Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[DemifiendEnjoyer]

W

I think the difference too is how it would be hard to remove GTA violence for a moveset. Take Bayonetta for example, Smash moveset make no reference to the torture attacks, which are easily the most violent part of the game so it makes sense to not put them in Smash. But even when you remove them, you're left with a girl with fantasy looking guns and that summons demons. The moveset write itself. This is also why Doom is such a popular pick. Sure it's a violent game with the glory kill, but if you remove them you're still left with, again, a dude with sci-fi looking weapons and a lot of tools to make a moveset. Mortal kombat is also a similar case, you could remove the fatality and still have lot of cool stuff to work with like The spear and fire if you're working with Scoprion.

But with GTA you can't really remove the violence in the same way because killing people with guns and stealing stuff is pretty much all those characters do. If you remove that you're left with a character that can... punch I guess?

hat if they could like, Drive a car into the oponnent.

 

[Louie G.]

What do you think are the top five most likely new Nintendo franchises to get a character in the next Smash Bros, and why?

1) Ring Fit Adventure - The only near-surefire choice of the bunch. The game sold over 15 million units and has appeared alongside staple Nintendo brands on products like the Alarmo. The Switch has been somewhat light on new IP and if there's any one new project that truly took off it's this one. Not much more to say about that, I'd be absolutely shocked if a Ring Fit character isn't in the game.

2) Golden Sun - Isaac remains one of the stronger longterm requests, whose popularity has been addressed through the return of his AT in Ultimate / uptick of GS content and continues to persist through Golden Sun as a cult classic Nintendo title. The first two games dropped on NSO last year to notable fanfare and the soundtrack for the first game beat a lot of otherwise really obvious Nintendo OST to the punch on the Nintendo Music app. If nothing else, just like the Mother series, Golden Sun remains in the conversation and in Nintendo's peripheral even if there are no further plans and Sakurai is evidently aware. I think Isaac has a strong chance of being one of the obligatory handful of first party fan picks, and that isn't even to speak of his extensive moveset potential.

3) Astral Chain - A series that I'm somewhat dubious on but in fairness, is another one of the only new Switch-era Nintendo series left worth humoring for a spot. I can see AC getting shafted into an AT role much like other more fringe series before it such as Golden Sun, Sin & Punishment and Dillon's Rolling Western. But on the other hand, if the timing is right and Sakurai saw potential in this concept... which he very well could have, the unique material speaks for itself, then why not? I can see this being sort of a Xenoblade situation, taking a chance on a promising standout title with a strong identity to bring to the game. Not essential IMO, but it's possible - solid 50/50 here.

4) Excitebike - Secretly the most glaring omission, Excitebike sits comfortably alongside games like Duck Hunt, Punch-Out and Ice Climber in the Nintendo 'retro' pantheon of... let's say "regular suspects" (think NES Remix, WarioWare, etc) and now kind of feels like the only big one who hasn't had their chance. With a unique gameplay hook humored by Sakurai in the past, continued prominence through generations through 3D Classics, Mario Kart 8 and so forth, a surprising number of games and sales under its belt that surpasses several of its NES contemporaries. I think Excitebiker is overqualified to be in Smash and hinges somewhat on Sakurai's vision for this roster... who is the 'surprise' character? Do we want another old school throwback? I think it's fairly likely.

5) Rhythm Heaven - The 'recency bias' pull, but of course a series that I have been advocating for upwards of a decade now. A new hope has presented itself in Rhythm Heaven Groove, although I have my worries about timing being an issue here. But all the same, Rhythm Heaven almost made it in once... it could happen again, if Sakurai still feels particularly driven by the idea or heard about this game early in development to give him confidence in developing a character. Hard variables to gauge, but this feels a lot less like a pipe dream again. Not especially likely but at least possible.

