Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[PeridotGX]

Bring back Wart, you cowards.

Honestly I would rather bring back Mouser than Wart (I wouldn't object to both of course)

I had DVDs of the Super Mario Bros Super Show as a kid, I grew up with this freak being Bowser's second in command. I want him back.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

We are getting our hopes very up for a Mario kart roster that could very well say "Here's Spike from Mario 3. Take it or leave it", lol

I'd be down for that too. Especially if his item toss animation is him spitting the items at opponents like how he usually spits out spike balls.

 

[HyperSomari64]

I had DVDs of the Super Mario Bros Super Show as a kid, I grew up with this freak being Bowser's second in command. I want him back.

You had to suffer from his stereotypical Swiss accent through the discs
Folk, I feel the pain.

Also, This is from a Super Mario Bros. 3 DVD

 

[Ivander]

In terms of characters who've already in Mario Kart, including Tour, I'm hoping for Diddy, Funky and Dixie Kong, Poochy and Nabbit. And R.O.B.

In terms of characters who haven't been in Mario Kart:

• The Green Sprixie princess and Plessie from Super Mario 3D World would be cool to see.
• Wart and Foreman Spike would be cool to see.
• Some of the Mario Odyssey races getting a character would be cool.
• Tiny, Lanky, Chunky and Cranky Kong would be great to see.
• And as always:
  
  

 

[Gorgonzales]

Seems like a good time to repost my most wanteds wishlist (not pictured here are Tropical Wiggler and Burt the Bashful)

 

[HyperSomari64]

In terms of characters who've already in Mario Kart, including Tour, I'm hoping for Diddy, Funky and Dixie Kong, Poochy and Nabbit. And R.O.B.

In terms of characters who haven't been in Mario Kart:

• The Green Sprixie princess and Plessie from Super Mario 3D World would be cool to see.
• Wart and Foreman Spike would be cool to see.
• Some of the Mario Odyssey races getting a character would be cool.
• Tiny, Lanky, Chunky and Cranky Kong would be great to see.
• And as always:
  View attachment 397829

What about the OCs from Mario's RPGs?
And Tatanga?

 

[Diddy Kong]

Also worth noting that the DK redesign isn't brand new. It was first seen on this calendar they put out recently.
View attachment 397800

His movie design also had a lot to do with it I feel. This design really uses a lot of the classical and Rare elements. The new look... not much of a fan. Unless they keep Diddy as in the Mario Movie too.

 

[GoldenYuiitusin]

In terms of characters who've already in Mario Kart, including Tour, I'm hoping for Diddy, Funky and Dixie Kong, Poochy and Nabbit. And R.O.B.

In terms of characters who haven't been in Mario Kart:

• The Green Sprixie princess and Plessie from Super Mario 3D World would be cool to see.
• Wart and Foreman Spike would be cool to see.
• Some of the Mario Odyssey races getting a character would be cool.
• Tiny, Lanky, Chunky and Cranky Kong would be great to see.
• And as always:
  View attachment 397829

I scrolled too fast and thought I read Greninja and was like "damn that's a little ambitious for a guest racer, eh?"

 

[HyperSomari64]

I scrolled too fast and thought I read Greninja and was like "damn that's a little ambitious for a guest racer, eh?"

Well, he has an anthropomorphic body that can fit a go-kart.
Not a bad first choice for a Pokémon rep.

 

[Godzillathewonderdog]

Wart and Cranky time.

 

[ninjahmos]

Now I kinda want Kirby and Pikachu in Mario Kart.

 

[Ivander]

What about the OCs from Mario's RPGs?
And Tatanga?

In the case of the RPG characters, I need to see one appear in Mario Kart first before getting my hopes up. Would it be great? Yes.

Tatanga would be nice, though he's not on my priority list.

I scrolled too fast and thought I read Greninja and was like "damn that's a little ambitious for a guest racer, eh?"

Well I wouldn't be against his appearance. Same with Rabbid Mario and Rabbid Peach if they somehow happened, now that I was reminded of them.

 

[fogbadge]

So Toadette was definitely in the trailer?

 

[Louie G.]

View attachment 397831

Thank you for posting this art because I feel like it’s indicative of something being overlooked - this more arcade looking DK design has been lingering around since before the movie.

