Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s October 2024 Update Explained

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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's October 2024 Update Explained

As a long-time gamer with countless hours spent in the Smash Bros. universe, I must say the recent update for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has left me feeling like a kid who just found out there’s no candy in their Halloween bag – it’s not what I was hoping for.

Originally, updates for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate were quite frequent. However, as time has passed, the game has essentially been finalized. Surprisingly, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate received an unexpected update recently, which may be of interest to players who wish to maintain their competitive edge.

It’s no overstatement to suggest that “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” appears to be slowing down, or even potentially fading away. While it’s typical for developers to phase out a project before starting on a sequel, “Smash Bros.” has always been an unusual exception. Interestingly, Nintendo has not only stopped updating the game, but at times has intentionally hindered its community. Considering this background, the update released on October 8 was particularly surprising.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s October 2024 Update Isn’t a Game Changer

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is On its Last Legs

To get a sense of why the recent update for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate feels unexpected, you just need to examine the two updates preceding it. The last update prior to October 8, 2022 was actually released on February 14, 2022. That might not sound like too much time has passed, but it isn’t. However, the update before that was rolled out all the way back in December 2021, and this was also the last balance adjustment patch.

Due to the significant disparity in the DLC characters of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, players have continually asked for another update. In much the same way, when a new update is announced, thoughts often turn towards a comprehensive balance adjustment first. However, regrettably, the October 8 update does not center around such a balance patch as initially expected by fans.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Version 13.0.03 Features Minor Updates

Those searching for balance adjustments in the October 8th update may find themselves let down, as it fails to address character changes entirely. Instead, the focus appears to be on addressing smaller matters that many players deem insignificant. Given the possibility of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate revealing a sequel at any given moment, any update is unexpected.

The patch notes for the October 8 update, labeled Version 13.0.3, are as follows:

  • Online: Fixed an issue in which Global Smash Power would not return to appropriate levels when the connection was disrupted with specific timing at the end of a match.
  • Note: There may be compatibility issues with replays from Ver. 9.0.0 to 13.0.2. Replays from Ver. 8.1.0 and earlier are not compatible. If you want to keep your replays, convert them into videos before installing the update. You can do this via Vault → Replays → Replay Data → Convert to Video.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s Latest Update Has Some Unfortunate Implications

The Version 13.0.03 update for Smash Bros. didn’t bring the significant changes some players were expecting. Instead, one part of the update is more like helpful advice than a new feature. Usually, updates for Smash Bros. games make replays from previous versions unplayable, so it’s good that this update warns players about this. Other than that, the update mainly fixes some bugs in the online ranking system for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

The unexpected arrival of this update might catch you off guard, but its meaning is unmistakable. It’s unrealistic to expect additional updates, even ones as significant as a major overhaul like a balance patch. In fact, this could very well be the final update for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Although it’s disappointing news, there’s a silver lining. A decrease in support for Ultimate increases the likelihood of a new Super Smash Bros. game being developed on the Switch successor.

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2024-10-15 21:13