Super Smash Bros. Ultimatehas received characters from all across the gaming industry since its launch in 2018. As a celebration of video games in general, no longer being just the Nintendo celebration it once was, it was anyone’s guess just who would show up as a guest fighter. Nintendo set the precedent early on inSuper Smash Bros. Brawlwith the inclusion of Sonic the Hedgehog and Solid Snake, video game icons and some of Nintendo fiercest rivals. ForSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, Nintendo’s Fighters Passes consistently rocked the gaming world, as Nintendo had shown, really any video game character.
Across the two passes, 11 fighters were added, as well as dozens of Mii costumes that brought in additional characters. Square Enix was one ofUltimate’s biggest winners, having four DLC fighters in Cloud, Hero, Sephiroth, and most recently, Sora fromKingdom Hearts. With Sora though, all possible fighters forUltimatehave been included, as Nintendo has no plans for further Fighters Passes. Between fighters and Mii costumes,Xboxwas certainly another one ofUltimate’s winners, bringing some of its largest franchises into the game.
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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighter #73: Banjo & Kazooie
Banjo & Kazooie’s presence inUltimatewas significant for many reasons once they came to the game via the first Fighters Pass. For starters, this is through and through a mascot of Xbox’s, as Rare, the developers ofBanjo Kazooieis one of Xbox’s first-party developers. What’s more, before being acquired by Xbox and Microsoft, Rare was originally a Nintendo studio during the 90s, developingDonkey Kong Countryfor the SNES and theBanjo Kazooiefor the Nintendo 64. The character’s inclusion inSmash Bros. brings the relationship between Nintendo, Xbox, and Rare full circle, and definitely set the stage for the next character (or rather, characters).
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighter #77: Steve
Minecraftis one of the most popular games of the last decade, with millions of players worldwide, endless merchandising, and consistent support from Xbox and Mojang. Seeing the classic Nintendo roster fighting against Steve to this day is a surreal experience, and is a testament to the game’s quickly attained legacy. Other iconicMinecraftcharacters appear through Steve’s alternate skins, including Alex, a Zombie, and an Enderman, furthering the game’s representation in Smash. What’s more, due to Steve’s unique building mechanic where he can mine at the ground on any stage, craft items, and place blocks,Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s stages had to be redesignedso that the character could be properly played.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Xbox-themed Mii Costumes
Although many like to dismiss the Mii Fighter, its customization potential was taken full advantage of by Xbox throughoutUltimate’s lifespan. Before Microsoft purchased Bethesda, the studio put costume pieces intoUltimateallowing players to createFallout’s Vault Boy andThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim’s Dragonborn. With Steve’s addition toUltimatecame Mii Fighter pieces as well, including an ever-dangerous Creeper skin, a set of Diamond Armor, and a classic Pig costume. It was announced in the lastSmashDirect thatDoom’s Doom Slayer is coming as a Mii Fighter outfit, resembling the character’s recent appearance in 2016’sDoomandDoom Eternal.
All-in-all, Xbox has a really strong showing inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. Though many fans would’ve liked to have seenMaster Chief inSmash Bros., what is here is still very special, as it involves much of the history between Nintendo and Xbox while also capturing some of gaming’s most popular franchises. The future ofSmash Bros. is uncertain, but one must hope that if another game happens in the future, these characters return and even more join the battle.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimateis available now on Switch.
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