Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[CosmicEternity44]

I am thinking that since Sakurai is working on Kirby Air Riders, that might mean it will take a year or two before we get any Smash Bros. related news, unless someone else is at the helm for the next Smash Bros. Neither is a really bad thing, though. Either way, this will be similar to Sakurai finishing up Kid Icarus: Uprising before working on Smash 4 in the Wii U days, will it not?

EDIT: Looks like we have reached 2200 pages, not that it means anything.

 

[Dukefire]

I am thinking that since Sakurai is working on Kirby Air Riders, that might mean it will take a year or two before we get any Smash Bros. related news, unless someone else is at the helm for the next Smash Bros. Neither is a really bad thing, though. Either way, this will be similar to Sakurai finishing up Kid Icarus: Uprising before working on Smash 4 in the Wii U days, will it not?

EDIT: Looks like we have reached 2200 pages, not that it means anything.

That all depends on what Sakurai is planning. He's been working on his old project to brand new for sometime in the shadows till now. So, all I can say is all a matter of time.

 

[Kirbeh]

Okay, full thoughts now that any more Switch 2 news seems to be done for the day.

• Mario Kart World - Amazing, peak, cinema even.
• GameChat...
  
  
  
  Not using it.
• Specs - Pretty good. Better than I was expecting.
• Welcome Tour
  
  
  
  The audacity. Hope it flops hard.
• Jamboree Camera Expansion - No thank you.
• Switch 2 Edition Upgrades - Cautiously optimistic.
• Drag x Drive - Was interesting for the minute and a half it was on screen, not interested. Probably going to be a tech demo at full game price.
• SF6 w/Crossplay - Nice.
• Bravely HD - YES PLEASE
• Age of Imprisonment
  
  
• GC NSO - YES PLEASE...but where's WWHD? I'd rather get the better version.
• Bloodbo- The Duskbloods - Don't like the name. Cautiously optimistic though.
• Kirby Air Riders - Happiness
  
  
• DK Bananza
  
  
• Console Price - Unfortunate but expected. Still barely within reason.
• Game Prices - Unfortunate but much harder to swallow.
• Key Cards - Unfortunate but expected. Will avoid them as much as possible.
• Region Locking - Actually upset over this one. Huge step backward.

Direct gets a 6/10. The full details from afterward bump it down to a 5. Some good stuff but overall, not too pleased. No absolute deal breakers, but they're getting close.


Also, wait, why are people leaving now that there's stuff to actually talk about?

 

[CosmicEternity44]

That all depends on what Sakurai is planning. He's been working on his old project to brand new for sometime in the shadows till now. So, all I can say is all a matter of time.

So what did you mean by "old project to brand new" part, specifically the brand new part?

 

[waddledeeonredyoshi]

Wow, these cases look ugly. I know they'd have to stand out from Switch 1 games but for what reason would that huge red bar need to take up this much real-estate? With such a tiny logo no less

 

[PlasmaDam]

Idk about the gen 10 Grass starter but I really wouldn't mind meowscarada as the Pokémon rep.plus I think you could do some neat stuff with The magician aesthetic in terms of moveset

 

[fogbadge]

That all depends on what Sakurai is planning. He's been working on his old project to brand new for sometime in the shadows till now. So, all I can say is all a matter of time.

and it's slated to be out this year. he could be moving on to smash soon than we think. this year might be the cut off point for the next game

 

[CosmicEternity44]

Idk about the gen 10 Gras starter but I really wouldn't mind meowscarada as the Pokémon rep

Since both Incineroar and Meowscarada are cats, if the latter gets in and the former is not cut, I can see a catfight coming!

 

[DemifiendEnjoyer]

I'm just gonna throw it out there.
Kamek is gonna be playable in Smash 6 as the second character for the Yoshi series.
If i'm right please give me $100 dollars.

 

[CosmicEternity44]

Not that I would want it, but what are the chances for a Smash Bros. Ultimate Switch 2 Edition game being made like those other games like the two Zelda ones, anyway? I am not sure if it will be happening unless there are more Switch 2 game editions, maybe.

 

[Dukefire]

So what did you mean by "old project to brand new" part, specifically the brand new part?

Kirby Air Ride on the Gamecube was the LAST GAME he made related to Kirby before leaving HAL Laboratories for the Kirby lore we know now. It's his old project now revitalized.

 

[DemifiendEnjoyer]

Not that I would want it, but what are the chances for a Smash Bros. Ultimate Switch 2 Edition game being made like those other games like the two Zelda ones, anyway? I am not sure if it will be happening unless there are more Switch 2 game editions, maybe.

I really really highly doubt it would happen.

 

[CosmicEternity44]

Kirby Air Ride on the Gamecube was the LAST GAME he made related to Kirby before leaving HAL Laboratories for the Kirby lore we know now. It's his old project now revitalized.

Oh, I see. Thanks for explaining, I should have known.

I really really highly doubt it would happen.

Ditto, but it would be kind of nice to have to tide over before the next actual Smash game, in my opinion.

