It’s been over a month since Nintendo’s recent Super Smash Bros.-centric stream dropped numerous tidbits about the game’s features and character lineup, so it seems about the right time for the official site’s daily update to feature another announcement regarding the roster. Today’s veteran fighter confirmed to return is none other than Ike from the Fire Emblem series, who previously appeared in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Ike was the lead character in both the 2005 Gamecube title, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, as well as its 2007 Wii sequel, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn. In Brawl, he was one of the slower characters, but was capable of dealing heavy damage with his sword attacks.
Ike’s return comes as somewhat of a surprise, considering the pattern that the last two Smash Bros. titles seemed to have carried regarding Fire Emblem characters. While the series’ original hero, Marth, has been a mainstay, appearing in the last two entries as well as this one, there seemed to have been a tradition in having the series’ other representative be whoever was the star of the most recent game. When Super Smash Bros. Melee released in 2001, Roy, the other Fire Emblem character, had just appeared in a Japan-only Game Boy Advance entry, while Brawl‘s 2008 release came hot off the heels of Ike’s second adventure.
Because of this, does Ike’s return mean that we won’t be seeing an appearance from any of the characters from last year’s Fire Emblem: Awakening? Truthfully, as has always been the case with Smash Bros. character predictions, it’s anyone’s guess at this point. If we do get someone from that game though, this will mark the first time the series has sported three Fire Emblem characters instead of two.
A set of promotional screenshots showcasing Ike’s fighting moves on both Wii U and 3DS can be viewed below. Check them out and let us know what you think of the newest addition to Super Smash Bros.
