The Hollow Bastion logo and Super Smash Bros.'s symbol for the Kingdom Hearts series.
This page explains in detail the interactions between the Kingdom Hearts series and the Super Smash Bros. series.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and for Wii U[]
December 15, 2015
Cloud’s Forward smash bears some resemblance to how Cross Slash is depicted in Kingdom Hearts series.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]
October 18, 2021
Kingdom Hearts
Super Smash Bros.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate features from the Kingdom Hearts series:
- 1 playable character (Sora)
- 1 stage (Hollow Bastion)
- 13 spirits
- 10 music tracks
Sora[]
The main protagonist of the Kingdom Hearts games debuts as the final fighter to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as paid DLC. His default outfit is based on his appearance in the original game.
He enters the stage by flying in from the background, landing, and happily doing a short hop while hoisting the Keyblade in the air before assuming his battle stance. This references his ability to fly in the games and his hop animation after successfully hitting star-marked notes in Kingdom Hearts Melody of Memory. The hop animation also appears as part of his down taunt as he says “Here we go!” He also has an idol animation where he looks around, referencing how he looks around when engaged in combat in the Kingdom Hearts games, more specifically in Kingdom Hearts II and III.
Sora’s attacks primarily revolve on his Keyblade, the Kingdom Key, which allows him to preform different attacks from the game. Even his Boxing Ring name "Chosen by the Keyblade" is a reference to the events of the original Kingdom Hearts when the keyblade chose him temporarily and even permentantly after Riku gets consumed by the Darkness. Four of these attacks can preform a 3-Hit Combo, which is a reference to his attack combos in the games, whenever the player holds the attack button. These attacks revolve on his neutral attack, forward tilt, and neutral and forward aerial. He also preforms different attacks from different games he has appeared in. Even the first hit of his forward tilt and neutral aerial reference his Slapshot and Air Spiral respectively. The other tilt and aerial included are his up tilt, resembling one of his attacks from the “Reflect” Reaction Command against Final Xemnas in Kingdom Hearts II, his Tornado in Re:Chain of Memories, and Chain Rave; and the down aerial being heavily revolved on Hurricane Winder. Other move sets that reference other game attacks include his dash attack referencing his Sliding Dash; his up and down smash attacks referencing Magic Flash and Finishing Leap respectively; and the up, back, and down throw resembling the first and second portion of the “Merge” reaction command, and the “Fail-Safe” Reaction Command in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix respectively.
The Kingdom Key also generates a cartoony star effect and a unique hit sound when an attack lands from it, emulating the Kingdom Key's hit effects from the Kingdom Hearts series. This cartoony star also carries over when Sora uses battering items. Also when Sora holds an item, he holds it and the Kingdom Key in the same manner as his Valor Form in Kingdom Hearts II. This also changes both his slow and mid walking animations to have him hold the Kingdom Key over his shoulder. The animations of Sora's neutral attack, forward tilt, dash attack, and forward smash when holding a battering item bear resemblance to various dual wielding attacks from the Kingdom Hearts series,
Special attacks:
- Neutral Special - Magic: Sora preforms one of the three most basic offensive spells that he has preformed in every Kingdom Hearts game. The spell he will preform is mentioned in the command icon above his fighter portrait, and the spell changes after the move has been casted. The spells always follow the order Firaga to Thundaga to Blizzaga to Firaga.
- Firaga: This is the spell set for whenever Sora first preforms Magic in every battle. This spell has Sora shoot a fire ball from the Keyblade in front of him, which he can fire multiple shots of these when the special button is held. This version of the spell is more aligned with the Fira spell in 358/2 Days.
- Thundaga: Thundaga has Sora lifting his Keyblade upwards to summon three continuous clouds that shoot out a thunderbolt, dealing electric damage to the opponent up to three times. When used in mid-air, its range is decreased. This version of the spell is more aligned with the Thunder spell in 358/2 Days.
- Blizzaga: Sora shoots out a stream of short range ice projectiles that instantly freezes the opponent if used at close range, similar to Ice Climbers’ Blizzard. While the original game references the short range use of the spell, later games reference its ability to freeze opponents.
