Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[Ivander]

Really hoping that Capcom's attempts to make more games for more dormant IPs eventually lead up to a new Vs. Capcom game...because their card game Teppen, a game hardly any people pay attention to, keeps adding characters I want to see in a Vs. Capcom game.

Man, I really wish I could play these characters with a gameplay-style I have alot of fun with. Not that Teppen is a bad game, I do have fun with it when the matches feel even and balanced, but the gameplay does not keep my attention compared to Smash Bros. and MvC gameplay.

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

As far as old Capcom IP's, while I doubt it would have many Smash implications (though an assist trophy would be cool), getting a Bionic Commando Collection for modern platforms would be nice. The arcade/NES/Game Boy/Game Boy Color/Rearmed/Remarmed 2 in one package with maybe the 2009 game as an optional purchase? There's some value there.

 

[Ivander]

As far as old Capcom IP's, while I doubt it would have many Smash implications (though an assist trophy would be cool), getting a Bionic Commando Collection for modern platforms would be nice. The arcade/NES/Game Boy/Game Boy Color/Rearmed/Remarmed 2 in one package with maybe the 2009 game as an optional purchase? There's some value there.

I'm really curious if Capcom is able to re-release the Gameboy Color game. Elite Commandos I think it was? But that one was actually made by Nintendo, specifically by Nintendo Software Technology, aka the people who made Mario vs Donkey Kong, the Gamecube Wave Race and 1080 games, Metroid Prime Hunters and recently, F-Zero 99 and the Mario vs Donkey Kong remake.
So I don't know if the GBC Bionic Commando game can be part of a Bionic Commando collection. Maybe if the Collection was Switch exclusive, but on other systems, I don't know.

 

[Guynamednelson]

I'm really curious if Capcom is able to re-release the Gameboy Color game. Elite Commandos I think it was? But that one was actually made by Nintendo, specifically by Nintendo Software Technology, aka the people who made Mario vs Donkey Kong, the Gamecube Wave Race and 1080 games, Metroid Prime Hunters and recently, F-Zero 99 and the Mario vs Donkey Kong remake.
So I don't know if the GBC Bionic Commando game can be part of a Bionic Commando collection. Maybe if the Collection was Switch exclusive, but on other systems, I don't know.

It was not only developed by a Nintendo studio, but published by Nintendo themselves, and the back of the box says the characters in the game are copyrighted by Nintendo. All Capcom did was just give them a license to make a Bionic Commando game.

 

[Swamp Sensei]

Skull Kid is in a similar situation to Midna in theory, but I think he has much more fan demand and is more well known as a character,
which bumps up his chances to somewhat likely.

This part doesn't seem to be true. In my poll Skull Kid and Midna were only twenty votes apart.

 

[ScrubReborn]

So, which one of those three has the best shot? And which ones would you be okay with seeing?

TBH I don't think either is particularly likely; I'd prolly give to Impa though, because at least she could easily be made a clone. I think we'll see a Zelda newcomer sooner rather than later, but it's prolly gonna be someone from the Wild Saga I'd guess, that'd be easier than deciding between those three. If anything I could see one of these happening in Smash 7 or something.

As for who I want? Midna, imps please my brainwaves.

 

[DarthEnderX]

Really hoping that Capcom's attempts to make more games for more dormant IPs eventually lead up to a new Vs. Capcom game...because their card game Teppen, a game hardly any people pay attention to, keeps adding characters I want to see in a Vs. Capcom game.

I just want Capcom vs. Capcom so bad.

But thanks to the huge success of the MvC collection, I know we're just going to get another goddamn MvC game.

I'm really curious if Capcom is able to re-release the Gameboy Color game. Elite Commandos I think it was? But that one was actually made by Nintendo, specifically by Nintendo Software Technology, aka the people who made Mario vs Donkey Kong, the Gamecube Wave Race and 1080 games, Metroid Prime Hunters and recently, F-Zero 99 and the Mario vs Donkey Kong remake.
So I don't know if the GBC Bionic Commando game can be part of a Bionic Commando collection. Maybe if the Collection was Switch exclusive, but on other systems, I don't know.

Wouldn't be a huge loss. The GBC game was basically a remake of the NES game.

 

[Gengar84]

Really hoping that Capcom's attempts to make more games for more dormant IPs eventually lead up to a new Vs. Capcom game...because their card game Teppen, a game hardly any people pay attention to, keeps adding characters I want to see in a Vs. Capcom game.

