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It looks like the previous leaks were true, because Shulk from Xenoblade Chronicles has just been confirmed as a playable character in the new Super Smash Bros. games. The character artwork also matches up perfectly with previous renders, confirming leaked details that have been plaguing Nintendo for the past week.

Putting that can of worms aside, Shulk's addition to the fighting game is one that many fans of the JRPG genre have been anticipating for quite some time, and it looks as if the sword-wielder's move set will bring a copious amount of additional franticness to the games themselves. That said, it looks as if it'll be tough to master.

Using the Monado (Shulk's high-tech glowing red sword), the character is able to change the way he does battle. This will make for a nice homage to the removed mid-battle transformation mechanics that Super Smash Bros. has utilized in the past, but will likely give the newest combatant a larger learning curve that could pay dividends for anyone that manages to suit up and master the blonde protagonist.

Nintendo has posted a list of the official "Monado Arts" that are found within Shulk's arsenal: "翔 (Jump): higher jumps, lower defines; 疾 (Speed): faster movement, weaker attacks; 盾(Shield): higher defense, slower movement; 斬(Buster): stronger attacks, weaker launch ability; and 撃(Smash): Stronger launch ability, weaker attacks, lower defense against launching."

After Xenoblade Chronicles finally arrived in North America after a significant amount of fan demand, via a movement called Operation Rainfall, Shulk easily stood out as a candidate for inclusion in Nintendo's upcoming Super Smash Bros. titles. While some may not be thrilled with the addition of yet another sword user, the fighter has still been given a wholly original move set that should mix things up in an enjoyable way.

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Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai once again took to MiiVerse to tell fans a little bit more about the new character. The director emphasized how hard him and his team worked to get make Shulk's inclusion in the fighting game a reality, while revealing that the fighter will receive a stage called 'Gaur Plain' in the new games.

"Pic of the day. From Xenoblade Chronicles, Shulk joins the battle!! He's not the type of character that would usually appear in the Smash Bros. series, but we worked really hard to make it happen. We're very happy with how he turned out. This stage is Gaur Plain."

"Shulk's sword, the Monado, slashes enemies with a beam when activated, so it can strike from long range. What really makes this weapon unique is that when the Monado Arts are activated, it can change Shulk's features and abilities! Emerge victorious in battle by changing your abilities strategically!!"

Those that stick around until the end of the trailer will also notice a massive shadow the descends upon Shulk. This appears to belong to Metal Face, a main antagonist seen throughout Xenoblade Chronicles, and the mechanic monstrosity will likely be a boss character akin to the Yellow Devil on Mega Man's stage.

What do you think of Shulk's addition to the new Super Smash Bros.? What other characters are you hoping to see added to the games next? Let us know in the comments!

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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 more details on Super Smash Bros., as well as everything else in gaming.

Source: Masahiro Sakurai – MiiVerse