UPDATE: The original story misquoted Ryokutya2089‘s own speculation as a quote from Masahiro Sakurai. We have adjusted the original story to reflect this.
Director Masahiro Sakurai has revealed the final two Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC characters will launch this year.
In Sakurai’s Famitsu Column #629 (translation: Kody Nokolo and Robert Sephazon [1, 2]) he had contemplated how much he enjoyed his time off during Golden Week, how long he would be able to work for, and considered early retirement. Nonetheless, Sakurai stated that as long as he can work, he will do his best to entertain people, as well as his reasons for doing so.
However, Sakurai also revealed information about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Nokolo and Sephazon translation states both fighters will be released this year.
Ryokutya2089 (a Japanese blog dedicated to sharing information from Japanese gaming print magazines) also postulates if the DLC characters will be announced around E3 2021 and the Tokyo Game Show 2021.
The announcement of a DLC character usually proceeds roughly a month before the character is released. E3 2021 takes place early June 2021, while the Tokyo Game Show 2021 begins September 30th. This would mean launches of the DLC characters around early July and late October 2021.
Sakurai also reportedly stated that the DLC will finalize the game, with definitely no more fighters coming. He also stated he would still continue to work on video games after Smash Bros. was finished.
Fighters Pass Vol. 2 has thus far included Min Min from ARMS, Steve from Minecraft, and Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, and Pyra and Mythra from Xenoblade Chronicles 2. While all bets are off, who would you like to see make the final cut? Sound off in the comments below!
You can find the full rundown (via Nintendo) below.
New characters and stages join the entire legacy roster!
Gaming icons clash in the ultimate brawl you can play anytime, anywhere! Smash rivals off the stage as new characters Simon Belmont and King K. Rool join Inkling, Ridley, and every fighter in Super Smash Bros. history. Enjoy enhanced speed and combat at new stages based on the Castlevania series, Super Mario Odyssey, and more!
Having trouble choosing a stage? Then select the Stage Morph option to transform one stage into another while battling—a series first! Plus, new echo fighters Dark Samus, Richter Belmont, and Chrom join the battle. Whether you play locally or online, savor the faster combat, new attacks, and new defensive options, like a perfect shield. Jam out to 900 different music compositions and go 1-on-1 with a friend, hold a 4-player free-for-all, kick it up to 8-player battles and more! Feel free to bust out your GameCube controllers—legendary couch competitions await—or play together anytime, anywhere!
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available now for Nintendo Switch. In case you missed it, you can find our thorough review for the game here (we highly recommend it!)
Image: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate official website