I understand that a few design quirks might be more evocative of the Illumination design, but all in all I see this less as the movie’s influence and moreso the film taking notes from an already in-progress brand re-adjustment toward this rounder, Kotabe-looking variant.

Which of course, you could think whichever way you want about. I can understand being put off by the drastic change. But I’m already kind of exhausted hearing about how it was all because of the movie, I think they’ve been trying to move in this direction for a little while.

 

[Noipoi]

Wart and Cranky time.View attachment 397831View attachment 397833

Yo

Wtf is Daisy talking to Wart about? Do they just chat sometimes? Are they buds?

 

[Thegameandwatch]

DK being redesigned in MK9 means that it’s likely that Diddy Kong will also be redesigned. Also by extension their appearances in Smash.

 

[Louie G.]

DK being redesigned in MK9 means that it’s likely that Diddy Kong will also be redesigned. Also by extension their appearances in Smash.

Not exactly, the recent updated DK art from the theme park doesn’t make any clear changes to Diddy Kong. I’d use this as the metric for now.

I could see Diddy being a bit further stylized, but probably not to as extreme of a degree. I think the new-old DK and plain old Diddy look fine together.

As for Smash, I guess that’s the big question right now. Way too early to speculate on, since we only have a couple examples so far, but if this is a really serious movement toward a DK redesign and has been in play for a while I could see Nintendo requesting it carry over.

 

[WeirdChillFever]

View attachment 397831

Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)

 

[Gorgonzales]

The DK redesign situation is weird because there are still pretty big remnants of the old design in recent material like the expensive-looking mascot costume at the theme park, and most 3D renders of DK that've come out recently.

 

[PeridotGX]

I just think it's way too late in the game to be doing these major redesigns for characters. The mario cast has looked pretty much the same since the GameCube era, 20 years ago. Why change it now? Same problem with going back to the N64 design of Dedede

 

[superprincess]

Ah, yes, Mario's fresh and different redesign:
View attachment 397804

Do y'all have eyes? This is clearly different.

Mario characters are all slowly but surely going back to their more retro looks. The Mario Bros and Peach are reminiscent of Mario 3/World artwork from the early 90s. Daisy's color scheme has been reverted back to a more tanned complexion ala the N64. Yoshi has been steadily reverting to his more dino-like proportions and ditching the humanoid upright stance. Bowser looks plucked straight out an N64 era magazine in this game. DK having his Arcade (yes, Arcade, not movie) design is not "spite", he's just following a trend the entire cast is also following. Y'all make conspiracies out of ANYTHING lmao.

Also, the Pink Gold jokes are old and unfunny as **** lmfaooo. Stay in 2014. Hopefully she comes back alongside Cat Peach and Peachette. Throw in Honey Queen instead of Waluigi too.

 

[Opossum]

Throw in Honey Queen instead of Waluigi too.

I mean Waluigi is literally confirmed already.

 

[Louie G.]

The DK redesign situation is weird because there are still pretty big remnants of the old design in recent material like the expensive-looking mascot costume at the theme park, and most 3D renders of DK that've come out recently.

Yeah that’s one of the more interesting things to pick at right now. I feel like after sinking so much money into this DKC theme park expansion, based entirely around DKC and the Rare styled branding, the goal wouldn’t be to do away with it entirely.

As it stands, I think we are seeing a shift that will transcend Mario Kart but I feel it may be more in the vein of distinguishing a Mario-DK and a DKC-DK. Or something. That could be kind of confusing but it just makes me wonder if they want to further that divide.

Worth noting everyone looks a bit more “Super Mario Kart” here. Peach’s spikier hair, Bowser’s round face, these look like HD interpretations of SNES sprites. In DK’s respect, evoking DK Jr’s aesthetic a little more probably couldn’t hurt if that’s what they’re going for at all.

 

[Diddy Kong]

Not exactly, the recent updated DK art from the theme park doesn’t make any clear changes to Diddy Kong. I’d use this as the metric for now.

I could see Diddy being a bit further stylized, but probably not to as extreme of a degree. I think the new-old DK and plain old Diddy look fine together.

View attachment 397835

As for Smash, I guess that’s the big question right now. Way too early to speculate on, since we only have a couple examples so far, but if this is a really serious movement toward a DK redesign and has been in play for a while I could see Nintendo requesting it carry over.