Honorable Mention: Famicom Detective Club - A popular pick in the wake of an exciting revival and remakes, I think FDC is justified in inviting the conversation but probably a bit less likely than some people think. It's hard to explain but Ayumi strikes me as primed Assist Trophy material and less so playable character material at the moment. Certainly not impossible, but we have to understand this is also a pretty small series relatively speaking and I'm not sure Sakurai will be playing Emio and getting the same kind of inspiration he did playing like... Xenoblade, I guess. Is this the kind of series that Smash would take a swing on? Maybe. I'm not that optimistic but I wouldn't be completely shocked, either. In some capacity or another Sakurai was interested in the idea once, so he's at least got his finger on the pulse of this series I'm sure.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

This is also why Doom is such a popular pick. Sure it's a violent game with the glory kill, but if you remove them you're still left with, again, a dude with sci-fi looking weapons and a lot of tools to make a moveset.

I'd argue even the glory kills are fine and might even complement the concept of "run in and shoot people's face right in front of their face" that the Slayer would absolutely go for because that's how Doom works.

You just need to make them... not do any gore. Just as an example, there are a lot of instances where a glory kill is a foot stomp, which is hardly uncommon in Smash. I don't see why he wouldn't be allowed to have non-gory versions of those. It's nothing like Bayo's Torture Attacks summoning a guillotine which... yeah, I don't need to explain why that'd be a no-no for Smash.

Besides, a dude in green armor with sci-fi looking weapons but focuses entirely on the shooting? My guy, that's not the Slayer, that's Master Chief.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

5. Astral Chain
A new IP with a decent showing and the potential for a full series. It would also allow for another crack at the idea of a puppet fighter, now mixed with a more action focused base and meter management. The main thing holding it back is its uncertain future.

4. Pilotwings
It's one of Nintendo's biggest names that doesn't have a fighter, and comparing it to other series like Wave Race and Balloon Fight...Well, any of them could happen, but Pilotwings does seem to be given more focus, and the moveset potential is actually pretty decent.

3. Golden Sun
This one I think is likely due to Isaac's popularity. I wouldn't put the most stock into this, but it probably has a real shot. Heck, it probably had a real shot in Ultimate as well, it just didn't make the cut over the other popularity picks. If there's one assist trophy that gets upgraded due to fan demand, I'm betting it's going to be Isaac...or Krystal, but probably Isaac.

2. Excite
Another one of the fighterless big names, and the one I think has the most going for it should Sakurai be able to make the bike work. Definitely looking out for this one for the surprise pick.

1. Ring Fit Adventure
Nintendo's best new Switch IP is something everyone is predicting, and I'm right there with them.


Honorable Mentions: Rhythm Heaven (I think this one is kinda at the whims of Sakurai), Wave Race (Could be added, but I think a jet ski would be kinda difficult to incorporate), Balloon Fight (Could be the surprise pick, but would have to have a decent amount of stuff made up to fill a moveset), and nintendogs (people yell at me for suggesting this every time, but taking its popularity at face value, the series itself does have the legs for a fighter. Perhaps they'll dodge the real dog problem with the robopups).

Also today I learned that Pushmo is a Nintendo IP. Somehow I thought it belonged to Koei Techmo.

 

[CapitaineCrash]

1) Ring Fit Adventure - The only near-surefire choice of the bunch. The game sold over 15 million units and has appeared alongside staple Nintendo brands on products like the Alarmo. The Switch has been somewhat light on new IP and if there's any one new project that truly took off it's this one. Not much more to say about that, I'd be absolutely shocked if a Ring Fit character isn't in the game.

2) Golden Sun - Isaac remains one of the stronger longterm requests, whose popularity has been addressed through the return of his AT in Ultimate / uptick of GS content and continues to persist through Golden Sun as a cult classic Nintendo title. The first two games dropped on NSO last year to notable fanfare and the soundtrack for the first game beat a lot of otherwise really obvious Nintendo OST to the punch on the Nintendo Music app. If nothing else, just like the Mother series, Golden Sun remains in the conversation and in Nintendo's peripheral even if there are no further plans and Sakurai is evidently aware. I think Isaac has a strong chance of being one of the obligatory handful of first party fan picks, and that isn't even to speak of his extensive moveset potential.

3) Astral Chain - A series that I'm somewhat dubious on but in fairness, is another one of the only new Switch-era Nintendo series left worth humoring for a spot. I can see AC getting shafted into an AT role much like other more fringe series before it such as Golden Sun, Sin & Punishment and Dillon's Rolling Western. But on the other hand, if the timing is right and Sakurai saw potential in this concept... which he very well could have, the unique material speaks for itself, then why not? I can see this being sort of a Xenoblade situation, taking a chance on a promising standout title with a strong identity to bring to the game. Not essential IMO, but it's possible - solid 50/50 here.

