Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • GamesRadar+ Replay
  • Mario Day deals
Don't miss these
Upcoming PS5 games for 2026 showing Lucia from GTA 6, Wolverine from Marvel's Wolverine, Arjun from Saros, and Grace from Resident Evil Requiem
Adventure Games Upcoming PS5 games: New PS5 games for 2026 and beyond
A screenshot of Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, one of the best RPGs you can play in 2026
RPGs The 25 best RPGs worth playing in 2026
Upcoming Switch 2 games banner image showing a figure holding out their hand from Fire Emblem Fortune's Weave, Yoshi from Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, Ditto in human form with Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Scyther, Timburr in Pokopia, and Mario from Mario Tennis Fever
Nintendo Switch 2 Upcoming Switch 2 games: New Nintendo Switch 2 games for 2026 and beyond
Best Ps5 games
Games Best PS5 games: The 25 greatest PlayStation 5 games in 2026, ranked
Marvel Rivals Elsa Bloodstone aiming glowing double-barrel shotgun
Third Person Shooters All potential upcoming Marvel Rivals characters based on leaks, datamines, and in-game hints
Four pictures of games from our selection of the best Switch 2 games list, showing Donkey Kong, Cloud from Final Fantasy, Mario and Luigi, and three starter Pokemon.
Games The 20 best Switch 2 games to play in 2026
A picture of a Nintendo 3DS console next to several of the best 3DS games and Nintendo cards.
Games The 25 best Nintendo 3DS games of all time
Games like God of War Ragnarok: Kratos fighting a giant monster on a mountain top.
God of War 10 Games like God of War Ragnarok you should play next
Two chefs cooking on a boat with a seagull watching in the Nintendo Switch game Overcooked 2
Platforming Games Best two-player Switch games that let you team up with a friend or family member
Upcoming Switch games for 2026 banner showing Mega Man from the All Star Force Collection, Witches in Witchbrook, a large woman in Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, and Fiona in Neverway
Action Games Upcoming Switch games for 2026 and beyond
Yakuza 0
Yakuza The best Yakuza games, ranked
Shadow (Keanu Reeves) in Sonic 3
Movies Every upcoming video game movie you need to know about in 2026 and beyond
Animal Crossing: New Horizons screenshot of cat villager Punchy cooking with a pan
Games The best Switch exclusives to make sure you have in your library
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
Games The 25 best GameCube games of all time
Tekken 8 screenshot
Fighting Games The 25 best fighting games you can play right now in 2026
  1. Games
  2. Fighting

Who should be the next Super Smash Bros. Ultimate fighter?

Features
By GamesRadar Staff, Rachel Weber published 24 January 2020

This week's Big Question, answered by our writers

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Nintendo)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

The arrival of a new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate fighter is a serious business and can inspire the kind of passions that have started wars. We decided it was our duty, nay, our privilege, to humbly put forward our own suggestions for the next addition. Did we get it right? Put it this way, one of our suggestions is a bird. 

This is the latest in a series of big questions we'll be interrogating our writers with, so share your answers and suggestions for topics with us on Twitter.  

Goose

(Image credit: House House)

No, not Anthony Edwards' character from Top Gun, but Untitled Goose Game's (un)titular protagonist. We know that House House' already iconic gander is always up for a fight, and their limited range of attacks could easily be fleshed out by Nintendo for the Smash pro circuit. Honk stuns, bell throws, wing-based AOE attacks... the Ultimate team would barely have to do anything to make Goose a perfect fit among the current roster and - let's be real - a "New Challenger" announcement of that kind of 'OMG' variety is every marketer's dream. This passive aggressive passerine has already broken the internet once. Give them to Nintendo, and let's break it all over again. Alex Avard

You may like
  • Key art for Scott Pilgrim EX showing Scott and Ramona ready for action in front of a montage of enemies and other characters, with the Big in 2026 GamesRadar+ frame Scott Pilgrim EX's new roster is inspired by "fighting game archetypes", with a fresh take on the universe
  • The Nintendo Switch 2 playing Donkey Kong: Bananza and surrounded by accessories on a wooden table 5 games that have defined the first year of Switch 2 (so far)
  • Tekken 8 screenshot The 25 best fighting games you can play right now in 2026

Geralt of Rivia

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

Yes, more swordplay. You can moan all you want about the addition of another swordsman, but Geralt of Rivia can also make hand signals that do magic so jog on and let me have my fun. Who wouldn't want to watch Geralt cast Aard and yeet Kirby off of a map? Perhaps his special would involve Roach dropping on top of someone's head? Or maybe Yennefer can pop in and be all hot and scary and mean and just...intimidate people to death? 