- Side Special - Sonic Blade: Sora dashes forward with a quick thrusting attack of his Keyblade. He will preform the move again twice if another input is preformed. The extra input would be the direction of analog stick to adjust direction of the attack, or pressing or holding the special attack button to have the direction be to the nearest opponent. In the original game, this is a special attack Sora obtained by speaking to Cloud after defeating Cerberus in Olympus Coliseum's Preliminary Tournament. It has become a Reaction Command in later games.
- Up Special - Aerial Sweep: Sora jumps upwards as he performs a series of spinning slashes, and saying either "Yeah!" or "Back off!" This is similar to Link’s Spin Attack, with the exception that Sora always rises even when standing on ground. This is based on a combat ability since the original game that allows him to attack aerial targets.
- Down Special - Counterattack: Sora remains in a defensive stance and counters an opponent’s physical attack in front of him as they remain stationary until attacked. This move can also make opponent’s projectiles harmful to them, but Sora is defenseless from behind him. This is based on his Block and Counterattack ability since the original game.
- Final Smash - Sealing the Keyhole: Sora shouts "Let's go" and shoots a beam from his Keyblade, catching up to three opponents. If an opponent touches the beam or gets caught in the keyhole-shaped portal that appears afterwards a cutscene initiates where the opponent gets trapped in a white door with the Smash logo on it. The door closes and Sora shoots another beam to lock the door as it later explodes. Sora sealing the door is a reference to Keyblades being able to seal keyholes, while the door may allude to the Door to Darkness and Sora sealing it to prevent Ansem from escaping.
The last three outfits are based on Sora’s different Drive Forms that he has gotten in Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts III: File:SSBU Sora palette.jpg
- Original (default)
- Two: Based on his default appearance in Kingdom Hearts II gifted to him by Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather in The Mysterious Tower.
- Dream: Based on his appearance in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, secretly placed by Organization XIII in the Sleeping Worlds.
- Three: Based on his default appearance in Kingdom Hearts III gifted by Yen Sid.
- Grey: Based on his appearance in Kingdom Hearts II within Timeless River, a world based upon the original Mickey Mouse cartoons, most prominently Steamboat Willie. This form is a simplified grayscale version of his original Kingdom Hearts design.
- Red: Based on Sora's Valor Form from Kingdom Hearts II when he fuses with Goofy to enhance his physical stats, and allows him to use a second Keyblade.
- Blue: Based on Sora's Wisdom Form from Kingdom Hearts II when he fuses with Donald Duck to enhance his magical stats, and allows him to cast spells with a wider area of effect and use less MP to cast them.
- White: Based on Sora's Ultimate Form from Kingdom Hearts III when he must have access to the Ultima Weapon and use its Formchange ability.
When Sora lands the final attack and wins in a Stamina Mode match, a slow motion zoom effect occurs that fades the screen to white before the Announcer says "Game!" This is a reference to the visual effects seen when he lands the finishing blow against a major enemy or boss in the Kingdom Hearts games. If Sora KOs more than one opponent for the final blow, the Announcer will instead say "Game!" much earlier while the slowdown takes place after. As for his victory poses, one of them has him hop while raising his fist in the air, and then spins the Kingdom Key around and then rests it on his shoulder while saying "Yes." (良し, Alright.) as soon as he lands. This is similar to one of his victory animations when he wins a round in one of the cups from the Olympus Coliseum area in the original Kingdom Hearts, which in turn resembles Cloud Strife's victory animation in Final Fantasy VII. Another victory pose shows him swinging the Kingdom Key forward once, then twirling it while turning around before resting it on his shoulder while showing his back toward the screen, which also references another victory animation in the Coliseum and Squall Leonheart's victory pose in Final Fantasy VIII. Another victory animation from the Colisseum appears in his side taunt when he faces the screen and twirls his Kingdom Key in front of himself while grunting. The other pose has him thrust the Kingdom Key forward and turn it, then quickly spins it around and points it upward while holding it with both hands. This resemble his summoning animation in the games when calling Disney characters for help. Sora's up taunt has him cycle through Time!", "Wind!", and "Heal!" These are a reference to other spells Sora can preform, specifically Stopga, Aeroga, and Curaga respectively. However, it is only used for aesthetics and doesn't affect gameplay.
