Y'know, I think whether or not it comes down to the whole Mural/Grinch stuff, I don't think I've ever fully gave an actual response to this from my own POV, but since the internet is still split on it, it seems like it's still a good time to talk about it. And I'm sure since we're all fans of the games that these characters in said "leak" are in, I can relate on some level in which way or another. And I wanna get that out of the way, since I don't wanna sound like I'm coming from this as a hater on both or one side of the argument.
My Opinion of the Grinch Leak: "I don't think this is real, but it can go either way. If this is real, there's no way this is still real".
Now hear me out.
We have: Banjo-Kazooie, Geno, Isaac, Shadow, Ken, Mach Rider, and Chorus Kids. I love the games they came from and I've no doubt in one way shape or form have seen these characters get massive push in one way or another. Geno, Isaac and Banjo-Kazooie - whether you like it or not - have been requested for so. Long. Geno and Isaac since Brawl, and even in Melee for Banjo and Kazooie. Chorus Kids got ganked in Smash 4, and Shadow has always been an underground want that's finally getting their due.
I've been interested and active in wanting these characters in for the longest time, but to have them finally here? It doesn't seem real. Every time we see these characters in fake leaks, it just feels like you're getting hurt, because the longest time you've wanted these characters in, and to see this, you're just numb to it. You've been burnt out so many times, you're torn, and I'm torn, too. We've been through these cycles four times, this fifth time being THIS much of a fan-requested cycle seems unreal. Not to mention, the DLC cycle of Smash 4, might've been the cycle with the most "drive". And in the end, we had so many questions. What's the fate of Geno and K. Rool? And just Smash in general? Lots of hearts broken and dreams came true.
With the current roster as is, it feels like a dream come true. But to add on this bombshell of 7 characters? In ADDITION to Castlevania, King K. Rool, Ridley, almost 900 tracks and 100+ stages? I'm on the same firm belief that AfroSenju had about Kingdom Hearts 3: This game just isn't real and I ain't a believer of this religion.
There's no way I'm giving away 60 manufactured dollars of American currency for a game that should be well above that retail price. And if all of this is true, it doesn't matter if this leak was real, because we're gonna be looking at something that practically is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. It'll be hard to digest even a FRACTION of what we'll see during those reveals. Anytime I see any gameplay of Smash Ultimate, I just can't help but feel a overshadowing pain for all the fans who want Isaac, Geno, Banjo, Sora, Rex, what have you, because in the end, this feels like the last Smash Bros., and **** me, this is game definitely feels like it. So to see this all come to fruition? Show me the reveal, my guy.
We are 40 days until Smash Ultimate releases. When I get the game, I'm gonna have all types of emotions when I feel the game in my hands - hell, I was broke when I saw my legitimate father Snake came back from the 10-year war and Konami's grasp. I am hurt that this game even exists, and I cannot get off this Smash Ultimate hype train because **** me, this might be the greatest thing I'll ever experience as a general games fan, so UNTIL I SEE Geno become a reality. UNTIL I SEE Banjo GUH-HYUK-ing, this leak AND this game isn't real. **** your "insider info" and banners, this **** is coming from the heart, and I'm letting that **** be the guiding key.
/heartfeltrant