Nintendo Treehouse Staffer Says Smash Ultimate DLC Will Be "A Must-Have" For Fans, "We Love Surprises"

Nintendo employee describes Nintendo DLC as must have. Could he have really said anything else?

Waluigi and yes it's gonna be a must have. Don't get me wrong, I preordered Smash for 70$CAN from an eBay seller. Such a good deal.

@Shellcore As I remember, Nintendo staffs was describing the Breath of the wild dlc as optional not as must have. They was saying that the game was complete by itself as all their other games.

It's a very carefully crafted response. When you read it, you get the impression he knows what the DLC is... but if you read it again, and look for any kind of confirmation that he knows, he actually likely does not know. He should work in PR for sure!

@0muros I'm sure this is optional as well. Fans may be a little more about LOZ content being split across multiple purchases. Nintendo played it carefully..which worked. I don't remember much outrage.

I still think the DLC fighters are going to be pretty safe choices and not insane, off-the-wall picks. Nintendo itself is choosing them, not Sakurai, which leads me to believe that they’re going to be almost entirely first-party characters. And I’m absolutely ok with that.

As if. I'm sure the DLC will be awful, just like the majority of the Smash 4 DLC. I have zero interest in getting it from everything we've heard so far.

@Shellcore "Man, I'll be honest, Sakurai really blew it with this DLC. It sucks. Also, I'm getting fired."

I’ve got Ridley and the Belmonts. I’m happy for quite some time.

By definition of “surprise”, does this mean goku/waluige/issac/geno etc. are out of the picture?

I'm a massive smash fan, so I'm buying the pass when I get the chance. More smash is always a good thing for me!

Unless we get something like Banjo and Kazooie, I don't think that we'll ever surpass the hype and surprise of getting Cloud in Smash.

It will keep the game fresh in the coming months after release. Usually I hate DLC as I think it should be included at launch but thete is already so much coming as standard in the initial release, so I'm ok with this.

@Shellcore Yep, just about to say "Company employee lauds company's product." You beat me to it.

Absolutely getting the dlc because I hecking love Smash.

''Please buy our DLC''

All 5 characters announced at the Fire Emblem Expo in May

If the characters are anything like Piranha Plant.... Well, then I'll take it.

No geno comments??? Wow.

Will more than likely get the dlc characters. I'd guess they'd probably announce the first one at the game awards. Can't wait!

I'm pretty sure someone from ARMS will join the fight

As long as they're actual crowd pleasers, then yes. I mean, Piranha Plant won people over not much because of the surprise factor, but rather because PP has never been playable period. (Petey doesn't count, he's an actual character.)
So if it's like, say, the Hyrule Warriors version of Impa as one "leak" - it was a LaxChris video, so it's most likely fake - stated, then hoo boy, Nintendo is definitely playing it safe this time around.
Which is why I hope they're not.
Either third-party characters, or fighters from never-before-seen franchises in Smash. Like Matthew from Golden Sun Dark Dawn.
Or Geno, just to make @Sac_instead mad.

I have a feeling they might break the barrier of assist trophies by having one be playable if it's going to be a surprise. Hopefully they don't choose Waluigi just because of the memes.

Wow, "Nintendo PR guy and localization team member describes Nintendo game as must have"

Wake me when it says "Bill Trinen says Smash is definitely no Tekken 7, but it's not so bad and encourages every one to play it on their backlog after they finish Red Dead 2 and Spiderman."

Also, just a reminder, this guy is telling you it's a must have:

@AlexSora89 I know nothing about geno its just millions of people been asking for him for over 5 years. now skullkid is the only person I would be happy about but he’s deconfirmed. 😭

My ultimate (ha) dream is to have something completely out of left field. Characters we can easily predict are not much fun to have revealed, unless it's something like Ridley or K Rool that people have been clamoring for.

Whether you like it or hate it, at least Piranha Plant was a unique idea, with a neat moveset.