I just want DK to look powerful and serious when needed to. He looks way too goofy in this redesign to me. A little too fluffy too.

Guess someone needs to steal his bananas yet again, the banana bulk has gone too far!

 

[Shinuto]

Do y'all have eyes? This is clearly different.

Mario characters are all slowly but surely going back to their more retro looks. The Mario Bros and Peach are reminiscent of Mario 3/World artwork from the early 90s. Daisy's color scheme has been reverted back to a more tanned complexion ala the N64. Yoshi has been steadily reverting to his more dino-like proportions and ditching the humanoid upright stance. Bowser looks plucked straight out an N64 era magazine in this game. DK having his Arcade (yes, Arcade, not movie) design is not "spite", he's just following a trend the entire cast is also following. Y'all make conspiracies out of ANYTHING lmao.

Also, the Pink Gold jokes are old and unfunny as **** lmfaooo. Stay in 2014. Hopefully she comes back alongside Cat Peach and Peachette. Throw in Honey Queen instead of Waluigi too.

How the hell are all of you able to see all this detail in these low quality small videos?

 

[Noipoi]

I just think it's way too late in the game to be doing these major redesigns for characters. The mario cast has looked pretty much the same since the GameCube era, 20 years ago. Why change it now? Same problem with going back to the N64 design of Dedede

It’s never too late in the game. You said it yourself, these guys have looked more or less the same for over 20 years. Here, on the cusp of a new generation, why not shake things up a bit?

Between Wonder and now this new Mario Kart, it’s clear that they’re going for a stylistic approach that harkens back to the art design of the Mario 3/World era, with squatter proportions, models that resemble the 2D art, and an even more vibrant look. And it just so happens to coincide with some of the visual elements from the movie designs. Coincidence, or coordinated brand synergy?

Personally I’m all for it, I’ve always loved the Kotabe art style and I think it looks rad in the actual games.

 

[Gorgonzales]

Do y'all have eyes? This is clearly different.

Mario characters are all slowly but surely going back to their more retro looks. The Mario Bros and Peach are reminiscent of Mario 3/World artwork from the early 90s. Daisy's color scheme has been reverted back to a more tanned complexion ala the N64. Yoshi has been steadily reverting to his more dino-like proportions and ditching the humanoid upright stance. Bowser looks plucked straight out an N64 era magazine in this game. DK having his Arcade (yes, Arcade, not movie) design is not "spite", he's just following a trend the entire cast is also following. Y'all make conspiracies out of ANYTHING lmao.

Also, the Pink Gold jokes are old and unfunny as **** lmfaooo. Stay in 2014. Hopefully she comes back alongside Cat Peach and Peachette. Throw in Honey Queen instead of Waluigi too.

Agree with you on the cast going back to their more retro looks.

Disagree with you on the Pink Gold jokes because they're still relevant unless this new game proves otherwise.
I do want Honey Queen back though.

 

[GoldenYuiitusin]

Also, the Pink Gold jokes are old and unfunny as **** lmfaooo. Stay in 2014. Hopefully she comes back alongside Cat Peach and Peachette. Throw in Honey Queen instead of Waluigi too.

Not beating the allegations.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

I just want DK to look powerful and serious when needed to. He looks way too goofy in this redesign to me. A little too fluffy too.

Guess someone needs to steal his bananas yet again, the banana bulk has gone too far!

I mean that's just it though, does he need to look powerful and serious in Mario Kart? lol

For DKC I understand since he's rolling around beating people up with his bare hands, but surely he's allowed to look kinda goofy driving a car and throwing bananas at people lol

Also since I just hopped on, wow I didn't actually expect the shadow drop, but there wasn't really information about the console itself so I guess it's not that weird? April 2nd is gonna feel like such a long way away.

Also fully expect Prince Florian and Cappy to make it here, and I'm hoping for some locations from Odyssey like say Shiveria (complete with the racetrack).

 

[Louie G.]

I like Honey Queen too. I think quirkier additions like that would have been welcomed with open arms if MK7 wasn’t so restrictive in its selection to begin with.

Because nowadays it seems like we all want characters like that - just as long as they don’t get in the way of obvious adds like Waluigi, Bowser Jr or Diddy Kong I suppose. In a presumably sizable roster like this one (assuming we haven’t already seen every character) that shouldn’t be an issue.

