lead to believe that this Smash title would be built from the ground up, different engine and all, much like all of the past Smash iterations. Unlike past titles, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate takes what we’ve all know and love about Super Smash Bros. Wii U and spices it up with updated mechanics, more characters, stages, and a slight visual upgrade. The game is essentially a Definitive Edition of Super Smash Bros. Wii U, and that’s completely fine!
While Nintendo will obviously market this game as a “brand new” Smash title, and rightfully so, we the players are aware of what we are receiving and thankfully, we are more than satisfied. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the most ambiguous entry in the Smash franchise yet, boasting every single roster characters the Smash series has known, as part of the official playable roster in the game. Director of the title – Masahiro Sakurai stated that he is unsure if the company will be able to pull off something this massive for future Smash entries, and hopes we enjoy the special treat they have prepared for us that is Smash Ultimate. It’s hard to imagine a Smash Bros title without as large of a roster as Smash Ultimate, but Sakurai’s statement does leave some comforting assurance that there will in fact be more Super Smash Bros in the future, so don’t expect Smash Ultimate to be the last game.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was given a release date of December 7th, 2018 – a date which was ultimately much later than what was initially rumored and expected. Sakurai has stated multiple times this past Tuesday that the game is still being developed and much will likely be changed in the final product, meaning we will likely receive many more news and announcements regarding the game from now, leading up until it’s official launch in December. It’s also safe to assume the roster which was currently announced yesterday will not be the final roster count – as I’d suspect a few new echo characters and perhaps new IP Nintendo characters to make their debut in the game (Springman, anyone?)
Overall, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is every Smash fans biggest dream come true, and Nintendo is doing their best to have the title encompass something key from each and every Smash title to finally bring everyone together for the Ultimate Smash experience. It’s truly a beautiful thing, and these next several months leading up to December are going to be painful. At least we’re all in this together.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate launches on the Nintendo Switch on December 7th, 2018.
