Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: All the updates from the Nintendo Direct

What new delights did Nintendo show off in its Direct for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate? Here’s everything that’s now coming on Dec. 7.

Summer’s drawing to a close, which means that winter is closer than ever, and by winter, we absolutely mean Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The game showed up in a big way at E3 earlier this year, and Nintendo has promised via tweet that Masahiro Sakurai apparently has just enough free time to present some more of his latest fighting game work.

Of course, there was no indication of what fans might actually get to see in the Direct. There was a confirmation of a new item just yesterday — the Kirby series’ Bomber — but a new item does not a full Direct make.

Unsurprisingly, fans were absolutely ready for all of the announcements that Sakurai was ready to make. We wished for new characters as well as a better look at any characters who got redesigned. What about more on Ridley, who’s getting his debut in the game after years of requests from fans?

With an early start of 11 a.m. CT  / 9 a.m. PT, starting off a Wednesday with some Smash doesn’t seem like a bad thing at all.

This post will update as announcements are made. Please keep refreshing and coming back as the Nintendo Direct for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate continues.

The Direct opened with a trailer to confirm a new character — with Luigi providing some comedy — only for none other than Simon Belmont of Castlevania fame to be confirmed! Naturally, his Vampire Killer whip features strongly, and it seems like Dracula could be a stage boss for his corresponding stage. Richter Belmont is also confirmed to appear in the game.

That’s before Sakurai even showed up. That’s right. Castlevania just led off. Sakurai added some details: although the whip has quite a lot of reach, he is a bit slow. There was also a moveset described as both “simple” and “powerful.”

Dracula’s Castle, the stage, is also the “darkest in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.” With both monsters and the ability to hit candlesticks to spawn items. 34 tracks will also be playable on the stage. Alucard has also joined the game as an Assist Trophy. Richter is the next echo fighter in the game.

Two more echo fighters have also been added. First, Chrom of the Fire Emblem series is an echo fighter, just like his daughter, Lucina. Additionally, Dark Samus has been upgraded from just being a costume of Samus to her own character. Sakurai also promised that all fighters will be revealed prior to the game.

New stages include the New Donk City Hall from Super Mario Odyssey. It looks like the band — as well as Pauline — will appear to play some music while you fight. The Nintendo 64 stages, however, have an “old-school” feel. There are 103 stages total in Smash Ultimate. Stage hazards can be turned off. Additionally, the stages are ordered by introduction in the series.

But that wasn’t all Sakurai had: there’s also the possibility for stages to change. This mode has been dubbed “Stage Morph,” and it can be turned on and off. You can also pick which stages to play with.

My Music returns, but all music from a series can be used on any stage tied to that series. There are over 800 tracks in the game, according to Sakurai. Apparently, including menu music, there’s about 28 hours of music … and a Sound Test mode too. There’s also a possibility to play music while the screen is off, provided you’re using the Switch as a handheld.

As for multiplayer battles, stamina battles are now standard, and you can have quick sets of rules. Stage selection now precedes fighter selection. Sudden death mode now includes the camera closing in on you. There is also the ability to charge your Final Smash — though it’ll be weaker than one obtained from a Smash Ball.

A new mode named “Squad Strike” also made its debut, which is an elimination style mode. The tournament mode also returns, with up to 32 players allowable. “Smashdown” reduces the roster, meaning that you won’t be able to play the same fighter over and over again. Classic Mode is back, with the mode themed to each fighter.

Sakurai also brought out some new items. There’s a Banana Gun, which fires a banana at you. The Killing Edge from Fire Emblem has also arrived. Death’s Scythe looks to be a powerful weapon. The Staff rewards distance fighting. A Ramblin’ Evil Mushroom and the Rage Blaster are also here.

Pokémon have also gotten some additions. Alolan Exeggutor, Abra, Solgaleo, Lunala, Mimikyu, Pyukumuku, Vulpix and its Alolan form, Marshadow, and Ditto will all appear.

Assist trophies now include Zero of the Mega Man series, Knuckles the Echidna, Krystal of Star Fox, a Donkey Kong Klaptrap, Kapp’n of Animal Crossing, Kirby‘s Chef Kawasaki, Metal Gear‘s Gray Fox, Nikki from SwapNote, Shovel Knight, and the Moon from The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. Rathalos of the Monster Hunter franchise is both a boss and an assist trophy.

Although the main menu was put on display, there’s one mode that hasn’t been revealed yet. That’s probably for another Direct.

But there was one more surprise waiting … a King K. Rool reveal! Yes, the ruler of the Kremlings is finally playable! To end the trailer, the banner artwork added all of the new characters revealed in this Direct.

What do you make of the new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate information revealed today?