Super Smash Bros Ultimateboasts the largest roster of any game in the series with over 80 playable characters, including DLC add-ons. By this point, theSwitchtitle is a who’s who of video game history, from classicNintendoicons to beloved third-party figures. As such, they’re all created with their original games in mind.
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Skilled players will be able to see even more justice done to these fighters through their victory animations. These brief screens appear after a player has won a battle, and often reference characters' origin games. These ten fighters inSuper Smash Bros Ultimatehave the most satisfying and unique victory screens in the game.
10Dark Pit Brandishes His Signature Weapon
Dark Pit is one of the few Echo Fighters inUltimate, with his moveset largely copying that of Pit. As a result,the character lacks some aspects that make him more unique than his counterpartinKid Icarus: Uprisingfor 3DS, his debut game. One of these is the Dark Pit Staff, a weapon which serves as Dark Pit’s Final Smash inUltimate.
Thankfully, one of Dark Pit’s victory animations includes the weapon named after the character. Dark Pit takes a pose similar to his character art fromSuper Smash Bros4, extending the staff outward. He even retains his cocky personality by remarking, “Looks like I’m the last man standing.”
9Ridley Takes To The Sky
Ridley finally made his playable debut inUltimate, pleasing fans who awaited the appearance of the iconicMetroidvillain. Ridley’s playability was always a topic of controversy in theSmashcommunity, as the character was usually depicted large and airborne. HisUltimateappearance, however, doesn’t compromise either.
In one of Ridley’s victory animations,the nemesis of Samus flies into view from the sky, skidding to a stop on the ground before turning and striking a pose. It’s a pretty loyal animation to Ridley’sMetroidhistory. Often, the character encounters Samus in a similar way, swooping in unexpectedly in an attempt to kill her.
8Lucina’s Iconic Stance
Fire Emblem: Awakeningwas a rebirth for the popular RPG series, especially for western audiences. That popularity is best seen inSuper Smash BrosUltimate, which features three characters from the title: Robin, Chrom, and Lucina. Of course, this representation is not the only tribute toAwakeningin the game.
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InAwakening, Lucina is the daughter of Chrom, who spends most of the game masquerading asFire Emblemcharacter Marth. As such, she and Chrom share a similar signature pose, featuring her holding her Falchion weapon close and downward. This pose is identical to Lucina’s official artwork fromAwakening.
7Joker Takes A Ride
The DLC characters inUltimatereceived a lot of special treatment when it came to their victory animations. One example of this is Joker, who was the first paid DLC character to be released for the game. All of Joker’s animations replicate the victory screen fromPersona 5, showing Joker running sideways in front of cartoon decals.
One specific victory animation from Joker features another cameo familiar toPersona 5fans. Rather than run sideways, Joker’s sidekick Morgana transforms into the Morganamobile and picks Joker up. This is a reference towhen a character inPersona 5wins a battlein Mementos, which also appears as a stage inUltimate.
6Sephiroth Intimidates Opponents
Sephiroth was featured in the second DLC pack forSuper Smash Bros Ultimate. As the secondFinal Fantasycharacter added to the game (after Cloud Strife), it was important for Sephiroth to represent the game even more. That’s why Sephiroth’s victory animation is unique, showing the character in front of a fiery inferno.
This settingreferences the Nibelheim Incident fromFinal Fantasy 7,but the references to this moment don’t stop there. In one iteration of Sephiroth’s victory animation, the character will glance back and then continue walking until he disappears into the flames. This mimicks an exact cutscene fromFinal Fantasy.
5Duck Hunt Forever Taunts His Opponents
Duck Hunt was a strange and unexpected addition toSuper Smash Bros 4, but welcome to classic Nintendo fans. The character is mostly known for appearing to laugh at players' misfortune in the NES titleDuck Hunt.However, his moveset is primarily based on several NES games that utilize the Zapper add-on.
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Duck Hunt Dog’s iconic laugh only appears in one of the character’s taunts. There, he leans over to the side and blares his teeth in hysterics. Duck Hunt’s victory animation, however, features the more traditional version of this painful gamer memory: Duck Hunt Dog lurking behind tall grass, giggling at his opponents' loss.
4Isabelle Attends A Rocket Launch
TheAnimal Crossingfranchise features a lot of diverse activities, which are heavily represented in the movesets of Villager and Isabelle. The latter character, who mainly appears in the series as a secretary, has charmed gamers all across the globe. That’s no less true in Isabelle’s victory animations, one of which is quite epic.
In the victory screen, a Lloid rockets off into the sky as Isabelle waves it goodbye. She then turns to the camera and strikes a pose that resembles her official artwork forSuper Smash Bros Ultimate. This also references Isabelle’s down-special inUItimate, which lets her bury a Lloid which will rocket off when a player steps on it.
3Lucas Unleashes Something Eerie…
Nintendo may never hear the end of fans' pleas forMother 3to be localized. It’s odd that Nintendo hasn’t already done it, consdering that the title’s main character, Lucas, continues to remain playable inSuper Smash Bros. One of Lucas' victory animations is even a deep-cut reference to this game only those who have played it would get.
Those unfamiliar with the plot ofMother 3may be confused to see the victory screen where Lucas pulls a golden stake out of the ground. This object is one of the Seven Needles, which keep the Dark Dragon sealed under the Nowhere Islands. The story ofMother 3finds Lucas roaming the islands pulling each of them to release it.
2Kirby Celebrates His Win
Fans of theKirbyfranchise are quite familiar with celebrating their wins. After completing a level, especially in older titles such asKirby’s Return To DreamlandandKirby Super Star, Kirby will dance. Not only that, but Kirby will also multiply into three separate Kirbys, who all perform this coordinated celebration.
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Super Smash Bros Ultimatecarries this tradition over from Kirby’s game series. During his victory animations, Kirby will appear alongside two other Kirby of the same costume color. Two of these animations even directly reference his dance routines fromKirby’s Return To Dreamland.
1Banjo & Kazooie Play Along
Banjo & Kazooie make their long-awaited return to a Nintendo console withSuper Smash Bros Ultimate. As DLC characters, their appearance in the game is a tribute to fans of the classic Nintendo 64 characters created by Rareware. Their victory animation stays true to the charming personas displayed in their first title.
In the intro sequence ofBanjo-Kazooie, the duo are seen carrying musical instruments their namesakes arrive from: a banjo for Banjo and a kazoo for Kazooie. One of their victory screens inUltimatefinds them playing these iconic instruments. Their final pose is even identical to their pose from their reveal trailer forUltimate.
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