Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[BritishGuy54]

Xenoblade 3 Shulk

It’s more likely we get Xenoblade 1: Future Connected Shulk as an alt.

 

[fogbadge]

It’s more likely we get Xenoblade 1: Future Connected Shulk as an alt.

we’re talking about what we want not what’s likely

 

[Idon]

It'd be really cool if XC3 Shulk was a really premium skin that altered some of the animations to represent his new one-handed style while retaining the same functional mechanics as the base skin...

But yeah that definitely isn't happening when we don't even get normal dlc costumes

 

[NintenRob]

Man, I really want Future Connected Shulk, I really really love that outfit on Shulk. I'd love to cosplay it one day.


Though in general I'd like other outfits for Shulk rather than referencing the party members

 

[BuckleyTim]

Everyone wants alternate costumes up until the reality sets in that they be sold individually as overpriced microtransactions. I'd be satisfied with just more alternate color schemes (as well as getting rid of having alternate renders for the color schemes because honestly if that's preventing more colorations from being added then it's gotta go)

 

[DynamicSmasher]

It'd be really cool if XC3 Shulk was a really premium skin that altered some of the animations to represent his new one-handed style while retaining the same functional mechanics as the base skin...

But yeah that definitely isn't happening when we don't even get normal dlc costumes

Theoretically, they could use early FR Shulk and not even have to make new animations

Spoiler: Early FR Shulk

But yeah, they don't tend to acknowledge DLC.

Everyone wants alternate costumes up until the reality sets in that they be sold individually as overpriced microtransactions. I'd be satisfied with just more alternate color schemes (as well as getting rid of having alternate renders for the color schemes because honestly if that's preventing more colorations from being added then it's gotta go)

Well, of course people would be unhappy if they were sold as microtransactions. We can't say that will happen for sure though, seeing as how there are alternate costumes ( Mario's costumes, Wild vs normal tunic Link, Olimar/Alph, Cloud's costumes, Sora's costumes) and they aren't microtransactions. The only ones we have right now are the Mii Costumes. I think they'll keep it that way.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

I feel like instead of microtransactions, high quality bonus costumes should be rewards for single player like beating classic mode for example.

It could also be obtained by in-game shop like how trophies in Smash 4 can be bought by in-game currency.

 

[Dinoman96]

So Sakurai had this to say...

Makes you wonder when we'll be seeing each other again...dare I say, April 2025?

 

[Þe 1 → Way]

Everyone wants alternate costumes up until the reality sets in that they be sold individually as overpriced microtransactions. I'd be satisfied with just more alternate color schemes (as well as getting rid of having alternate renders for the color schemes because honestly if that's preventing more colorations from being added then it's gotta go)

I would actually be totally fine with DLC Costumes if they were actually affordable and appropriately disbursed. Not accusing you of this or anything, but I feel like some live service games like Multiversus have soured a lot of the gaming public on cosmetic transactions, which I feel is a bit warranted and saddening.

In the somewhat unlikely event the miis don't return and we don't get new costumes for them to pad out DLC, I'd love it if each character was given 2 DLC costumes over the lifespan of the game, hopefully with a pass or bundle system to keep from driving up the price egregiously.

Might be a holdover from child me's jealousy over not knowing how to mod a Wii for Project M, but I'd personally like to see Dry Bowser as an alt.

 

[Watuna4343]

Let's discuss something, which newcomer do you think we'll be in the first reveal trailer for the next smash?

Pretty sure it'll be Waluigi. I know people have reservations because of Luigi and Wario potentially being revealed first but I don't think it'll matter that much and he might be revealed without them even. I think his reveal as the first newcomer just feels like the perfect start to Smash 6 as a big fan favourite, whose exclusion was noted even outside of the Smash 'bubble' and whose inclusion will almost certainly make giant waves - personally I can't think of a more ideal introduction to the new Smash.

 

[Dinoman96]

I feel like Ring Fit Trainee as the first reveal would fit alongside Villager being the first newcomer reveal for Smash 4, and also Inkling for Ultimate.

 

[BrawlX10]

How likely do you guys think a Fortnite rep is?

 

[Perkilator]

How likely do you guys think a Fortnite rep is?

I think it’s likely we’ll get at least something from Fortnite, whether that be a fighter, stage, Mii Costumes, etc.

 

[Hydreigonfan01]

How likely do you guys think a Fortnite rep is?

