Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

I don’t think this disqualifies him but I wonder if DOOM’s violence and gore might cause Nintendo to prioritize other characters that better fit the tone of Smash. Scorpion has the same hurdle but to an even larger degree. I think Bayonetta showed that their home game’s violence isn’t a deal breaker but I do wonder if it would negatively impact his chances. All things being equal, I wonder if they’d go with Master Chief instead for that reason.

I think the biggest hurdle would be in terms of like if there's a bit in a showcase video similar to Ultimate's like "What is DOOM?" because of the inherent gameplay of the series. For a playable role though I would think it would be fine, Doom has a number of plasma weapons and things that are more out there in the more recent titles.

 

[Ivander]

People really wanted the Doomguy & Isabelle memes to be canon

And to a sense, it kinda did.

And some people certainly had their fun with Doom Guy's Mii costume being confirmed.

 

[Louie G.]

I feel like the DLC Mii Costumes or even a few in the base game will be somewhat of an indication of new characters in Smash 6 like how King K. Rool, Inkling, Isabelle and Chrom were costumes in Smash 4 and became playable in Ultimate.

This makes sense on paper, but I do want to acknowledge that all of these characters are Nintendo characters. Even if it is a pretty sensible train of thought, especially for characters where Sakurai straight up pointed out their popularity (Sans and Dante for example), he also did the same for Geno back in Smash 4 and he got out-prioritized by two other Square Enix characters.

I'm more inclined to look at some of the base game first party costumes, like Isaac / Skull Kid / Ashley, and presume these may have been added as consolation and might result in these characters being reconsidered with more time and resources available. I think the presence of Dante or Doom Slayer as costumes is unequivocally a good thing but we don't have any precedent for where we go from here, if they still remain top priorities for the actual roster etc.

Like I said before, I feel like one of the main reasons Master Chief wasn't a costume was because that's the kind of negotiation that's probably so expensive and high esteem that it's only really worth making if you go all the way with it. If they didn't make Sora playable, for example, I'm sure he would never have been a costume.

 

[SharkLord]

I think there’s an easy work around. Doomguy can rip and tear but there won’t be any blood or guts, just flashy effects.

Yeah, that's how Smash handles violence already anyways. Back when Ridley was revealed they played up his brutality, but since they can't have Link violently bleeding out from getting Skewered, he just slumps over and explodes into cartoon effects and confetti. If Doomguy ever shows up they'll probably just do something similar.

 

[Noipoi]

they can't have Link violently bleeding out from getting Skewered

A shame, really.

 

[Stratos]

However, Isaac Clarke from the Dead Space series has not appeared in the Super Smash Bros. series. In general, however, there has been no mention of the Dead Space series in the Super Smash Bros. series, i.e. no trophies, no assist trophies, no spirits, no Mii costumes or anything.

 

[Idon]

Doomguy's most gory acts are reserved entirely for his execution "Glory Kills" mechanic which is obviously not going to be included in a fighting game (that isn't MK at least). Otherwise he is a punch-shoot man that uniquely relies more on physical up-close violence compared to the rest of them. Considering we already got a "sanitized" version of him via the Mii Outfit, I don't think giving him more accurate weapons would be crossing any lines we haven't already crossed.

And for comparison sake, Bayo "I should have been a pole dancer" Netta's games have not just a similar style of executions with not just blood, gore, and violence but a double dose of sexual theming and religious blasphemy:

Spoiler

and obviously that's not in her Smash appearance.

So while Doomguy might not be very likely, I don't think he pushes the bar in terms of content warnings.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

How high of a priority do you think Ike and Robin are?

Ike probably has higher priority compared to Robin in my opinion but I think both will likely stay unless they significantly decrease the number of Fire Emblem characters. I feel like Roy and Corrin are the most likely FE cuts outside of echoes.

Also what characters are ambiguous in terms if they will get cut?

 

[Folezicle Lives!]

Which non japanese IP has the most chance to be in Smash Bros 6? In my case are fortnite and Crash Bandicoot.

Foetnite seems like a no brainer really. Although Ubisoft's future is a bit sketchy, they've worked closely with nintendo during the Switch generation.
Lara Croft is another potential newcomer.


