81 characters in a fighting game is probably enough, at least according to Nintendo. In an interview today, Masahiro Sakurai, the lead designer ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, said that there are no plans for another Fighters Pass for the game. This means that there will likely be no additional DLC characters after thesix upcoming characters in the second Fighters Pass.
DLC characters have been a big part ofSuper Smash Bros.since they were first introduced inSmash 4, but the Fighters Pass was first introduced inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. They allow for players to pre-order all of the DLC characters before they’re even announced for a discounted price. Players can get six characters for a total of $24.99, rather than paying $5.99 for each character.
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There have been a total of six DLC characters so far inSmash Ultimate: Piranah Plant, Joker, Hero, Banjo, and Kazooie, Terry, and Byleth. Over all, the DLC characters have been met with positive reactions, although there have been some notable exceptions. For example, Byleth was considered broken upon release, and within a day players had figured out thatByleth had a true zero to death combo on Donkey Kong.
As of now we don’t have any idea which characters will be in the next DLC, although knowing Nintendo, there willalmost certainly be a sword character or two. But now that we know that these will likely be the last characters joiningSmash, it adds a new sense of importance to what characters make it in. After all, this could be Waluigi’s last chance to make it intoUltimate.
This news leaves the future ofSuper Smash Bros. unclear. Obviously Nintendo plans to keep supporting the game for at least the next year or so, as there are still 6 more DLC characters being released in the second Fighters Pass. However, after that it’s unclear. As of now there is no announced sequel toSmash Ultimate,but considering how massively successful the series is, and thatSmashhas fundamentally changed fighting games, it’s unlikely that Nintendo would let the series end here.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimateis out now, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. The Fighters Pass Vol. 2 is now available for pre-order.
