Final Nintendo Direct Announces New Characters, Game Mode, and Functionality

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game director Masahiro Sakurai has finally conducted the final Smash Direct. Through this Direct, fans were given a great deal of information on the upcoming title, including character announcements, a new game mode, and details on the game’s online functionality.

The most exciting part of any Smash Direct are the highly anticipated character announcements, and this Direct did not disappoint. This 40-minute Direct opened with a cinematic trailer that revealed two new characters. Taking place in the Boxing Ring stage from the Punch Out series, we see Little Mac wailing on a faceless character, only to be knocked out in return. As the camera turns, we see Ken from the Street Fighter series. Soon after knocking Little Mac out of the arena, Generation 7 Pokémon, Incineroar, enters the ring to finish the fight.

In addition to the two brawlers announced in this cinematic trailer, the Direct announced Piranha Plant as a playable character. While Incinerator and Ken round out the final characters that will be in the game’s initial release, Piranha Plant will be a limited time offer for those who pre-order the game. Players can expect more characters to come, as Mr. Sakurai noted that 5 more DLC characters will be released in the upcoming months.

Alongside these character announcements, the final Direct revealed the game’s new mode, Spirits. Serving as the game’s adventure mode, Spirits places you in a large top-down map, wherein you must face challenges to unlock both playable and support characters by unleashing their “spirit.”

Also announced was the franchise’s newest iteration of their online system. Making substantial changes to the way players are paired, the new matchmaking system will pair players based on their preferred ruleset and skill level. Moreover, those who succeeded the competitive arena will unlock the “Elite” mode, which revs up the competition.

Rounding out the Direct with new skins, assist trophy’s, and language options, Mr. Sakurai gave fans an in-depth look into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate prior to its release.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate releases for Nintendo Switch on December 7.

Travis Williamson

Travis is a gamer, writer, and cat lover from the greater Pittsburgh area. While he is a multi-genre gamer, there is a special place in his heart for fighting games - particularly the Super Smash Bros. franchise. Outside of gaming, Travis enjoys embarking on pizza and Rupaul’s Drag Race benders.