It’s time to dust off that old whip, pack some extra holy water and sharpen your dagger, because Simon Belmont is coming to the new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate! Simon Belmont made his debut in the original Nintendo Entertainment System’s Castlevania and went on to star in the RPG-style sequel, Simon’s Quest and the Super NES title Super Castlevania IV. He’s also appeared sporadically in the series since and many later characters are descended from him (although, he is descended from Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse frontman Trevor Belmont, but in 1988, we didn’t know — or care — about such things).
In a surprise announcement (at least to this Castlevania fan), Nintendo said both Simon and Richter Belmont will be playable in the newest Smash Bros. game for Nintendo Switch. Per Ars Technica, Simon and Richter will be palette-swapped versions of each other, what Nintendo calls “echo characters.” Simon will also have one of the longest reach attacks in the game, because of his trusty Vampire Killer (that’s the name of the whip, if you didn’t already know).
I’ve never been much of a fan of Smash beyond Melee, but this looks to be the announcement that may draw me to the new game. I can’t wait to see how Simon plays in combat with other beloved Nintendo characters. Just think: we can finally live out our imaginary “what-if” scenarios from the NES era with our beloved third-party characters.
Perhaps Trevor, Grant Danasty, Sypha Belnades and/or Alucard can be assist trophies? Or a rosary? The possibilities are endless. I guess I’ll have to revisit the series until the game arrives on Dec. 7, 2018. What a horrible night to have a curse, indeed.
