One thing the Super Smash Bros. series has been able to accomplish is to cause Nintendo and gaming fans to go into frenzies once a popular game character is announced for the game. For the past several years, including 4 Super Smash Bros. games, Nintendo has added more and more gaming icons to the game post-launch. Once the Wii U/3DS games came around, Nintendo revealed these characters in exciting and epic trailers teasing the new fighters. So, let’s take a look back at the greatest Super Smash Bros. character reveal trailers in the history of the franchise.
#10: King Dedede (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)
Though not as exciting of a trailer compared to the later games’ reveal trailers, it was a good start. The reveal trailer for King Dedede in Super Smash Bros. Brawl starts off by showing a scared Luigi as Waddle Dees walk past him. What makes it even more interesting is how Luigi’s Mansion music plays in the background. However, King Dedede smacks Luigi away with his hammer, revealing himself in Brawl. And this was just the beginning.
#9: Isabelle (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)
Probably one of the biggest trickery moments in Nintendo Direct history. At the end of the September 2018 Direct, a video showing Isabelle popped up, making everyone think that Nintendo was announcing a brand new Animal Crossing game for the Switch. However, after some little hints along the way, it was revealed that it was actually Isabelle for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It was a huge surprise, and one that most didn’t see coming.
#8: Ridley (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)
Although nobody thought it could work, Sakurai did it. The first character reveal for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate showed Samus, Mario, and Mega Man before Mario and Mega Man are quickly snatched away. After they are taken, a clip shows what looks like Ridley’s tail impaling them. This showed that Ridley was finally coming to Super Smash Bros. in pretty epic fashion.
#7: Rosalina & Luma (Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & 3DS)
Probably one of the most unexpected characters revealed for Smash 4. The trailer first shows Kirby zipping through the sky on a warp star next to Mario, Donkey Kong and a few other riding go-karts on Rainbow Road as Kirby passes them. Then, the camera zooms into the background, showing a launch star from Super Mario Galaxy. Something launches through, making Kirby fall off his warp star and onto the track. Then, a Luma pops up, walks over to Kirby, before showing Rosalina herself. It was an epic and unexpected trailer that was a great way to introduce Rosalina in Smash.
#6: Sephiroth (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)
Of course you’ve got to make it epic for the Game Awards, right? When the trailer begins, it looks to be a trailer for something about World of Light, as Galeem and the many Master Hands fill the sky above multiple characters. Galeem starts to absorb lots of light, before stopping suddenly, making Banjo-Kazooie, Inkling Girl, and Sonic confused. Then, Galeem is sliced in half as the hands begin to disappear. When the scene zooms in behind Galeem, a figure is shown that any Final Fantasy fan will know exactly who it is: Sephiroth, especially showing Cloud, watching in shock. The trailer is very dark, sinister, and exciting, and is perfect for the character. Plus, Mario impaled? I think that scared the living crap out of everybody.
#5: Cloud (Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & 3DS)
Of course, one of the most epic reveals in the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & 3DS days. At the end of the November 2015 Nintendo Direct, a new character was teased. First, it was shown that it was for Final Fantasy, which got everyone’s hopes up. Then, Cloud was revealed, and it was a big reveal. The trailer was so mysterious and intriguing, and did a great job revealing a highly-requested character.
#4: Mega Man (Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & 3DS)
Nintendo and gaming fans alike watching Nintendo’s E3 2013 Direct were already hyped for everything they had seen, but then came the big moment: Super Smash Bros. After an amazing trailer showing both the Wii U and 3DS versions, a screen that said “New Challenger Approaching” came up. In a dark, rocky area with multiple fighters, they all look up to see a figure watching. It’s none other than Mega Man, who reveals himself in one of the most epic and gorgeous Smash trailers ever. It’s amazing, and was just a huge announcement in general.
#3: Sora (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)
Once the final Mr. Sakurai Presents was scheduled, everyone had their hopes up, and everyone was hoping for one character in particular: Sora from Kingdom Hearts. The trailer goes back to where it all began, with Inkling seeing the fiery Smash logo. Then, the fire dies, and the characters all turn into trophies. A small flame remains, and Mario is able to walk off his trophy to the fire. He pulls something out, and throws it into the air: a key with a Mickey chain on it. At that very moment, Sora was finally in Super Smash Bros. It was such a neat trailer as it not only paid tribute to where the game was originally revealed, but surprised everyone with a highly, highly requested character.
#2: Banjo-Kazooie (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)
E3 2019: The internet collectively lost their minds after a certain character was announced for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The trailer begins in a strange way – the same as how the King K. Rool trailer began from the August 2018 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct. However, K. Rool is now in the treehouse with DK and Diddy Kong. But then, a golden puzzle piece bounced across the treehouse, and everything had changed. Banjo-Kazooie was in Smash. It was a huge reveal, and it was done so cleverly. While some might not have noticed that the thing that bounced across the screen was a Jiggy, everyone that did went crazy. It was a spectacular finish to a spectacular E3.
#1: Inkling (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)
The one that started it all. Not only was Inkling revealed for Super Smash Bros., but the game itself was also first announced at this very moment. March 8th, 2018. After showcasing an expansion for Splatoon 2, they went to one final trailer to wrap up an already great Direct. The scene showed two Inklings fighting in a white space before Inkling Girl turns her head as the area turns black. Appearing in her pupil is the unmistakable logo for Super Smash Bros., and it was announced that Smash 5 was coming to the Switch. It was a huge announcement, and such a great trailer, especially following a Splatoon 2 announcement. It was perfect, and a great way to announce the greatest Smash game ever.
What Super Smash Bros. reveal trailer is your favorite? Let me know in the comments.
Ryan’s Fortress Twitter: @RyansFortress