After three years of DLC reveals, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has announced its last character. Sora from the Kingdom Hearts series will serve as the cap for Smash Ultimate’s roster. Given that he originates in another dream crossover series, his presence feels appropriate, and now fans and developers alike can rest knowing that, no matter what, this is the final cast of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Not everyone got their favorite pick in, but with eighty nine playable characters, it's hard to say that Ultimate is lacking in representation across the industry.
There are a few characters that some fans feel should have gotten in. Waluigi and Bandana Waddle Dee are two of them, meanwhile Mii Fighter costumes representing other characters feel like lesser substitutes. Setting fan opinion aside, there are some recognizable icons that were not brought up at all in regards to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s roster that should have been. Most prominent among these is Master Chief from Halo, though upon reflection, his absence is not that unfortunate.
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Microsoft Has Plenty of Smash Representation
As Smash fans are likely aware, Microsoft has a couple of its characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The first of its DLC releases was Banjo and Kazooie, who haven't seen much action since Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts released on Xbox 360 over a decade ago. However, these two have a unique tie to Smash Bros. in that their first couple of games were on the Nintendo 64. Rare was often considered an unofficial Nintendo company back then, and those who weren't aware it was a separate developer tended to conflate the two. Master Chief wouldn't feel quite as right as Banjo and Kazooie joining fellow Nintendo heroes again.
The second Microsoft character to join Smash Ultimate is Minecraft’s Steve, alongside Alex, Zombie, and Enderman. These characters, much like Banjo and Kazooie, come from a franchise acquired by Microsoft later. However, Minecraft has become one of the most popular and recognizable games in the world with a foothold on every platform, entire communities devoted solely to it, and even limited educational use by some schools. When it comes to selecting characters that can appeal to the widest audiences and celebrate what gaming can achieve, Steve is a far better choice than Master Chief. Besides, Steve is a hilarious sight next to the other fighters, and witnessing his reveal was an event Chief wouldn’t have matched.
Nintendo Doesn't Need Master Chief in Smash
Even with Halo Infinite coming out before the end of the year, Nintendo doesn't have much reason to bring Master Chief into Smash’s stable of characters. Unlike every other character in Smash Ultimate, Master Chief has never appeared on a Nintendo platform and isn't likely to do so. While Halo and possibly Xbox Game Pass could show up on Nintendo hardware one day, that isn't likely to happen anytime soon. Halo fans should be able to get all they need out of the Master Chief Collection and the upcoming Halo Infinite.
With Samus as a core fighter from the first game, Solid Snake, Bayonetta, and Joker representing "realistic gun" users, and the Doom Slayer joining as a Mii Fighter, it feels like Master Chief doesn't need to be in Smash. Stars from around the game industry, and favorites of many different communities, have united to ensure Smash Ultimate is the most grandiose fighting game package ever. At this point, missing one big Microsoft star isn't such a big deal.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available now on Nintendo Switch.