Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[cashregister9]

I think the main thing is that Smash Bros is partly an advertisement for a lot of video game series as well, particularly third-party titles. So effectively advertising a game that is a gacha like Genshin Impact is just iffy to me, it's like if something you enjoyed started advertising gambling sites.

There is also the argument that there is Gambling in Smash already with the Fighters Pass system being a form of gambling depending on your definition.

 

[ninjahmos]

There is also the argument that there is Gambling in Smash already with the Fighters Pass system being a form of gambling depending on your definition.

How is paying for one character at a time or paying for the whole Fighters Pass gambling? It's DLC.

 

[cashregister9]

How is paying for one character at a time or paying for the whole Fighters Pass gambling? It's DLC.

I don't necessarily agree with the take, but I have seen the whole "Preordering character DLC when you don't know what the character will be" aspect labeled as a form of gambling.

 

[ninjahmos]

I don't necessarily agree with the take, but I have seen the whole "Preordering character DLC when you don't know what the character will be" aspect labeled as a form of gambling.

Preordering stuff can be pretty risky, but it's still a questionable take.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

I don't necessarily agree with the take, but I have seen the whole "Preordering character DLC when you don't know what the character will be" aspect labeled as a form of gambling.

Then wait for them to come out first/get announced before making a decision? lol

I bought all of the DLC anyway because I wanted the complete package, but I know people who only bought a couple of the DLC characters. That's not gambling lol

 

[BrawlX10]

I think the main thing is that Smash Bros is partly an advertisement for a lot of video game series as well, particularly third-party titles. So effectively advertising a game that is a gacha like Genshin Impact is just iffy to me, it's like if something you enjoyed started advertising gambling sites.

That being said, it will probably eventually happen with how big microtransactions are getting in the gaming industry. (I don't consider DLC to be microtransactions btw)

Tbf, Smash has Konami content....which is a company that is pretty controversial.

 

[Swamp Sensei]

There is also the argument that there is Gambling in Smash already with the Fighters Pass system being a form of gambling depending on your definition.

Well that's a pretty awful argument.

A purchase isn't gambling. There's no element of chance.

 

[cashregister9]

Then wait for them to come out first/get announced before making a decision? lol

I bought all of the DLC anyway because I wanted the complete package, but I know people who only bought a couple of the DLC characters. That's not gambling lol

Well that's a pretty awful argument.

A purchase isn't gambling. There's no element of chance.

Like I said, I don't agree, but it is a criticism I have seen levied at not only smash but fighting games as a whole for years.

 

[Oracle Link]

They use their designs from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild likely because they're cleaner than their appearances in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. They're also technically not outdated since they are the same characters, and I wouldn't be surprised if Link at least could find another Champion's Tunic and put it on.

As for not using the designs from The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, well it's because of two things. The first is that they're from a remake and a spin-off and have yet to be in a recent mainline title, but I think more importantly is that it's because the "adult" designs of the characters are kind of seen as the main designs. They shared the spotlight with the toon designs after The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, but now that they've quietly been put to bed, the adult designs are all that's left for marketing.

I know you love the diorama artstyle, but it hasn't established itself as a major style for the series quite yet.

I know the adult designs are seen as the default (which can be pretty dumb)
Also eow isnt a spinoff it would make perfect sense if it were but no its called The legend of Zelda making it mainline! (Yes all tloz games are mainline)

 

[Swamp Sensei]

So, it seems we have a list of what's considered Nintendo's most successful franchises.

Those franchises are considered to be...

• Mario
• The Legend of Zelda
• Pokemon
• Kirby
• Animal Crossing
• Splatoon
• Pikmin
• Metroid

And apparently Donkey Kong and Fire Emblem are right below that. This doesn't seem to be counting franchises like Wii Fit, Wii Sports or Smash though. I think this is moreso the right franchises they are pushing hard.

 

[Dukefire]

So, we all know trailers are a mixed bag when it comes to reactions for character reveals. A couple examples....
: Another FE rep!? Granted, Byleth was great to play after the initial reveal vibes was over.