Sora's Classic Mode is called "The Light That Clears the Darkness" and every round except Round 7 is a stamina battle. The title is a reference to how Kingdom Hearts games have fights against light and darkness, while the stamina battles are a reference to the combat system of the games. The opponents also reference different Kingdom Hearts characters, which are specifically:
- Round 1: vs. Link (Black) & Young Link (Black) in Hollow Bastion. The background music is Fragments of Sorrow. The fight could be a reference to the two Riku boss fight in the original Kingdom Hearts when he gets consumed by the darkness and later on when his body gets possessed by Ansem, Seeker of Darkness.
- Round 2: vs. Mr. Game & Watch (normal-sized ×5, large ×2, giant ×1) in Skyworld (Battlefield form). The background music is Night of Fate. The fight could be a reference to the different Heartless enemies in the games: more specifically the Shadows, Neoshadows, and Invisibles.
- Round 3: vs. Cloud (Advent) in Coliseum. The background music is Shrouding Dark Cloud. The fight is a reference to his battle against Cloud in Olympus Coliseum in the original game, with the Advent outfit representing his appearance in Kingdom Hearts II.
- Round 4: vs. Robin (normal-sized, large, female) in Kalos Pokémon League. The background music is Hollow Bastion. The fight is a reference to Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories where Sora fights against Organization XIII members in Castle Oblivion: more specifically Vexen, Marluxia, and Larxene.
- Round 5: vs. Giant Ganondorf (White) in Find Mii (Ω form). The background music is Destiny's Force. The fight is most likely a reference against the Darkside Heartless near the destruction of Destiny Islands. The white outfit is a reference to Xehanort, the main antagonist across the Kingdom Hearts games.
- Round 6: vs. Metal Sora in Hollow Bastion (Dive to the Heart, Sora's Station). The background music is Destati. This is a reference to the Armored Ventus Nightmare Riku fights in Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. The Metal version of Sora represents how Ventus' Keyblade Armor protected him before he got consumed by the darkness.
The final round is against Master Hand and Crazy Hand.
Hollow Bastion[]
Hollow Bastion is available as DLC for Challenger Pack 11 and only stage to represent Kingdom Hearts in the game, it's based on the recurring location in Kingdom Hearts that is considered the world for many Final Fantasy characters (which is later known as Radiant Garden), as well as the setting in the first game where Sora fights Riku after the latter takes the Keyblade from the former.
The stage is primarily a floating, traveling platform, with one extra platform on top, that begins at the Rising Falls, before soaring in the skies around the outside of the Hollow Bastion castle, and finally returning to the Rising Falls to loop back around.
When the battle has a low amount of stocks, time, or stamina left; the stage transitions to Dive to the Heart, which references the Tutorial area in various Kingdom Hearts games. The stage itself of this section is similar, with the exception that the main ground is shorter and rounder from the bottom. The stage also features one of seven Stations of Awakening appearing in the background, with cameos from different characters and objects.
- Sora's station has Riku, Kairi, a Paopu Fruit, and the Highwind. Its background depicts Destiny Islands, and its ring border features the series' famous crown design. This version will not appear if Sora is in the match, save for Round 6 of Sora's Classic Mode route.
- Riku's station has Sora, Naminé, and Ansem, Seeker of Darkness. Its ring border features cards from Chain of Memories.
- Roxas' station has Axel, Xion, and Riku, as he appears in 358/2 Days. Its background depicts Twilight Town's clock tower, and its ring border features the Nobody emblem.
- Xion's station has Axel, Saïx, Xemnas, and Sora. Its background depicts Where Nothing Gathers from The World That Never Was, and its ring border features the Nobody emblem.
- Aqua's station has Terra, Ventus, Vanitas, and Xehanort. Its background depicts a checkered pattern with the series' famous heart and crown designs along with the Unversed emblem, and its ring border features a Wayfinder.
- Ventus's station exclusively has Wayfinders, uniquely lacking any other characters. Its background depicts the Keyblade Graveyard, and its ring border features Terra's emblem.