Fortnite is in the same area as what Minecraft was in for Smash Ultimate, so yeah it's very likely we get something Fortnite related in Smash.

 

[fogbadge]

How likely do you guys think a Fortnite rep is?

mercifully unlikely

 

[AreJay25]

How likely do you guys think a Fortnite rep is?

Considering how big of a game it is, it's pretty likely it gets something.

Just, uhhh. If it gets a character. Please don't allow them to build. I don't think anyone's ready for a world where they have to fight Steve with guns.

 

[Wunderwaft]

So Sakurai had this to say...

Makes you wonder when we'll be seeing each other again...dare I say, April 2025?

Smash 2025 here we gooooo

 

[Dinoman96]

TBH My one main reservation with Smash being this year is really because well, Nintendo already has Mario Kart and very likely 3D Mario booked for this year, so releasing Smash on top of that seems a bit overkill. So from that perspective, late 2026 feels like a better spot for it, although that would mean this game is having a pretty abnormally long development cycle if Sakurai really did started working on it in earnest in April 2022 (so by the time the April Direct happens, it'll been just about three whole years of production).

 

[Megadoomer]

How likely do you guys think a Fortnite rep is?

A Mii costume seems likely, though I doubt that we'll get a character. It seems theoretically possible, but whether it's for balance reasons or ESRB reasons, the Smash developers have been avoiding the use of guns (even if Joker is blurring the line a bit with "it's a realistic-looking toy pistol") and I'm not sure if Fortnite has the sheer global and casual appeal that Minecraft does. (though I could easily be wrong - I've played a bit of Fortnite, especially once they added the Doomguy costume, but it's not something that I've looked too deeply into)

 

[RileyXY1]

TBH My one main reservation with Smash being this year is really because well, Nintendo already has Mario Kart and very likely 3D Mario booked for this year, so releasing Smash on top of that seems a bit overkill. So from that perspective, late 2026 feels like a better spot for it, although that would mean this game is having a pretty abnormally long development cycle if Sakurai really did started working on it in earnest in April 2022 (so by the time the April Direct happens, it'll been just about three whole years of production).

2026 will possibly be where Pokémon Gen 10 comes out, and I don't know if Smash can compete against Pokémon.

 

[Diddy Kong]

So Sakurai had this to say...

Makes you wonder when we'll be seeing each other again...dare I say, April 2025?

It has been obvious for a while now.

I MEAN COME ON.

 

[DynamicSmasher]

A Mii costume seems likely, though I doubt that we'll get a character. It seems theoretically possible, but whether it's for balance reasons or ESRB reasons, the Smash developers have been avoiding the use of guns (even if Joker is blurring the line a bit with "it's a realistic-looking toy pistol") and I'm not sure if Fortnite has the sheer global and casual appeal that Minecraft does. (though I could easily be wrong - I've played a bit of Fortnite, especially once they added the Doomguy costume, but it's not something that I've looked too deeply into)

Covering the second point first, from what I can see, Minecraft has had over 300 million copies sold, whereas the highest number I've seen for fortnite is 350 million registered players. Of course, a lot of that will be by virtue of the game being free to play, but i wouldn't be surprised if Fortnite in ten years is regarded the same way Minecraft is today. A good portion of the younger people I know are playing it, at least.

On the point of the guns, I'd say 3 things
1) Bayonetta has her guns. They're colorful, but a lot of Fortnite guns are also quite colorful
2) They can give a Fortnite rep the Snake treatment and focus on their more exotic weapons. A quick wiki dive shows that there's a gun that shoots swords, a sniper that shoots exploding plungers, in addition to bows, crossbows and melee weapons. You could use those instead.
3) There was a third thing I was going to put here. But I forgot what it is.

Overall, I'd say for Fortnite what I'd its possible, given the numbers it pulls. I think a Genshin character could be possible for similar reasons.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

2026 will possibly be where Pokémon Gen 10 comes out, and I don't know if Smash can compete against Pokémon.

Lets Go which was the first Switch Pokemon game, released a month before Ultimate without much issues so Nintendo could just find away around it.

Smash 6 doesn't need to be a late year release like how Brawl released in January of 2008 in Japan.

 

[Dukefire]

The question is, who will be the fool if announcements and/or character reveals are not what they wanted?

Sounding pessimistic, but I have seen my fair share of salt due to hyping myself for certain stuff without contingencies.

