Nintendo fans of all kind went into the newest Nintendo Direct with high expectations. There was one thing fans wanted to learn in particular, though: the identity of the last DLC fighter to join Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Nintendo has made it clear that the next Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC will be its last, so fans were eager to know more. While Nintendo didn't reveal the final guest, it did confirm a presentation with Smash Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai in early October, during which Sakurai will reveal the last fighter and explain their moveset.
Some fans are probably disappointed that the fighter didn't get a reveal, and it's uncommon for Nintendo to tease the reveal like this, promising a specific date in advance. On the other hand, this was a wise choice on Nintendo's part. Revealing the last DLC for a game as successful as Smash Ultimate in the midst of many other announcements would've been too unceremonious. A Nintendo Direct all about the last Smash Ultimate DLC appropriately puts both the game and its next fighter in the spotlight.
Smash Ultimate Should Go Out With a Bang
For most Smash DLC, it makes perfect sense to put a reveal trailer just about anywhere in a traditional Direct. After all, no matter how exciting each guest fighter is, they're still just more DLC for the game; the guest fighters don't need to get special treatment every time. However, the context of the final DLC fighter is very different. Smash Ultimate has become a central part of Nintendo's brand and the Nintendo Switch's lineup, so a traditional Smash DLC trailer would've ignored the legacy and been a pretty muted end to the game's long run of additional content.
Nintendo must be aware that the end of Smash Ultimate's Fighters Pass 2 is important. It is planning an entire Direct about meeting the final Smash Ultimate guest and revealing their kit. It could be a great opportunity for Masahiro Sakurai to reflect on Smash Ultimate's development and the history of his work on Super Smash Bros. as a whole. Smash Ultimate's ambitious "everyone is here" model, critical accolades, and millions of copies sold add up to an important game in Nintendo's history. Hopefully the company uses this Direct to broadly celebrate the work of Sakurai and his team.
A Standalone Direct Bodes Well for the Last DLC
The fighter is an important part of the upcoming Smash Ultimate Direct, no matter who they might be. Nintendo's choice to reveal them during a Smash Direct could send a message about their identity. Smash Ultimate fans naturally hope the last fighter will be an explosive, coveted pick in order to serve as the perfect capstone on Smash Ultimate's legacy. Giving the fighter such undivided attention might mean that Nintendo really has someone special in store. Thankfully, fans won't have to wait much longer to find out.
Speculation is sure to run wild in the days leading up to Sakurai's presentation. Smash fans still want to see everyone from Master Chief to Crash Bandicoot added to the game, and now that there's only room for one last fighter, debates will be more heated than ever. That said, it's a shame to think the Smash Ultimate DLC rumor mill is in its final days. Smash's future is impossible to predict after the titanic game that is Smash Ultimate, so nobody knows when fans will get to debate again. Fans will just have to celebrate the long life of Smash Ultimate's DLC cycle, rather than mourning its end.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available now for Nintendo Switch.