 

[GoldenYuiitusin]

Why?

If Gen 10 drops in 2026 and Smash 6 comes out in 2027/8/whatever, what are they gonna skip Gen 10 for? We’d still be in Gen 10.

Depends on when the project is drafted for Smash, really.

If before Gen 10 drops, like say, right after Air Riders drops, then yeah, Gen 10.

If the project is drafted after Gen 10 drops because, I dunno, Sakurai felt like taking a break or doing another game that isn't Smash, then not Gen 10.

 

[CosmicEternity44]

So, how long do you think before they announce the Smash Bros. game like how they did with Smash 4 and Ultimate? (That is, without actual trailers) I mean, I hope it is not so long before that happens.

 

[superprincess]

Thought Smash would be the holiday game for next year.... guess not. Never got into Kirby Air Ride, so this is whatever.

 

[Dukefire]

Last one relating to Kirby Air Ride, here is a video that explains the Machines and their perks. A good refresher to prep for Kirby Air Riders later in 2025. IDK if Sakurai may have added any new machines, but this stands unless otherwise.

 

[Watuna4343]

Personally, I’m expecting a Switch 2 upgrade with Fighter Pass 3. I wouldn’t be surprised if they skip Smash 6 this generation, similar to how they skipped MK9 during the Switch 1 era. Maybe they’re not sure how to make a Smash 6 stand out compared to Ultimate and still appeal to customers, especially if it means potential cuts.

I'll say it again: most people seem to want an Ultimate Deluxe, not Smash 6. It’s going to be a tougher sell than Mario Kart World. I remember far more people were ready to move on to MK9 than the number of people I’m seeing excited for a new Smash entry. Honestly, I thought I was the only one who wanted a Smash 6 until I joined this site.

That said, I don’t think a Smash 6 is impossible, but I’m not betting on it. The hype for Smash 6 just isn’t there yet—compare it to the huge excitement for Mario Kart 9, Street Fighter 6, or Tekken 8, and it’s clear the hype around Smash 6 is much much smaller.

Ultimate is in a similar situation of The Sims 4, as in, most fans don't really want a new entry, at least not yet.

The problem is that very few people are interested in a Smash 6 right now. If you look around, most people are asking for a Switch 2 upgrade for Ultimate, not a new game. Take The Sims, for example—Sims 5 was planned but ultimately cancelled in favor of continuing to update Sims 4. There was a similar lack of interest in Sims 5 as there is in Smash 6.

So the question is: why make Smash 6 if only 1% of Smash players, at most, are asking for it, and the other 99% are asking for a Switch 2 upgrade? If people can keep playing League of Legends for 15 years and World of Warcraft for 21 years, realistically, they’ll have no problem playing Ultimate for that long as well. It’s just how it is.

I also think this might be the last Street Fighter, Tekken, Guilty Gear, and Mario Kart we’ll see in the next 15 years, at least as well, i think Animal Crossing and Splatoon will also take a similar path after the Switch 2 ones release.

Tbh, I really don't get where you are coming from with so many people wanting an Ultimate Deluxe and so few people wanting a Smash 6 because I'd argue that just because some online people want Ultimate Deluxe doesn't mean that that's most people. If anything, whether the next Smash is Ultimate Deluxe (which it won't for what it's worth) or Smash 6 most people are gonna get it anyway. If anything most people online who talk about Ultimate Deluxe fall into the same trap of thinking that Smash will absolutely, definitely take the Mario Kart route just because - it's one thing to predict and another to want.

And I don't think it can be said enough. Comparing Mario Kart with Smash Bros isn't the argument for a Deluxe edition. Not only are they different IPs but also the Switch isn't the Wii U. It did not flop. An Ultimate Deluxe is asking to flop because people who wanted Ultimate have it. And talking about such big franchises/money machines stopping is also very unrealistic. As long as they sell, new entries are inevitable.

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Something I'm a little surprised by when thinking about the presentation is the lack of JRPG titles outside third parties. Granted Xenoblade X just came out, Paper Mario/M&L sequels are some ways off, and Fire Emblem may or may not have a remake in the can, but given how heavily Switch 1 became the JRPG machine, not have any first party offerings in the Switch 2 presentation is something I would not have predicted.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

• Region Locking - Actually upset over this one. Huge step backward.

I think this one only applies to the Japanese specific domestic console, AKA the cheaper option but it can only play Japanese region games, with an option to buy a region-free one for more money if you want.

None of the others have that distinction so I feel like only that domestic one is region locked.

 

[Hadokeyblade]

A bit of trivia, the time gap between Ultimate and today is bigger now than the time gap between Melee and Brawl, kinda wild.
By the way, does anyone knows the exact development time each smash game took, for comparision?

I dont think that counts here, Ultimate's last character came out in 2021, we are now in 2025, that's about 4 years.

Melee came out in 2001 and Brawl in 2008, which is 7 years.

