Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct 11.1.2018 Summary:
- Ken (Street Fighter) revealed as an echo fighter for Ryu.
- Incineroar (Pokémon) revealed as a new fighter.
- Ken's differences to Ryu are explained.
- Incineroar is the last fighter to be revealed for the base game.
- Initial fighter select screen will feature the original 8 fighters from Smash 64.
- New amiibos detailed featuring more.
- Trophies will not be returning.
- Instead you can collect Spirit Characters
- Spirits mode is the replacement for Trophies.
- Spirits mode is not an adventure mode.
- Spirit characters will power your characters in battle in the new mode.
- Spirit characters work similar to Stickers from Brawl.
- Each will give you certain benefits.
- Spirit battles will allow you to acquire Spirit characters.
- Spirit Batlles will be based on the Spirit characters being unlocked.
- Play a timed minigame at the end of battle.
- Battle conditions variate between stages.
- You can level up Spirits and some even have an ultimate form.
- Train spirits in dojos or send them out to collect items.
- Certain "master spirits" can unlock facilities.
- Spirit characters can power up amiibos.
- Final Smash Meter used in Spirit battles.
- Fight against other players with Spirit boosts.
- Local Wireless available.
- Online detailed.
- Matchmaking based on preferred rules, global smash power and distance between players.
- Repeatedly SD'ing will get you disconnected.
- Wired LAN cable is recommended.
- Elite battles are exclusive to high-ranking players.
- Customizable Smash tags can be collected.
- Preset messages available.
- Enjoy other modes while match making.
- Spectator mode returns.
- Online Co-op returns.
- Battle Arena is a mode that allows voice chat with friends via the Online app.
- Smash World feature coming to the Online app.
- New assist trophies including Yuri (Fatal Frame), Isaac (Golden Sun), Black Knight (Fire Emblem), Thwomp, Spring Man (Arms), Dr. Wily (Mega Man), Files * Hand (Mario Paint), Tiki (Fire Emblem), Vince (Art Acadamy), Guile (Street Fighter), Akira (Virtua Fighter).
- 59 Assist Trophies in total, there are more assists than Pokémon.
- Multi-Man Smash renamed to Century Smash.
- All-Star mode available from the start.
- Challenges return, each page sorted by category.
- Records menu tracks battle history.
- Trade in Smash tags for gold.
- Gold can be spent on music tracks, items, mii costumes and more.
- 11 Languages supported, changing the language will also change voice clips.
- Brightness and Sound can be changed. (Handheld and TV mode both have individual settings.
- Custom Balance will allow you to adjust the strength of your fighter. (Not available online.)
- Mii Fighters have new costumes including Yiga Clan, Splatoon 2, Ribbon Girl, Chibi Robo, Ray MkIII, Nintendo Labo.
- DLC confirmed.
- All DLC characters will be new, no echo fighters.
- DLC will be sold in individual packs (Each pack will feature 1 Fighter, 1 Stage and some Music Tracks.)
- Each pack will be sold individually for $5.99.
- There will be 5 packs in total.
- $24.99 for the "Fighters Pass".
- Mii Costume based on Rex from Xenoblade 2 is a bonus for buying the pass.
- Development has not begun yet on DLC, but will start as soon as the base game is complete.
- It may take over a year to release all DLC. "All sets will be released through the end of Feburary 2020."
- Pirahanna Plant (Mario) is a free DLC fighter, but is only available for a limited time bonus for early adopters. (Game must be registered with My Nintendo before January 31st, 2019.)
- Eshop pre-loading available later today.
- Adventure mode confirmed.
- Opening custcene features voice acting. (Currently unknown if there will be more cutscenes.)
- Story features an army of Master Hands lead by "Galeem" capturing every fighter except Kirby, who is the initial protagonist.
- Features a large overworld map that bridges Spirit Battles (But doesn't seem to have individual platforming stages.)
- Galleom confirmed as a boss, returning from Brawl's Subspace Emissary.
- Adventure Mode is called "World of Light"