Man, I really wish I could play these characters with a gameplay-style I have alot of fun with. Not that Teppen is a bad game, I do have fun with it when the matches feel even and balanced, but the gameplay does not keep my attention compared to Smash Bros. and MvC gameplay.

I haven’t played the Battle Network games yet but I love Bass.EXE’s design. He’d be a cool third Mega Man option for Smash one day after we get Zero. That way, we’d be representing the classic games with Mega Man, the X and Zero series with Zero, and the Battle Network games with Bass. EXE.

 

[NotGenerico]

The Sonic 3 movie is currently tied with Werewolves Within as the best rated video game movie of all time on Rotten Tomatoes. It's also tracking to do better than Mufasa on the box office.

Shadow is going to be playable in the next Smash, isn't he?

 

[Gengar84]

The Sonic 3 movie is currently tied with Werewolves Within as the best rated video game movie of all time on Rotten Tomatoes. It's also tracking to do better than Mufasa on the box office.

Shadow is going to be playable in the next Smash, isn't he?

That’s impressive. I already thought Shadow had a lot going for him. If Smash started development a couple years ago, it’s probably too late for the success of the movie to impact his chances but it could help with DLC. He’s my top prediction for most likely third party character right now.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

That’s impressive. I already thought Shadow had a lot going for him. If Smash started development a couple years ago, it’s probably too late for the success of the movie to impact his chances but it could help with DLC. He’s my top prediction for most likely third party character right now.

It could help with DLC, but from what we've seen so far that depends on whether or not he's an Assist Trophy again in the base game or not.

If he is, he's not likely to get in either way unless he's our first example of an Assist Trophy making the upgrade during DLC, which is theoretically possible, but it hasn't happened yet so we don't know for sure.

If he's not an Assist Trophy though? I'd definitely hop on the Shadow train at least a little, since he's been an AT in all three games that have them so far lol

 

[dream1ng]

The Sonic 3 movie is currently tied with Werewolves Within as the best rated video game movie of all time on Rotten Tomatoes. It's also tracking to do better than Mufasa on the box office.

Shadow is going to be playable in the next Smash, isn't he?

Idk, is Paramount choosing the characters?

 

[Diddy Kong]

Let's talk about Zelda characters. If you remember my poll results, Skull Kid, Impa and Midna were all neck and neck, with very little difference in votes.

I want to dub this trio, the Non-Triforce Trio to parallel the Triforce Trio.

So, which one of those three has the best shot? And which ones would you be okay with seeing?

Impa easily. I mean, realistically there's little to no chance seeing Skull Kid or Midna beyond remakes of their respective games. Impa will be around. Typically when there are more playable characters in any Zelda game, Impa is there and prominent as a character. She was well liked in Hyrule Warriors and especially Age of Calamity, she was one of the most popular characters period in the latter even.

There's honestly no contest here I feel.

 

[dream1ng]

Let's talk about Zelda characters. If you remember my poll results, Skull Kid, Impa and Midna were all neck and neck, with very little difference in votes.

I want to dub this trio, the Non-Triforce Trio to parallel the Triforce Trio.

So, which one of those three has the best shot? And which ones would you be okay with seeing?

All three are good choices to me, which is conversely kinda the problem. I'd be happy to get any of them, but at this point I would sacrifice the popularity of two so one could gain their respective demand on top of their own and then actually have a shot at inclusion via popularity.

Because right now the vote is split so closely none of them really have enough to make waves. And because Skull Kid and Midna don't seem like the type of characters to get included normally, being so far from their singular important mainline appearance, and Impa recurs but often in a less feasible state (with spinoffs probably not counting for much to Sakurai), popularity is really the best chance any of these characters have.

If Zelda gets to the point where they add a character in part because it's just been so long since the last one despite being huge as a series (especially as of late) I do worry they just take a recent character over one the fanbase wants more. And it's not like we're at a loss for decent recent choices, it's just not the one I think much of the fanbase, myself included, would opt for.

But I guess I'd give the best shot to Impa, because at least she recurs a lot for not one of the triforce characters, including recently. Skull Kid and Midna don't have enough to offset their good-but-not-good-enough popularity imo. Truthfully though I'm skeptical about getting any of them.