 

[Guynamednelson]

I'll be honest, as long as they keep this as King Dedede's Final Smash from this point on (I think the Masked Dedede rockets and the slam into the cage is perfect for him), I'm kinda okay with him not having it as a costume?

Yeah but when Little Mac's hoodie alt is basically repurposing his model from his entrance animation, I don't think they'd have a problem repurposing the Masked Dedede model they made for his FS.

 

[Diddy Kong]

How likely do you guys think a Fortnite rep is?

Am afraid it's quite likely to happen. About 60%. And I absolutely hate the idea. I just don't think that especially after Minecraft getting Steve in, this is out of the question. Probably beneficial for both parties involved too.

Again, I am actively against this. But I think its quite likely to happen. Unfortunately.

 

[CommanderZaktan]

Smash 2025 here we gooooo

either that, I think it's going to be a 2026 game, or a new game. If it's the former, then that 4chan leak could be accurate.

 

[Hydreigonfan01]

2026 will possibly be where Pokémon Gen 10 comes out, and I don't know if Smash can compete against Pokémon.

Smash Ultimate sold more then Pokemon Sword and Shield and Scarlet & Violet. If anything it'd be better to be next year then this year, because then it won't be a game competing with GTA 6.

 

[Noipoi]

2026 will possibly be where Pokémon Gen 10 comes out, and I don't know if Smash can compete against Pokémon.

Yes it can.

ORAS and Smash Wii U came out back to back. Let’s Go and Ultimate released within a month of each other.

If Gen 10 came out in like November and Smash dropped in December they’d both sell just fine.

 

[Diddy Kong]

TBH My one main reservation with Smash being this year is really because well, Nintendo already has Mario Kart and very likely 3D Mario booked for this year, so releasing Smash on top of that seems a bit overkill. So from that perspective, late 2026 feels like a better spot for it, although that would mean this game is having a pretty abnormally long development cycle if Sakurai really did started working on it in earnest in April 2022 (so by the time the April Direct happens, it'll been just about three whole years of production).

Overkill? Maybe. But as Nintendo you want to build off from the success of the original Nintendo Switch as much as you can. This next system needs to sell. Mario Kart and Smash are probably their best bets to do so.

And it's not like them being released early is a bad thing either. For all we know we get DLC for these game worth the next system's lifespan.

 

[Noipoi]

I’m in the camp that it’s just a smidge too early for the next Smash, imo. Yeah they need to start the Switch 2 with some heavy hitters, but a new Mario Kart and a big shiny new 3D Mario are pretty damn heavy.

 

[dream1ng]

Everyone wants alternate costumes up until the reality sets in that they be sold individually as overpriced microtransactions. I'd be satisfied with just more alternate color schemes (as well as getting rid of having alternate renders for the color schemes because honestly if that's preventing more colorations from being added then it's gotta go)

None of the Smash DLC is particularly overpriced, compared to how much equivalent content goes for in other games.

I'd gladly pay a dollar or two for alt costumes if it meant we got a good selection. Not like I'd get all of them.

 

[Kirbeh]

We're talking costumes?

I'd like to see them up the count again.

Default costumes should have 16 colors. 12 available at the start and 4 unlockable via classic mode, the in-game shop, etc.

Every character (well, most every character) should get at least one alt. Alts can stop at 8 colors.

A handful of characters probably wouldn't get costumes due to how they're animated or how they function but ideally everyone would get something.

Some characters have more to pull from than others and I'd rather see more costumes overall, so, costume count parity isn't something I'd want them to be concerned with. If Mario has a dozen costumes and Ness only has 3 then so be it.

That said for characters with little to no options to pull from in their source material, I'd like to see some Smash original costumes. Give Duck Hunt some hats to reference characters the other light gun games. Give WFT a tracksuit or an aerobics outfit. Stuff like that.

Like the colors, have a good batch of alts in the base game as unlockables.

Some would have to be DLC which is fine but I'd also like to see some costumes tied to updates and events.

Let's say they do an in-game/online Halloween event where you can earn Vampire Wario. No FOMO though. Anything from an event would be moved to the in-game shop after the event concludes.

 

[Diddy Kong]

I’m in the camp that it’s just a smidge too early for the next Smash, imo. Yeah they need to start the Switch 2 with some heavy hitters, but a new Mario Kart and a big shiny new 3D Mario are pretty damn heavy.

