We normally don’t report on every rumor or leak, due to their lack of legitimate sources. Today however, an image surfaced online from a credible source, proving that we may have the final roster for Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Now – There is a lot of information here with related sources, but please, take this information with a grain of salt until we receive official word from Nintendo.
A video showing the final roster for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate surfaced on Snapchat, before it was screenshot and shared around popular communities such as 4Chan and Reddit. The image itself, although blurry due to a snapshot of a video, appears to show seven new playable characters in the next Smash Bros. These characters are:
– Geno (Super Mario RPG)
– Chorus Kids (Rhythm Heaven)
– Ken (Street Fighter)
– Mach Rider (Mach Rider)
– Shadow (Sonic The Hedgehog)
– Banjo-Kazooie (Banjo-Kazooie)
– Isaac (Golden Sun)
Although partially obscured, the name Eric Bricard can be seen in the video. After some digging through LinkedIn and social media, Bricard appears to work for a marketing company called Ateliers Marina, responsible for delivering marketing materials for several big names, including Heinekin, Unilever, and Bandai Namco. It would make sense for Bandai Namco, the ones responsible for developing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, to present materials to a marketing company to print for the pending release. Also, marketing materials covering Universal Studios’ 2018 adaptation of The Grinch are shown, which concludes the fact that the marketing company is handling multiple contracts in time for the holidays. So, the source appears to check out.
So, what about the characters themselves? Well, Geno is Square Enix’s design, but was featured in Super Mario RPG for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. With Sqaure’s recent relationship with Nintendo, including Cloud in Super Smash Bros. For The Nintendo Wii U, then their recent Final Fantasy announcements, it wouldn’t be unlikely for Nintendo to include Geno in the Smash Bros. roster.
Characters Ken and Shadow are easy inclusions, because they can easily be echo fighters for Ryu and Sonic respectively. Mach Rider, although an odd choice, would make appropriate sense, considering Mach Rider was released as an exclusive for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985. To further this, the game’s director Masahiro Sakurai, mentioned a new Mech Toy from Mach Rider, that may relate to a future project. Could this project be Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?
The Chorus Kids are an odd one, but then again, every Super Smash Bros. title has an odd character or two, such as last generation’s inclusion of Duck Hunt Dog and Wii Fit Trainer. According to sources, The Chorus Kids were planned for inclusion in Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo Wii U, but was presumably cut in development.
Another series that has yet to be represented is Golden Sun, one of the most popular RPG’s for the Game Boy Advance during it’s time. The game’s main character, Isaac, would make for a great fit in Smash Bros.’ roster, considering the gratuitous amount of Fire Emblem characters already represented in the game. Given Golden Sun’s success on the Gameboy Advance and through the Nintendo Wii, Wii U, and 3DS’s Virtual Console service, Isaac should be a “shoe-in.”
A big inclusion is Banjo-Kazooie, a popular choice for gamer’s within the industry. Ever since the 3DS/Wii U release, fans have been asking for Banjo’s involvement in the Smash universe. Rare’s titles played a major role in the Nintendo 64’s lifespan, ranging from Diddy Kong Racing to Perfect Dark. A game that many are nostalgic for is Banjo-Kazooie, a series that is now owner by Microsoft thanks to an acquisition in 2002. Since the release of Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo Wii U, Executive VP of Gaming at Microsoft Phil Spencer, has remained open about Banjo’s inclusion in the roster. The proof is shown on his personal Twitter account, where he has said: “I think it would be cool if Banjo was in the next SSB DLC. We’ve worked with Nintendo on Rare IP before, no issues,” so the probably of this happening is very high. If true, we may see more fighters confirmed through downloadable content, potentially including Rare’s Conker or 343 Industries’ Master Chief.
Is the leak real? We think so. Given the amount of evidence provided, it is hard to dispute any of this. We are missing representation of Pokemon from Pokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon, which is out of the norm for a Super Smash Bros. title, but there is potential for downloadable content in the months following Ultimate‘s release. What are your thoughts on the leak? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate releases December 7th, 2018, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
Source: 4Chan, Denfaminicogamer (via Nintendo Everything), GameFAQs, Ateliers Marina, Reddit
