One of the features ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatemay need to undergo further work if it makes a return in the next game. It goes without saying thatSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateis the biggest game in the series to date, with every character up to that point and then some. At the same time, the series' penchant for growth could be focused on a few specific areas in the next game. Even five games in,Super Smash Bros.still has room for improvement, and the next game can touch on one aspect that was featured inUltimate.
AfterSora joinedSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateto cap off the FIghter Pass, the game had a total of 86 playable characters, easily surpassing its predecessors in that regard. Among that number were fighters that could appeal to nearly any playstyle, from the incredibly agile to the heavy-handed bruisers. This sizable roster also allowed characters from an incredible number of franchises to join the game, further widening its appeal. It may be difficult for the nextSuper Smash Bros.game to matchUltimate’s roster in terms of scale. Considering the series history, it’s hard to doubt thatSuper Smash Broscould surpass itself again.
Super Smash Bros.' Echo Fighters Need More of an Identity In the Next Game
Echo Fighters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Mimic Existing Fighters
The addition ofEcho Fighters inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimatebrought a new aspect to its expanding roster. Echo Fighters were characters whose movesets are largely taken from another similar character on the roster. For instance, Daisy is an Echo of Peach, Dark Samus is an Echo of Samus, and so on. Echo Fighters were somewhat controversial upon release, since many of them don’t change very much about the characters that they’re based on despite occupying their own character slots, making them seem redundant. However, with seven Echo Fighters in the game, they take up less than a tenth of the roster overall.
Echo Fighters could arguably be traced back to Luigi in the first game, whose moveset was extremely similar to Mario’s before evolving over time.
Echo Fighters Can Feel Too Derivative of Their Inspirations
The most prominent issue with Echo Fighters is one ofSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate’s bigger roster flaws. Since Echo Fighters play so similarly to the character that they’re based on, they can feel like glorified skins. There are some mechanical changes, like Lucina and Chrom not sharing Marth and Roy’s sweet spot mechanic. However, the movesets themselves are typically near-identical outside of some aesthetic differences, such as Daisy incorporating flower motifs into Peach’s moves. The nextSuper Smash Bros.can do a lot more to make these Echo Fighters more distinct from the originals, hopefully turning them into even more exciting combatants.
Most Echoes Have Pools of Inspiration to Draw From For More Moves
Thankfully, most of the Echo Fighters that were already inUltimatehave clear ways to evolve. For example,Dark Samus' moves inSuper Smash Bros.have visual effects inspired by Phazon, so the next game could break away from Samus' moveset to give her purely Phazon-themed moves. As for Richter, considering the amount of subweapons in theCastlevaniaseries, he could certainly swap out some of his moveset to make him distinct from Simon. Ken was already on the right track, having several command moves to differentiate him from Ryu. More unique moves should be prioritized forSuper Smash Bros.' Echoes.
Echo Fighters provided some solid additions toSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate’s roster, but most of them could use something extra. There will undoubtedly beobstacles for the nextSuper Smash Bros., and forming the roster will be one of them, especially afterUltimate’s impressive offerings. The Echo Fighters may be in a precarious position as a result. Adding more uniqueness to the Echoes could be vital for return appearances, giving the nextSuper Smash Bros.a reason to further establish Echo Fighters on their own terms.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
WHERE TO PLAY
Gaming icons clash in the ultimate brawl you can play anytime, anywhere! Smash rivals off the stage as new characters Simon Belmont and King K. Rool join Inkling, Ridley, and every fighter in Super Smash Bros. history. Enjoy enhanced speed and combat at new stages based on the Castlevania series, Super Mario Odyssey, and more!Having trouble choosing a stage? Then select the Stage Morph option to transform one stage into another while battling—a series first! Plus, new echo fighters Dark Samus, Richter Belmont, and Chrom join the battle. Whether you play locally or online, savor the faster combat, new attacks, and new defensive options, like a perfect shield. Jam out to 900 different music compositions and go 1-on-1 with a friend, hold a 4-player free-for-all, kick it up to 8-player battles and more!
