Toejam & Earl’s Smash Bros. campaign: A humorous push for DLC inclusion
The Viral Smash Invitation Tease
The developers behind Toejam & Earl have masterfully joined the chorus of creators advocating for their characters’ inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s DLC roster.
While many studios campaign seriously for Smash inclusion, the Toejam & Earl team distinguished their approach with a brilliantly executed Twitter prank that perfectly matched their games’ signature humor.
On January 28, 2021, the official account shared what appeared to be a genuine Smash invitation—complete with the game’s iconic wax seal—sparking immediate speculation among fans. The post’s caption “OMG is this what I think it is?!” followed by a scream emoji perfectly captured the excitement surrounding new fighter announcements.
OMG is this what I think it is?! 😱 pic.twitter.com/43DBEjKf6F
— ToeJam & Earl (@toejamandearl) January 28, 2021
Toejam & Earl’s Gaming Legacy
First bursting onto the Sega Genesis scene in 1991, Toejam & Earl revolutionized cooperative gameplay with their unique blend of roguelike elements and funk-inspired aesthetics. The alien duo’s original adventure pioneered procedural generation years before it became an industry standard.
Despite their cult classic status and three sequels—including 2019’s Kickstarter-funded Back in the Groove—the characters remain conspicuously absent from Smash Bros.’ extensive roster of gaming icons. Their exclusion is particularly surprising given Nintendo’s recent efforts to include more retro and indie representation through Spirits and Mii costumes.
The Hilarious Prank Revealed
The invitation’s shocking reveal—a letter about vehicle extended warranties—showcased the developers’ understanding of both internet humor and Smash Bros. culture. By using Nintendo’s actual MyNintendo reward invitation design (available for 400 Platinum Points), they created a prank that felt authentic enough to briefly fool fans.
The other side just had a clown emoji, I guess that means they think we’re really funny! 🤡
— ToeJam & Earl (@toejamandearl) January 28, 2021
This wasn’t the first viral Smash-related joke from game developers—the Tetris account’s “Dumb & Dumber” meme after Minecraft Steve’s inclusion comes to mind—but it stood out for its multi-layered execution. The subsequent clown emoji response to Walmart Canada’s inquiry added another perfect comedic beat.
Future Possibilities for the Duo
While Fighter Pass Volume 2 seems unlikely given its finalized roster, the possibility remains for Toejam & Earl to appear as Mii Fighters—a growing avenue for indie representation following Cuphead and Sans from Undertale. Their distinctive visual style and funky soundtrack would translate particularly well to this format.
The campaign demonstrates how developers can creatively engage with the Smash community while managing expectations. Even without immediate inclusion, such interactions help maintain interest in classic franchises and showcase the passionate relationship between creators and their fanbases.
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