In a 40 minute presentation initially announced during last month’s Nintendo Direct, Masahiro Sakurai, director of the Super Smash Bros. series, has revealed the final DLC fighter coming to Ultimate: Sora, from the Kingdom Hearts series.
The final three Mii Fighter costumes were shown off first. Sakurai revealed two pieces of headgear, both from Splatoon, and a costume representing DOOM’s Doom Slayer.
The actual trailer for Sora was a callback to the original Smash Ultimate reveal, with the flaming Smash logo. We saw Sora’s trademark Keyblade first. Sora himself then appeared, accompanied by the orchestral version of Hikari (Simple and Clean).
We then got to see how Sora will play. He will be one of the very lightest characters in the game, even lighter than Isabelle, and will excel in the air. Most of his move set revolves around the Keyblade, with his special attacks involving various spells from the Kingdom Hearts games, such as Firaga, Thundaga, and Blizzaga.
The stage included in the Challenger Pack is called Rising Falls, based mainly on the first Kingdom Hearts game. Fighting takes place on a platform circling the Hollow Bastion. When time or stock runs low, the stage transforms into the Dive to the Heart area.
Nine songs will come with Sora, and an additional track, a swing version of Dearly Beloved, will be available for people with a Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory save file on their Switch. A new arrangement of Hand in Hand by the original composer, Yoko Shimomura, will play as Sora’s victory theme. As is always the case, there are new additions to the Spirit Board with this DLC fighter. The selection will represent Sora’s allies, including Kairi, Riku, and Aqua.
The presentation also revealed that cloud versions of Kingdom Hearts games will be coming to Switch. Moreover, we got a look at the upcoming Steve and Alex Amiibo figures, from Minecraft. Sephiroth, Pyra, Mithra, and Kazuya figures were announced too.
A Dearly Beloved Character Makes His Way Into Smash
As one of the most requested characters (a fact noted by Sakurai himself during the presentation), Sora’s addition is sure to have delighted many fans. This feels like a fitting end to a truly incredible crossover.
Both the Sora Challenger Pack and the Mii Fighter costumes will be available on 18 October. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available now on Nintendo Switch.
Words by Mia Chitty
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