
After a long weekend of playing, I finally reached the final unlockable character. Then, as each new character joined the fight, I made it a point to play with that fighter until the next one was unlocked – something I’d be way less likely to do if I just started with the full 74. It got to the point for me where I looked forward to the end of fights to see if I triggered the next unlock opportunity. It’s an example of how more games worked before microtransactions were so pervasive. However, the big difference is that unlocking characters and Spirits in Super Smash Bros. The process tickles the same part of my brain that opening a loot box appeals to.

The excitement continued each time a seemingly random combatant popped up after a Smash or a playthrough of Classic mode. After a tense battle, the satisfaction of seeing Ness flash across my screen and the character select expand by one was undeniable.
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I knew the first battle against an unlockable character was just the initial step on a long road of unlocking all 74 fighters, but I didn’t want any delays the stakes felt high.