4) Excitebike - Secretly the most glaring omission, Excitebike sits comfortably alongside games like Duck Hunt, Punch-Out and Ice Climber in the Nintendo 'retro' pantheon of... let's say "regular suspects" (think NES Remix, WarioWare, etc) and now kind of feels like the only big one who hasn't had their chance. With a unique gameplay hook humored by Sakurai in the past, continued prominence through generations through 3D Classics, Mario Kart 8 and so forth, a surprising number of games and sales under its belt that surpasses several of its NES contemporaries. I think Excitebiker is overqualified to be in Smash and hinges somewhat on Sakurai's vision for this roster... who is the 'surprise' character? Do we want another old school throwback? I think it's fairly likely.

5) Rhythm Heaven - The 'recency bias' pull, but of course a series that I have been advocating for upwards of a decade now. A new hope has presented itself in Rhythm Heaven Groove, although I have my worries about timing being an issue here. But all the same, Rhythm Heaven almost made it in once... it could happen again, if Sakurai still feels particularly driven by the idea or heard about this game early in development to give him confidence in developing a character. Hard variables to gauge, but this feels a lot less like a pipe dream again. Not especially likely but at least possible.

Honorable Mention: Famicom Detective Club - A popular pick in the wake of an exciting revival and remakes, I think FDC is justified in inviting the conversation but probably a bit less likely than some people think. It's hard to explain but Ayumi strikes me as primed Assist Trophy material and less so playable character material at the moment. Certainly not impossible, but we have to understand this is also a pretty small series relatively speaking and I'm not sure Sakurai will be playing Emio and getting the same kind of inspiration he did playing like... Xenoblade, I guess. Is this the kind of series that Smash would take a swing on? Maybe. I'm not that optimistic but I wouldn't be completely shocked, either. In some capacity or another Sakurai was interested in the idea once, so he's at least got his finger on the pulse of this series I'm sure.

Excitebike is an interesting case, it feels a bit like Toad in a way, like it could happen at anytime, yet it never did. I'm not sure how truly likely Excitebike is, I do agree that on paper, it's the retro pick that make the more sense, but we know Sakurai in the past add Ice climber and ROB for those spot, which prove that he doesn't always go for the most "popular" in this category so I don't know.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

Also today I learned that Pushmo is a Nintendo IP. Somehow I thought it belonged to Koei Techmo.

Fun fact: Pushmo actually got a microgame in 5-Volt's games in WarioWare Gold since it was developed by Intelligent Systems, was the last Pushmo related thing that's happened I think, and since the eShop went down, WarioWare Gold's physical release is pretty much the only way to play any part of the series if you didn't already own it (outside of emulating it of course).

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

But with GTA you can't really remove the violence in the same way because killing people with guns and stealing stuff is pretty much all those characters do. If you remove that you're left with a character that can... punch I guess?

Well they can't kill you with guns, but they might be able to shoot you with them if they're allowed like they were for Joker. As for theft, I think that'd probably be the character's selling point. I've said it before, but what I would do with a GTA character is give them a command grab that steals an item from the opponent. This would be character dependent, and have different effects. For example:

Junk Sword: A simple battering item.
Macarakarn/Tetrekarn: Literally just his down special, though it's one use, even if the counter doesn't activate.
Banana Peel: Any item based character pretty much just gives you their item. Saves dev time.

Fun fact: Pushmo actually got a microgame in 5-Volt's games in WarioWare Gold since it was developed by Intelligent Systems, was the last Pushmo related thing that's happened I think, and since the eShop went down, WarioWare Gold's physical release is pretty much the only way to play any part of the series if you didn't already own it (outside of emulating it of course).

Really? I could have sworn there was a Pushmo game on the Switch...

 

[Gorgonzales]

GTA is extremely popular, Smash is extremely popular, but I can't see a lot of overlap between the demographics of those games.

