Nintendo has announced the addition of several new Spirits to its widely popular Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. These Spirits will be inspired by characters from various third-party gaming franchises, generating considerable enthusiasm among the game's fanbase.
The current lineup of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate comprises over 1,500 Spirits, which serve as power-ups and collectibles, bestowing buffs and special skills upon players during matches. Many of these Spirits are based on beloved characters from non-Nintendo properties. According to Nintendo, more such Spirits are poised to join the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate universe very soon.
In a recent announcement on Twitter, Nintendo disclosed that Spirits based on characters from Supergiant Games' Hades, Vanillaware's 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, and Konami's WBSC eBASEBALL: Power Pros will be accessible on the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Spirit Board for a five-day period starting January 25. This follows the addition of Pikmin 4, Splatoon 3, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Spirits to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate earlier this month in a surprising update.
The newly unveiled Spirits from Nintendo, which will award players with more Spirit Points than usual when defeated in battle, have been warmly received by the gaming community. Fans of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim in particular expressed their delight at the collaboration with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Despite initial underwhelming sales, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim surpassed publisher Atlus' sales projections and is now regarded as one of the top anime RTS games on the market, having garnered numerous awards and accolades.
Crossovers between different properties are a common occurrence in the video game industry, with many popular titles frequently employing this strategy to continually offer players fresh and captivating content. Epic Games' Fortnite, a widely played title in 2023, recently partnered with Family Guy, Dragon Ball, and Metal Gear Solid. Rumors suggest that Fortnite may also feature crossovers with the Avatar and Devil May Cry franchises in the future.
In addition to spirits, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has the potential to facilitate collaborations through its playable fighters. Although the game already boasts a diverse roster of fighters, there is a strong desire for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate to introduce more iconic non-Nintendo game characters, such as Master Chief from Halo. Expanding into other major properties, including those owned by Nintendo's direct competitors like Microsoft and Sony, could significantly bolster Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's appeal and attract a larger player base.