There’s a certain magic in the air, and I don’t just mean because it’s almost Halloween and pumpkin spice latte season. There’s a new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC announcement literally right around the corner, and if the industry has taught me anything, it’s that there are few things in gaming more special than a Smash Bros. DLC announcement.
No matter what your preferred console or history is with video games, the news of a new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate announcement seems to bring everyone out of the woodwork to speculate on what the next character will be. It’s a testament to both Nintendo and the game itself that they’ve managed to create a game that is able to cultivate this level of excitement over a DLC announcement. Could you imagine people getting this excited over a new car pack in Forza or a new playable character in Dead By Daylight?
It’s fair to say that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is one of the most ambitious games ever made, simply because of the level of cross-over appeal it holds. Fighting games as a whole offer the ability for crossover, with Tekken 7 perhaps being the most notable current example (we haven’t forgotten about you, Marvel vs Capcom, even if Capcom has), but the amount that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate offers is nothing less than staggering.
There’s no other game on the market that’ll allow you to play as Ryu and batter Mario, Cloud, Banjo-Kazooie, Terry Bogard, Link, Hero from the Dragon Quest series and Incineroar in a stage inspired by the Mr. Game And Watch handheld console. Oh, and Rathalos from the Monster Hunter series can also invade the match to join in on the ruckus. It’s absolutely mind-blowing.
This “anything and anyone” approach to Smash Bros. characters has made the run-up to a DLC character announcement such an exciting time. No matter what your gaming preferences are, you’re just as likely to find your favourite character added to the roster. Sure, Dante would make a lot more sense as a fighting game character, but Wii Fit Trainer is a character, so why couldn’t Parappa the Rapper also be added?
The announcement yesterday that we’d learn the next character today naturally led to predictions that crossed the spectrum of gaming, some more rational than others. Some, myself included, used logic and a recent leak to speculate that Overwatch’s Tracer would be added to the game. Others fell back on familiar habits, such as Dante from the Devil May Cry series, or Kingdom Hearts’ Sora; names and franchises that have been requested for the longest time.
Then there’s some of the more out there picks, like Dragon Ball’s Goku, or John Cena, which is apparently something people have been requesting for a while. Considering that WWE 2K Battlegrounds is on the Switch, it’s possible. You even see fans come out in support of recent titles that deserve a spotlight, with a rather large contingent hoping to see Hades’ Zagreus added to Smash Bros. It’s unrealistic, given how recently Hades was released, but could you imagine?
That’s the magic of the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate announcement hype: your imagination. For a period that might be as brief as 24 hours, the only limits on the next DLC announcement is whatever you can come up with. Sometimes, those wildest dreams do come true, while other times, it’s another Fire Emblem character. Even if it does end up in disappointment, sometimes it’s intoxicating to get swept up in the Smash Bros. DLC hype.
Now add Kazuma Kiryu to Smash, you goddamn cowards.
READ MORE: 15 Best Switch Fighting Games You Should Play
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