You could tell a GTA fan that Trevor or CJ made it into Smash and there is a non-insignificant chance that they either wouldn't care or wouldn't know what Smash even is. A large amount of Smash fans would also be confused at the inclusion (though I have no doubt people would have a lot of fun making jokes about it).

That's mainly the way I see it, at least. I know overlap does exist between Smash fans and GTA fans in some capacity, but the disparity there is probably the greatest when compared to all the other series represented in Smash.

 

[dream1ng]

I feel like this is entirely dependent on FDC's almost assuredly different metrics for success. After all, the remakes did get followed up by a sequel, and I don't imagine you'd make the first sequel in 27 years off of a game that didn't do well.

Like it's a visual novel so it's definitely going to take less money to make, and would need to make less money back to be considered a success. It just makes it harder for us to determine if Emio has potential to receive a sequel since we can't just be like "well it's a million seller so of course it will".

Yeah but if Smash has the ability to be selective, simply doing "ok" by visual novel standards doesn't inherently achieve enough to get included among candidates who do better regardless of genre. Smash doesn't have to pick a visual novel character, and it doesn't operate on the same metrics.

I mean, for reference, Golden Sun Dark Dawn sold more than double Emio in Japan, and more than four times the remakes. Sure one is an RPG, but for Smash it doesn't demonstrate very wide reception of the series in comparison with other characters they could select. Not Isaac, just... anyone.

FDC's case of basically just continuing to exist is more an indictment of current competition than its own strength, and it being more of a success against other options would just affirm a stronger resume given familiarity is generally a pretty big benefit for inclusion.

Especially because Emio probably showed up too late for base, and remakes don't generally carry much weight for Smash, so it might have to wait until DLC to get a chance. But by then, they're also going to be able to leverage Switch 2 games into DLC selection.

 

[Louie G.]

Excitebike is an interesting case, it feels a bit like Toad in a way, like it could happen at anytime, yet it never did. I'm not sure how truly likely Excitebike is, I do agree that on paper, it's the retro pick that make the more sense, but we know Sakurai in the past add Ice climber and ROB for those spot, which prove that he doesn't always go for the most "popular" in this category so I don't know.

I see where you're coming from, but I probably don't entirely agree with the Toad comparison here. Unlike Toad, Excitebiker was passed on in Melee partially due to practical reasons. 25 years later, you have to imagine Sakurai could have landed on a solution to this problem and hasn't properly acted on that yet... so sure, we could make that case, but is Excitebiker that much more notable than Duck Hunt? Or historically important than ROB? Mind as well that Pit's reasons for being chosen were different than that of Ice Climbers, to reimagine him in a modern context, and Little Mac had a new game around that time.

In other words, it's not that weird to me that we haven't seen it yet. Smash doesn't typically flood itself with these kind of characters and with a steady stream thus far it's not really that hard to see why each one was selected. Excitebiker could have been any one of those characters at any point, but I guess he wasn't. Unlike Toad however you can't really quantify just how weird this omission is by recurring roles in a currently standing series or what have you.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

Fun fact: Pushmo actually got a microgame in 5-Volt's games in WarioWare Gold since it was developed by Intelligent Systems, was the last Pushmo related thing that's happened I think, and since the eShop went down, WarioWare Gold's physical release is pretty much the only way to play any part of the series if you didn't already own it (outside of emulating it of course).

My guess is that it will get a collection in the future but is there any issues with controls?

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

Really? I could have sworn there was a Pushmo game on the Switch...

Nope, it did get a Wii U game, Pushmo World, in 2014, but the last Pushmo game was Stretchmo on the 3DS in 2015.

Yet another franchise that's been missing in action since releasing a game on the 3DS 10 years ago. Almost feels like a curse at this point lol

 

[Noipoi]

I think we're all forgetting a very important new first party franchise

Spoiler

 

[DemifiendEnjoyer]

So if we see any new IP’s come Wednesday, Would those even be viable for Smash if it was in development right now? I remember Sakurai said Rex didn’t make it into Ultimate cause Xenoblade Chronicles 2 wasn’t announced by the time the roster was chosen.
I’m honestly confused as to how much information Sakurai gets on the development of other games before their announcement.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

So if we see any new IP’s come Wednesday, Would those even be viable for Smash if it was in development right now? I remember Sakurai said Rex didn’t make it into Ultimate cause Xenoblade Chronicles 2 wasn’t announced by the time the roster was chosen.
I’m honestly confused as to how much information Sakurai gets on the development of other games before their announcement.