 

[Arcanir]

I think when it comes to more recent Zelda characters, it'd would be very dependent on what choice they went with. Sidon for instance is a very popular character in the Zelda fandom and while he wouldn't be the preferred choice over the non-Triforce trio, he's someone I think many would readily accept if he did happen. On the other end, someone like Rauru could be met with more ambivalence or even divisiveness as they've not proven themselves to be as much of a fan favorite and choosing them over a longstanding choice like Midna, Impa, or Skull Kid could be more of an issue.

 

[Scrimblo Bimblo]

The Sonic 3 movie is currently tied with Werewolves Within as the best rated video game movie of all time on Rotten Tomatoes. It's also tracking to do better than Mufasa on the box office.

Shadow is going to be playable in the next Smash, isn't he?

All within expectations for a successful Sonic Adventure 2 adaptation

 

[fogbadge]

Shadow is going to be playable in the next Smash, isn't he?

disappointing

 

[Dinoman96]

If Shadow does get into the next Smash, I actually hope they hold back on him being DLC, because IMO that would

1. make him likelier to be fully unique, also easier to incorporate his new abilities from Shadow Generations
2. make him likelier to be overpowered AF, very befitting for the Ultimate Lifeform™
3. also make him more likelier to come with his own stage (likely Radical Highway as that's kinda being pushed as his Green Hill equivalent now) and also music tracks, likely mostly his associated songs from SA2, STH 05, etc

 

[Michele]

While we continue to speculate about a new Smash entry, I want to say, happy holiday to everyone. Hope 2025 goes just as well.
With the new Switch announcement looming, I wonder if we might get some information about the next Smash entry within the next year. Given that Ultimate had a longer development cycle than usual, I think it's fairly safe to say that if it hasn't been done yet it's going to surpass the wait time from Melee first launch, to Brawl launch.

The only thing is, what WOULD the next entry even look like?

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Idk, is Paramount choosing the characters?

I think the idea is that Sega would see the success and critical acclaim of the movie and realize people need to see more little girls getting killed Shadow

 

[dream1ng]

I think the idea is that Sega would see the success and critical acclaim of the movie and realize people need to see more little girls getting killed Shadow

Feels like confirmation bias to me. All of the Sonic movies have been successful, and it is common box office progression that each iterative sequel grosses more than the last, at least before franchise fatigue sets in.

Were people clamoring for Knuckles after Sonic 2 was more successful than Sonic 1? He even got his own TV show. Shadow hasn't got that. It seems like people are simply looking for why Shadow may make it in, ascribing things like a Hollywood movie Nintendo has zero involvement in or ownership of as a germane factor, when it's really not. Much like it wasn't treated to be when it would've benefitted the other Sonic characters.

In fact, it's many steps removed from what usually informs inclusion. Which isn't decided by Sega either. We don't even know how much the Mario movie is going to factor into how Smash takes shape, and that was more successful, and actually had direct involvement from Nintendo.

And here's something else that won't help. Granted it's for the first two, but it's unlikely the third really bucks the trend:

If Sonic 4 comes out in a few years and is even more successful than Sonic 3, which is possible based on how the box office often works, but features, like... Silver... are people going to be like 'omg Silver is happening?' Not with any real momentum.

Also, Sega already knows Shadow is popular. These movies were made to reflect the biggest characters in the series.

This is just people trying to build Shadow's case by taking things that are unlikely to actually be much of a factor and donning them undue significance.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Feels like confirmation bias to me. All of the Sonic movies have been successful, and it is common box office progression that each iterative sequel grosses more than the last, at least before franchise fatigue sets in.

Were people clamoring for Knuckles after Sonic 2 was more successful than Sonic 1? He even got his own TV show. Shadow hasn't got that. It seems like people are simply looking for why Shadow may make it in, ascribing things like a Hollywood movie Nintendo has zero involvement in or ownership of as a germane factor, when it's really not. Much like it wasn't treated to be when it would've benefitted the other Sonic characters.

In fact, it's many steps removed from what usually informs inclusion. Which isn't decided by Sega either. We don't even know how much the Mario movie is going to factor into how Smash takes shape, and that was more successful, and actually had direct involvement from Nintendo.

