8 New Fighters to Expect From the 'Smash Bros. Ultimate' Direct on Aug. 8

After months of rumors, leaks, and speculation about the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster, Nintendo will finally offer an official update later this week. The company tweeted out the news during the 2018 Evolution Championship Series (a yearly fighting game tournament where Smash often takes center stage), revealing plans for a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct livestream on Wednesday, August 8 at 10 p.m. Eastern.

Not surprisingly, that simple announcement has already been enough to spark a fresh wave of speculation over any new character that could be announced during Wednesday’s direct. One Reddit user even pointed out that the date 8/8/2018 and the octagonal shape of the periods suggest Nintendo could be hinting at the number eight. Does that mean eight additions to the Super Smash Bros Ultimate roster?

Probably not. To be honest, if you’re looking for clues in Nintendo’s recent announcement you’re probably overthinking it. Still, if history is any guide, Nintendo will probably announce at least a few new characters for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate during the upcoming presentation. Putting the number at eight also gives us some easy parameters to work with. So let’s go with that and break down the eight most likely fighters who could be joining the roster after the August 8 Direct.

8. Waluigi

Alright, let’s get this one out of the way. Nintendo definitely knows that we all want Waluigi as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The only question is whether the company figured that out before or after the game was announced. If Nintendo already knew, then there’s a pretty good chance Waluigi could be revealed on Wednesday, but if the news came as a surprise then there’s no way his character will be ready by then. In that case, our best chance is that he’ll show up as a late roster addition you can pay extra to unlock after Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has already been released.

7. Travis Touchdown

This one feels like a long shot too, but according to one leaker with an alleged source inside Nintendo it could actually happen. Travis would make a pretty cool Smash Bros. Ultimate roster addition thanks to his futuristic beam katana weapons, but don’t hold your breath for this one.

6. Chorus Kids

The Chorus Kids, a trio of good boys from Rhythm Heaven also seems like a bit of a stretch for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate considering most people have never heard of the rhythm-based game they come from. Then again, the fact that they showed up on the game’s IMDb page with a listed voice actor suggests it might just happen.

5. King K. Rool

This Donkey Kong villain is a popular request and shows up on plenty of speculative lists. Nintendo is also due for another addition from the Donkey Kong universe. We wouldn’t be surprised to see King K. Rool join the fight, but you shouldn’t count on it either.

4. Geno

The living puppet from Nintendo classic Super Mario RPG has been a fan request to join the Super Smash Bros. roster for years. According to that same alleged insider, he’s a shoo-in for Ultimate. Take it with a grain of salt, but don’t be too surprised if Geno finally joins the fight this Wednesday.

3. A new Pokémon

Nintendo has a pretty clear track record or adding new Pokémon to Smash to celebrate each new iteration of the Pokémon games, but we still don’t know what that means or the Ultimate roster. According to one recent report you can rule out popular additions from Pokémon Sun and Moon like Decidueye, Lycanroc, or Mimikyu. Beyond that, your guess is as good as ours.

2. Isabelle

Hailing from the Animal Crossing games, Isabelle is an obvious fit for the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster. The fact that trusted leaker Vergeben said she’s one of two characters all-but guaranteed to join the game doesn’t hurt either.

1. Simon Belmont

The other roster addition on Vergeben’s very short list of shoo-ins, the Castlevania protagonist has also been a long-rumored addition to the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster. He may not be a Nintendo creation, but Simon Belmont did debut on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987. So it wouldn’t be that out of place to see Konami’s vampire killer duking it out with Mario and Link later this year.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate launches December 7 on Nintendo Switch.*