I will always want someone from Deus Ex but that is unlikely.

 

[Kirby Dragons]

All this discussion of Microsoft franchises makes me wonder if they'll create their own big crossover game (not necessarily a fighting game). They certainly own enough things to create appeal.

 

[jamesster445]

All this discussion of Microsoft franchises makes me wonder if they'll create their own big crossover game (not necessarily a fighting game). They certainly own enough things to create appeal.

Heres hoping that Heroes of the Storm gets resurrected.

 

[Idon]

All this discussion of Microsoft franchises makes me wonder if they'll create their own big crossover game (not necessarily a fighting game). They certainly own enough things to create appeal.

"Best we can do is an Xbox Game Pass ad where we reference Banjo for 5 seconds."

 

[Shinuto]

Foetnite seems like a no brainer really. Although Ubisoft's future is a bit sketchy, they've worked closely with nintendo during the Switch generation.
Lara Croft is another potential newcomer.


I will always want someone from Deus Ex but that is unlikely.

Fortnite sucks though.

 

[ninjahmos]

Obviously we can't have Master Chief without this:

 

[SharkLord]

Doomguy's most gory acts are reserved entirely for his execution "Glory Kills" mechanic which is obviously not going to be included in a fighting game (that isn't MK at least). Otherwise he is a punch-shoot man that uniquely relies more on physical up-close violence compared to the rest of them. Considering we already got a "sanitized" version of him via the Mii Outfit, I don't think giving him more accurate weapons would be crossing any lines we haven't already crossed.

And for comparison sake, Bayo "I should have been a pole dancer" Netta's games have not just a similar style of executions with not just blood, gore, and violence but a double dose of sexual theming and religious blasphemy:

Spoiler

and obviously that's not in her Smash appearance.

So while Doomguy might not be very likely, I don't think he pushes the bar in terms of content warnings.

And while the Glory Kills are a big part of the newer Doom games, they're also only in the newer games. The older games are pretty quaint by modern standards - just run around and shoot, and that's it. Of course, it helps that those games are over 30 years old and don't have much room for gory details, but you get the message. You can just have him be the run-and-shoot guy without shoving someone's skull down their spine, and it's still a perfectly reasonable depiction of Doomguy.

 

[Hydreigonfan01]

People really wanted the Doomguy & Isabelle memes to be canon

Oh, those were some good memories. That was like the OG Barbenheimer because Doom Eternal and Animal Crossing New Horizons released on the same day.

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Oh, those were some good memories. That was like the OG Barbenheimer because Doom Eternal and Animal Crossing New Horizons released on the same day.

Not to mention that both games were basically the last notable released titles right before the pandemic. It basically allowed the meme to linger even longer because a lot of major gaming news basically halted for a good long while.

 

[cashregister9]

All this discussion of Microsoft franchises makes me wonder if they'll create their own big crossover game (not necessarily a fighting game). They certainly own enough things to create appeal.

Because of the monopoly Microsoft now has an option or a big crossover game does exist for them

It has been getting incredibly infrequent balance and bugfix patches, maybe they will do something with it, adding Master Chief could do a lot for it.

 

[Ivander]

Because of the monopoly Microsoft now has an option or a big crossover game does exist for them

It has been getting incredibly infrequent balance and bugfix patches, maybe they will do something with it, adding Master Chief could do a lot for it.

Man, looking at the roster of the characters, all I think of is this image if Banjo & Kazooie or Crash Bandicoot were to appear in that game.

 

[Guynamednelson]

Man, looking at the roster of the characters, all I think of is this image if Banjo & Kazooie or Crash Bandicoot were to appear in that game.
View attachment 397116

Don't forget the Lost Vikings

 

[Ivander]

Don't forget the Lost Vikings

Sure, from a franchise standpoint, they do fit. But they don't look that awkward next to the other characters design-wise, especially characters like Muradin or Sonya. Heck, some of the other characters Microsoft has like Master Chief, Doom Slayer, Dragonborn, a Fallout character, Fulgore, Joanna Dark or a Sea of Thieves character wouldn't look that out of place next to the characters from similar settings, like Master Chief with the Starcraft characters or Dragonborn with the Diablo or Warcraft characters.
I just point out Crash or Banjo & Kazooie because they, alongside the obvious characters like Spyro, Conker and whatnot, definitely stand out compared to almost all the other characters in HotS, aside from Murky and Brightwing.

