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While we wait for the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Nintendo Direct scheduled for tomorrow (7 am PT/10 am ET) it's the perfect moment to bring up the topic of the one big Smash "leak" that cropped up recently. A set of pictures got out to the public through Snapchat, after a supposed worker at a French media firm called Marina PLV sent a video consisting of what appeared to be the complete roster for the latest Smash Bros. game. In it, we see a poster for a "full" version of the cast lineup that has been teased at the end of every new Smash reveal, with seven new additions, next to other potential promotional material.

If you look bottom right of the second picture, you can see some stickers for the upcoming new Grinch movie, and though this is entirely not related to Smash at all, the existence of these in such a picture seem odd...unless the leak is real, and the one responsible for the pictures really does work for a marketing business that's working on both Smash and the Grinch media. And as always, since it's an unverified source, it is mandatory law that the picture be an utterly blurry mess. For those that can't see who's added into the image, it's the following characters:

• Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic Echo?)
• Ken from Street Fighter (Ryu Echo?)
• Banjo and Kazooie
• Isaac from Golden Sun
• Mach Rider
• Geno from Mario RPG
• Chorus Kids from Rhythm Heaven

Interestingly, these five new characters, and two echoes, almost exactly match up to what another Smash Bros. veteran leaker Vergeben hinted at, in his previous posts on the topic, and who also correctly assumed that Isabelle from Animal Crossing would be added, along with other smaller details prior to official announcements. It's also worth mentioning that Marina PLV works as a advertising contractor for Bandai Namco, who has a major role in developing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This would also tie into what Japanese magazine CoroCoro claimed would be the final number of stages in the game, which is 108, exactly enough to fit, if each of the five new characters get a stage to be represented by.

You may also remember the name "Artsy Omni", who was behind the Rayman hoax before the launch of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U. They ascertained that the blurred visuals from the alleged roster picture were "sloppy", and had graphical errors if one looked close enough at the picture.

Marina PLV also made an official statement on the matter, which in summary, states that the worker from the Snapchat video had worked for them, but hadn't been employed there since 2016, that they had been a contractor at Namco, but no longer are, and that the leak is patently untrue.

There's definitely evidence both for and against the validity of what we've seen. Since the Direct is only in a matter of hours, we'll soon find out if these Grinch leaks are true or not. What's your take? Are you team real, or are you team fake?

 

[Hells Malice]

Grinch4DLC confirmed.

 

[SecureBoot]

As with all credible leaks, I remain on the fence. This does have things going for it, but it's also blurry which knocks points off. Personally, I have all the characters I could ever realistically want either way but if this is real, it's too bad sans won't be in it for the memes.

 

[the_randomizer]

I hope that the Chorus Kids isn't part of them, would rather have another FE character.

 

[Xzi]

I don't know what Rhythm Heaven is but the rest of these are really solid additions IMO. I'd be perfectly happy if the leaks were real. Might have to main Isaac depending on moveset.

 

[VinsCool]

Failed to fetch tweet https://twitter.com/NolanTrashZone/status/1057783682440794113

 

[Xzi]

https://twitter.com/NolanTrashZone/status/1057783682440794113

Well fuck, new main.

Would definitely be pre-ordering both of those amiibo. Would also be a goddamned genius move by Nintendo, they'd sell so many Switches based on that alone.

 

[Eddypikachu]

I voted for the chorus kids in the smash 4 ballot, so if the leak was real and they get confirmed i'll be soooooooo freaking happyyyyyyy

 

[Frostbite189]

What about one of the jet force Gemini ??

 

[Shadowfied]

I hope it's fake. It's always more fun to be surprised by with what they announce without prior knowledge or hints. Banjo would be a great addition though.

 

[MaxiBash]

It's impossible they can add Shadow.
Metal Sonic fits way better.

 

[XDel]

I'm only into this if Hitler from Bionic Commando is a playable character!

 

[Super.Nova]

That Sans tweet really makes you think

 

[PolloDiablo]

I really want Isaac to get in Smash Ultimate. If he doesn't make the cut, we can say goodbye to Golden Sun 4.
I hope this leak is real.

 

[AutumnWolf]

I wanted more Xenoblade stuff in the game but whatever

 

[pedro702]

if the leaks are real, this will be the first smash game without a new pokemon, also wierd no new xenoblade,arms character imo.

 

[zoogie]

There's a rumor floating around that the N64 classic will be revealed at the end of the presentation.

 

[Xzi]

if the leaks are real, this will be the first smash game without a new pokemon, also wierd no new xenoblade,arms character imo.

Pokemon is pretty well represented just from returning characters, and ARMS was kind of a flop even though I enjoyed it. It will be surprising if Rex and/or Pyra from XB2 aren't included though, that is definitely a big seller for Switch.

 

[Eddypikachu]

Pokemon is pretty well represented just from returning characters, and ARMS was kind of a flop even though I enjoyed it. It will be surprising if Rex and/or Pyra from XB2 aren't included though, that is definitely a big seller for Switch.

ARMS wasn't a flop, it sold more than xenoblade chronicles 2 and that's really great considering it was a brand new IP (even has similar sales numbers to Aces and star allies, two returning IPs) https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html

 

[pedro702]

Pokemon is pretty well represented just from returning characters, and ARMS was kind of a flop even though I enjoyed it. It will be surprising if Rex and/or Pyra from XB2 aren't included though, that is definitely a big seller for Switch.

yeah but without exception every smash game had new pokemon reps

smash 64 jigglypuff and pikachu
ssbm pichu and mewtwo
ssbb lucario and pokemon trainer
ssb4 greninja
ssb ultimate none fells wierd to me.

 

[Viri]

ssb ultimate none fells wierd to me.

They brought back Pichu and the Pokemon Trainer. That's 4 Pokemon. Plus, bringing back the Pokemon trainer fits well, because it's gen 1, and a gen 1 game is coming out very soon.