Games
The wait is finally over, and Nintendo Switch is getting Smash Bros. Here's why it could be the best yet.
On December 7, Nintendo Switch fans will finally get the thing they've been waiting for – Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. With tireless, hard working director Masahiro Sakurai at the helm again, and having been hyped up all year long, we think Nintendo's fighter is going to be the biggest game the series has ever seen. Crucially, we think it'll be the best, too.
With a plethora of modes, including a deep-looking single player component called World of Light, modes that switch up the variety, like Smashdown, another mode that lets you collect Spirits, a huge roster, and even Echo characters and GameCube controller support, here's why Smash Bros. Ultimate on Switch will be the best entry in the series.
Everyone is here (almost)
Despite the lack of WaLuigi's inclusion, this is genuinely one of the biggest rosters in any fighting game, ever. With 70 characters, including the Piranha Plant DLC fighter, there's a ridiculous amount of styles to master.
While many fighters go down the route of using charge and 'fireball' motion movesets, Smash is going to require players to learn a frankly absurd amount of possible matchups. While there's likely to be some crossover between the Wii U's Smash title and this, quite how Incineroar is going to work out against Isabelle, we don't yet know. That's just one of the fascinating fights that could happen, because with 70 characters there's a lot of permutations to consider. But still, WaLuigi as DLC, please.
DLC will keep the game fresh
Speaking of DLC, Nintendo have announced five new characters are coming post-launch as downloadable content, and while rumours are suggesting the possibility of a Square Enix character being part of that plan, the larger scope here is that this could really just be a 'season one' of characters.
Smash Bros. is, at heart, one enormous crossover. The likes of Mario taking on Sonic, Bayonetta, and Inkling (from Splatoon) in a big battle royale style fight is tantalising, but if Nintendo truly is making the ultimate entry in the series, we think they could just keep adding more characters whenever the game needs a new season. If it's good enough for Street Fighter, surely it's good enough for Nintendo? Each new character requires balance changes, as new techniques are discovered, so Smash Bros. Ultimate will always be getting a fresh feel.
More stages are coming, too
With each fighter roll out, there'll be a new stage and music track. This means by the time the Fighters Pass has been fully released, there'll be an additional five new stages and tracks to listen to. In a game already bursting with stages, and boasting the biggest musical tracklisting ever, this is a smart way to keep not only the aforementioned fighters coming, but new stages for the existing pugilists to duke it out on.
As more stages are released, fans will speculate about the future ones, generating more hype for the game, and maybe even giving Nintendo a window into what the players want. Giving people what they want is a great way to keep them interested, and playing, which ultimately gives the game an infinite life.
Never stop, play on the go
Where before you were tethered to playing at home with friends, because it's on the Switch, you can take Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the go with you. While there was a 3DS version also released, it was hamstrung by poor connectivity and a system control setup that really wasn't designed for a fighting game. With the Switch you can tether to your 4G (or 5G if you're fancy) and even get online, and that's if you can't get your fix with local play thanks to the Joy-Cons, and portable nature of the console. The best thing, though, is that it'll still be in HD, thanks to the lovely screen. Bonus.
Support from the Esports scene
Nintendo and Esports has always been a bit of a strained relationship. The game itself has always been popular, whether it's Melee or Brawl, but with Ultimate people will flock to the game thanks to the packed roster, portability, and the fact it's a new version of a beloved game.
Adding in features like Perfect Shielding (where a perfect block gives you an advantage), and even abilities around dashing that make it more competitive than the fun party game that some consider recent entries to be. Nintendo are really trying to edge towards the kind of people who'd play the game at Evo, and that support from the hardcore Fighting Game Community (FGC) could help make the game the biggest success in the franchise's history.
