It’s fair to say that Super Smash Bros Ultimate fans weren’t happy with the recent DLC reveal by Nintendo. In the most recent Nintendo Direct, Smash Bros Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai confirmed that Byleth from Fire Emblem would join the roster as the final DLC character from the debut Fighters Pass. With multiple Fire Emblem characters already included in the Nintendo Switch game, fans were hoping for something different. Interestingly, however, it looks like the Smash Bros Ultimate director agrees with fans.
In a shock statement as part of his column in Famitsu (via Siliconera), Sakurai said there are “too many Fire Emblem characters” in Smash Bros Ultimate.
“And there are too many sword characters,” he continues. “However, these things are already decided, so we move forward. The things I should be thinking about are elsewhere.
“Since there are too many sword characters, we make them all have their own tactics that are unique to the fighter.
“This time around, we brought the experience of immediately playing as the protagonist of a game that people currently play.
“At the starting point of its production, we experimented by working with a title that was in development. I don’t choose the fighters based on my own preference, that’s for Nintendo to bring in.”
Based on Sakurai’s comments, fans can breathe a temporary sigh of relief, because it seems unlikely we’ll get more Fire Emblem characters in the near future.
It’s particularly good news for fans on the fence about picking up the second Fighters Pass.
Hopefully some of the original rumoured characters will join the line-up as part of the second season.
The first Fighters Pass features five DLC challengers in total, including Fatal Fury mainstay Terry Bogard.
He joins Joker from the Persona series, Hero from various Dragon Quest games, Banjo & Kazooie and Byleth. Piranha Plant also launched as DLC, although not as part of the Fighters Pass.
Previous reports have suggested that Waluigi will make an appearance as a downloadable character in the second Fighters Pass.
The rumours gained traction after video producer Brian David Gilbert campaigned for a game dedicated to the cult favourite character.
Other rumoured characters include Crash Bandicoot, Minecraft’s Steve, Master Chief from Halo, Ninja Gaiden’s Ryu Hayabusa and Overwatch favourite Tracer.
One of the strangest rumours suggests the Marine from Doom (aka Doomguy) could also make an appearance in Smash Bros.
As for Nintendo characters, perhaps we’d love to see Dr. Kawashima from the Brain Training series in Smash, or perhaps even Captain Toad.
Shovel Knight is another character that would be a good fit for Smash Bros, especially given the success the franchise has had on Switch.