Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago

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For details on the canon fighters' stats and hitboxes, check out Ultimate Frame Data: ultimateframedata.com/stats.php
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Welcome to another episode of Challenger Approaching! In this series, we create full newcomer designs for characters who might be invited to a future entry of Super Smash Bros, going deep into detail on their moves, stats, and everything a newcomer needs!

This time, our Challenger is a pretty new face as far as franchises go! Astral Chain made its debut in 2019, a stylish action title with a futuristic cyberpunk aesthetic that caught a lot of people off guard. Despite being pretty different compared to most of Nintendo's repertoire, it did pretty well for a brand new IP! Enough that fans have been hoping for a sequel, and wondering what the next Smash Bros. might have in store for the game's protagonists.

I can't speak for the former, but what if Smash 6 (or whatever it ends up being) did come through? How could the Howard twins bring their extensive movesets into Smash? And how could their ability to summon and fight alongside entities from another dimension give them a unique take on an archetype Smash has barely touched so far?
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Support the channel, via Patreon (patreon.com/Delzethin) or the Join link on the main page (youtube.com/channel/UC6r7FHWxeu5_DB1OTzLhGTg/videos)
Graphic design by Slink and Voyager: twitter.com/AShadowLink | twitter.com/Fire_Voyager
Post-production assistance by Neoxon: twitter.com/Neoxon619
Challenger Key Art by Ed Mendoza: twitter.com/edmendozaart

Footage/Screencap Sources:
Article – Astral Chain Director Leaves Platinum Games (Nintendo Life): nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/astral-chain-directornier-automata-lead-designer-quits-platinumgames
Article – Astral Chain Exceeding Sales Expectations (Nintendo Life): nintendolife.com/news/2020/01/astral_chain_director_says_nintendo_switch_exclusive_sold_above_expectations
Article – Interview with Takahisa Taura and Yoko Taro (Bunny Gaming): bunnygaming.com/news/exclusive-interview-yoko-taro-taura-takahisa
Article – Nintendo Acquires Astral Chain (Nintendo Life): nintendolife.com/news/2021/01/astral_chain_is_now_fully_owned_by_nintendo_says_platinumgames
Article – Platinum Games in Trouble (Twisted Voxel): twistedvoxel.com/platinumgames-losing-major-developers-after-failed-projects
Misc. – Astral Chain Total Sales (VGChartz): vgchartz.com/game/223546/astral-chain/sales
Wiki Page – Bayonetta Series Total Sales (Video Game Sales Wiki): vgsales.fandom.com/wiki/Bayonetta
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Astral Chain – All Cutscenes (XCageGame): youtube.com/watch?v=3asJItkLRI8
Astral Chain – [File 10 Spoiler Boss] (BossBattleChannel): youtube.com/watch?v=BvRK2LzXvME
Astral Chain – Opening Sequence (IGN): youtube.com/watch?v=GHSdihDIkeM
Astral Chain – Story Trailer (Nintendo of America): youtube.com/watch?v=GJAvM-rkdQ4
Astral Chain – Walkthrough, Part 2 (ZackScottGames): youtube.com/watch?v=D2CgAJoA9DI
Astral Chain – Walkthrough, Part 3 (ZackscottGames): youtube.com/watch?v=xcx_xuK96VY
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Dabuz (Rosalina & Luma) vs. Hero (Bowser) (VGBootCamp): youtube.com/watch?v=m37FaVJ6_jw