Super Smash Bros. Ultimate‘s second Fighters Pass DLC has two characters left to reveal following the announcement of Pyra and Mythra during the February 2021 Nintendo Direct. Given the eclectic collection of characters added to Ultimate just in the second pass – including first-party representatives like ARMS‘ Min Min, classic characters like Final Fantasy 7‘s Sephiroth, and modern icons like Minecraft‘s Steve – the remaining additions could come from anywhere. There are fan-favorite candidates, from Crash Bandicoot to Master Chief, but one who tends to fly just under the radar is Shantae.
Shantae is the titular protagonist in a series of games developed by WayForward Technologies with roots dating back to a Game Boy Color title from 2002. While the series has gone multi-platform since, its latest release Shantae and the Seven Sirens coming out as a limited-time Apple Arcade exclusive in 2019, many still associate the character as belonging in the Nintendo sphere of influence. Shantae and her primary antagonist Risky Boots appear as Spirits in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate‘s World of Light, and it was a big deal when Limited Run Games re-released physical copies of Shantae given how expensive the Game Boy Color title is in second-hand markets.
Some may argue that Shantae already being a Spirit disqualifies her from proper DLC status, but Min Min was also a Spirit first. The half-genie hero also tends to perform well in fan polls, with a list of most-wanted Super Smash Bros. DLC characters released by Source Gaming in June 2020 listing Shantae at number 13 based on 4,327 responses. Another poll with over 20,000 votes conducted by Dexerto’s Smash Ultimate News page in 2019 listed her at number 5, right after Steve from Minecraft.
On top of being a B-list Nintendo icon with a sizable following, Shantae’s appearances create a clear vision for what her moves and cosmetic details could be. Her basic attacks in all four cardinal directions could utilize her ponytail-whip, which would likely serve as a solid mid-ranged option. Shantae could even utilize a mechanic similar to Marth with her hair doing more damage at the tip. Her special attacks would probably take advantage of the forms she has transformed into since the original Shantae; such as becoming a harpy to fly as an up-B move or an elephant to swing her trunk as a side-B move.
However, Shantae has taken advantage of different combative techniques across her games, which could give her more options for special attacks. For instance, Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse sees the character using nautical items like a scimitar and cannon to get around after she loses her genie powers. Multiple games also include consumable items such as pike balls that circle around her model, which could act similar to Mega Man’s Leaf Shield in Super Smash Bros. She also has catch phrases ready to use as taunts, “Ret-2-Go” being arguably the most recognizable.
Even if the designers go with Shantae’s transformation-based moveset, her pirate-themed look could serve as an alternate skin. Most of Shantae’s skins could feature color schemes based on her friends and allies, but Shantae: Half-Genie Hero in particular gave her multiple outfits based on ninja gear, beachwear, and even one referencing WayForward series Mighty Switch Force. Meanwhile, her stage would likely be based on the place she is committed to protect, Scuttle Town; and her Final Smash could involve a team-based attack similar to Shulk or Joker, but starring Shantae’s allies Sky, Bolo, and Rottytops in reference to Half-Genie Hero‘s “Friends to the End” mode.
While it’s hard to say who Masahiro Sakurai and his team will be adding to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate next, Shantae is a solid option. A few indie characters have risen to prominence in Ultimate with Shovel Knight as an assist trophy, Sans and Cuphead as Mii costumes, and technically Minecraft taking a whole DLC slot if you count the game’s pre-Microsoft days. Shantae could fit the same bill as a representative from Nintendo’s classic handheld console, while helping to fix the Smash Bros. series’ overall lack of female fighters.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is available now for Nintendo Switch.
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