Japanese poll reveals surprising Smash Ultimate fighter popularity trends and future roster implications
Poll Overview and Methodology
Japan’s Netorabo Survey Team conducted an extensive Super Smash Bros. Ultimate popularity poll that gathered nearly 20,000 votes between March 27 and April 10, 2021.
This timing allowed participants to fully evaluate the then-new Pyra and Mythra DLC characters before casting their votes. The survey’s massive sample size makes it one of the most significant indicators of Japanese player preferences.
For competitive players, understanding these regional preferences can help anticipate matchup frequencies in Japanese tournaments and online play.
Top Performers and Surprising Standouts
The Xenoblade Chronicles duo Pyra and Mythra claimed the top spot with 1,318 votes, demonstrating remarkable staying power despite potential recency bias from their DLC release.
Ganondorf’s second-place finish (982 votes) as a veteran fighter suggests players appreciate his reworked move set in Ultimate. His strong showing, along with Joker’s third-place position (963 votes), indicates fans may want more villain representation in future rosters.
Pro Tip: These results suggest practicing matchups against sword-wielding characters and zoners, as they dominate the top rankings.
DLC Fighter Performance Analysis
The poll revealed stark contrasts in DLC fighter popularity. While Sephiroth (554 votes) and Cloud performed well, Western-origin characters Steve (Minecraft) and Banjo-Kazooie received just 124 and 167 votes respectively.
ARMS representative Min Min fared even worse with 101 votes, suggesting the fighting game’s niche appeal in Japan. This data could influence Nintendo’s DLC selection criteria, potentially favoring characters with established Japanese fanbases.
Common Mistake: Don’t assume DLC characters will automatically be popular in all regions – research local preferences before investing time in mastering them.
Regional Preferences and Future Implications
The significant gap between Eastern and Western character popularity (with Diddy Kong receiving just 28 votes) highlights cultural differences Nintendo must consider for future Smash titles.
These results may influence both competitive tier lists and the meta game, as unpopular characters often receive fewer matchup guides and tech discoveries.
Optimization Tip: For players in Japan, focusing on high-tier characters that also poll well locally could provide both competitive and social advantages.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Huge Japanese Smash Ultimate poll reveals players’ most loved & hated fighters Japanese poll reveals surprising Smash Ultimate fighter popularity trends and future roster implications