It looks like Super Smash Bros Ultimate's Fighters Pass Vol. 2 may be setting up a surprise character release after an odd gap was found in the DLC page on Nintendo New Zealand's website. Despite only having confirmed that DLC will continue up until the arrival of the game's next two newcomers, fans have been optimistic that content will continue to release for the game. Given the size of the roster and the difficulty that would follow in maintaining it with a sequel, these hopes aren't unjustified.
Admittedly, there are still a number of characters that gamers are hoping to see join the Smash Bros Ultimate roster. Everyone from Crash Bandicoot to Master Chief has been pitched for Smash Bros so far and it honestly looks like either could make the cut. Still, with add-on content support seemingly set to end at the end of 2021, gamers are staying optimistic that there's more DLC for the game. As it turns out, they may be right to do so.
Spotted on Nintendo New Zealand's website, there is a missing URL number featured in the site's Super Smash Bros Ultimate DLC section. As explained by YouTuber PapaGenos, the first Fighters Pass ended in a sequential set of numbers, beginning with Piranha Plant (URL ending in 8501) and ending with the Pass's bonus Rex Mii Costume DLC (URL ending in 8507) – with the other DLC fighters Joker, Hero, Banjo & Kazooie, Terry, and Byleth filling the number in between. On the other hand, Fighters Pass Vol. 2 begins with DLC fighter Min Min (URL ending in 8967) and ends on the second Pass's bonus Ancient Soldier Mii Costume (URL ending in 8974), which accounts for the other three DLCs instead of the announced two.
It's entirely possible that the page in question is just an error, but it's an odd one nonetheless. Nintendo does have a track record of leaking its own characters and roster spots in Super Smash Bros Ultimate specifically. The company initially revealed the number of roster spots remaining in the base game through the character picture slots present on the game's Collector's Edition, before going on to confirm that SNK was the copyright holder of the character featured in Challenger Pack 4 on its own website prior to Terry Bogard's official Smash Bros reveal.
Fans have now begun speculating on what this means – if anything. Some think it might imply that an Echo fighter is en route alongside a newcomer, although it's odd that Nintendo would allow gamers to purchase that separately as the company would stand to lose money when pitted against the sale of a full Challenger Pack. Another theory is that this will be a gift for those that purchased both the first and second Fighters Pass Volumes. Some think it may just fall outside of the pass and act as the last hurrah for Super Smash Bros Ultimate, while others think it could be offered as one final bonus alongside a physical re-release of the game with all DLC content – like Mortal Kombat 11 fans have become accustomed to.
Whatever the answer is, gamers are likely to get a better idea of the identity of the next Smash Ultimate DLC character when Nintendo presents at E3 2021 later this year.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate is currently available only on Nintendo Switch. Two more DLC characters are scheduled to arrive as part of Fighters Pass Vol. 2 by December 2021.
Source: Nintendo New Zealand (via PapaGenos/YouTube)