Super Smash Bros Wii U 3DS Meta Knight Revealed

Those awaiting the arrival of Super Smash Bros. on both the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U have been treated to a barrage of newcomer reveals that have added the likes of Pac-Man and more recently Lucina and Robin to the games' shared roster. While new additions to the series is a major selling point to consumers, many of the remaining veterans have yet to be confirmed as returning characters in the new games.

Many beloved combatants may still be missing in action, but Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai has finally confirmed that the winged swordsman from the Kirby series, Meta Knight, will be making his anticipated reappearance as a playable fighter.

After Sakurai teased the veteran's return on the official Smash Bros. website earlier in the week, many were banking on Meta Knight to be revealed relatively soon — and they were far from disappointed. Appearing very similar in design to his debut in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the character model for the circular swordsman may not have changed much but his move set certainly has.

"Pic of the day. "Looks like there was an impostor in the earlier posts, so I introduced him to my sword!" ...I'll leave it up to your imagination if he really said that or not. The veteran hero, Meta Knight, returns to battle!! We didn't forget the Battleship Halberd either!!"

The fan-favorite anti-hero was previously overpowered to the point that he was banned from tournament play, but his downright unfair Up-B maneuver has been altered to balance the character. Largely impacted by the removal of gliding from Super Smash Bros., Meta Knight's Shuttle Loop attack has been changed into a more technical maneuver.

"Meta Knight's Up Special Move, Shuttle Loop, changed quite a bit in this game. The glide is gone, and the attack slashes opponents twice while spinning in a large loop. This has turned into a highly technical and effective move."

Super Smash Bros Wii U 3DS Meta Knight

 

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It'll be interesting to see just how much more affective the revamped move set will be on enemy combatants, but it's good to see signs that Sakurai et al have reworked the character in a way that'll balance the game as a whole. Of course, there were some other aspects of Meta Knights move set that need to be addressed, but more updates on that should be coming in the near future.

For now, however, it's nice to see another returning face. That said, just who else will be laying claim to a spot on the roster? With the game set to release next month in Japan, that question will be answered very soon.

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Super Smash Bros. for 3DS will be arriving on October 3, 2014, while the Wii U version will hit during Holiday 2014.

Follow Riley on Twitter @TheRileyLittle for updates on Super Smash Bros., as well as everything else in gaming.

Source: Masahiro Sakurai — MiiVerse