The anticipation for new fighters often fuels excitement leading to the new release of aSuper Smash Brostitle. Since the series' fourth installment,Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS & Wii U, a lot of attention has been given to revealing each individual fighter. This is often done with a cinematic video that surprises fans.
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Oftentimes, these videos are shown in conjunction with one another at events like E3 or in Nintendo Directs. Other times, characters share videos entirely. These clusters of character reveals have become significant memories for diehardSmash Brosfans. Which of these moments inSmash’s history holds the best memories?
15Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Fighters Pass Vol. 2
The character reveals for the second batch of DLC Fighters inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatewas often a quiet time in theSmashcommunity. By the time the first trailer for theARMScharacterMin-Mindropped in June 2020, the game had been out for two years. However, this group would include some of Smash’s biggest reveals yet.
Over the next year and a half, more reveals caught fans off-guard.Steve and AlexfromMinecraftmade their debut in the all-star fighter, whileFinal FantasyvillainSephirothjoined Cloud in the game.Pyra/MythrafromXenoblade,KazuyafromTekken, andSorafromKingdom Heartsrounded out the game’s final reveals.
14Piranha Plant
Smashfans had mixed feelings overUltimate’s first DLC fighter. As a bonus for buying or downloading the game early, fans were puzzled to see thatPiranha Plant, the infamousSuper Marioenemy, would be joining the fray. This potted plant probably takes the cake as one of the most surprisingSmashreveals of all time.
That is, to say, some fans were disappointed with the character’s inclusion. However, others' reactions fueled online reaction videos with more laughter than Chris Pratt’s reveal as Mario. Overall, manySmashfans probably don’t look back on this moment with a lot of hype, letting it fall short on this list.
13Robin & Lucina
Many fans expected Chrom to be theFire Emblemfranchise’s representative for the 3DS titleFire Emblem Awakening. However, expectations were subverted on July 14th, 2014, when a new character trailer was streamed live on theSuper Smash Broswebsite. As it turns out, Chrom would have to wait untilUltimatefor his shot.
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In this trailer,Awakening’s other protagonists,RobinandLucina, were confirmed to be playable in the game. While Lucina was a pretty standard clone of Marth, Robin was a unique addition to the game as a magic user. The trailer even usedAwakening’s3D cinematics to showcase Robin and Lucina fighting Captain Falcon.
12Super Smash Bros 4: Nintendo Direct Drops
Many characters inSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii Uwere revealed at the beginning (or end) of Nintendo Direct showcases. These brief, live-streamed presentations were opportunities for fans to stay up to date on all the latest Nintendo news. But, often, they were subtle announcements of newSmashcharacters.
Among the characters who surprised fans during these presentations were some of the franchise’s most-wanted additions to the game.Rosalina & Lumagraced the battlefield, as didLittle MacfromPunch-OutandShulkfromXenoblade Chronicles. The best of them all, however, wasGreninja’s shared trailer with a soloCharizard.
11Super Smash Bros Brawl Release Trailer
The first time Nintendo made a big show of their newcomers was in the reveal trailer forSuper Smash Bros Brawlat E3 2006. Here, several characters were revealed, and have gone on to become staples of not only the franchise, but Nintendo in general. Among them wereMeta Knight,Pit,Zero Suit Samus, andWario.
However, the real kicker was saved for last. Fans were treated toSmash’s first third-party character inSolid Snakefrom the Metal Gear Solid franchise. Internet-goers at the time all have the moment burned into their brains: a cardboard box sitting in the back of Battlefield, before Snake stood up, saying the iconic line: “Showtime!”
10Super Smash Bros Ultimate: Nintendo Direct Drops
Ultimatefollowed a similar manner of introducing characters asSSB4. Given the smaller amount of newcomers in the base game, the trailers were only shown during a handful of Nintendo Directs between E3 2018 and the game’s release. However, these reveals would feature some pretty shocking additions to the series.
Among the biggest reveals that would get fans excited wasKing K. Rool, the long-dormant antagonist of theDonkey Kong Countrygames.SimonandRichterfrom theCastlevaniaseries were also memorable. The final trailers includedIsabellefromAnimal Crossing,IncineroarfromPokemon, andKenfromStreet Fighter.
9Super Smash Bros 4: DLC Fighters
Super Smash Bros 4was the first entry in the series to feature DLC characters. Initially, this was a way for beloved characters in previous games, such asLucasandRoy, to make a return. However, some other DLC characters were jaw-dropping in their ambition and importance in video game history.
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RyufromStreet Fighterwas a pretty significant reveal at E3 2015, mashing two of the most iconic fighting game franchises together.CorrinfromFire Emblem FatesandBayonettatopped the roster off in a special Final Video Presentation in December 2015. Bayonetta was also added thanks to the Smash Bros Fighter Ballot.
8Super Smash Bros Ultimate: Fighters Pass Vol. 1
Downloadable content made a return inUltimate, featuring two separate Fighters Passes for players to purchase. The first one included the first five characters to be added following Piranha Plant’s bonus reveal. It all began at The Game Awards 2018, whenJokerfromPersona 5was confirmed in a brief cinematic video.
Future reveals included theHerofromDragon Quest,TerryfromFatal Fury, andBylethfromFire Emblem: Three Houses. However, the most shocking and hype-inducing reveal was at E3 2019, whereBanjo & Kazooiewere announced for the game.Longtime fans of the character cried tears of joy at seeing him reimagined.
7Inkling
Most Nintendo fans were probably not even expecting a newSuper Smash Brostitle so soon after the release ofSSB4. However, a Nintendo Direct on March 8th, 2018 would turn everybody’s expectations upside down. The presentation ended with a cinematic ofInklingfromSplatoon,making fans think it was related to that series.
However, the Inkling turned to face the burning symbol forSuper Smash Bros, as well as a cavalcade of characters, including, of course, Mario. Eagle-eyed fans even spotted Link in hisBreath of the Wildappearance. Overall, the reveal of Inkling began the hype train that wasSuper Smash Bros Ultimate’s release.
6Mewtwo
All the DLC Fighters forSuper Smash Bros 4were exciting enough to induce hype. However, one, in particular, had pretty unique circumstances to their reveal. On October 23rd, 2014, Nintendo held a 50-Fact Extravaganza hosted bySmash Brosdeveloper Masahiro Sakurai. The best fact, however, was saved for last.
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It was at the very end of this presentation that Sakurai announced that DLC characters were being developed for the game. The character to kick off this reveal was none other thanMewtwo, returning fromSuper Smash Bros Melee. Sadly, the character wouldn’t be released, or receive a proper trailer, until April 2015.
