Super Smash Bros. 4: Pikmin 3’s Alph Is Sort of a New Character

Director Masahiro Sakurai revealed yet another new character for the upcoming Smash — but not really. That right there is Alph, one of the three protagonists in Pikmin 3. He's not a proper new character, though, since he didn't get a reveal trailer or his own slot on the Smash page roster.

As Sakurai explained, Alph is just a costume variation for Olimar in much the same way that Villager has multiple male and female forms. Even so, Alph will be named appropriately on the character select screen should you choose to play as him.

If Alph is getting representation in Smash, it seems only fair that the other two Pikmin 3 stars — Brittany and Charlie — also appear as Olimar alternates. Hopefully we get confirmation on that soon. Of course, with Smash on 3DS set to release in Japan in just a couple of days and with some players already in possession of early copies, we should have our answer sooner than later.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS will be out in the US on October 3. The Wii U version will be out in winter.