My hopes/predictions, if other non-Nintendo franchises (ie Banjo Kazooie) aren't off the table, and their existence as assist trophies don't block their selection:

1: Shantae
2: Rex (with Pyra/Mythra following his movements in background)
3: Spring Man from ARMs
4: Zero (MegaMan X)

And what I think would be super fun, but highly unlikely:

5: Baby Bowser, from SNES Yoshi's Island, if anything just so his final Smash could be his final boss form from the game, approaching steadily from the background.

This also makes me think Kamek would make a fun assist trophy, who sprinkles your character with magic and makes them temporarily huge.

hopefully one of those dlc characters is rex with mythra.

I know they said the Piranha plant was limited time, but since it is going to be competitive game, it will be purchasable after a few months.

@NEStalgia Who shat in your breakfast this morning?

@link3710 What would be a good dlc fighter in your opinion, I’m interested to hear.

This article made me realize that by getting SSBU and XC2 for Christmas my kids are going to want an additional $55 worth of DLC. That's more than I paid for either game. 1 Prime discount and 1 sale.

Good thing my kids don't want the $50 Pokeball Plus with Lets Go or that would be over $100 in additional costs.

And people still enjoy arguing how all of these games are sold complete. Usually people without kids I've noticed. 😉

hope there is a demo, dont think this is my kinda game

If Nintendo also considers Piranha Plant and Incineroar "must haves", I think it will be an easy pass for me.

Was very excited by the promise of must-have characters. Then I read "like Piranha Plant," and my hype was immediately deflated.

While I do advocate the addition of DLC characters to the roster and am trying to contain the hype for PP, this statement leads me to believe that getting the DLC will unbalance the game or just be picks coming out of nowhere. I’m still hoping for the latter, but I really am not sure if that is the case anymore.

I already have the fighters pass pre purchased alongside the game, I just want more smash in my blood regardless of who's making it. It's healthy for my nutrition.

@jockmahon Your profile pic has REALLY made me want Don-Chan from Taiko

Just tell us who they are. The suspense is killing me. 😡

@Jokerwolf Every official statement has stated it will be free for a limited time, I think it will be purchasable when released.

@gloom A good DLC fighter should have four aspects:

1. Nintendo Connection - Any First Party reps are fine here, third party reps typically miss out on this. Bayonetta, Megaman, Sonic, Simon and Pac-Man are the ones I'd give a pass on this.
2. Balanced - Cloud and Bayo utterly failed this category last time around, as is quite well known. But DLC characters shouldn be brokenly bad either (not that that's happened yet)
3. Unique - Does the character offer a new gameplay style? (I.E. Not a clone)
4. Noteworthy - Corrin failed on this count last time. They're a character much of the FE community wants to forget. Piranha Plant already failed here this time around.

So let's see who I'd think would be (potentially) good choices based on this (though not necessarily characters I'd enjoy personally):

1. Rex and/or Pyra and/or Mythra
2. Elma
3. Springman / Ribbon Girl
4. Dixie Kong
5. Wonder Red
6. Zael
7. Dillon
8. Chibi-Robo
9. Isaac
10. Captain Toad
11. Waluigi
12. Ashley/8-Volt/Other Warioware Rep
13. Tingle
14. Ray MK III

I'd hate for Waluigi or Tingle to get in, but I can't argue that they're bad picks. As for good third party ones... uh...

1. Rayman
2. Banjo & Kazooie (will never ever happen)
3. Maybe Sora

@Harmonie someone sounds salty over the piranha plant and incineroar this is one of many reasons why sakura is annoyed with the smash community you cant please everyone these days.

I just really want Sora from Kingdom Hearts to be in Smash Ultimate

All I needed to know was that they're not more echo fighters and that has already been announced.

Honestly, I'll be happy with any new unique characters.

