Wow, I was NOT prepared whatsoever for the last character to be Sora from Kingdom Hearts to be revealed as the last DLC fighter in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Though it wasn't a character I was hoping to be in the game, I felt that he has the tools, the history, and the following to make a great addition to the roster; however, I gave zero thought about Sora making it in because he was locked behind Disney copyright gates. What a magical trailer. What an absolutely amazing choice for the last DLC fighter for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Here's what I wrote on Facebook:
(3.5 hours before the Stream):
[Pre-Smash Presentation Rant] - Do not read if you don't want any preconceptions or expectations out of the character reveal.
The final Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC Fighter Presentation will air on October 5th, 7AM PT. No matter who it is, it'll break the internet. I'm still hoping for Ryu Hayabusa from Ninja Gaiden, but I don't think that's a particularly good choice for a last DLC. A mind blowing reveal would be Master Chief from Halo. A lot of fans still want Sora, but c'mon, Nintendo would have to deal with Disney. If Nintendo wants a shocking and meme-worthy reveal, then Waluigi (and the reveal would be him breaking out of the trophy capsule).
...But what if Nintendo went for the marketing route for the last character? They did put one in Season Pass 1 (Byleth from Fire Emblem Three Houses), but they put two in Season Pass 2 (Min Min from Arms and Pyra/Mythra from Xenoblade Chronicles 2). Would it be possible that they'd put a third one in, and as the last DLC fighter? If that's the case, I'd love to see the Howard siblings from Astral Chain in Smash. Astral Chain's combat is unique that's unlike any other character, leading to a dynamic moveset and playstyle. Also, I just really loved that game (albeit, I still haven't finished it...). This was the character I predicted and wanted when Season Pass 2 was announced. As much as I would like the Howard siblings in Smash, I imagine it would cause a huge uproar within the Smash community (relatively unknown and an obvious market towards Nintendo's games).
Regardless of who Nintendo reveals as their last DLC character, Super Smash Bros. 4 (3DS/Wii U) and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate delivered some of the most exciting character reveals in gaming history and I'm happy for all that it has given us.
See you guys on in a few hours!
(Right when Sora was revealed):
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?! SAKURAI TRULY IS A MIRACLE WORKER! I DON'T BELIEVE IT!
(After waking up from getting more sleep):
[Post-Presentation Thoughts]
This was the one impossible dream I thought Nintendo and Sakurai could not fulfill as it was locked behind Disney's copyright gates. Sora from Kingdom Hearts is definitely one of the most requested characters for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. I'll admit, upfront, that I am not a fan of Kingdom Hearts. To reiterate, I WISH I was a fan so I could appreciate the reveal that much more as I've listened through all the music, own every Kingdom Hearts game, BUT I never played through a single one yet...
As the trailer started and the Smash logo blaze withered into a tiny flame, I actually thought it was Demon/Dark Souls which I thought would be a surprising choice. But when Mario throws the flame and it zooms in on the Mickey head keychain for the keyblade, my heart skipped a beat and I was in disbelief. Of all the choices for the last character reveal, Nintendo and Sakurai managed to bring the impossible dream come true character. As that keyhole opened up and Sora drifts into the rest of the Smash Bros. roster, the orchestrated version of Simple and Clean/Hikari plays as I fight back tears (I may not have an attachment to the game or characters yet, but I've listened to that song for half my life by now). Sora's character model looks absolutely incredible and his moveset looks like so much fun (he is going to be annoying to fight against). So how did they manage the whole Disney thing? Seems like Square-Enix, Disney, and Nintendo all agreed that they'll have everything Kingdom Hearts in Smash EXCEPT anything Disney: characters, music, level references, etc. Sora is truly worthy of the last character reveal and the whole experience (of watching the trailer) was kind of magical.
Aside from that, I was also extremely shocked about Doom Slayer added as a Mii Outfit (I am absolutely buying that). Also, it was announced by Sakurai that every Kingdom Hearts game is coming to the Nintendo Switch, albeit through cloud streaming.
It was a bit sad seeing everything coming to an end. The final character reveal, the final smash presentation, and possibly the final game. Perhaps Nintendo will make more Super Smash Bros. in the future, but it's hard to believe any of them ever matching the sheer amount of content and company collaboration as this one. I hope Sakurai can take a break and do something he wants to do: work on a non-Smash Bros. related project (a new game), spend time with his family, or maybe finally get some actual rest.
Thank you Nintendo, Sakurai, and all those involved in the making of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It's been some of the most exciting moments in gaming history.
(And now some of the best reactions I found in no particular order):