I at the very least expect an early announcement. 2026 seems more likely than this exact year. Only because Smash needs a long hype train. That has always proved to be amazing marketing.

Until then, Mario Kart and a 3D Mario platformer will probably do.

I want Donkey Kong too. But.... yeah, I dunno.

 

[dream1ng]

Overkill? Maybe. But as Nintendo you want to build off from the success of the original Nintendo Switch as much as you can. This next system needs to sell. Mario Kart and Smash are probably their best bets to do so.

And it's not like them being released early is a bad thing either. For all we know we get DLC for these game worth the next system's lifespan.

Kart and 3D Mario are a perfectly sufficient pair of killer apps, especially when most months of the initial year will likely have some supplemental release in it.

Yeah Smash sells really well, but it's not like you need it in the launch window or you risk the Switch 2 faltering.

Plus if anything it'd now be Mario Kart and Animal Crossing.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Mario needs his Fire Flower clothing back. Honestly, I'd like to see more than 8 on some, as long as there's a base 8 for all.

I'd still love to see Mewtwo having its armor, but it's fairly bulky, so it wouldn't be a Meta Ridley situation(and obviously there's a lot of pickiness on how Pokemon costumes happen due to the rights split three ways, but yeah).

I wish Sonic got more changes that are a bit closer to referencing the various friends/etc. he's got. We got one kind of close to Silver's coloring, but even the darker costume is closer to Dark Super Sonic than anything else.

Not many I can think of otherwise, though.

I have a feeling his white tux was the reason why they got rid of the Fire Flower pallet. I fundamentally disagree with that decision, but it does at least make sense.

Sonic I just wonder if he's allowed to be any color other than blue aside from Super Sonic.

Oh, and Yoshi needs his black pallet back.

Though in general I'd like other outfits for Shulk rather than referencing the party members

Yeah I liked the references until they changed his hair color. Shulk just doesn't look good as anything other than a blonde. Or at the very least, being blonde hides his weird face the most.

Everyone wants alternate costumes up until the reality sets in that they be sold individually as overpriced microtransactions. I'd be satisfied with just more alternate color schemes (as well as getting rid of having alternate renders for the color schemes because honestly if that's preventing more colorations from being added then it's gotta go)

I feel like all of the 1st party ones would be treated like Mii Costumes, which are sold in packs.

2026 will possibly be where Pokémon Gen 10 comes out, and I don't know if Smash can compete against Pokémon.

It's a cultural event each time it comes out. It can absolutely compete with Pokémon. It's also a pretty apples to oranges comparison, and I kinda doubt they'd be competing in the first place.

3) There was a third thing I was going to put here. But I forgot what it is.

Was it Joker?

 

[Ivander]

So Sakurai had this to say...

Makes you wonder when we'll be seeing each other again...dare I say, April 2025?

Will it be Smash Bros or will it be a different game? Time will tell......eventually. And it certainly won't feel like it's taking forever for time to move forward, right?

 

[Guynamednelson]

how they function

That may be true, but Project+ is able to give Kirby alternate models without interfering with Copy Abilities:

Kirby (PM)

Kirby is a playable character in the Brawl mod Project M. For his appearance in Project M, he has been given a buffed moveset that draws from both his Brawl and Melee versions, along with other unique changes that provide Project M Kirby with a...

www.ssbwiki.com

 

[Dukefire]

Will it be Smash Bros or will it be a different game? Time will tell......eventually. And it certainly won't feel like it's taking forever for time to move forward, right?

My eyes are on that.....

We will see what Sakurai has in store soon.

 

[Noipoi]

I at the very least expect an early announcement. 2026 seems more likely than this exact year. Only because Smash needs a long hype train. That has always proved to be amazing marketing.

Until then, Mario Kart and a 3D Mario platformer will probably do.

I want Donkey Kong too. But.... yeah, I dunno.

I think the next Donkey Kong game is gonna be a big deal, and something tells me it’ll be in 3D, which is why I don’t see it coming this year.

First of all, we just had Returns HD which sorta fulfills the DK quota for 2025.

Second of all, if there truly is a new 3D Mario platformer like we’re all suspecting, that’s also gonna be a really big deal. Two big 3D platformers might eat into each other’s sales, so it’s better to space them out. And considering it’s the company’s mascot and the series’ 40th anniversary, Mario gets to go first.

But I believe Donkey Kong is coming. If you ask me, we could see the next big DK game as early as next year.