My sources for this information, who choose to stay anonymous because of Sakurai’s recent statement of disdain towards leakers, has seen a semi-current project plan with all new content listed in tiers of importance. With the stringencies the team has been facing, they wanted a fine line on what content was crucial to be added and what is not that important. With the rate of process the team is currently undergoing, tiers A and B will be accomplished but the amount of work done in C will be questionable.
A: Returning all characters, Inklings, Ridley, Geno, Simon Belmont, Buzzwole, Daisy (Echo), Full Cinematic Story Mode, Boss Rush,“Break the Targets and Board the Platforms” Maker, Event Mode, Classic Mode, 8 player smash, Home Run Contest, Multiman Smash
B: Heihachi, King K Rool, Dixie Kong(Semi Clone), Elma, Shadow(Echo), All Star Mode, Countdown, For Glory and For Fun with ranking system. Online tournament mode, Special Smash, Masterpieces
C: Bandana Dee, Chorus Kids, Donkey Kong Junior, Ninten(Echo), Multiplayer Smash Run, Stage Builder, Coin Smash, Target Smash, Smash Party, Returning all Stages
More Info:
- Ridley+Inklings: all of their info has been made public already
- Geno: A deal was made with Square Enix that they would only put in Geno if Cloud got in, hence his addition as DLC in the last game. Geno will become a newcomer in Smash Ultimate.
- Simon Belmont: Just as Megaman was a popular and revolutionary character on the Nintendo Entertainment System, Simon Belmont was too and joins the casts as a unique whip character,
- Buzzwole: Buzzwole is the first attempt at a true grappler character. In fact, his down special is vital throw and a copy of it is seen in the Mii Fighter video on the website. After every kill, Buzzwole’s kill power rises.
- Daisy: All changes from Peach are aesthetic and add “flower power” to her arsenal except for a all new down special, Piranha Plant. She holds out a potted plant and the Piranha Plant takes a big bite.
- Heihachi: Heihachi will work similarly to Ryu with special inputs and obvious combo. Instead of having heavy and weak versions of each tilt, there are low and mid attacks. Smash attacks act as high attacks. His final smash uses one of his Ten Hit Combos from Tekken Tag Team 2 and his design is based off this game also.
- King K Rool: King K Rool has an original and all new model for this game. His special moves are based on his boss appearances and he has costumes from each boss appearance: pirate, boxer, and mad scientists.
- Dixie Kong: Dixie is not an echo fighter but also not a super original character. She uses very few new hair attacks but gets all new special moves using bubble gum, a Baby Kong support and a hair twirl recovery. Her final smash is changed has he ride Rambi the Rhino across stage.
- Elma: This character is the one Sakurai needed a mecha rifle model for. She uses dual bladed attacks and some gun attacks with a “run and gun” playstile. Her final smash uses a Skell to unleash many laser based attacks.
- Shadow: Shadow runs by skating, has new taunts and new chaos energy around his attacks. He keeps all of Sonic’s moves except for his neutral b. Shadow does a chaos blast around him that is a strong kill move. His final smash is the same as Sonic’s except for it being Super Shadow.
- Bandana Dee: Bandana Dee is a low priority but easy pick for Ultimate. His moves would not be ground breaking but his kirby playstyle would make an easy transition to smash. If added, he will most likely be the last character developed in the main game.
- Chorus Kids: The Chorus Kids were not in Smash Wii U/3DS because of the hardware limitations on the 3DS. They will act like a combo of Duck Hunt Dog and Rosalina and Luma. You can control all three at once with no delay and they work in tandem but they can be seperate. There is still doubts on making them work as a concept especially with the existence of 8 player smash. Efforts will be made to attempt to make them work but there is still a decent chance they will be left behind in development again.
- Donkey Kong Junior: Many characters represent classic Nintendo peripherals. Duck Hunt, Mr Game & Watch, Wii Fit Trainer and R.O.B. all fit into this category and they may be joined by a character representing arcade games by Nintendo. Donkey Kong Junior would have references from all of the Nintendo arcade games and many of the console spin offs of these games in his arsenal. He even holds up a sign from Donkey Kong Junior Math for his taunt. His logo is separate from other DK characters being a pixelated and blocky version of the letters DK from the start of the Donkey Kong arcade game.
- Full Cinematic Adventure Mode: Subspace Emissary is getting an all new sequel. At launch, only Part 1 of 3 will be out. Part 1 will have the basic opening levels and some new fun cutscenes. Part 2 will be released for free right before the release of character downloadable content and Part 3 will be released after character downloadable content having all the downloaded characters making an appearance before the finale.
- “Break the Targets and Board the Platforms” Maker: Smash Brother is following the success of Mario Maker with this new mode. Players will be able to make their own target tests and board the platforms challenges and share them online. The customization takes inspiration from the previous stage builder mode but also adds the ability to carefully place items, new hazards based on Nintendo games and even some enemies for players to deal with. At launch, there will be a default built stage for every character showing players how creative they can be with the system.
- Countdown Mode: A new mode, similar to classic mode, where you play as each individual character in an event tailored to their abilities. When that event is completed, you move on to the next character in number order. (ex. Mario -> Donkey Kong -> Link) This game mode is meant to be difficult but give new players a chance to test their abilities with the entire roster.
- Smash Party: This new mode drops players into a RPG world were they will move from level to level completing challenges, defeating bosses, collecting items, leveling up, growing stronger, gaining party members and saving the smash universe. Each fight is done in the usual smash style but players move around from space to space in a board game style. This mode has a very basic but fun story. Each and every playthrough has random elements with new challenges around the corner.
- Returning all Stages: There is a small chance that all stages in smash history will be available at launch. It is more likely that popular stages will be saved for paid downloadable content or free updates.
- Downloadable Content: This game is the very first smash to have downloadable content in mind while developing the game for launch. In the project plan, it is acknowledged that a lot of content is being packed in too this cartridge so, content that would usually be left on the cutting room floor, will most likely be saved and made available for downloadable content.
Seems interesting, but is really just the same old stuff. A fully cinematic story mode alongside this roster would be great, but it's unlikely