Despite its size, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was a surprisingly functional port for the Nintendo Switch, and bringing Geralt into the world of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has never been more timely. We're still in the midst of a Witcher Fever: everyone's got a slight temperature and the echoes of "Toss a Coin to Your Witcher" stuck in their heads. Capitalize on it, Nintendo, and give the people what they want. Alyssa Mercante  

One of the Colossus from Shadow of the Colossus 

(Image credit: Bluepoint Games)

It doesn't even matter which one to be honest. Except maybe not the little dog one who's scared of fire because that's just mean. No, I want one of the really big ones, like the giant with a sword hand and face like a surprised hairy coffee pot. The idea being that the player is both a fighter and the level [MindBlown.gif]. Okay, there are some kinks to work out. Like how you stop everyone just punching whatever bit of floor they’re standing on to defeat you but Masahiro Sakurai strikes me as the kind of guy who gets what he wants so I don’t have to win any of you over, I just have to convince him. Leon Hurley

Sora

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Another swordsman, I hear you sigh. A) Those are keyblades, damnit. Big difference. And B) Shush. It’s my pick.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Sora would be the best choice to kick off the second Fighter’s Pass: As the Kingdom Hearts lead for closing in on two decades, he’s mainstream enough that pretty much everyone will be universally happy with the choice (looking at you, Byleth), and also has almost unlimited potential with his fighting style.

Can we have Simba fighting by his side on Final Destination? Sure. Mushu cooking Link medium-rare? Go for it. Buzz punching Luigi to infinity and beyond? Abso-freaking-lutely. Let’s ignore all the legal red tape that is probably stopping Sora joining the Smash roster and, instead, embrace all things House of Mouse. Then this can be the first step towards Sakurai making the Disney x Nintendo crossover he’s secretly always wanted. Bradley Russell

Rex from Xenoblade Chronicles 2

(Image credit: Nintendo)

It would mean yet another anime swordsman, but I reckon Rex from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 would be a good fit for Smash. We've already got Shulk, the protagonist of the original Xenoblade Chronicles, but Rex could play very differently thanks to the many Blades at his disposal. I'm picturing a Pokemon Trainer-style setup where you play as Rex but you can choose between a few blades which modify his move set. Pyra, Mythra, and [super spoiler story Blade] would be a solid three, and if we're looking for a fourth, I'd vote for Zenobia. His down-air could be a Smash-style spike, his grabs could be based on topples, his Smash attacks could be Specials - it's super cool in my head, not gonna lie. Austin Wood

Balrog from Street Fighter

(Image credit: Capcom)

We’ve had Ryu. We’ve had Ken. Now it’s time to expand Smash Bros’ Street Fighter invasion beyond the realm of dragon punches and garbled shouts of Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku. Step forward everyone’s favorite digital boxer, still known as M Bison in the game’s homeland of Japan, renamed Balrog everyone else in the world for fear of legal reprisals from ear-biting Hangover II guest stars. I’ve always loved Bally for his simple approach to Street Fighter life, which mirrors my strategy for fixing broken electronics: if it doesn’t work first time out, just punch it a little bit harder. An approach that marries perfectly with SSBUF’s fast, impactful, arena-based chaos. Making the choice for the game’s next DLC addition a no-brainer. It must be glove, glove, glove. Ben Wilson

Kazuma Kiryu

(Image credit: Sega)

The original star of the Yakuza series has finally retired from the spotlight, which means Kiryu has plenty of time to pummel other video game characters. His standard street brawler moves fill up his Heat Gauge, then he pulls off context-sensitive Heat Actions - grabbing Mario and slamming his face into the pavement, side-stepping Link's master sword and breaking his arm, that kind of thing. Kiryu's Final Smash is heralded with a piercing call of "Kiryu-chaaaannnnn!" as Majima leaps in to beat the hell out of everybody with a baseball bat, leaving Kiryu free to sing sad karaoke in the background. Then there's Kiryu's accompanying Kamurocho stage, which has a handful of citizens - such as adult babies and slot car enthusiasts - who will help you in combat if you complete their Substories. I really need this to happen now. Connor Sheridan

Got a question you'd like the GamesRadar team to answer? Let us know on Twitter.