 

[Kirby Dragons]

Man, looking at the roster of the characters, all I think of is this image if Banjo & Kazooie or Crash Bandicoot were to appear in that game.

The solution is to give them edgy, monstrous redesigns.

 

[Gengar84]

I absolutely love Blizzard’s character design. I do prefer the more stylized art style of Heroes of the Storm compared to the more realistic direction World of Warcraft and Diablo have taken in recent years but the core designs are still great. I think the brighter colors of the characters and stylish designs perfectly fit into Smash’s aesthetic. Two of my other favorite visual styles in games are Darksiders and League of Legends. I’m not sure if there’s really a name for that style but they are kind of reminiscent of comic book characters.

Killer Instinct also kind of works as a Microsoft crossover. KI 2013 had Rash from Battletoads, the Arbiter from Halo, and General Raam from Gears. It would be cool to see future games expand this into other Microsoft properties like Blizzard’s characters but I’d still want to keep the core KI characters first.

 

[StormC]

So what's the status of Shadow character speculation after the Year Of Shadow

I was indifferent before but now I feel like he'd be perfect as a Sonic semi-clone

 

[Noipoi]

So what's the status of Shadow character speculation after the Year Of Shadow

I was indifferent before but now I feel like he'd be perfect as a Sonic semi-clone

I think the general consensus is that if they’re looking to add a new Sonic character he’s definitely at the top of the list.

He was already a popular character before, this year has given him a big boost, he’s from a company that seems to be easy to work with, and he’d be relatively easy to make.

 

[Perkilator]

So what's the status of Shadow character speculation after the Year Of Shadow

I was indifferent before but now I feel like he'd be perfect as a Sonic semi-clone

Fully unique or bust. Even if you’re not able to take his Doom Powers into account, there’s still plenty to work with to make Shadow different from Sonic.

 

[Idon]

So what's the status of Shadow character speculation after the Year Of Shadow

I was indifferent before but now I feel like he'd be perfect as a Sonic semi-clone

I think it'd be great if we didn't have a 2nd Sonic on the roster considering he is the lamest character ever put into a fighting game ever.

... I'd like a Shadow that's just. Different. Entirely.

 

[Noipoi]

For his neutral special, Shadow wields a gun.

 

[Swamp Sensei]

View attachment 397126

For his neutral special, Shadow wields a gun.

Shadow is now a Joker clone.

Instead of Arsene, he summons Agent Stone.

 

[StormC]

Fully unique or bust. Even if you’re not able to take his Doom Powers into account, there’s still plenty to work with to make Shadow different from Sonic.

I think he’d be fine like Wolf where he borrows the skeleton and some animations but is otherwise mostly unique.

 

[GoldenYuiitusin]

I just hope Shadow is a Luigi type semiclone at most.

At this point, an Echo would be disappointing as ****.

 

[Hadokeyblade]

Foetnite seems like a no brainer really. Although Ubisoft's future is a bit sketchy, they've worked closely with nintendo during the Switch generation.
Lara Croft is another potential newcomer.


I will always want someone from Deus Ex but that is unlikely.

Im not sure they'd go for Fortnite after the last time they tried to collab failed miserably.

I just hope Shadow is a Luigi type semiclone at most.

At this point, an Echo would be disappointing as ****.

I had the thought of them keeping the homing attack and spin dash specials while the other spin dash and the spring are changed to things Shadow would do that Sonic wouldnt.

Also Metal Sonic as an echo.

 

[Wunderwaft]

I think Shadow probably would be a semi-clone, where the character wields the same skeleton from the character they're based on but a lot of their moves would be different and unique.

Though tbh I very much see a situation where the majority of the moves would be different from Sonic because a lot of Sonic's moves wouldn't fit Shadow's personality. Like come on, Shadow winding up a punch for his f-smash? That ain't him.

