Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: 3rd Fighters Pass?

When Masahiro Sakurai talks about the remaining two Challenger Packs in today's Mr. Sakurai Presents, it sure sounds like this is going to be it. "Only two more opportunities to bring you cinematic videos."

In any case we shouldn't expect a third Fighters Pass, where the current DLC offers already exceed the price of the main game. But then again a second Fighters Pass also didn't seem likely and no matter who the last two Challengers will be, there will be something left to desire. Naturally, you can't satisfy everyone, no matter how many fighters they will include, but it might be worth it go the extra mile to fill some of the biggest gaps.

As for the Challenger Packs 10 and 11, we're back to "it really could be anyone". Well, everyone except for characters that are already Assist Trophies or DLC Mii Fighter costumes, where Monster Hunter has basically been disconfirmed by the current set of Mii Fighter outfits. If they were to make a Challenger Pack for Monster Hunter, they certainly would have saved these costume for that occassion, so it's safe to say that this is it for the franchise.

The only 3rd party DLC Mii Fighter outfit that hasn't been re-released yet is Llyod Irving from Tales of Symphonia. It's likely that this costume will be brought back as well, which doesn't bode well for Lloyd, but the question what Challenger Pack will accompany the costume. Llyod could come with a different character from the Tales franchise and/or another sword fighter or even something completely unrelated.

If we're getting one more character with a sword, Ryu Hayabusa still seems like the top contender, but the inclusion of Sephiroth, Pyra and Mythra makes this feel a little less likely than before. Crash Bandicoot or the Doom Slayer would certainly feel more different and maybe Rayman finally breaks out of the ice on Battlefield at the end, which would be a hilarious trailer.

But you've heard all of this a hundred times before and most fans will probably agree that the final two Challenger Packs should be more 3rd party guest characters, because that's where all the spectacle is. However, this would leave some 1st party possibilities unfulfilled...

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate hasn't really done the best job of representing the current era of Nintendo with the Nintendo Switch, as well as late era of Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. Lots of good games are barely represented, where on the front of new stages and (updated) fighters they've only done the bare minimum with Splatoon, Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey in the base game.

The DLC has slowly, but surely been adding more 1st party representation with Fire Emblem: Three Houses, ARMS and now Xenoblade Chronicles 2, but there is still a lot to be done here. And this is where the third and final Fighters Pass comes in.

Now, for a hypothetical Fighters Pass Vol. 3 let's assume that they won't expand the current boundaries of the stage and characters select screens. They probably could, but it would look awful and there might also be some technical hurdles here. This means that there are ultimately only three slots for stages left, as well as four more fighters. Which means that a third Fighters Pass would end up being a small one, only consisting of three more Challenger Packs.

But this would be more than enough to check off some of the most important first party boxes. Here are some ideas, where it's time for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate x ...

• Kirby's Epic Yarn featuring Prince Fluff ... (jk)
• Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze featuring Dixie Kong 
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker featuring Captain Toad(ette)
• Yoshi's Crafted World featuring Poochy
  
• Luigi's Mansion 3 featuring King Boo 
• Pokémon Sword & Shield featuring some new Pokémon, e.g. Cinderace
  
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons featuring Tom Nook

Yes, Prince Fluff is a completely out there and not likely at all, but it's a shame how Kirby's Epic Yarn didn't get much recognition in Smash, not even a stage, despite this game being highly unique. It also could lead to a very interesting moveset and the game just got ported to the Nintendo 3DS two years ago, so this idea made this list as well, despite its low chances.

Interestingly, the Woolly World stage in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U was originally supposed to be an Epic Yarn stage, but this got changed during development. Since Woolly World didn't return in Smash Ultimate, here is a good chance to bring back the original intent.

Anyway, Dixie Kong and a Challenger Pack for Donkey Kong: Country Tropical Freeze are arguably the most important option here, where it's a crime that this game didn't get a stage or more music tracks. It's in a similar spot where ARMS and Xenoblade Chronicles 2 used to be, except that it doesn't necessarily need to come with a fighter. But Dixie is one of the most iconic first party characters left and you don't need an excuse to add her... Just do it.

Of course this could already be happening with the second Fighters Pass, where Dixie Kong might be the next or even the final Challenger. Or a new Pokémon... But if none of this makes it in now, then this will be heavily in favor of a third volume.

As a bonus this 3rd Fighters Pass wouldn't come with another Mii Fighter costume, but instead with one more Echo Fighter, where Dry Bowser feels like the coolest option for this. Yes, this could potentially bring both Super Mario and Pokémon to a total of eleven fighters, which is ridiculous, but alternatively they could also give us the Champions Pack and do something for the Zelda for a change... Which probably won't be happening.