The Smash invitation is an envelope stamped in wax with the Super Smash Bros. logo featured in promotional materials and character reveal trailers for Super Smash Bros. 4 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It first appeared in Villager's reveal trailer for Super Smash Bros. 4 and has since appeared in multiple other Super Smash Bros. Ultimate character trailers.
History
Smash 4
The invitation first made an appearance in Villager's trailer. In it, he is seen taking the envelope out of his mailbox before running off. Interestingly, this is the only appearance of the Smash invitation in any Smash 4 character trailer. Due to this, it is likely based on the letters one can receive in the Animal Crossing series.
Ultimate
The Smash invitation is much more prevalent in promotion for Ultimate characters, especially within the trailers for DLC characters. It first appeared in Isabelle's trailer, in which Pete (a pelican mailman from the Animal Crossing universe) delivers one to her.
Later, in Joker's first trailer, he is seen running through The Game Awards 2018 while his teammates comment on what he may be there for. As it's shortly revealed, he, in fact, arrived to steal a Smash invitation. It reappears at the beginning of Joker's second trailer. Following that, it had made an appearance in Terry Bogard's reveal trailer, parodying the Bernstein clan's invitations seen throughout The King of Fighters series. In it, multiple characters from The King of Fighters series attempt to grab it as it flies through the air: Kyo Kusanagi, Ryo Sakazaki, Andy Bogard, Joe Higashi, Geese Howard, Nakoruru via her hawk Mamahaha, and Iori Yagami. It finally lands on the ground, allowing Terry to take it. It later appeared in Byleth's reveal trailer, in which Sothis summoned it to gift to the aforementioned fighter.
Most recently, it appeared in Min Min's reveal trailer, where multiple ARMS characters (Such as Spring Man, Ninjara, Twintelle, Byte & Barq, etc) fought over it until Min Min swooped in and stole it for herself.
Aside from character reveal trailers, the Smash invitation has also been used as a general motif for the game's downloadable content. This can be seen in the Japanese download card for the Fighters Pass Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, which features an image of a Smash invitation on its front. It is often used in relation to unrevealed downloadable characters, as can be seen in several Super Smash Bros. Ultimate presentations and information on the game's website pertaining to downloadable content. It was also used in the September 4, 2019 Nintendo Direct to represent the confirmation of additional downloadable fighters outside of the Fighters Pass Vol. 1, months later it was confirmed that there will be six more playable characters in the Fighters Pass Vol. 2, and each challenger pack makes use of the Smash invitation as a placeholder since the characters have yet to be revealed.
Gallery
Reveal Trailers
Villager receiving the Smash invitation in the reveal trailer for Super Smash Bros. 4.
Isabelle with the Smash invitation in her reveal trailer.
The Smash invitation in Joker's trailer.
The Smash invitation's appearance in Terry's reveal trailer.
The Smash invitation in Sothis's hand during Byleth's reveal trailer.
Min Min dressed as a waitress catching the Smash invitation in her trailer.
Promotional Material
A placeholder image used for the unannounced DLC fighters in Ultimate's official website's DLC page.
The mobile version of the placeholder image used for the unannounced DLC fighters in Ultimate's official website's DLC page.
The Smash invitation as seen during the announcement of more DLC fighters.
The Smash invitation as seen when Fighters Pass Vol. 2 was officially announced.
The Smash invitation as shown during the announcement that a character from ARMS will become a DLC fighter.
Japan-only DLC card designed for the first Fighter Pass.
Japan-only DLC card designed for the Fighter Pass Vol. 2.
Physical stationary released only in Japan through the My Nintendo store.
Trivia
- As shown in Joker, Terry, and Min Min’s reveal trailers, it is not directed towards any specific individual and is still valid if one steals it.
- It was even later confirmed by Nintendo that Joker had stolen his Smash invitation, potentially from someone else.
- According to Terry's trailer, it is signed with the letter S, presumably standing for Masahiro Sakurai. The contents of the letter, however, are exclusively seen in Terry's trailer, and are in reference to the opening of King of Fighters '94, so it is unknown if the contents potentially change per invitation.
- In the showcase, he revealed that the addition of the letter S was not his decision, but more of an inside joke with the creators of the trailer. He then stated the S also stands for Super Smash Bros.
- Prior to its debut in Villager's trailer, an invitation was alluded to in Snake's reveal trailer for Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
- Cuphead's Mii costume reveal trailer also alludes to an invitation, but the physical letter is not seen.
- The Smash invitation coincidentally looks similar to the national flag of Japan.
- Hero and Banjo & Kazooie's reveal trailers are so far the only ones of all characters in both Fighters Passes to not feature the Smash invitation.
- Coincidentally, both were revealed at E3 2019, and featured fully rendered 3D trailers.
- Pete, Sothis, Spring Man, and Ninjara are the only characters to hold a Smash Invitation in a Character Reveal Trailer without becoming playable in the process.
