Small Battlefield stage and online improvements added to Smash Ultimate with patch 8.1.0

In an out-of-brand move for Nintendo, Smash Ultimate received a hefty update without much buzz coming from the Japanese company. 

Patch 8.1.0 is now live and to the surprise of fans, it comes with interesting changes to the platform fighter, with the most noticeable being the inclusion of a brand-new stage — Small Battlefield.

Ever since Smash For Wii U, Battlefield and Big Battlefield have coincided in the stage selection, and just as kids say, the existence of an enlarged version implies a tinier one exists as well. It just took Nintendo six years to prove that theory right.

The stage resembles both Pokemon Stadium 1 and 2 with platform placing, but it seems less wide at first glance than both.

• Read More: Modders manage to put Ninja in Smash Ultimate

Another eye-catching update revolves around online play and unspecified improvements made to the experience. However, some of the tangible information confirms more people will be allowed to get into Elite Smash, as Nintendo felt the number of players was too small.

Full patch notes via Nintendo's official website:

                                                                                                         (Photo: Nintendo)

Stage

• The Small Battlefield stage has been added. You can also set Small Battlefield as a Preferred Rule in Online battles.
• You can now select any stage-specific music for the Battlefield, Small Battlefield, Big Battlefield, and Final Destination stages.

Online

• The online user experience has been adjusted.
• The way matching is determined when using Preferred Rules has been adjusted.
• Following a look at the current number of players eligible for Elite Smash, the threshold for entry has been recalculated to allow more players. Additionally, the way initial values for Global Smash Power are calculated has also been adjusted.
• Further investigations and adjustments to Online mode are expected.

General

• Several issues have been fixed to improve gameplay experience.

For more on Smash Ultimate, take a look at the amazing recreation of Evo Moment #37 using the latest DLC character, Min Min.