And here's something else that won't help. Granted it's for the first two, but it's unlikely the third really bucks the trend:
View attachment 397082

If Sonic 4 comes out in a few years and is even more successful than Sonic 3, which is possible based on how the box office often works, but features, like... Silver... are people going to be like 'omg Silver is happening?' Not with any real momentum.

Also, Sega already knows Shadow is popular. These movies were made to reflect the biggest characters in the series.

This is just people trying to build Shadow's case by taking things that are unlikely to actually be much of a factor and donning them undue significance.

I was just thinking this is what NotGenerico meant with the movie mattering. I never said I agreed with it.

Like you said, Sega is well aware Shadow is popular. I mean, they dedicated a whole year to him and made an entire side game exclusively for him in a Generations remaster. That's not something you do for any random character. That's something you do when you know the character is massive.

I personally think that if anything makes Sega and/or Sakurai down to see the Ultimate Life Form as a playable character in Smash, it's the overall success of the Year of Shadow itself as a whole rather than any specific part of it.

 

[dream1ng]

I was just thinking this is what NotGenerico meant with the movie mattering. I never said I agreed with it.

Like you said, Sega is well aware Shadow is popular. I mean, they dedicated a whole year to him and made an entire side game exclusively for him in a Generations remaster. That's not something you do for any random character. That's something you do when you know the character is massive.

I personally think that if anything makes Sega and/or Sakurai down to see the Ultimate Life Form as a playable character in Smash, it's the overall success of the Year of Shadow itself as a whole rather than any specific part of it.

I think Sonic's biggest characters appear in enough games that looking at only one year as the decisive factor and not a cumulative overview of the series thus far seems a bit of a myopic way to decide on the character.

In part because I don't really see the year of Shadow as offering anything the series hasn't had before. Shadow has had his own game before. He's been cast as the secondary character in games before. They're just doing it again. But there are so many Sonic games, the ones Shadow is top billed or second to Sonic don't number all that many. Adding another to the pile (well, as a Bowser's Fury-esque expansion to a re-release), it helps Shadow's case... I just don't think it changes all that much. Sonic has a lot of games, and the number Shadow just straight up doesn't appear in is also sizeable.

It certainly doesn't make him the uncontested choice for the next Sonic character, as it sounds some here are suggesting.

 

[Kirby Dragons]

Bonkers idea. What if we got Hatterene, Midna, Dixie and Twintelle all as newcomers? Then we'd quadruple up on hair fighters.

 

[DarthEnderX]

The only thing is, what WOULD the next entry even look like?

Ultimate Deluxe!

Bonkers idea. What if we got Hatterene, Midna, Dixie and Twintelle all as newcomers? Then we'd quadruple up on hair fighters.

Shantae: "Am I a joke to you?"

 

[HyperSomari64]

Is Capcom's TEPPEN gonna do crossover events based on non-Capcom fiction works?
Like, the can be content from SNK, Namco and Sega, and make sense due to previous experiences. And there can be the classics: Persona 5 and NiER Automata. But like Fate/Grand Order and Fire Emblem Heroes, Capcom and GungHo should keep thing simpler and be just a Capcom-only thing.

 

[NintenRob]

Impa easily. I mean, realistically there's little to no chance seeing Skull Kid or Midna beyond remakes of their respective games. Impa will be around. Typically when there are more playable characters in any Zelda game, Impa is there and prominent as a character. She was well liked in Hyrule Warriors and especially Age of Calamity, she was one of the most popular characters period in the latter even.

There's honestly no contest here I feel.

I wouldn't count out Skull Kid showing up again. Majora's Mask is something they already love to throw into the games, Skull Kid did show up in Twilight Princess. And Skull Kid was even the main hero in one of the Cadence of Hyrule DLC campaign quest (where he was really fun to use)

 

[Kirby Dragons]

Shantae: "Am I a joke to you?"

Forgot about her. She'd be welcome too. The more, the hairier.

 

[Hadokeyblade]

Honestly if Shadow doesnt get in the next smash i will be genuinely surprised.

Every party involved has to know the demand for it by now right?

 

[Gengar84]

Sonic might be the only third party franchise I can see getting two unique newcomers in that game once all the DLC is done. I feel like we could get both Shadow and Tails as playable and Eggman as a boss. Hopefully they expand on the playable Master Hand fight and make a side mode that lets players control bosses and maybe even assist trophies. It would just be a fun casual mode so they wouldn’t need any additional moves or be balanced for competitive play.

