Super Smash Bros. Ultimate pre-orders include a playable Piranha Plant fighter

Today’s Nintendo Direct presentation was absolutely bursting with new information about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but it feels like the best announcement came last. Not only is the game now available for pre-order, but those who elect to pay for it ahead of time will receive a playable Piranha Plant fighter. Nintendo said it’s also making a matching amiibo.

Known for lurking just below the surface of green pipes in Super Mario games, the Piranha Plant has been given unprecedented mobility this time around. He can amble across the screen and launch lunging attacks with tremendous reach. His special attacks include the ability to spit poison and, according to Nintendo’s Masahiro Sakurai, “fire off spiky balls.”

However, Piranha Plant won’t be available until after the game launches. In a press release, Nintendo indicated it’s targeting a February 2019 release date.

In order to receive Piranha Plant, fans will need to pre-order Super Smash Bros. Ultimate online or register for their physical game card on their Nintendo Switch. The deadline is Jan. 31, 2019. That will enroll them in the Nintendo Gold Points program, a frequent buyer bonus that returns five percent of online purchases in the form of a virtual currency.