If there's anyone I actually see Shadow stealing moves from then it's Mewtwo.

 

[Wonder Smash]

I think that the elder scrolls would be more likely than doom imo.

They're completely different series. I don't think this comparison is necessary.

 

[DarthEnderX]

Heres hoping that Heroes of the Storm gets resurrected.

Oh man! That roster would be so much cooler now.

 

[Diddy Kong]

I think he’d be fine like Wolf where he borrows the skeleton and some animations but is otherwise mostly unique.

I think the Wolf type of clone is the most suitable for Dixie and Impa too if they insist on not making them unique from Diddy and Sheik honestly.

I doubt many would complain about this type of treatment honestly. Fox and Wolf are very distinct from each other after all.

 

[Gengar84]

My biggest question about Fortnite is whether people mostly like it for the gameplay and crossovers rather than the original characters themselves. Do a lot of people really like Jonesy as a character? To be fair, I had the same question about Minecraft and Steve and that didn’t stop him from getting in Smash. I don’t follow Fortnite or its fandom so it’s very possible Jonesy himself is more popular than I realized.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

My biggest question about Fortnite is whether people mostly like it for the gameplay and crossovers rather than the original characters themselves. Do a lot of people really like Jonesy as a character? To be fair, I had the same question about Minecraft and Steve and that didn’t stop him from getting in Smash. I don’t follow Fortnite or its fandom so it’s very possible Jonesy himself is more popular than I realized.

I feel like it's more likely that a Fortnite character will be a Hero situation where it will be multiple skins as alts since the default skins aren't iconic enough on their own.

Steve became iconic because he was the only default skin for the first 5 years of Minecraft existing until 1.8 and Steve is essentially Minecraft's secondary mascot after the Creeper.

 

[Gengar84]

Here’s a related question: How important is the character themselves to you in determining characters you’d like to see in Smash vs just representation of the game they’re from? To me, while both are important, I prioritize the character. For example, I love Tales of Symphonia but Lloyd never really appealed to me much as a character. I’d still be happy to see the game representation with him as a character but I wouldn’t be super hyped. Conversely, I was never able to get very far in Battletoads. I beat the third stage (Turbo Tunnel) once or twice but lost very shortly after in the next level. Still, I think the characters are really cool and I had a lot of fun with the few stages I did play. I definitely had more fun with Tales of Symphonia as a game but the Battletoads are higher on my list.

 

[Garteam]

How high of a priority do you think Ike and Robin are?

It's really tough to say because Fire Emblem can go in so many directions. I'm going to cover Byleth as well because I think he's in a similar boat.

Fire Emblem's individual fighters are quite popular and the series itself is a major, flagship Nintendo IP (even if Engage felt like a misstep commercially). That being said, 6 unique fighters is a lot for any franchise and basically every FE rep that isn't Marth is an outdated promotional character to some extent, so we'll very likely see some cuts.

is guaranteed. is basically the face of Echo Fighters as a concept, so she'll return if echoes do. I largely agree that is too derivative and unimportant in his series to realistically make the base roster. is tied to Roy. has been in the game for a decade without their popularity ever being rehabilitated and Fates is kind of a divisive and arbitrary game to represent Fire Emblem in 2024.

Ike, Robin, and Byleth are all really tough because they have a lot of merit behind their inclusion:

• received the most focus of any Fire Emblem character that wasn't Marth in Ultimate's pre-release, has the longest legacy in Smash, and he's (arguably) the most popular pre-3DS era Fire Emblem character internationally.
• was the first real Avatar in Fire Emblem, represents tomes and the weapon durability mechanic, and his game saved and revolutionized the series.
• is from the best-selling game in the series, represents the weapon triangle and the general idea of strategically employing specialized options in response to certain actions from the enemy, and he's the most popular competitively.

It's tough to prioritize them, but I would roughly say >>, although it's pretty minor.

Marth (and Lucina, if echoes return) and one of Ike, Robin, and Byleth are a guaranteed minimum. Marth/Lucina and two of the beforementioned three is our most likely outcome. All four (plus Lucina) is our ceiling.