 

[Verde Coeden Scalesworth]

Metals, babies, and clones are fine at this point. It's the lack of other characters that's an issue. Quick reskins don't hurt anything.

Also, Waluigi being cut would just cause a riot. People went ballistic at 7 not including him. He hasn't missed a MK game since. And now with 10 being made(or whatever name they use), and with what looks like a lot of characters playable at once, they're quite likely to have a fairly big roster. So many are in a good position to return while still having the metals/babies/clones as is.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Going back to the idea of expressiveness in Super Smash Bros.'s characters, I think Super Smash Bros. Ultimate does a very good job of it, and it's definitely one of the most well animated fighting games out there. However...when you look at games like Guilty Gear Strive and Street Fighter 6, their characters pop more than any other games in the industry and I can't help but want that for Smash.

Perhaps a bit of that has to do with the more intimate perspective that fighting games have, so it might not be super fair, but I do think improvements can be made.

 

[HyperSomari64]

He hasn't missed a MK game since.

I don't remember Waluigi being in Mortal Kombat.

 

[Perkilator]

Aside from the new Bowser Castle and Rainbow Road, what other new courses would you guys like to see in the new Mario Kart?

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

I'm hoping for some locations from Odyssey like say Shiveria (complete with the racetrack).

I wouldn't hold my breath on that. Mario Kart seems to aggressively avoid tracks based on any of the games. Legit, I think the only ones are GCN Peach Circuit, DS Luigi's Mansion, the crossover tracks, and Bowser's Castle as a general theme.

 

[Gengar84]

Maybe I need to get used to the new designs but I’m not really seeing the retro connection yet. I actually really love Mario’s older NES and SNES art style and my brother and I each have a couple T-Shirts using the older art. This new direction looks different from that to me but I can judge better once I see more of it and in better resolution.

 

[Gorgonzales]

How the hell are all of you able to see all this detail in these low quality small videos?

It's not really about the quality, it's about being able to tell differences in characters' proportions/facial structures.

You can tell that SOMETHING is different. Peach has larger eyes and a smaller face, Mario's chubby face is more prominent, Bowser looks more toy-like, Donkey Kong's... everything, etc.

 

[Opossum]

I wouldn't hold my breath on that. Mario Kart seems to aggressively avoid tracks based on any of the games. Legit, I think the only ones are GCN Peach Circuit, DS Luigi's Mansion, the crossover tracks, and Bowser's Castle as a general theme.

Delfino Square and Airship Fortress take very clear inspirations from Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Bros. 3.

 

[superprincess]

I mean Waluigi is literally confirmed already.

Didn't see him. But that's cool. I do hope this game has a funny, surprise character inclusion, and an equally surprising character omission — like I don't know, give us Baby Yoshi instead of the kongs or something.

Also most of these roster predictions I'm seeing are crazy You know none of these are happening. Non-Mario characters need to stay out of it, and so do the RPG characters. Prince Florian and a Poplin are the farthest this game should go. Maybe Foreman Spike with his movie design at best.

Agree with you on the cast going back to their more retro looks.

Disagree with you on the Pink Gold jokes because they're still relevant unless this new game proves otherwise.
I do want Honey Queen back though.

Pink Gold Peach is literally unconfirmed so far, she hasn't been seen in the trailer where 23/24 characters are already confirmed. How are the jokes relevant?

Not beating the allegations.

What allegations? PGP is a harmless reskin that borrows most assets from already existing characters (Peach's model, Metal Mario's stats). Dunking on her won't bring people's faves back. You think Smash fans would know better than to talk about clones as if they take up real space. I think these clone characters are fun additions to MK. Hate male characters, but Tanooki Mario over Geno any day!

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Delfino Square and Airship Fortress take very clear inspirations from Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Bros. 3.

Oh yeah, those two. Needless to say, it's really not that common.

To be fair though, a lot of areas in Mario games are very similar or have aesthetics that match up with existing track themes (like the Super Mario Galaxy duology and Rainbow Road), and Super Mario Odyssey doesn't quite have that issue, so perhaps them taking a more direct inspiration from it is more likely than it has been for past titles. I will predict that we probably won't see both a New Donk City track and New York Minute unless one is DLC though.