Anything coming on Wednesday will likely have missed out on the boat, since Sakurai has said before that characters don't typically get added to the plan after it's made.

Honestly, to go along with dream1ng 's point earlier, even Emio is admittedly probably too late since it came out in August last year and I feel like development would have started after the Spirit Events ended and Namco's support studios stopped hiring which was about June from what I've heard, so the project plan was probably either the end of 2023 or early 2024.

The only thing I can see happening beyond mid-2024 is a newer Pokemon if Gen 10 comes out before Smash does, just like what happened with Greninja.

 

[Perkilator]

What do you think are the top five most likely new Nintendo franchises to get a character in the next Smash Bros, and why?

1. Famicom Detective Club (had a renaissance during the Switch era)
2. Ring Fit Adventure (hugely successful, with on top of already lending itself pretty well to Smash)
3. Astral Chain (fully owned by Nintendo; plus, I don’t think technical limitations will be nearly as much of a problem on Switch 2)
4. Golden Sun (Isaac may be picked as someone on the Fighter Ballot who missed their chance as playable in Ultimate)
5. The Mysterious Murasame Castle (in Takamaru’s case, for the same reason as Isaac)

Shout out to Sportsmate from Nintendo Switch Sports. Not only because that game was also successful, but also because the Sportsmates themselves just so happen to have eight premade designs to be used as alts.

 

[Noipoi]

So if we see any new IP’s come Wednesday, Would those even be viable for Smash if it was in development right now? I remember Sakurai said Rex didn’t make it into Ultimate cause Xenoblade Chronicles 2 wasn’t announced by the time the roster was chosen.
I’m honestly confused as to how much information Sakurai gets on the development of other games before their announcement.

If we assume this game has been in development since around 2022-2023, I’d say yeah it might be too late for any newer characters.

Except for a Pokemon from generation 10. Pokemon always gets to skip the line.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

The Mysterious Murasame Castle (in Takamaru’s case, for the same reason as Isaac)

I highly doubt Takamaru would've done as well as Isaac potentially did, both because of his lack of presence outside of Japan and because he was already an Assist Trophy in 4, so with the Ballot promoting itself as something to add one more character to Smash 4, that probably would've slashed his numbers dramatically, while Isaac was completely absent from 4, meaning Golden Sun fans could go all in with their support.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Shout out to Sportsmate from Nintendo Switch Sports. Not only because that game was also successful, but also because the Sportsmates themselves just so happen to have eight premade designs to be used as alts.

I forgot about those. I don't really want them, but I would laugh so hard if they did add them since uh...no one else does either.

That and with all the talks about Daisy and Waluigi's movesets, Sportsmates swooping in to be the sports based characters would be really funny.

 

[Kirby Dragons]

A stage is probably the best way to represent Nintendo Switch Sports.

 

[cashregister9]

What do you think are the top five most likely new Nintendo franchises to get a character in the next Smash Bros, and why?

Currently I am thinking

1. Ring Fit
2. Nintendo Switch Sports
3. Astral Chain
4. Famicom Detective Club
5. Rhythm Heaven

Honorable Mentions: The Mysterious Murasame Castle, Advanced Wars, Panel de Pon

 

[dream1ng]

GTA is extremely popular, Smash is extremely popular, but I can't see a lot of overlap between the demographics of those games.

You could tell a GTA fan that Trevor or CJ made it into Smash and there is a non-insignificant chance that they either wouldn't care or wouldn't know what Smash even is. A large amount of Smash fans would also be confused at the inclusion (though I have no doubt people would have a lot of fun making jokes about it).

That's mainly the way I see it, at least. I know overlap does exist between Smash fans and GTA fans in some capacity, but the disparity there is probably the greatest when compared to all the other series represented in Smash.

I think part of the third-party strategy is deliberately cast a wide net towards other big demographics and draw them in towards Smash. So I don't think being part of a disparate fanbase will stop them - whether it's GTA, Dark Souls/Elden Ring, Halo, Yakuza, Resident Evil, etc. Though it probably won't be GTA.

