Smash Ultimate: What Gen 8 Pokémon Could Be Added in Fighters Pass 2

Only three spots remain to be filled in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate‘s Fighters Pass Vol. 2. Nintendo revealed that the DLC bundle would conclude by the end of 2021, which means the company should announce the roster’s new addition within the next few months. Final Fantasy 4‘s Sephiroth was the most recent newcomer, and fans have been speculating about who might follow. Leaks have claimed that Lloyd Irving from Tales of Symphonia and Yuri Lowell from Tales of Vesperia are destined to join the platform brawler, but it’s far more likely that Nintendo will add another Pokémon.

There are currently eight fighters from the Pokémon universe in Smash Ultimate (counting Pokémon Trainer as one). That’s just as many Pokémon characters as there are Fire Emblem representatives, which might be a few too many for fans who want the cast to be as diverse as possible. Even with so many pocket monsters in the game already, Sword and Shield‘s release and success is a major hint that a Gen 8 representative could be on its way.

The two previous generations have received Smash Bros. representatives – Greninja for Gen 6 and Incineroar for Gen 7 – and there’s good reason to believe Nintendo will continue this trend. Sword and Shield was a massive overhaul for Pokémon‘s graphics and gameplay, so the company might want to promote the new installments on Smash Ultimate. The addition of Byleth from Fire Emblem: Three Houses came roughly six months after the title’s release, making it seem like it was using the fighting game’s popularity to promote its other games. Here’s what Gen 8 representative could eventually make it to Smash Ultimate.

Smash Ultimate Pokémon DLC: Kubfu or Urshifu

Kubfu and its evolved form, Urshifu, are perfect fits for Smash Ultimate. The Fighting-type legendary Pokémon were added as part of Sword and Shield‘s Isle of Armor DLC expansion, and they almost seem like Game Freak designed them with the fighting game in mind.

When trainers receive the small, bear-like creature in the Isle of Armor, it shows off a series of fighting techniques which could easily be made into a Smash Ultimate move set. Kubfu unleashes a series of punches and kicks a punching bag, both of which could be repurposed as its Rapid Jab and Neutral Aerial Attack. With a kit like that, Kubfu could be similar to Mii Brawler, but there’s another candidate from Sword and Shield that could be added instead.

Smash Ultimate Pokémon DLC: Rillaboom

Sword and Shield’s‘s Rillaboom is the final evolution of Grass-type starter Grookey and could be made into a Smash Ultimate fighter that’s a more nimble version of Donkey Kong. The gorilla might not be a Fighting-type like Kubfu and Urshifu, but Nintendo has added the Fire and Water starters from the past two Pokémon generations, making it seem like Grass could be next.

Greninja and Incineroar are the final forms of Froakie from Gen 6 and Litten from Gen 7. The addition of a Grass-type Pokémon would round out the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster to include one of each of the core starting types while also promoting Sword and Shield. While it remains to be seen, either Kubfu or Rillaboom seem like prime contenders for a spot in the roster.