Since 2011, Nintendo fans everywhere have looked forward to Nintendo Direct presentations, which are the Japanese video game company's way of bringing fans the latest Nintendo-related news "directly" to them in a virtual fashion. As these presentations eventually shifted to a livestream format over the years, content creators on YouTube and Twitch have made a habit of streaming their live reactions to the videos, and one content creator most known for such reactions was the late Desmond "Etika" Amofah.
Being a YouTube veteran, Etika focused on creating a variety of content over the years, from rap battles to Pokemon battle commentary, to focusing on video game news, and finally, becoming most known for eccentric reaction videos. And although Etika passed away in the summer of 2019, the popular YouTuber lives on in the hearts of many, with fans remembering him whenever a Nintendo Direct presentation or Super Smash Bros. news comes around, and after yesterday's Nintendo Direct, fans took to Twitter to share memories of the popular YouTuber.
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Yesterday saw the first full-fledged Nintendo Direct in over 530 days, and along with it came news of Pyra/Mythra joining Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, as well as the reveal of Splatoon 3 among other announcements. Fans were quick to take to Twitter in remembrance of Etika, specifically regarding the inclusion of Pyra/Mythra in Smash, whom the YouTuber had expressed a fondness for when playing through Xenoblade Chronicles 2.
Among thousands of fans, content creator and close friend of Etika, imsaltYT, took to Twitter to dub Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Fighters Pass Vol. 2 the "Etika pass," which was echoed by the late YouTuber's ex-girlfriend TheAlicePika, who was incredibly supportive of Etika even after their relationship and prior to his passing. Among a fondness for Robin from the Fire Emblem series, Etika was known for his love for Xenoblade Chronicles 2's Pyra/Mythra, as well as Min Min from ARMS. As for Steve from Minecraft, imsaltYT references a running joke among Etika and his fans saying that he loved the game, despite the late YouTuber's every effort to avoid it most times.
While some fans of Etika expressed excitement over many of his favorite characters getting into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, others couldn't help but miss the content creator even more after being reminded of him time and time again. On the flip side, others voiced disapproval with how frequently Etika fans take to Twitter to talk about the late YouTuber whenever a character is revealed in Smash or a Nintendo Direct is mentioned.
While Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has become somewhat of a celebration of video games, it has also become a celebration of content creators like Etika for many fans. As Pyra/Mythra join the famed roster of all-star characters, it will be interesting to see who else joins the fight in the future.