I feel like pop culture popularity of a character outside the traditional gaming base might be a bigger factor in Smash inclusion than most people think. Sonic was already a very popular game series but I feel like the success of the movies really helped extend its fan base to people who might not have played the Sonic games or even games much at all. Any boost in general popularity increases the chance of overlap with the Smash fanbase. In Sonic’s case, there was already a considerable amount of overlap but every little bit still helps. So basically, I believe a game getting a hugely successful show or movie series probably helps their chances for Smash and if there is a standout character in that media, it probably helps them even more.

 

[Jave]

My most wanted Sonic character is Amy but realistically speaking she's not happening before Shadow/Tails/Knuckles/Eggman.

 

[Gengar84]

My most wanted Sonic character is Amy but realistically speaking she's not happening before Shadow/Tails/Knuckles/Eggman.

Mine is Knuckles but I think he’s a little less likely than Shadow and maybe on par with Tails but I’d give the slight edge to Tails.

 

[chocolatejr9]

My most wanted Sonic character is Amy but realistically speaking she's not happening before Shadow/Tails/Knuckles/Eggman.

Spoiler: Sonic 3 movie

FWIW, she'll likely get a boost soon enough, going by mid-credits...

 

[dezeray112]

Really hoping that Capcom's attempts to make more games for more dormant IPs eventually lead up to a new Vs. Capcom game.

I generally predict that a new Marvel Vs Capcom entry is still likely considering how well received the collection has been doing.

Will say that both Capcom and SEGA have been doing a great job of revitalising their dormant IPs in which I do hope for more down the line.

 

[Diddy Kong]

I wouldn't count out Skull Kid showing up again. Majora's Mask is something they already love to throw into the games, Skull Kid did show up in Twilight Princess. And Skull Kid was even the main hero in one of the Cadence of Hyrule DLC campaign quest (where he was really fun to use)

Impa was also playable in the DLC of Cadence of Hyrule. I didn't even count that one cause even if we count spin offs this doesn't really feel like a Zelda spin off.

Skull Kid might have popularity on his side but outside of Impa I do think it's either the Champions of BotW or Sages of TotK which are gonna be picked as a fighter. Impa can be added alongside either of them. I don't think 2 Zelda newcomers are out of the question myself.

 

[MBRedboy31]

I do wonder if people are overestimating Sonic’s chances of getting anything new, given that it’s still a series with very Western-skewed popularity in a primarily Japan-focused crossover. I wouldn’t be surprised if they pick something from Sega with more even east-west popularity instead.

 

[Gengar84]

I do wonder if people are overestimating Sonic’s chances of getting anything new, given that it’s still a series with very Western-skewed popularity in a primarily Japan-focused crossover. I wouldn’t be surprised if they pick something from Sega with more even east-west popularity instead.

I’m just guessing but I don’t think so personally. Thanks to the success of the movies and general positive reception of Sonic Frontiers and Sonic and Shadow Generations, I feel like Sonic is at a high point in popularity right now, maybe even the highest he’s been since the Genesis. I’m not sure the other Sega properties have as much going for them right now. Not that I’d complain about someone like Vector Man, Nights, or another Persona character (or SMT/Metaphor).

 

[Kirbeh]

I honestly don't think Zelda or Sonic are getting new fighters next time around.

I fully expect a healthy amount of other Zelda content like usual though.

 

[Hydreigonfan01]

I stumbled upon this satire article from 2019 claiming Duke Nukem was getting into Smash Ultimate lmao

Rumor: Nintendo Source Confirms Duke Nukem ‘100% DEFINITELY’ Coming to Smash Bros Ultimate! [UPDATE: This Is Not True]

Hail to the king, baby! Earlier today an industry leak confirmed beyond a doubt that Duke Nukem was joining the fray as the newest fighter…

hard-drive.net

Tbh, if Duke Nukem ever got in Smash, the Smash game would get stuck in development hell for 14+ years.

 

[ScrubReborn]

I do wonder if people are overestimating Sonic’s chances of getting anything new, given that it’s still a series with very Western-skewed popularity in a primarily Japan-focused crossover. I wouldn’t be surprised if they pick something from Sega with more even east-west popularity instead.

Valid point, but we know Sakurai's interested in expanding third party series from Ultimate. I don't think he'll stop doing that and Sonic is prolly the most requested third party series for extra fighters