: western was say "another anime swordsman fighter". Eastern say "Erdrick? Eight? Luminary? Solo?". The Grandfather to all RPGs. Also, RIP Akira Toriyama

 

[Perkilator]

What characters do you feel are overlooked? (Either for base game or DLC)

• Base game
  • Goku (Yūyūki)
• DLC
  • Aigis
  • Estelle Bright

 

[NotGenerico]

The only two gacha games I could see getting a playable character in Smash are Granblue Fantasy and Genshin Impact. I don't consider Saber a gacha rep, btw.

In Granblue's case, Cygames has been trying to turn it into a franchise instead of just letting it stay as a browser game from 2014. Both Relink and Rising are fun games and I think Cygames will keep going with this strategy and expand the Granblue series with even more games. Nintendo and Cygames already collaborated before with Dragalia Lost, so I could see them having talks about potentially including a Cygames character in Smash and Gran/Djeeta make the most sense to represent the company. It just kinda sucks that they'd probably use the standard Fighter class instead of having a much more interesting gimmick, lol.

Genshin is Genshin. It's so big that I could picture Nintendo going for it just for that alone.

If nothing else, both Granblue and Genshin have incredible music that I wouldn't mind having in Smash. Nobuo Uematsu has composed music for Granblue and they even got Emi Evans of Nier fame as a singer for a boss theme.

Here's a couple of my picks for Granblue and Genshin songs:

Spoiler: Granblue

Spoiler: Genshin

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

So, it seems we have a list of what's considered Nintendo's most successful franchises.

Those franchises are considered to be...

• Mario
• The Legend of Zelda
• Pokemon
• Kirby
• Animal Crossing
• Splatoon
• Pikmin
• Metroid

And apparently Donkey Kong and Fire Emblem are right below that. This doesn't seem to be counting franchises like Wii Fit, Wii Sports or Smash though. I think this is moreso the right franchises they are pushing hard.

I think it's very interesting that while the original five are all in house (Mario, Zelda, Splatoon, Animal Crossing, Pikmin), the new three and the two special mentions have all been recently made by other studios, either owned or as second parties (Pokemon Company, HAL Labs, Mercury Steam, Retro Studios, and Intelligent Systems).

It's a pretty standard list and about what most expected, but I just thought that was neat lol

 

[BackseatSakurai]

I know the adult designs are seen as the default (which can be pretty dumb)
Also eow isnt a spinoff it would make perfect sense if it were but no its called The legend of Zelda making it mainline! (Yes all tloz games are mainline)

For what it's worth, I agree that the toy designs are way more appealing and closer to the spirit of the first few zelda games. It's really only after the initial backlash to Wind Waker back in the day that Zelda went in a more serious, adult direction. OoT and Majora's Mask could be seen as that, but ehhh. They're not grimdark in the same way as Twilight Princess was. Skyward Sword was a bit more bright i guess. I dunno.

 

[Undella2]

For what it's worth, I agree that the toy designs are way more appealing and closer to the spirit of the first few zelda games. It's really only after the initial backlash to Wind Waker back in the day that Zelda went in a more serious, adult direction. OoT and Majora's Mask could be seen as that, but ehhh. They're not grimdark in the same way as Twilight Princess was. Skyward Sword was a bit more bright i guess. I dunno.

Majora's Mask may not be fully grimdark, but its world is definitely unsettling and not "bright". At the very least, I wouldn't consider it to have a much brighter world than Twilight Princess.

 

[BrawlX10]

• Aigis

I haven't played P3 (Only 3 "chapters" or so of P4) but Aigis would be sick, she seems cool. However, wouldn't a 2nd Persona rep be a bit too much?

 

[cashregister9]

So, it seems we have a list of what's considered Nintendo's most successful franchises.

Those franchises are considered to be...

