343 Industries' community director has politely requested an invitation for Halo’s Master Chief to appear in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The Nintendo Direct at E3 2021 included the reveal of a new DLC fighter to the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster, Kazuya Mishima from the long-running fighting game franchise Tekken.
Since its 2018 release, the critically acclaimed Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has received two Fighters Pass DLC packs, with director Masahiro Sakurai recently revealing that a third Fighters Pass isn't planned. The ongoing Fighters Pass Vol. 2 has seen the addition of five new characters thus far, with each one bringing a new map and music with their arrival to the crossover fighting game. The second Figthers Pass has included, Min Min from ARMS, Steve/Alex from Minecraft, Sephiroth from Final Fantasy, Pyra/Mythra from Xenoblade Chronicles, and Kazuya from Tekken.
Nintendo’s E3 2021 Direct has come and gone, and it seems Halo Community Director Brian "ske7ch" Jarrard had his hopes for Master Chief’s appearance in the latest Super Smash Bros. game dashed. Speaking on Twitter, Jarrard stated that he's a longtime fan of both series and had hoped that Master Chief would be announced for the Nintendo fighter during Kazuya's Super Smash Bros. Ultimate reveal. He added that he's not personally aware of any collaboration between the two companies, stating that “nothing is happening that I’m aware of,” and he's seeking the help of fans to "*politely*" petition Xbox Executive Vice President Phil Spencer and Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser to finally get Master Chief an invitation.
Prior to Tuesday Nintendo Direct, rumors sparked by datamined files allegedly suggested that the next fighter for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate would be Master Chief, which seemed plausible considering Nintendo’s previous collaborations with Microsoft in order to bring Minecraft’s Steve/Alex and Banjo-Kazooie to the game. Xbox France had also previously tweeted stating that it's also anticipating Master Chief’s invitation to Nintendo’s fighting game, suggesting that Jarrard’s sentiment is not an unpopular one at Xbox. However, the imminent addition of the Tekken character to the game also means that only one more character remains before the finalization of the Smash Bros. Ultimate roster, and it could ultimately not pan out to be Master Chief.
High hopes from more Halo fans than Brian Jarrard were undoubtedly dashed with the reveal of Kazuya for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. There may still be a chance that the iconic Spartan could receive an invitation to the game as its final DLC character, but who it will ultimately be is anyone. No matter who Nintendo chooses, it will be impossible to please every fanbase with the final Super Smash Bros. Ultimate fighter. While the beloved supersoldier may never get to finish the fight Smash Bros., his presence in the upcoming Halo Infinite is sure to dull some of the disappointment.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available on Nintendo Switch.
Source: Brian Jarrard/Twitter, Xbox France/Twitter