One of the biggest surprises for fans of "Super Smash Bros." before the year ends is an unexpected one.

According to IGN, it was revealed during a recent Nintendo Direct presentation that the industry giant is planning to add Cloud Strife to the "Super Smash Bros. 4" mix, both for the title's Wii U and 3DS versions. The presentation touched on this development and even showcased Cloud Strife with his limit breaks, Odin summon, as well as an alternate costume.

Cloud Strife is the main protagonist in Square Enix's "Final Fantasy VII" and "Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children."

Although the Nintendo Direct presentation did not make any details about a release date known, it is expected that the "Final Fantasy" star will make his debut in the Nintendo brawler title, complete with his own Amiibo figure, sooner than fans think. Other observers say that details may come out as early as next month.

Meanwhile, as speculations about other inevitable contenders joining the "Super Smash Bros. 4" surfaced online, creator Yacht Games still won't budge in its stance that its famous Shovel Knight character will not be joining the "Super Smash Bros." lineup. Previously, the developer behind the "Shovel Knight" platform title quashed hopes that the main protagonist will be included in the lineup, supposedly supported by a "leaked" image of a Shovel Knight Amiibo being "Super Smash Bros."-supported.

However, with Nintendo not addressing the issue directly, fans of Shovel Knight still hope that their favorite character will make it to the next round of add-ons to the "Super Smash Bros." roster since other characters outside of the Nintendo realm have already made it to the brawler game.

Meanwhile, other names that came out in a recent fan poll for the next Nintendo character addition include Dixie Kong, Ridley from "Metroid," an Inkling from the shooter "Splatoon," and Isaac from "Golden Sun."