Rachel Weber
Rachel Weber
Social Links Navigation
Contributor

Rachel Weber is the former US Managing Editor of GamesRadar+ and lives in Brooklyn, New York. She joined GamesRadar+ in 2017, revitalizing the news coverage and building new processes and strategies for the US team.

Read more
Key art for Scott Pilgrim EX showing Scott and Ramona ready for action in front of a montage of enemies and other characters, with the Big in 2026 GamesRadar+ frame
Scott Pilgrim EX's new roster is inspired by "fighting game archetypes", with a fresh take on the universe
 
 
The Nintendo Switch 2 playing Donkey Kong: Bananza and surrounded by accessories on a wooden table
5 games that have defined the first year of Switch 2 (so far)
 
 
Tekken 8 screenshot
The 25 best fighting games you can play right now in 2026
 
 
A close-up of Wolverine in his iconic yellow and black X-Men costume, grimacing as he raises his claws close to this chest - cropped from the game's key art with the GamesRadar+ Big in 2026 frame
With Wolverine set to elevate superhero gaming in 2026, here's the four features I want the most, and four I'm desperate to avoid
 
 
Hollow Knight: Silksong cutscene screenshot showing Hornet lying on the ground in front of her nail
"I felt empty inside. I needed more Silksong": Hollow Knight Silksong player builds ultimate boss with Reddit-voted mods
 
 
Four pictures of games from our selection of the best Switch 2 games list, showing Donkey Kong, Cloud from Final Fantasy, Mario and Luigi, and three starter Pokemon.
The 20 best Switch 2 games to play in 2026
 
 
Latest in Fighting
Mortal Kombat 11
Mortal Kombat's Sub-Zero and Kitana team up after figure skating duo's win to pull off a competition illegal move
 
 
Dragon Ball Age 1000 protagonist rushing toward the screen
Bandai Namco may have accidentally confirmed its mysterious new Dragon Ball game was actually Xenoverse 3 all along
 
 
Street Fighter 6 screenshot
Capcom tries and fails to make Street Fighter 6 fans pay $40 to watch a tournament, reduces pay-per-view price to $10
 
 
An image from Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls showing four heroes teaming up together.
4v4 fighter Marvel Tokon will reportedly only have 20 fighters at launch, and not everyone is happy
 
 
2XKO trailer still of Vi fighter reveal
Riot cuts 80 employees 3 weeks after League of Legends spinoff 2XKO celebrates launch
 
 
Teemo standing victoriously in 2XKO
I won my first 2XKO match using the power of rancid vibes, and it sold me on a game I didn't expect to care about
 
 
Latest in Features
In Pokemon Pokopia, the transformed Ditto trainer takes a selfie looking aghast in front of a glowing piece of land where a relic is buried
I've spent 20 hours in Pokemon Pokopia obsessing over its mysterious world and what it hides beneath the surface
 
 
BG3
The future of RPGs is isometric
 
 
Photo of a Mario nendoroid figure holding a microSD Express card with a Turtle Beach Switch 2 case in the background.
These Mario Day-inspired Switch 2 accessories will power up your console more than a super star
 
 
Underside of Alienware 16 Area-51 gaming laptop with glass viewing window and RGB fans
We could get a shock when 2026 gaming laptop prices are unveiled, here's what you need to know about buying this year
 
 
Emily Rudd as Nami and Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy in Netflix's One Piece
One Piece season 2 ending explained: Who is Mr. Zero? Who dies? Will there be a season 3?
 
 
In Hitman World of Assassination, Agent 47 sits at the departure gate in an airport during the loading screen
After weeks spent locked into Hitman's Freelancer mode, I realize there's one vital thing 007 First Light needs to learn
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Donkey Kong Bananza screenshot of Donkey Kong punching through the landscape with pieces of banana flying through the air
    1
    With Donkey Kong Bananza, Nintendo learned "it is more fun to destroy that which is beautiful"
  2. 2
    Severance star Adam Scott's new horror movie Hokum just got an intensely creepy first trailer
  3. 3
    Dispatch is lying to you about RNG just like XCOM, but don't worry, it's for your own good
  4. 4
    Valve pleads for "a line on a bunch of RAM, we are in the market" as AI makes building Steam Machines a challenge
  5. 5
    The final Trails game will be announced in 2031 and released in 2032, Falcom president confirms

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...