Bayonetta’s inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is one of the most surprising and celebrated additions to the game’s impressive roster. This was made possible, in part, by the deep trust that developer Hideki Kamiya placed in series creator Masahiro Sakurai. In a recent interview, Kamiya revealed that when it was time to bring Bayonetta into the world of Smash, he gave Sakurai complete creative freedom, fully confident in the veteran director’s vision.
“I told Sakurai to do whatever he wanted,” Kamiya stated. “I trusted him to do the best job.” This simple but powerful gesture reflects the mutual respect between the two creators and embodies the collaborative spirit that helped Super Smash Bros. Ultimate evolve into one of the most ambitious crossover titles in gaming history.
Bayonetta was introduced to the Super Smash Bros. series as downloadable content for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. She later returned in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, retaining her unique moveset. Including a character from a mature, action-oriented franchise like Bayonetta was a bold decision. However, it reflected Masahiro Sakurai’s broader philosophy for Ultimate: to create the most expansive and diverse fighting game roster ever assembled.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, developed by Bandai Namco Studios and Sora Ltd., and published by Nintendo, was released for the Nintendo Switch on December 7, 2018. It is the fifth main installment in the franchise and boasts a record-setting 89 playable characters. This roster includes every fighter from previous games, along with a wide array of newcomers. In addition to Nintendo icons, the game features characters from across the gaming spectrum, including Mega Man, Cloud, Banjo-Kazooie, and Sephiroth.
