Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Joker Announcement Is Indicative Of Nintendo’s DLC Strategy For The Game, Says Exec

Last night, Nintendo made arguably the biggest announcement at The Game Awards, when they confirmed that Joker from Persona 5 will be joining the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster as the very first DLC character for the game.

It was something that, if you will excuse my saying so, no one saw coming. After all, Persona 5, indeed any mainline Persona game, is not on Nintendo Switch. Why would Nintendo choose to include Joker over any number of Nintendo or Nintendo associated characters?

Because that’s exactly what they are going for with the DLC for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, according to Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. Speaking to IGN, he confirmed that Nintendo views Joker as “emblematic” of the kinds of inclusions fans can expect from Smash Bros.’s DLC going forward

“It’s emblematic of the approach that [series creator and director Masahiro] Sakurai and the team are taking with the DLC,” Fils-Aime told IGN. “He wants characters that are unique, different, to bring them into the Smash Bros. environment. So it’s going to be tremendously exciting.”

He also talked about how, going forward, a character not being associated with Nintendo is not a barrier to their inclusion in Smash Bros.

“Mr. Sakurai, he’s not only a student of Nintendo franchises, and obviously he’s had his hand in a few, but he’s a student of video games from a total perspective,” Fils-Aime said. “And so he’s been the driver in really thinking about what type of character coming into Super Smash Bros. Ultimate would bring just a whole different level of fun and enjoyment for the player. That’s been the approach. That’s the thinking.”

“I hope the fans are excited by the announcement of Joker. I hope they’re looking forward to the future announcements,” he added. “I hope it gives them confidence to just go buy the Fighter Pass. That way they can get the latest fighter as soon as it’s available and continue building out their roster for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.”

Smash was always going to have my attention, but the announcement of Joker joining the cast is certainly the most energizing Smash Bros. announcement I can remember in years. Hopefully the upcoming picks are just as unexpected. Meanwhile, head on over here to find out what Reggie had to say about the possibility of Persona 5 on Switch in light of this announcement.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is out now, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch.