Nintendo gave a presentation Oct. 5 to unveil DLC Challenger Pack 11 for “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.” With it came a surprise many fans had been hoping for. Among small things like new Mii costumes, fans learned who the final fighter of “Smash Ultimate” would be. As many had hoped, Sora, the protagonist of Square Enix’s iconic collaboration with Disney “Kingdom Hearts” was finally added to the roster, and will be available for download on Oct. 18.

For many years, “Super Smash Bros.” only included characters from Nintendo owned properties until the third installment, “Brawl” had Solid Snake from Konami’s “Metal Gear Solid” and Sega’s Sonic The Hedgehog join the list of playable characters. Once it was made clear Nintendo was willing to work with any company’s characters, hopes were high for many fans, including “Kingdom Hearts” fans. When Cloud Strife and Sepiroth, characters from another Square Enix property, “Final Fantasy VII” joined in “Super Smash Brothers for Wii U” and “Ultimate” respectively, hopes were even higher. The only thing between Nintendo and Sora in “Smash Brothers” was working with Disney, who shares ownership of “Kingdom Hearts” characters with Square Enix and has the final say on anything regarding the franchise. Since Disney is notorious for not letting anyone besides themselves use their property, many thought Sora’s inclusion was just a dream. Yet, Disney and Nintendo have come together to make this dream come true. 

At the same time, likely due to this protective nature, Sora’s fighting partners, Donald Duck and Goofy, were noticeably absent in the reveal trailer and gameplay footage, as was any of the other references to any Disney creation. It was a bit disappointing that this is the case, as the Disney aspect of “Kingdom Hearts” is a great deal of what makes the game series so iconic. What does come with Sora’s inclusion is nine music tracks from the “Kingdom Hearts” games and a new stage, The Hollow Bastion. Also included is a new Spirit Board with other “Kingdom Hearts” Characters such as Kairi, Roxas and Riku. Gameplay footage reveals Sora to be a fleet-footed and combo focused character that combines sword fighting with magic; a moveset that is both at home in “Smash” and familiar to fans of “Kingdom Hearts.” He is a new fighter that is more than the “anime swordsman” many people criticise “Smash” for being rife with. Between Sora already being a long awaited addition and his strong moveset, there is no doubt he is going to become an often used character, especially among the game’s pros. 

Not everyone is going to be happy with this new character, especially those who were waiting for their favorite to be added, and Sora being the last is only salt in the wound. Fans of Doomguy and Waluigi simply have to give up the ghost now. But still, focusing on everything we are getting from this inclusion, is both a great win for the fans who have been hoping for this day for years and a thrilling conclusion to the “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” character roster. 

Image from Nintendo via YouTube