Although fans' eyes will be on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's next DLC fighters, Nintendo has snuck a surprise into the game's latest patch for online players. While some players might have been hoping for a new fighter announcement after observing changes to the Smash Bros. website, the game has a new stage for players to try out instead.
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's latest patch notes, Nintendo revealed the Small Battlefield map is available to online players. Hidden among other improvements to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's online multiplayer, the crossover game's latest stage also has some special customization options.
According to the update, once players set the Small Battlefield map as an online preferred rule, Smash fans will also be able to choose their own music for the battle that is compatible with the Battlefield, Small Battlefield, Big Battlefield, and Final Destination stages. The patch notes also advertised a change to how matching works when using customized Preferred Rules.
Nintendo's latest updates also allows more Elite Smash players to battle each other, after re-evaluating the current Elite Smash base. After announcing that it re-calculated how the initial values for the game's global rankings work, the developer also promised that it would make more improvements to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's online multiplayer mode.
This patch's surprise might be disappointing to enthusiastic fans. However, Nintendo's latest addition makes a lot of sense. Despite Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's resounding success, Nintendo cannot always have a major update or expansion on the horizon. With its latest Nintendo Direct Minis, for example, the company has been trying to wean its fanbase off of the continual expectation of groundbreaking announcements.
By adding a new version of a classic map and allowing players to customize the experience as they want, the developer is able to demonstrate the patch's new improvements and give the players more of a choice. Thankfully, social media users seem largely excited at the prospect of improved online gameplay for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Several players even expressed their enthusiasm for the new map.
While Nintendo has always made its mark on the gaming industry with its unique offerings, the developer has always struggled to keep up when it comes to online modes. Hopefully, this latest update is a sign that Nintendo intends to catch up with its competitors.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is out now on Nintendo Switch.
Source: Super Smash Bros./Nintendo