What happened during Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Direct?

After hearing about it earlier this week, we were too excited to wait for this latest Direct. While it's set to be all about Super Smash Bros., the line-up for Treehouse Live suggests we might see details on more titles thrown into the mix too.

Where fans have been speculation and questioning what else could possibly be talked about, this Direct will be hosted by SSBU director, Masahiro Sakurai, so from a personal point I'm pretty jazzed to see what's up.

14:00 (UK-time)

- Unsurprisingly, the Direct starts on time, but what'll really be the point of this 40-minute show?

14:02

- 72 fighters confirmed so far for SSBU, and these are the remaining couple yet unannounced:
Ken (I got excited thinking it was Goku for a sec, shushhh)
Incineroar

14:05

- Based on Super Street Fighter II Turbo, Ken is Ryu's rival and joins as an echo fighter. He'll differ with a fiery Heavy Shoryuken, different shaped Hadoken, and multi-striking Tatsumaki Senpukyaku, as well as having Hell Wheel, Focus Attacks, and famous kicks, he's faster than Ryu with two Final Smashes.

14:11

- Though it's a Pokemon, Incineroar uses pro-wrestling moves and has more powerful throws. If it lands a successful attack it'll pose for the audience like a true pro.

It also a neutral special, called Darkest Lariat, an up special, Cross Chop, side special which forces your opponent to run the ropes, down special called Revenge, and Final Smash - Max Malicious Moonsault.

14: 13

- That's all of the fighters in the game. Though the starting roster isn't massive, you can unlock a huge amount as you go. You'll be enjoying all 74 fighters in no time.

14:14

- Looks like there's a bunch of SSBU amiibos coming out for every fighter over the next couple of months, from December off til 2019.

It's also revealed that while collectible trophies are a bit of a bust, Nintendo's developed 'Spirits'. Spirit characters will lend a helping hand to your characters, giving them an edge in battle.

Primary Spirits can also enlist Support Spirits, and all of these can be won in Spirit Battles. These Spirits can also be levelled up after battle, or fed snacks, or have their enhanced forms revealed once they're a high enough level.

14:18

- Local Wireless / Online Play is the next section. Match-making for online battles can be sorted through Preferred Rules, Global Smash Power scores, and distance between players (favouring those closer to you), to say the least.

After your GSP is high enough you can take part in Elite Battles (only for the best of the best). You can also set your own and collect other people's Smash Tag, chat with players with pre-made messages, and take part in Spectator Mode.

If you fancy it, you can also form a 2-player team to battle with online, create Battle Arenas, and use the Nintendo Switch online app while you wait.

As well as using the online app on your phones, there'll also be an exclusive free service called Smash World where players can post their own gameplay videos instead of just focussing on stats.

14:23

- Assist Trophies are next up. After rolling a bit of footage, there are 59 assist trophies (outnumber Pokemon), and can be KO'd by their summoner so as not to lose out on precious points.

14:26

- Getting a bit of a look at the UI for now and other features in the game. Controls/game modes can be reviewed, as well as lots of helpful guides, Century Smash, All-Star Smash, Replay save data (including videos), tips and tricks, and more.

14:30

- There are 11 language options which are implemented in cracking detail. Preferences between Docked and Handheld mode can be tweaked and the game'll remember each time.

Other small bits and bobs like recognising your team-mate more easily, adjusting characters stats to make it a fairer fight (not available in online/wireless battles), and there are some new Mii Fighter costumes to oggle at.

14:33

- Though the 74 fighters you can find in the game have already been revealed, there'll be more coming post-launch. these fighters can be picked up through paid DLC - that's one fighter, one stage, and multiple music tracks per DLC pack which'll roughly amount to $5.99 a piece.

You can also pick up the Fighters Pass, featuring five fighters, five stages, and all music tracks for $24.99. By purchasing this, you'll get a Mii Swordfighter outfit based on Rex from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and some music from the series.

The DLC isn't yet made, but it'll be coming shortly.

By buying the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game right now, you'll get Piranha Plant as an extra fighter. This dude can spit poison, fire off spiky balls, and perform long-range attacks. It won't be available until a couple of months after the launch of SSBU, but you'll only get it through pre-ordering.

14:40

- Finally, before the event ends folks in North America are told to keep an eye out for hands-on events coming soon.

Oh, and finishing off with a neat cinematic. I'm down for it.