Masahiro Sakurai has explained the legal issues that have prevented more Final Fantasy songs from appearing in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in the past, during the recent Sephiroth presentation.
Cloud Strife was the first Final Fantasy 7 character to come to the Super Smash Bros. series when he appeared as a DLC character in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U. The fans were disappointed to learn that Cloud only brought two songs from Final Fantasy 7 with him. This disappointment continued when those two same songs reappeared in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with no new additions. Terry brought 50 SNK songs with him, which made Square Enix seem stingy by comparison.
Sephiroth has arrived in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and he is bringing nine songs from Final Fantasy 7 with him, bringing the total up to eleven. The new songs are - "Opening - Bombing Mission", "Those Who Fight (AC Version)", "Those Who Fight Further (AC Version)", "Aerith's Theme", "Main Theme of Final Fantasy VII", "Jenova", "Cosmo Canyon", "One-Winged Angel", and "Advent: One-Winged Angel". Sakurai discussed the reasons why there were issues bringing Final Fantasy songs to the game in the past, during a recent presentation that outlined Sephiroth's abilities.
According to Sakurai, there are copyright issues that come up whenever a song appears in a game. These can differ greatly depending on the song, and there are times when only a single permission is needed. Some songs require different permissions, especially as some are owned by different copyright holders in each region. If Sakura's team cannot get this approval from all copyright holders, then the song cannot be included in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
It's no surprise to learn that there are copyright issues involving the Final Fantasy songs, especially as they have been re-released in numerous forms over the years. The Final Fantasy series has some of the greatest tracks in video game history, and it's a shame that more of them haven't appeared in the game, but at least we have more tracks from Final Fantasy 7 in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Sephiroth will be available in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on December 23, 2020, or to those who complete the Sephiroth Challenge, which will run from December 17 to December 22.
Source: Nintendo