As the announcement of the final DLC character of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate approaches, the feeling is anything but bittersweet. We’d like to think there will be a surprise announcement of more fighters to come, but it has very much been confirmed (it has only been confirmed over three times), that this is indeed the final fighter reveal for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This game has become the epitome of fighter game crossovers through the years. Not only has it greatly represented gaming in the biggest way possible, but it also has the largest character roster in fighting game history! We fondly look back on the many predictions we made over the years–many didn’t come true (Geno), while others did. Here, I pick my 3 personal favorite Super Smash Bros. character reveals that were highly requested and became reality, leaving a huge impact with gamers all around.

#3. Cloud

Final Fantasy VII is, no doubt, the most popular Final Fantasy installment and the most influential RPG ever to grace the screens and gaming consoles in 1996. Cloud was one of the most requested characters among fans, and even though we knew there may be issues of getting him in the roster due to licensing with Square Enix, we still wanted him. Square Enix has always had a great relationship with Nintendo, so it was not only a dream come true to see Cloud crashing from the sky, using his infamous cross cut attack, but it was also awesome to see that the stage of Midgar appeared as well! Cloud stormed the battle in 2014 of Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS.

#2 Sonic the Hedgehog

I thought this was an epic and bold move on Nintendo’s part! Sonic the Hedgehog has been the rival of Mario ever since the glory days of Sega Genesis. In fact, Sonic should be credited as the mascot that started the console wars against Mario and Nintendo. As the console war between Sega and Nintendo lived on, fans always imagined Mario and Sonic fighting to see who would be the best. So when Super Smash Bros. on the Wii was born, players thought it would be cool to live that experience and have Sonic the Hedgehog get his revenge. Of course, since the Sega consoles reached their sunset, Sonic and Mario made peace with the release of the Mario and Sonic Olympic game series. Nintendo finally let Sega on board, and the reveal of Sonic the Hedgehog speeding across the stage pummeling Mario’s face was eminent. Sonic raced through the Green Hill Zone to kick Mario on Super Smash Bros. for the Wii.

#1 Banjo Kazooie

The ultimate reaction was tested on this one! Banjo Kazooie had one of the most lovable character pairs since their debut on the Nintendo 64. The games have given a great example of 3D platforming done right, and their characters were innocent, pure joy. When Super Smash Ultimate was born, we knew we would get every character that ever duked it on throughout the entire series, and it wasn’t revealed that we would get tons of added characters until later on after launch. Fans pleaded and begged for the arrival of Banjo and Kazooie, even when at the time, Nintendo didn’t have much of a relationship with Microsoft. Many fighters were announced, but none of them were Banjo. When Nintendo announced the inclusion of Microsoft games such Cuphead, we knew anything was possible, and then the unthinkable happened. We got this funny trailer that trolled is into evidence of Banjo (the jumbo puzzle piece was shown) as it first turned out to be Dog and Duck from the NES Duck Hunt game. After the teasing, it was definitely Banjo Kazooie, and the internet when wild! It was a happy day for all of us indeed! Banjo and Kazooie teamed up to take flight on Super Smash Bros Ultimate.

So, those were my favorite character reveals of the Super Smash Bros. series. It was very difficult to narrow them down to just three, but I think we all could agree, Masahiro Sakurai and his team did an amazing job with this and put tons and tons of work to make us smile. Hopefully, after this, they get a vacation and rest….bravo to them! Which Smash Bros character reveals were your favorite, and while you’re at it, who do you want as the final character of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate? Let us know down at the comments below and check out our Discord where we discuss this and all things gaming!

Sources: Super Smash Bros., GameSpot, GameSpot Trailers