Time Is Running Out For These Potential Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Fighters
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has set a new standard for the Super Smash Bros. series in many ways. Of course, the gameplay is as fluid as ever, but the character count is arguably one of its biggest draws. And that count is consistently added to with DLC characters. While some additions haven't been hits with the fans, including the uproar-causing Pyra, some surprising additions like Sephiroth have been a hit with the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate fanbase.
As of April 2021, there are two DLC characters yet to be announced for the game, meaning time (and space) is running out for the most desired among prospective Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC characters. Prior "leaks" have suggested that everyone from Halo's Master Chief to the debunked Ryu Hayabusa from Ninja Gaiden were going to appear in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate via DLC. With such limited capacity, and so many iconic video game characters, who might the next DLC fighter be?
The devilish Dante
Previous rumors suggested the silver-tongued Dante from the Devil May Cry series would be making an appearance in the long-running fighting game franchise. Evidence for Dante's eventual appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate includes an interview with voice actor Brian Hanford, who portrayed V, the new player character in 2019's Devil May Cry 5.
Rather interestingly, Hanford stated that V may not be established enough to "ever be considered for Super Smash." He added, "To be part of Marvel vs. Capcom or Super Smash Bros would be huge, which is what Dante is going to be." It's completely within the realm of possibility that Hanford was referring to Dante's appearances throughout the aforementioned Marvel vs. Capcom franchise, though he could have also slipped some insider information.
In any case, Dante would be a decent addition to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Like the ever-popular Bayonetta, the character uses a variety of both melee and ranged moves, notably guns, to tear apart enemies. Of course, this move-set stands in stark contrast to the generally non-gory nature of Nintendo's core characters, but Dante, as one of gaming's most iconic characters, would be a worthy addition.
The brutal Doom Slayer
The Doom Slayer, or Doomguy, has also been a much sought-after Super Smash Bros. Ultimate fighter. Although the executive producer of Doom Eternal seemingly debunked the character's appearance, fans have been thrown off-guard before. Banjo & Kazooie, for instance, were both highly desired but impossible-seeming additions to the game. Yet, in a stroke of almost divine intervention, the duo made it into the game.
Doomguy was also a fighter predicted by an anonymous user who has accurately predicted three characters on a message board, including Sephiroth, Minecraft's Steve, and Arms' Min-Min. Of course, these kinds of predictions should always be taken with a grain of salt.
Whether he ends up in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or not, there's no denying Doomguy would be a pretty hilarious addition to the game. He would seemingly be very similar to Solid Snake, with a focus on firearms and explosives, though recent Doom games place an emphasis on the character tearing apart demons and the undead with his bare hands. One can only imagine his Final Smash would involve the use of the BFG.
The troll-ish Waluigi
Ironically, the biggest pipe dream of this list is the one character Super Smash Bros. fans want but can't have. Even so, Waluigi seems like a shoo-in. For one thing, Waluigi would round out the already Mario-filled roster of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The game already includes Mario, Luigi, Wario, Yoshi, Bowser, Bowser Jr., Princess Peach, Diddy Kong, and Donkey Kong. It seems like a no-brainer to complete the roster with Waluig, who already appears in the game as an assist trophy.
To differentiate the fighter from the pre-existing Assist Trophy, perhaps Waluigi could drop the tennis racket in favor of more conventional punching and kicking attacks. Throw in a few putridly offensive attacks, akin to Wario's flatulence-fueled launch into the air, and you have a fighter that is true to form and totally fulfills the desires of fans everywhere who have longed for Waluigi's addition to the Super Smash Bros. series.