Yesterday marked eight years since one of the most important announcements in Nintendo Switch history. On March 8, 2018, Nintendo dropped a bombshell during their Nintendo Direct that would change the console’s trajectory forever: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was coming to Switch.
It’s wild to think about now, but back then, the Switch was still proving itself. Sure, Breath of the Wild and Mario Odyssey had shown the console could handle big games, but Smash? That was different. Smash Bros. has always been Nintendo’s ace in the hole, the series that brings everyone together.
“8 years ago today, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was originally announced during the 3.8.2018 Nintendo Direct as a Nintendo Switch system exclusive, with the Inklings being teased as the game’s 1st playable newcomers.” — @FGAnniversaries
That announcement trailer was pure Nintendo magic. The familiar Smash logo appeared, but something felt different. When those Inklings showed up as the first confirmed newcomers, it wasn’t just about adding Splatoon characters. It was Nintendo saying “we’re not just porting old games anymore — we’re building the future.”
The timing couldn’t have been better. The Switch was about a year old, and people were starting to wonder what Nintendo’s long-term plan looked like. Would this be another Wii U situation? Then boom — Smash Ultimate drops, and suddenly everyone knew the Switch was here to stay.
What made that announcement so special was how it represented everything the Switch stood for. Portable gaming that didn’t compromise on quality. Local multiplayer that actually worked. And most importantly, it proved Nintendo was serious about making the Switch their main platform, not just a handheld with TV output.
Looking back, it’s crazy how right Nintendo got everything with Ultimate. The game didn’t just meet expectations — it completely shattered them. With over 30 million copies sold, it became not just one of the best-selling fighting games ever, but one of the best-selling games period. That’s not including all the people who bought a Switch just to play it.
The competitive scene exploded in ways nobody saw coming. EVO moments, surprise character reveals that broke the internet, and tournaments that felt more like sporting events than video game competitions. Ultimate turned Smash from something you played with friends on the couch into a global phenomenon that dominated social media for years.
But here’s what really gets me about that 8-year journey: Ultimate proved that Nintendo still understood what made gaming special. While other companies chased battle royales and live service models, Nintendo just made a really, really good fighting game and let the community do the rest.
The character reveals alone became cultural events. Who could forget the chaos when Banjo & Kazooie got announced? Or when Sora finally made it in? Each reveal felt like Christmas morning for different corners of the gaming world. Nintendo turned character announcements into appointment television.
That original Direct also showcased something Nintendo had gotten really good at: managing expectations while still delivering surprises. They called it “Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Switch” at first, making people wonder if it was just a port. Then they revealed the “Ultimate” name and the promise of every fighter ever. Suddenly, a simple announcement became the most ambitious crossover in gaming history.
Eight years later, Ultimate still feels fresh. The online community is active, tournaments still draw huge crowds, and new players discover it every day. That’s pretty impressive for a game that many thought might just be “Smash 4 Deluxe.”
Now, as we look ahead, the big question is what comes next. Nintendo’s been pretty quiet about the next Smash game, and honestly, that makes sense. How do you follow up “Ultimate” without just making the same game again? The expectations are massive now.
But that’s tomorrow’s problem. Today, we can appreciate how that one announcement eight years ago changed everything. It proved the Switch was the real deal, gave us one of the greatest fighting games ever made, and reminded everyone why Nintendo Direct presentations are must-watch events.
From those early days wondering if the Switch would work to Ultimate becoming a global phenomenon, it’s been quite a ride. And somehow, it all started with some squids with ink guns showing up in a fighting game. Only Nintendo, right?