- Terra's station has Ventus, Aqua, and the Wayfinders he and they possess. Its background depicts a checkered pattern with the series' famous heart and crown designs along with the Unversed emblem, and its ring border alternates between a Wayfinder and Terra's own emblem.
When Hazards are turned off, Dive to the Heart does not appear and the stage starts at a random spot in Hollow Bastion.
Spirits[]
The game features 13 spirits from the Kingdom Hearts series after unlocking the final challenger pack. Most of them are unlockable in Spirits mode through DLC Pack, where the player must win in a fight with specific conditions, simulating a fight against the spirit's character. Alternative unlock criteria are indicated when available. Most spirits can also be obtained as random rewards or by purchasing them from the in-game shop; this is only listed when it's the only way to unlock the spirit.
Fighter Spirits usually come in two alternative artworks, one based on artwork from the character's original series, and the artwork from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate itself; only the original series artwork is shown here.
| # | Name | Image | Origin | Spirit stats | Augmented fight / Unlock criteria | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 | Sora | Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX | Fighter spirit | |||
| 1501 | Sora (KINGDOM HEARTS II) | Kingdom Hearts II | Fighter spirit | |||
| 1502 | Sora (KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance]) | Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance | Fighter spirit | |||
| 1503 | Sora (KINGDOM HEARTS III) | Kingdom Hearts III | Fighter spirit | |||
| 1504 | Sora (Timeless River) | Kingdom Hearts II | Fighter spirit | |||
| 1505 | Riku | Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX | Primary (★★★) [Attack] •Sword Attack ↑ |
Vs: Corrin (Blue) In: Hollow Bastion (Riku transition) Music: Let the Battles Begin! •Rule: Stamina battle •The enemy has increased move speed |
•Corrin's blue costume and him starting with a Black Hole references the costume Riku wears and dark-based attacks he used while possessed by Ansem, Seeker of Darkness.
•The Move Speed ↑ rule references Riku's increased speed and agility during his boss battle in Hollow Bastion, while Sword Attack ↑ ability references Riku's proficiency with a Keyblade. | |
| 1506 | Kairi | Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX | Support (★) •Critical-Health Defense ↑ |
Vs: Daisy (Purple); Sora In: Tortimer Island Music: Hand in Hand •Rule: Defeat the main fighter to win •The enemy starts the battle with a Lip's Stick |
•The stage references Destiny Islands, the tropical home island of Kairi in the Kingdom Hearts series. •The first battle condition references how Sora is her childhood friend, and he must search for and protect her in Kingdom Hearts. | |
| 1507 | Roxas | Kingdom Hearts II | Support (★★★★) •Weapon Attack & Move Speed ↑ ↑ |
Vs: Sora (White) In: Hollow Bastion (Dive to the Heart, Roxas) Music: Fragments of Sorrow •Rule: Health Recovery •Stamina battle |
•Roxas is the Nobody of Sora. •The Attack Power ↑ and Move Speed ↑ rules reference how Roxas uses quick and powerful attacks during his boss battle. The Health Recovery rule references the Cure spell in the Kingdom Hearts series. | |
| 1508 | Axel | Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days | Primary (★★) [Attack] •Fire Attack ↑ |
Vs: Roy (Purple) In: Kalos Pokémon League (Fire chamber transition) Music: Destiny's Force •Rule: Stamina battle •Fire and explosion attacks aren't as effective against the enemy |
•The stage references the computer room in Twilight Town where Roxas battles Axel in the opening of Kingdom Hearts II. •The stage transitions to the Blazing Chamber layout, referencing how Axel encircled the computer room with fire during his boss battle. The second battle condition and Fire Attack ↑ ability further references Axel's ability to use fire-based attacks. | |
| 1509 | Xion | Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days | Support (★★) •Trade-Off Attacks ↑ |
Vs: Robin x3 (1 Female, 2 Male (1 of them is Giant)) In: Delfino Plaza (rooftop) Music: Shrouding Dark Cloud •Rule: Defeat the main fighter to win •Stamina battle |
•The stage's rooftop layout features the Shine Monument, referencing the clocktower at Twilight Town where Xion, Axel and Roxas hung out in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days.