• Mario
• The Legend of Zelda
• Pokemon
• Kirby
• Animal Crossing
• Splatoon
• Pikmin
• Metroid

And apparently Donkey Kong and Fire Emblem are right below that. This doesn't seem to be counting franchises like Wii Fit, Wii Sports or Smash though. I think this is moreso the right franchises they are pushing hard.

This has been a thing for a while but Nintendo considering Pikmin to be one of their landmark franchises always puts a smile on my face.

This thing is one of Nintendo's favorite money makers

and I wouldn't want it any other way

 

[Ivander]

This has been a thing for a while but Nintendo considering Pikmin to be one of their landmark franchises always puts a smile on my face.

This thing is one of Nintendo's favorite money makers

and I wouldn't want it any other way

You know what they say...

 

[Godzillathewonderdog]

So, it seems we have a list of what's considered Nintendo's most successful franchises.

Those franchises are considered to be...

• Mario
• The Legend of Zelda
• Pokemon
• Kirby
• Animal Crossing
• Splatoon
• Pikmin
• Metroid

And apparently Donkey Kong and Fire Emblem are right below that. This doesn't seem to be counting franchises like Wii Fit, Wii Sports or Smash though. I think this is moreso the right franchises they are pushing hard.

The articles framing seems a bit odd. It’s just franchises Nintendo is promoting on their website. These franchises just seem to be their most prominent ones at this point in time (having multiple games on Switch).

Nintendo seems to think Warioware and Xenoblade are noteworthy too based on the Nintendo Today app.

 

[BuckleyTim]

Arguing that smash should shield itself from unethical companies when we have Disney in the copyright line is a losing battle, full stop.

Dare I say it, it's the first step towards realizing that spending a good amount of your time arguing which corporation should send their mascots out to shake Mario's hand is not the best thing to be doing

 

[Undella2]

This has been a thing for a while but Nintendo considering Pikmin to be one of their landmark franchises always puts a smile on my face.

This thing is one of Nintendo's favorite money makers

and I wouldn't want it any other way

Would be nice if they made a new pikmin game more than just once every, like, decade.

 

[Kirby Dragons]

Genshin is a big game, but I wouldn't be surprised if it got no representation whatsoever.

 

[Perkilator]

Genshin is a big game, but I wouldn't be surprised if it got no representation whatsoever.

That's admittedly a bit harsh; I expect at least a Spirit and/or Mii Costume if getting a fighter doesn't work out.

 

[BrawlX10]

Is there any veteran that you think might have it dificult to return as DLC if it gets cut? I'd say maybe Plant?

 

[Shinuto]

If not Smash the what do you think Sakurais project is?

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Is there any veteran that you think might have it dificult to return as DLC if it gets cut? I'd say maybe Plant?

Literally any Echo Fighter unless it becomes an active part of post-launch marketing

 

[Kirby Dragons]

That's admittedly a bit harsh; I expect at least a Spirit and/or Mii Costume if getting a fighter doesn't work out.

It's simply based on the lack of Nintendo presence and the fact we don't need every single big game represented.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

So, it seems we have a list of what's considered Nintendo's most successful franchises.

Those franchises are considered to be...

• Mario
• The Legend of Zelda
• Pokemon
• Kirby
• Animal Crossing
• Splatoon
• Pikmin
• Metroid

And apparently Donkey Kong and Fire Emblem are right below that. This doesn't seem to be counting franchises like Wii Fit, Wii Sports or Smash though. I think this is moreso the right franchises they are pushing hard.

I think Smash isn’t there because it’s a crossover so it’s probably treated differently. It’s not really an original series on its own outside of stuff like Master Hand and FD for example.

ARMs is just one game, Star Fox is in hiatus and same with F-Zero, WarioWare is probably after DK and FE since it’s listed in Nintendo Today app while the Yoshi games are probably merged with the Mario series.

 

[BrawlX10]

I think Smash isn’t there because it’s a crossover so it’s probably treated differently. It’s not really an original series on its own outside of stuff like Master Hand and FD for example.

ARMs is just one game, Star Fox is in hiatus and same with F-Zero, WarioWare is probably after DK and FE since it’s listed in Nintendo Today app while the Yoshi games are probably merged with the Mario series.

