One of the major features detailed in the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct had to do with multiplayer. People will be able to play offline or online in various modes, as well as spectate. There will even be support for it in the Nintendo Online app.
People who play with others can go online easily or press ZR to bring up the dashboard and enter local wireless. If you are going to play online, you can search for a match, then enjoy some other modes while you wait. Short preset messages from a list in-game can be shared before and after matches.
Both For Fun or For Glory will be absent in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Instead, the matchmaking will rely on preferred rules, your global smash power, and your proximity to other players. With preferred rules, the format, rules, time limit, stage, and items can be set ahead of matches and saved. Global smash power checks your power compared to others as you play. You will have a global smash power ranking for each player, with ones you haven’t used yet assumed based on your other scores. Finally, proximity is considered to ensure better connection quality. (A wired lan cable was recommended.)
Some of the different battle options were discussed. People who do well can participate in Elite Battles. You can team up with another person on the same Nintendo Switch for co-op matches online against other two-player teams. The Battle Arena will let you make a room for people to come in and fight and spectate.
People will be able to make Smash Tags in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This has your name, your icon and a color. If you beat people, you will collect their tags. (You can not lose your own tag.)
The Nintendo Switch Online app features were also mentioned. It will support Super Smash Bros. Ultimate voice chat. There will also be an exclusive service called Smash World, starting in 2019. In Smash World, people can share videos and check stats.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will come to the Nintendo Switch on December 7, 2018.
