El Tigre is joining Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

But beyond merely expanding the roster, El Tigre's reveal speaks to the developer's commitment to depth and variety in gameplay mechanics.

Described as a "glass cannon rushdown character" with "some of the fastest attacks in the game," El Tigre is crafted as a high-risk, high-reward combatant. His excellent mobility allows players to execute short-range, combo-able attacks or to bridge distances with his extendable arms. His design aims to appeal to players who relish flashy combos and doing them at a breakneck speed. It's an approach that underscores the broader ambitions of Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 to elevate its platform fighting mechanics.

Adding to the intrigue is the way El Tigre's inclusion had been speculated about even before the official confirmation. Rumors and leaks had been circulating for a while, with even the show's creator suggesting that Manny Rivera was destined to join the battle. Despite some of the "worst-kept secrets" plaguing the industry, this reveal has managed to excite the community, especially those who are nostalgic about lesser-known Nicktoons. The sentiment online varies from stunned excitement to humorous acknowledgments of feeling old, as fans call for other forgotten heroes like Quailman and Powered Toast Man.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 is poised to rectify some of the shortcomings of its predecessor. On top of a "bigger and better" roster, the sequel will feature voice acting for all characters, a single-player campaign with roguelike elements, and cross-platform play across PlayStation, Switch, Xbox, and PC.

In the single-player campaign, you'll square off against Vlad Plasmius, the villain from Danny Phantom, in an adventure that seems primed to delve deeper into the Nickelodeon universe.

In a market where platform fighters are often unfairly compared to giants like Super Smash Bros., Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 is making a concerted effort to stand on its own merits. While it's still early days, and the full roster is yet to be unveiled, the game is setting itself up as a loving homage to Nickelodeon's rich history, a robust platform fighter, and a conduit for rekindling our collective nostalgia. With its eclectic cast and ambitious features, this sequel seems to be just the tip of the iceberg for what could become a staple franchise in its own right.

Speaking of platform fighters, MultiVersus, which had a strong start, hasofficially went offline ahead of its launch next year.