It's more likely it's not there because there's quite literally no news for Smash Bros. atm. Sora addition to Smash will turn 4 years ago this year and the last spirit event was like 1 year ago, so Smash is pretty much "sleeping" until the next entry anouncement.
More than likely they'll add the tag when Ultimate Deluxe or Smash 6 get officially announced.

 

[HyperSomari64]

If not Smash the what do you think Sakurais project is?

Ice Climber Reboot?

 

[BackseatSakurai]

If not Smash the what do you think Sakurais project is?

Meteos 2.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

If not Smash the what do you think Sakurais project is?

If we're not seeing it in the next Direct, then I'm confident whatever he's working on is NOT a Nintendo thing

 

[BrawlX10]

If we don't see Smash in the direct, at very least i think it we getting Smash 6 is probably more likely than Ultimate Deluxe, as MK8D got anounced on the Switch 1 Direct iirc.
Even if we're getting Smash 6, i think April 2025 isn't that early to anounce if the game's coming out in late 2026, tbh, specially they could have dialy updates like DOJO or Pic of the Day.

 

[HyperSomari64]

If we're not seeing it in the next Direct, then I'm confident whatever he's working on is NOT a Nintendo thing

Finally, Namco Smash Bros.

• PAC-MAN
• Klonoa
• Tales of
• TEKKEN
• SoulCalibur
• Digimon
• dotHack
• XenoSaga
• Splatterhouse
• Tamagotchi
• Super Robot Wars: Original Generation

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

If we don't see Smash in the direct, at very least i think it we getting Smash 6 is probably more likely than Ultimate Deluxe, as MK8D got anounced on the Switch 1 Direct iirc.
Even if we're getting Smash 6, i think April 2025 isn't that early to anounce if the game's coming out in late 2026, tbh, specially they could have dialy updates like DOJO or Pic of the Day.

The very idea of even entertaining Ultimate Deluxe even has a shred of likeliness is hilarious, to be honest.

And using Mario Kart 8 is also not really the best comparison. Yes, it's a game from a previous console thrown into the launch year as a port... but that's about where the similarities end.

Mario Kart 8 is the most successful Wii U game, yes, but the Wii U was their biggest failure since the Virtual Boy and the Switch isn't backwards compatible with its games. Meanwhile, Ultimate is the best-selling fighting game ever created (a title that was previously held by Street Fighter II for 25 years), a top 3 best-seller for the Switch, said console ushered in Nintendo's most successful era ever in its long history and also, Switch 2 is compatible with Switch 1 games.

The situations behind these two games could not possibly be more different and shouldn't be compared imo.

Most people who would want Ultimate already own it at this point. I'm shocked people still genuinely believe a port is in the cards.

 

[Ivander]

Mario Kart 8 is the most successful Wii U game, yes, but the Wii U was their biggest failure since the Virtual Boy and the Switch isn't backwards compatible with its games. Meanwhile, Ultimate is the best-selling fighting game ever created, a top 3 best-seller for the Switch, said console ushered in Nintendo's most successful era ever in its long history and also, Switch 2 is compatible with Switch 2 games.

Well, yes. I imagine that Switch 2 games would be compatible with the Switch 2.

 

[GoldenYuiitusin]

Well, yes. I imagine that Switch 2 games would be compatible with the Switch 2.

Nah that's what Nintendo wants you to think.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

You know what? If someone uses Mario Kart 8 in the same sentence as Ultimate Deluxe, tag my ass.

I'll bring out the reminder that it doesn't always work by making y'all remember the Bowser's Inside Story remake, a game that did so poorly it made AlphaDream file for bankruptcy.

Ultimate Deluxe would be simple to develop because, well, it's already made, but it's a gamble whether it'll do well or be a massive flop.

 

[Guynamednelson]

Nah that's what Nintendo wants you to think.

Nintendo Switch 2 Has Games™

Just not necessarily Switch 2 ones.