I'll call it now. One will be Boo and that would make me happy. I wouldn't be surprised if one is Rayman. I'm doubtful, but it would be cool if Arthur from Ghost & Goblins was included. If the Assassin's Creed Collection turns out to be true, I wouldn't be surprised if one of the Assassins were included. I keep seeing Sora called out by people. While I agree that he would be a great fit for Smash, I just don't see Nintendo including this character. However, Cloud was never on a Nintendo system and some how made it into the last game. A Marvel/Disney/Star Wars character would be cool. Mickey, Iron Man, Yoda, Darth Vader, or Buzz/Woody. Actually Sora would be awesome. He could use Disney characters in his move set.

Banjo, Shantae, Lip, Mona (Classic WarioWare, not the Nu one), Peppy/Slippy, Geno, and Goku - there's gotta be at least 2 or 3 picks from this list. I can't honestly think who else would be in (but did anyone expect Piranha Plant???).

@XenoKidRex I'm genuinely stunned that Rex isn't in. I figured that's why they hired Nomura to design him - to make sure his design is ready for Smash.

Here's some of the possibilities I'm thinking the final 5 will be:

Sega — Alex Kidd, Axel Stone, Eggman
Bandai Namco — Jin Kazama or Klonoa
Capcom — Hiryu, Dr. Wily
Hal — Box Boy
Nintendo — Stanley the Bugman, Mike Jones, Sukura Samurai, Waluigi, Pauline, Dixie Kong, [Insert any of 2 billion Nintendo character possibilities thanks to Pirahna Plant lol]

@NEStalgia we have a winner.

@AlexSora89 Sad to say, Geno has no IP of his own. If he were a character, who would buy this game if they have not already?

What they aren't telling us is the super crown is being added to the game as a DLC item so we can have Bowsette and Piranette.

So they reveal EVERYTHING that is to be unlocked in the game before launch...
And then they tease the pre-paid DLC option as being the exciting surprise.

WHAT A TWEEST!

I predict we'll be getting another direct in late january for a bunch of next year's games, they might tease the first dlc character then.

I'm not normally one to shout 'why is this news!' but seriously, why is this news!? Was anyone actually expecting a Nintendo employee to go on record and say 'actually nah you don't need this'.

Also the 'we love suprises!' line is worrying. Piranha Plant was a 'suprise' that no one wanted or would miss if it wasn't a character. If Goomba and other generic enemies show up as 'suprises' well...Nintendo is obviously oblivious to what their fans actually want.

I'm hoping the DLC doesn't consist of just that Fighters Pass. I want this game to be bigger instead of a flatout sequel happening...that and patches to include missing features such as Home Run Contest, most Multi-Man Smash modes, and the ability to adjust Mii Fighters' sizes and play as them in Classic Mode.

I pretty much pre-order the DLC already and but what do they mean register does the mean do the software update or go to nintendo.com to register?

NintendoLife a day late as always with the news. Of course Nintendo would say the DLC is "must have".

“Mr. Sakurai and his team and everyone that works on the game – we love surprises. Just like Piranha Plant, we believe the DLC is going to be a must-have. For me, as a fan… oh man, I would not miss these for the world.”

Failure!

I want to see some star wars characters back from the Super Star Wars SNES games

I suspect Nintendo would have made sure if anyone were to comment about the DLC, they would have done so in a manner that doesn't create unrealistic expectations. So I suspect if he thinks the DLC will surprise us, I'm inclined to believe it will. Now, it being surprising and it being characters you want are not necessarily going to be the same thing. I mean, I'm not necessarily clamoring for Wart as a playable character. But I would be absolutely surprised if he were one of the five

Everything is a surprise in the world of nintendo....

@Syrek24 I mean.....I didn't even include the animated gifs from the 1-2-Milk demonstration....... I mean that might be pushing it....but these are just too obvious.

The Internet makes things live in infamy forever....JC walked into this one. I only use the content he provided (at Reggie's insistence...) Those images will forever be what comes to mind at the mention of JC. He can not escape this fate.

@PrincessBowsette Because how dare I even begin to think of having my own opinions over some of the characters added and thus have some reservations toward a claim of the DLC characters being so amazing.

