Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's publisher, Nintendo, has announced an upcoming content update for January, featuring characters from beloved Nintendo properties such as The Legend of Zelda and Splatoon.
Developed by Bandai Namco Studios and the renowned game designer Masahiro Sakurai's Sora Ltd., Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has been widely regarded as the pinnacle of the Super Smash Bros. series of fighting games. The exclusive Nintendo Switch title has been commended for amalgamating the finest elements of its predecessors and boasting the largest character roster in the franchise. It also introduced new mechanics like the Spirits, which are power-ups and collectibles that enhance a character's stats or provide them with other buffs. With currently over 1,500 Spirits in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, this number is set to increase soon as Nintendo has announced the addition of new Spirits to the game this month.
In a recent tweet, Nintendo disclosed that new Spirits based on characters from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, and Splatoon 3 will appear on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Spirit Board for five days starting January 11. Although not explicitly stated, it is anticipated that Spirits based on characters from Pikmin 4 will also be included, as the game's art was featured in Nintendo's post. All the mentioned games represent the latest titles in their respective series, with the popular Pikmin 4, released in July 2023, being the most recent addition.
Due to its crossover nature, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate boasts a diverse pool of Spirits, some of which are not based on Nintendo characters. For instance, Sophia from Persona 5 Strikers has been transformed into a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Spirit, alongside other characters from Atlus' renowned RPG series. Even the main protagonist of Persona 5, Joker, is featured as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
With its remarkable character roster, unique levels, and entertaining game modes, it comes as no surprise that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has been acclaimed as one of the top fighting games on the Nintendo Switch. Nevertheless, the game is not without flaws, and its online mode, in particular, has faced criticism for occasional technical issues.
Sakurai, the creator of the Super Smash Bros. series, indicated in 2021 that the future of the franchise was uncertain, with no plans at the time for a sequel to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. If a sequel were to materialize, it would undoubtedly face a daunting task in surpassing or even matching the excellence of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.