UPDATE: Fans believe the Smash Bros. Ultimate could be about saving Luigi's soul.
Nintendo is pulling no punches ahead of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and just killed off Luigi. The slimmer, taller, companion of Mario is no stranger to ghosts thanks to Luigi's Mansion, but the ghost hunter extraordinaire has now joined their ranks.
With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate promising every character will be part of the latest installment in the long-running brawler franchise, there are still a few spots free on the team. Metroid's Ridley has already been confirmed, but now there's a big question mark hanging over Luigi's future with the game.
Related: Every Character Appearing in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The highly anticipated Nintendo Direct stream revealed that Castlevania's Simon Belmont is among those newcomers joining the roster of fighters, but this was nothing compared to the murder of fan-favorite Luigi. A video showed the adventurous Luigi exploring Castle Dracula before a surprise appearance from Death. Just when it looked like Simon could come to the rescue, Luigi's fate was sealed. Wasting no time, the grim specter swung its scythe and murdered Luigi. Safe to say, fandom has had a major reaction and Luigi has started trending on Twitter.
After some 35 years on this Earth, it turns out that it takes more than a Poltergust 3000 to fend off the Grim Reaper. Luigi's clip ended with his ghostly visage still trapped outside his body. It is interesting to note that none of the other Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct clips featured the poor plumber, suggesting this is more than just a marketing ploy. At least there's room for Waluigi in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate now.
Although the Smash Bros. Ultimate lineup has an impressive array of monster hunters and skilled fighters, the clip showed the dangers of Castle Dracula and what could become everyone's favorite new level when the game hits the Nintendo Switch. The introduction of Simon is also a big talking point, but it is hard to justify the tragic loss of Luigi as a means to an end.
What could've been a temporary death has now been added to Smash Bros. canon, but the casualties don't end there. Although Mario and Mega Man also took a beating, both appear to have lived to fight another day and didn't have their souls literally ripped from their bodies. That being said, the Direct presentation ended with King K. Rool taking out his own bloodlust as he added Dedede to the list of deceased characters. Who's next Nintendo?
More: Super Smash Bros. Director Says Ultimate Could 'Ruin' Future Games
Source: Nintendo