I mean look at all the jokes about how many third-parties Smash has added that would've fit better in PSASBR.

I know now it seems like the links are inextricable, but back before they were included a number of the third-parties we have now were treated barely more than on the periphery of fanbase overlap - with fans here and there, but nothing like a lot of the ballot-era choices.

Also, GTA and Smash are not in separate timelines; a lot of people within GTA's fanbase will know what Smash is. Sure, given GTA's size there's a massive amount of fans so casual they might not have more than cursory Smash awareness, if any, but even a fraction of its fanbase is still huge.

 

[Hadokeyblade]

Excitebike is an interesting case, it feels a bit like Toad in a way, like it could happen at anytime, yet it never did. I'm not sure how truly likely Excitebike is, I do agree that on paper, it's the retro pick that make the more sense, but we know Sakurai in the past add Ice climber and ROB for those spot, which prove that he doesn't always go for the most "popular" in this category so I don't know.

I wish they never took out the Excite bike assist, i liked that one.

 

[Louie G.]

I'd rather have Sportsmate than "Waluigi but his moveset is sports" anyway to be honest with you. Not an endorsement of either concept.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

I'd rather have Sportsmate than "Waluigi but his moveset is sports" anyway to be honest with you. Not an endorsement of either concept.

Honestly, I kinda feel like Sportsmate might just get like Mii Costumes and maybe a collectible or something? Like a Swordfighter with the little Chambara sword, maybe outfits for the other two, though I dunno what specific gear you'd give them. Maybe it'd even be one of those special ones that changes color with the Mii's favorite color, like how the Bomberman Mii Costume had a ton of colors to wear.

Like that game also did very well for itself, but Miis are also an option for the characters, so I almost feel like it's covered in a way I guess?

 

[dream1ng]

Shout out to Sportsmate from Nintendo Switch Sports. Not only because that game was also successful, but also because the Sportsmates themselves just so happen to have eight premade designs to be used as alts.
View attachment 400717

This does seem like something they'd do and I kinda hate that.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

If we assume this game has been in development since around 2022-2023, I’d say yeah it might be too late for any newer characters.

It’s probably maximum late 2023 to early 2024 if it’s about making final adjustments to the plan like how Chrom was planned for Smash 4 before being dropped when Robin was chosen instead.

 

[RealLuigisWearPink]

I’m definitely down for Excitebiker I’ve been wanting that for a while.

The sportsmates are, to put it bluntly, awful and I hate them. I dunno how likely they are for smash but for me that reveal would go over like the fart at the start of the tomodachi life trailer

and of course rhythm heaven for smash should be happening yesterday

 

[dream1ng]

Astral Chain (fully owned by Nintendo; plus, I don’t think technical limitations will be nearly as much of a problem on Switch 2)

Fwiw I really don't think this changes anything. They were always first-party, and Platinum will still be involved if they're included just for assets and oversight. Plus they're already involved with Bayonetta, who I doubt is getting cut, so I think the only real difference is now it's legally simpler to add AC.

 

[cashregister9]

Sportsmates with the ability to use Mii heads and a moveset based on the entire Wii Sports series seems like a decent concept to me tbh.

 

[HyperSomari64]

Also today I learned that Pushmo is a Nintendo IP. Somehow I thought it belonged to Koei Techmo.

Maybe you were mixing up with this

 

[Dukefire]

I know I'll sound like a party pooper and rhetorical, but make sure to control expectation and set them low if possible. Just speaking out as a sense of reason. At least, we get to have a taste of what the Switch 2 can do in 3 days.

 

[CosmicEternity44]

I know I'll sound like a party pooper and rhetorical, but make sure to control expectation and set them low if possible. Just speaking out as a sense of reason. At least, we get to have a taste of what the Switch 2 can do in 3 days.

Agreed, Dukefire. I already have my expectations low. I am also not truly expecting anything Smash related at the event.

 

[MBRedboy31]

Sportsmates have so many good costume options that they probably won't use since the ones in marketing use just the most basic options.
Look at all these unique weirdos you can play as. Please, Nintendo, just let me play as the squirrel

 

[BrawlX10]

So, I'm going to ask this question once now, and once after the Switch 2 direct. We're at the end of the Switch's lifespan. It had a great run. There were a ton of wonderful games and a ton of fantastic revivals of older franchises.

