Sora's Legendary Debut Transformed Super Smash Bros Ultimate!
October 2021 marked the epic conclusion of Super Smash Bros Ultimate's post-launch journey, as Sora's much-anticipated arrival elevated the game to new heights, leaving fans in awe
The Nintendo Switch has seen a rise in popularity for certain games due to their exceptional quality and high sales. Among these games are The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Animal Crossing: New Horizons. However, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate have also gained significant recognition, surpassing even these beloved titles. These games received extensive post-launch support, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe releasing in the first year of the Switch and concluding its season pass, possibly marking the end of the console's lifespan. Although Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's support period was shorter, its DLC content sparked fervent discussions among fans throughout its duration.
The inclusion of guest characters in Super Smash Bros. Brawl established the notion that appearing in the game was an esteemed accomplishment within the industry. Sega, Konami, Capcom, Square Enix, and Bandai Namco were quick to participate, resulting in a diverse roster of playable characters, Assist Trophies, Mii Fighter costumes, and Spirits. This roster ranged from indie characters such as Shovel Knight to iconic representatives from Microsoft like Banjo-Kazooie and Steve. The culmination of this extensive lineup occurred on October 18, 2021, with the release of Sora from Kingdom Hearts as the final DLC character for Smash Ultimate, serving as a fitting and impressive finale.
Why Sora Joining Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Was Such A Big Deal
Sora became the final character added to Smash Ultimate for several reasons. One major reason is the attention his announcement would attract, as he stands out even among other fighters like Minecraft's Steve in the Fighters Pass. Sora comes from the Kingdom Hearts franchise, which is co-owned by Square Enix and Disney. Initially, many Smash fans and even the game's developers believed that the involvement of Disney would prevent Sora from being included in the game due to legal complications.
However, everything changed when director Masahiro Sakurai met a Disney representative who expressed interest in Sora joining Smash Bros. Subsequent negotiations took place, but the biggest challenge for the team behind Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was ensuring that Sora adhered to the lore-centric guidelines set by Kingdom Hearts director and character designer Tetsuya Nomura. The importance of incorporating a character from a Disney and Square Enix crossover into a Nintendo crossover that spanned the entire gaming industry was understood by everyone involved, and they wanted to ensure that the end result lived up to its full potential.
Sora Marked Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Grand Finale
Sora's addition to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate not only marked the completion of its updates, but also solidified its status as a legendary game. The celebration of video game mascots in Smash Ultimate was unparalleled, and Sora's trailer went above and beyond by showcasing every fighter welcoming him. The tagline "Everyone Is Here!" not only accurately marketed the launch roster, but also reflected the inclusion of DLC characters.
Since its release on December 7th, 2018, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has spent three years perfecting itself as the ultimate crossover game, offering enjoyable fighting experiences and satisfying the fans of every character. The merging of its vast multiverse with Kingdom Hearts was a poetic ending, and the release of Sora's amiibo will soon mark the final update for Smash Ultimate. It is difficult to envision a future Smash title matching up to the greatness of Ultimate, but this means that new endeavors can be explored and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate can be appreciated as the complete package that it is.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available now on the Nintendo Switch.
