Exploring Kratos’ potential crossover into Smash Ultimate: evidence and analysis
The Unlikely Possibility
While Kratos joining the Super Smash Bros Ultimate roster might appear improbable at first glance, recent industry shifts suggest we shouldn’t dismiss the idea outright. The God of War protagonist represents PlayStation’s most iconic character, making a Nintendo crossover seem contradictory. However, the gaming landscape has evolved significantly regarding platform exclusivity.
Industry insiders note that character crossovers between rival platforms, once unthinkable, have become increasingly common in recent years.
Sony’s historical resistance to sharing its mascots has softened, evidenced by several strategic partnerships. For developers at Santa Monica Studio, the cultural impact of seeing their creation alongside Nintendo’s all-stars might outweigh platform rivalry considerations.
Fortnite as Precursor
The Fortnite collaboration serves as a crucial precedent, proving Kratos can exist outside PlayStation’s ecosystem. His appearance as an equippable skin across all platforms, including Nintendo Switch, demonstrates Sony’s willingness to license the character broadly. This differs markedly from previous guest appearances in PlayStation-exclusive titles like Hotshots Golf: Out of Bounds.
Epic Games’ battle royale phenomenon has become the new gold standard for crossover events, surpassing even Smash Ultimate’s ambitious roster. From a business perspective, Sony recognizes the marketing value of having Kratos appear in history’s most popular multiplayer game, regardless of platform.
Developer Teasers
Santa Monica Studio’s January 2020 tweet remains the most intriguing hint, featuring Smash Ultimate’s signature character selection music alongside Kratos imagery. While officially presented as humor, the careful production quality suggests possible subtext. The video’s narrative structure—showing multiple potential candidates before landing on Kratos—mirrors Nintendo’s own Fighter Pass reveals.
We just wanted to make sure this version existed on the Internet forever pic.twitter.com/gDDgJ0XKf7
— Santa Monica Studio – God of War Ragnarök (@SonySantaMonica) January 23, 2020
Art Director Raf Grassetti’s personal project reimagining Smash characters in hyper-realistic style further fuels speculation. His detailed renderings demonstrate both technical mastery and genuine affection for Nintendo’s franchise. In the gaming industry, such passion projects often precede official collaborations.
Historical Precedents
The inclusion of Solid Snake in Super Smash Bros Brawl established that personal connections can overcome platform barriers. Hideo Kojima’s advocacy for his son’s favorite character demonstrates how developer enthusiasm can facilitate unlikely crossovers. Similarly, Grassetti’s artistic tribute could serve as the foundation for professional discussions.
Nintendo’s Sakurai has consistently prioritized creative potential over corporate politics when selecting DLC fighters. Kratos’ rich combat mechanics and Norse mythology elements (post-2018 reboot) offer abundant material for a unique moveset that would differentiate him from existing heavyweights like Ganondorf.
Potential Impact
A Kratos reveal would likely surpass even Sephiroth’s shocking debut in terms of community reaction. As PlayStation’s most recognizable icon appearing on a Nintendo platform, the cultural impact would be monumental. From a gameplay perspective, his Spartan Rage mechanic could introduce temporary buffs, while his various weapons offer combo versatility.
While concrete evidence remains scarce, the cumulative factors—Sony’s increased openness, developer interest, and Nintendo’s crossover history—suggest Kratos deserves consideration among plausible Smash Ultimate candidates. The decision ultimately rests on whether both companies recognize the mutual benefit of such an unprecedented collaboration.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Could Kratos come to Smash Ultimate? All the evidence for a God of War DLC fighter so far Exploring Kratos' potential crossover into Smash Ultimate: evidence and analysis