•The music references Xion's status as a boss in 358/2 Days. | |
| 1510 | Terra | Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep | Primary (★★) [Attack] •Battering Items Power ↑ |
Vs: Chrom (Yellow) In: Hollow Bastion (Dive to the Heart, Terra) Music: Hollow Bastion •Assist Trophy Enemies (Ashley) •Stamina battle |
The Ashley Assist Trophy enemy uses dark magic, referencing Terra's temptation to darkness and Maleficent, who empowered Terra's darkness. Her hair also turns white when using magic, referencing how Terra's hair turns white when Xehanort possesses him at the end of Birth by Sleep. | |
| 1511 | Ventus | Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep | Primary (★★) [Shield] •Speed ↑ |
Vs: Sora (White); Dark Samus (Red) In: Gerudo Valley (Battlefield form) Music: Shrouding Dark Cloud •Rule: Defeat the main fighter to win •Stamina battle |
•Sora is the host of Ventus' heart. •The Dark Samus minion represents Vanitas, the embodiment of Ventus' darkness. Her starting off with a Killing Edge references Vanitas' Void Gear Keyblade. | |
| 1512 | Aqua | Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep | Primary (★★★) [Shield] •Magic Attack ↑ |
Vs: Lucina; Mr. Game & Watch x4 In: Find Mii (Ω form) Music: Night of Fate •Assist Trophy Enemies (Krystal) •Stamina battle |
•The stage references the Realm of Darkness where in Aqua is stranded in Kingdom Hearts 0.2. The music references how Aqua must battle a horde of Shadow Heartless in Kingdom Hearts 0.2. •The Krystal Assist Trophy enemy references how Krystal and Aqua are both blue-haired female characters who use magical attacks. |
Music tracks[]
After purchasing Challenger Pack 11, the game introduces 10 Kingdom Hearts tracks. 9 of these tracks are available after purchase, while one of them requires save data from another game. All of these tracks can be played in Hollow Bastion, as well as Battlefield, Small Battlefield, Big Battlefield, and Final Destination.
Sora also gets a new victory fanfare. It is an arrangement of Hand in Hand. However, it's unavailable in the Sound Test and is therefore not listed here.
- Night of Fate: This track is ported directly from Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX and serves as the first battle music for Traverse Town, as well as when the Heartless take over Destiny Islands.
- Destiny's Force: This track is ported directly from Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX, which plays when fighting Darkside on Destiny Islands and in the End of the World. It also plays when fighting the Opposite Armor, Oogie's Manor and Phantom in Traverse Town and Halloween Town Neverland, respectively.
- Shrouding Dark Cloud: This track is ported directly from Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX, which plays when fighting major Heartless bosses, as well as when fighting Cloud Strife on Olympus Coliseum.
- Hand in Hand: This track is ported directly from Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX and serves as the second battle music for Traverse Town after Sora has completed the world.
- Blast Away! -Gummi Ship II-: This track is ported directly from Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX, which plays on Gummi Ship routes that lead to or from Agrabah, Atlantica, Halloween Town, Monstro, and Neverland.
- Hollow Bastion: This track ported directly from Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX and serves as the field music for Hollow Bastion.
- Scherzo Di Notte: This track ported directly from Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX and serves as the battle music for Hollow Bastion.
- Fragments of Sorrow: This track is ported directly from Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX and serves as the battle theme for Roxas' Dive to the Heart.
- Destati: This track is taken directly from the E3 2001 trailer for the original Kingdom Hearts, with a different arragement used for the battle music for Dive into the Heart, and when fighting Darkside for the first time.
- Dearly Beloved -Swing Version-: This track is ported directly from Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory. It is a jazzy arrangement of Dearly Beloved, the music that plays while on the opening menu in every Kingdom Hearts game. This track is unlocked after having save data for the Switch version of Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory.
Other reference[]
Hikari -KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version- plays in Sora’s reveal trailer, but does not appear in the music track for Super Smash Bros.
License[]
Square Enix and The Walt Disney Company have given the right to enter Kingdom Hearts for Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. However the rights seem limited, as none of the Disney original characters, like Donald and Goofy, were ever given representation in Super Smash Bros.