Part of Smash's appeal is adding new franchises to expand the crossover. So I have to ask.

What do you think are the top five most likely new Nintendo franchises to get a character in the next Smash Bros, and why?

Ring Fit, Astral Chain, Rythmn Heaven, Fanicom Detective Club and Golden Sun.


Oh, i think Super Smash Bros. Kerfuffle would be a great name for Smash 6, a throw back of a name in the same vein of Melee and Brawl. Kerfuffle also has a nice rythmn to it.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Super Smash Bros. Kerfuffle

This might be the first time I see someone other than myself use that name. Or at least in a long time.

 

[BuckleyTim]

I love how Switch Sports was such a fumble in everyone's minds that nobody is entertaining the idea of Sportsmates even though years ago people were practically begging for the miis to get a Sports Resort inspired moveset.

Maybe if 99% of the cosmetic options in the mii successor game weren't locked by grinding out the online multiplayer in gosh darn "wii sports 3" people would see them as an easy slam dunk. alas, someone on the switch sports team was all in on live service elements; not even for profit reasons, they just thought "grind everything out" is how games should be played, i guess...

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

I love how Switch Sports was such a fumble in everyone's minds that nobody is entertaining the idea of Sportsmates even though years ago people were practically begging for the miis to get a Sports Resort inspired moveset.

Maybe if 99% of the cosmetic options in the mii successor game weren't locked by grinding out the online multiplayer in gosh darn "wii sports 3" people would see them as an easy slam dunk. alas, someone on the switch sports team was all in on live service elements; not even for profit reasons, they just thought "grind everything out" is how games should be played, i guess...

In Nintendo's defense... that strategy worked every single time for Splatoon and people praise it as one of Nintendo's heavy hitters.

Doesn't mean it's a good thing Switch Sports does it too (it's not), but I can kinda see the thought process that let them think "maybe this could work?"

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Switch Sports arguably had a few uphill battles. To many it lacked the charm of the Wii era aesthetics, the grindy nature for costumes felt unwelcome, and (for Western fans that had the Wii) it lacked the value of being a pack in game like Wii Sports was. Essentially a lot of the strengths of its predecessors were greatly downplayed, and while the game sold well, culturally it hit nowhere close to the titles that came before. Between that, and eventual non-factor the 1-2 Switch duology ended up being in people's memories, the Switch might have some the biggest downgrades with casual games that don't have the Mario name attached NDCube's Clubhouse Games excepted.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Switch Sports arguably had a few uphill battles. To many it lacked the charm of the Wii era aesthetics, the grindy nature for costumes felt unwelcome, and (for Western fans that had the Wii) it lacked the value of being a pack in game like Wii Sports was. Essentially a lot of the strengths of its predecessors were greatly downplayed, and while the game sold well, culturally it hit nowhere close to the titles that came before. Between that, and eventual non-factor the 1-2 Switch duology ended up being in people's memories, the Switch might have some the biggest downgrades with casual games that don't have the Mario name attached NDCube's Clubhouse Games excepted.

A lot of casual series or spin-offs straight up lost what made them special or, for new ones, didn't have anything special at all during the Switch era.

• Every Mario sports series became a live-service with little to no worthwhile content (with the exception of Tennis Aces, the very first one, which still has those traits, it's just a more complete game), but only did so for a few months which I don't think is enough to make that format worth attempting
• We didn't get a new Mario Kart and instead got a port that eventually a blatantly forced DLC with the Booster Course Pass
• Switch Sports was already explained by you and others
• Nobody 1-2 Switched
• Nintendo Labo only works with very specific models so if you have an OLED or Lite, well tough luck, idiot. And every Labo game is a glorified tech demo which, while filled with charm and soul, is still incredibly barebones in actual gameplay
• ARMS is a great concept but its execution is rough around the edges and it didn't get the support it could've had to be as good as it could be, to the point where its graphic novel was even silently canceled after years of radio silence

The only real winners in the casual side are Ring Fit, Mario Party and Clubhouse Games. Feels like everything else got worse.