Lilina’s spirit is represented by Palutena in Smash Bros. Ultimate?

Today is a quick post that isn’t really a comparison or anything, just a curiosity.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, there is a system of spirits that inhabit different fighters that you rescue them from. This is a fun way to get even more characters in a game by getting similar characters and quirks in on a character that best represents them, for a lack of better words. (This is not the exact intention/statement as given by anyone, just a summarized observation).

Anyway, for fans of these characters who are familiar with their original source games, you get a lot of fun nods that others may not get.

One particular favorite of mine is L’Arachel’s spirit, for instance. She inhabits female Robin –and with her are two other allies: Wario and Sheik.

Fans can already get why the other two are even here. They represent Dozla and Rennac! It’s much like how Awakening‘s bonus box fights featured classes that were meant to represent other characters that traveled together.

Another instance is how Ninian is represented by Palutena, and with her is Roy (likely to be Eliwood):

There are many more, but as a final example, which I unfortunately neglected to take a screen shot of, was that Wrys was inhabiting Kirby. I suppose they went all out on his baldness.

So I started to wonder if Lilina is around. I figured the Zelda (of the A Link to the Past look) would be a good candidate for her.

A Japanese friend posted this when they found it:

I was pretty surprised! Since I fully expected Lilina to actually be inhabiting Zelda rather than Palutena. The fire affinity/ability, the manner of dress, the red alt, body structure, and status as a Princess seemed pretty fitting in my head! So this was especially interesting. I wonder why they went with Palutena?

One guess, due to her staff, is that perhaps it was to reflect Lilina’s sage look –where she has the long white dress and can wield a staff as well. I’m sure there are other reasons.

Outfit as seen here. Also drawn by said friend who presented the screen shot to me. Please follow them on twitter!

So for fun I drew a quick oekaki (pixel sketch) of Lilina in one of Zelda’s victory poses, just because it was fun to imagine.

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When I get through the game, I’d love to write a post that has every single fun FE nod through the spirits (I’m sure the wikis will do that already, but still).

Just to be clear –this isn’t a complaint or anything. I just thought it was odd!

What do you all think of the game so far? Please avoid any World of Light spoilers if you can. Who are you playing as? Main? All that good stuff. Last game I would mostly play as Lucina, but this time I’m prioritizing Zelda for the above, hehe.

Smash Bros Ultimate: Which Zelda is that? ALttP? ALBW?

Image source: a wonderful SourceGaming post that translates a Sakurai column.

Super Smash Bros: Ultimate for Nintendo Switch features a new design for Zelda compared to her previous incarnations. But there was a little bit of confusion regarding which Zelda she is, due to a slight translation tidbit which is not too widely known from what I’ve observed.

Basically:

People weren’t sure if she is based on the one from A Link Between Worlds (NoA wrote) or A Link to the Past. (NoJ wrote).

Explanation of why both are fine:

• In Japan, A Link to the Past is 神々のトライフォース (Triforce of the Gods), and, A Link Between Worlds is 神々のトライフォース2 (Triforce of the Gods 2). As such, both are Triforce of the Gods (the title that became A Link to the Past), one simply with a “2” that emphasizes the sequel. Box art example.
• In the west, the second title dropped “2” and was made into A Link Between Worlds. As such, this makes it harder to refer to them both as A Link to the Past, as that is only the first one’s name.
• To help clear confusion, a look at the designs of Zelda in both games reveal they are essentially the same, too with only slight differences, and, in Smash Bros. Ultimate, if you look at her design, you see she’s a combination of both Zelda’s seen here. The top accessories are like from the first game, and the pattern on her lower side are like the second game, for instance.
• As such, saying Zelda from A Link to the Past or Link Between Worlds are both accurate. In Japanese it is simply Zelda from 神々のトライフォース (Triforce of the Gods), so can be either of them too.

And so:

They are actually referring to the same game, but it’s harder to specify which one in English as the Japanese encompasses both. The English specified the sequel (likely as it’s more recent and so more people may recognize it), where as the Japanese can refer to them both due to the titles being the same (with just a number to differentiate). There was no explicit “2” in the Smash Bros. trailer, so the localization likely decided on A Link Between Worlds. Though, they were likely in contact with the original staff behind the direct to help reach this conclusion.

Summary infographic:

So there you go! Same game. Both A Link Between Worlds and A Link to the Past apply here. If you see it referred to as A Link to the Past by Japanese staff (and translations), now you know why.

For more details including shots that caused the confusion (as well as similarities in the Zelda design), see below.