Fake Nintendo Leaks: How the Grinch, Rayman and 'Star Fox Grand Prix' Hoaxes Fooled Fans

In early 2026 Nintendo's calendar of high-profile reveals was comparatively light, and quieter windows historically invite leaks and rumors. Across the Nintendo Switch era, fan interest in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and other marquee properties has produced several widely circulated hoaxes that later proved false. This article revisits three of the most convincing fake leaks — the so-called Grinch Smash mural, the Rayman select-screen image, and the Star Fox Grand Prix rumor — and summarizes the verified facts behind each case. The Grinch mural hoax One of the most persistent fake leaks involved a photograph that paired apparent marketing assets for an upcoming Grinch film with a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate mural listing multiple unannounced fighters. Observers noted that the image seemed to have been taken at a print shop and that it included a collection of characters that Ultimate players long speculated about: Shadow the Hedgehog, Ken, Banjo & Kazooie, Geno, the Chorus Kids, Isaac and Mach Rider. In journalistic terms: fans concluded the photograph showed unreleased promotional artwork alongside a purported Smash roster mural, lending the image immediate credibility. Verified follow-ups established that Banjo & Kazooie were later added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as downloadable content, but several characters depicted in the mural — including Shadow, Geno, the Chorus Kids, Mach Rider and Isaac — never became playable fighters in Ultimate. The combined image is now understood to have been fabricated rather than an authentic internal asset. The Rayman select-screen image Around 2014 a convincing image circulated that appeared to show Ubisoft's Rayman on the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U character select screen. It was later revealed the image was a fan-made creation: an artist constructed a custom Rayman render and photographed a mock-up to simulate an in-console screenshot. Ubisoft retains Rayman as a longstanding IP, but Rayman did not appear as a playable fighter in Smash for Wii U or in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Star Fox Grand Prix rumor Beginning around 2018, rumors claimed Retro Studios was developing a Star Fox racing title often referred to as Star Fox Grand Prix for Nintendo Switch. Retro Studios is a Texas-based developer known for the Metroid Prime trilogy (early-to-mid 2000s) and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (2014). Investigation by community outlets and creators such as DidYouKnowGaming found no evidence that Star Fox Grand Prix was an official Nintendo project; the title is now treated as an unsubstantiated rumor rather than a confirmed Retro Studios development. Why these hoaxes matter High-quality fan art and the occasional real leak of unrelated marketing assets can combine to create convincing forgeries. Verified facts in these cases are straightforward: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate launched December 7, 2018, and its post-launch downloadable character schedule included officially announced fighters such as Banjo & Kazooie. Rayman remains an Ubisoft property and never appeared as an Ultimate fighter. Retro Studios' credentials include the Metroid Prime series and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, but no verified Star Fox Grand Prix project exists. When Nintendo's official channels — Nintendo Direct broadcasts or eShop announcements — are quiet, community scrutiny rises. Responsible coverage relies on primary confirmations from Nintendo, developers, or trusted archival investigations rather than appearance alone. Have you seen a recent hoax that looked real? Share your examples with the community so investigators can trace their origins.