Sorry, next time I'll just turn my brain off and love everything that Nintendo does without any discernment.

One of those fighters should be Master Hand so that it will really be a "Everyone Is Here" Smash Bros..

I love that pic.

@Grumblevolcano too many sword fighters.

If Bandana Dee isnt DLC id be sad, thats my favorite Kirby character next to Daroach, Ado, and Dedede.

@Lizuka See, I felt that way about 4, but not so much towards Ultimate. Pac-Man (to an extent, was fine over time), Dark Pit, and Miis really got me riled up. For Ultimate, yeah, it's true, we've got uninspired movesets for Chrom and Daisy, plus I would have preferred to see Black Shadow as the wrestler instead of Incineroar. But we're getting Daisy at all, Ridley, K. Rool (so much better than recent DK villains), Belmonts, lots of great things. Piranha Plant, despite being a regular enemy, is a fantastic reminder that this is a fun party game not some super-serious fighter.

You'll never see it coming ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

@Harmonie you do realize sakura worked his butt off on this game gave us nearly 100 characters,tons of stages to play on,lots of soundtrack to listen too plus a actual story mode so be grateful cause sakura needs a dam break after this.

Give me a Xenoblade 2 character and I don't even care what the others are.

I feel like Mythra is getting in after they went through the trouble to update her outfit. In both games to make it canon. That feels like a hint.

@Ryu_Niiyama Rex with Pyra/Mythra as alternate play styles, similar to Shulk's style sounds cool. Just have more pros and cons to each choice, maybe diminished returns when you have either equipped for too long.

@Andrew5678 I doubt that Rex is getting in beyond the costume for mii fighter given that the DLC is non echo fighters.

Well Nintendo is making the choises not sakurai So I think its going to be a safe bet, waluigi probaly to satisfay the crybabys.

They can say "must have" all they want, not buying the season pass until they tell us what's inside. I will decide for myself afterwards if it's a must have.

Seeing as Nintendo gave him a list of potentials which were then narrowed down to the five we're getting, I wonder if we'll learn after they're all complete what the full list of options was.

I sure trust the words of people who's literal job is to market Nintendo's products to tell me the honest truth about Nintendo's products.

Nintendo worked out the Smash DLC much better than last time. A Fighter's Pass with 5 new fighters, 5 new stages, and lots of new music. I know what I will get: All-new content.

Smash 4 DLC was a mess: Veteran fighters and old stages were sold for money. Even costumes were sold for money. I didn't buy any Smash 4 DLC because half of it felt like paying for something that should be free while the other half felt slightly overpriced, especially when you already paid unmeasurable amounts to get like 50+ Smash Bros. amiibo and saw Mario Kart 8 doing DLC right.

I'm glad Nintendo learned from that mistake. Smash is now on a masterpiece level again.

Am I the only one around here that wants Viewtiful Joe for Smash?

@link3710 excellent post. I would love Rayman and one or two characters from ARMS

@SKTTR Yeah, it did feel cheesy, even tho I bought the fighers and I think all the stages. BUT.... they did extend the life of the game at least some, so I feel like I got my money's worth....

@Electricghost Not even close to the only one.

@link3710 relieved to hear that. I want the first two re released on Switch very badly.

@Electricghost Unfortunately Clover is dead (long live Platinum). Or at least, that's what I thought until Okami HD happened without them. Considering that seemed to have been a success, Capcom may just remaster VJ 1/2/DT as well, who knows? DT was amazing but I dunno how it could work on any non-double screen system, it pushed the DS to it's limit. Unfortunately, VJ3 is probably still not going to happen.

@link3710 -cries in text-

@backup368
Everyone else who like me was craving for a Geno comeback of any kind, I guess.

@Sac_instead
Well, if anything, the guy's in the game as one of the toughest [email protected]#&king Spirits to get.

ALSO THERE'S JOKER FROM P5, SO I GUESS THE TREEHOUSE STAFFER WAS NOT KIDDING