A Nintendo Direct covering the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was packed with surprises, including one for fans of the Monster Hunter franchise. The iconic monster Rathalos is joining the fray, and doing it in a way that's unprecedented for the series.

　　In the presentation, director Masahiro Sakurai said that Rathalos is the first character to appear as both a boss and an assist trophy. The brief footage shows the dragon breathing fire, stomping around, and generally making himself at home among the cast of Nintendo characters.

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　　Rathalos is something of an unofficial mascot for the Monster Hunter series, and has made guest appearances in other games such as Final Fantasy 14. This appearance is based on his look in the most recent game, Monster Hunter: World. That game has been ruled out for a Nintendo Switch port, so its appearance in Smash Bros. will have to do.

　　Other announcements at the Nintendo Direct included Simon and Richter Belmont, Donkey Kong villain King K. Rool, and Chrom and Dark Samus as Echo characters. If you missed it you can catch up here.