 

[RodNutTakin]

I imagine the Summer/Fall Direct (whichever they have the next Direct planned for) will have a greater focus on 1st party games.
I don't blame them wanting to emphasise third party games this Direct, since a strong launch lineup like that will go a long way for the system.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

My opinion for Kirby Air Riders is that the other modes should be improved compared to the original since they weren’t as great as City Trial.

I think it will be more then just Kirby, Meta Knight and King Dedede.

 

[Kirbeh]

I think this one only applies to the Japanese specific domestic console, AKA the cheaper option but it can only play Japanese region games, with an option to buy a region-free one for more money if you want.

None of the others have that distinction so I feel like only that domestic one is region locked.

Yeah, I saw dexeray's post after the fact but it's still not entirely clear. I wouldn't put it past them to ensure that the global version can't play JP exclusive titles.

 

[Hadokeyblade]

Yeah, I saw dexeray's post after the fact but it's still not entirely clear. I wouldn't put it past them to ensure that the global version can't play JP exclusive titles.

Apparently it's that there are two versions of the console, a cheaper region locked version and a more expensive region free version.

 

[Guynamednelson]

And talking about such big franchises/money machines stopping is also very unrealistic

Hell I think it's going to bite EA in the ass eventually to stop making Sims games at The Sims 4. Even without taking to account all the bugs that get worse and worse with every update and DLC you add, why suddenly worry about people not wanting to move on from their saves now when that wasn't a concern when making The Sims 2 or 3? And they were still big successes?

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

Yeah, I saw dexeray's post after the fact but it's still not entirely clear. I wouldn't put it past them to ensure that the global version can't play JP exclusive titles.

I mean honestly if I could buy a region locked one for less money I'd be down for it but that's just because I don't import games or anything like that lmao

Kinda weird that only Japan gets a decision between the two, but I do think it's just for that.

 

[CosmicEternity44]

So, how long do you think before they announce the Smash Bros. game like how they did with Smash 4 and Ultimate? (That is, without actual trailers) I mean, I hope it is not so long before that happens.

I'd hate to repeat myself, but since it is unanswered, can someone please answer this for me?

 

[Hadokeyblade]

I'd hate to repeat myself, but since it is unanswered, can someone please answer this for me?

Smash games come out in the first couple years of the console so the next one will probably be in one of the next couple directs.

 

[Dukefire]

I'd hate to repeat myself, but since it is unanswered, can someone please answer this for me?

I'll give it a year or two. Depends on the size of Smash Bros's content.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

I'd hate to repeat myself, but since it is unanswered, can someone please answer this for me?

As I've been saying, I expect Smash to begin its marketing cycle sometime next year. It does depend on how long Air Riders was in development (god it feels so surreal saying that), but since Sakurai's project started in April 2022, it's had about 3 years already, and I still feel like Namco's support studios hiring last year when those Spirit Events happened is a good indication of when they started full scale development.

 

[CosmicEternity44]

Smash games come out in the first couple years of the console so the next one will probably be in one of the next couple directs.

I'll give it a year or two. Depends on the size of Smash Bros's content.

Alright, thanks!

Though no offense, Dukefire, but I like Hadokeyblade's answer better. Plus, I meant an announcement that it is happening, not a trailer.

 

[Þe 1 → Way]

Now that we're getting Air Ride 2, I'm positive we'll see Smash Run return next go around. Seems like this is the kind of sequel Sakurai has been wanting to make for years. It's good he gets to step out of just making Smash, though I hope we at least hear it mentioned in the following 6 months.

 

[BrawlX10]

Not that I would want it, but what are the chances for a Smash Bros. Ultimate Switch 2 Edition game being made like those other games like the two Zelda ones, anyway? I am not sure if it will be happening unless there are more Switch 2 game editions, maybe.

I give it a 30%, it's defintiely posible, but i dunno....at the same time feel like they would've already anounced it if it was coming if im honest with you, plus, MK8D has no Switch 2 upgrade of any kind like Smash and it got a new game, i'll go with 30% mostly to avoid begin disapointed if we don't get a Smash 6, since i want a new smash game, personally.

I am thinking that since Sakurai is working on Kirby Air Riders, that might mean it will take a year or two before we get any Smash Bros. related news, unless someone else is at the helm for the next Smash Bros. Neither is a really bad thing, though. Either way, this will be similar to Sakurai finishing up Kid Icarus: Uprising before working on Smash 4 in the Wii U days, will it not?

Yeah, it will probably be similar to Smash 4, i think in fact, the pre-release would be similar to that game in general, 2025 begin similar to 2012 as the consule launch year and not having any info about the game, 2026 begin similar to 2013 when the game is anounced and the hype campaing really starts and 2027 similar to 2014 were the game actually releases.
However, i'll also say that Sakurai probably started development before Kirby Air Riders development finishes unlike KIU, i think Nintendo probably doesn't want to delay Smash 6 much longer, tbh.

 

[Cyberfire]

I'm just gonna throw it out there.
Kamek is gonna be playable in Smash 6 as the second character for the Yoshi series.
If i'm right please give me $100 dollars.

With the way things are going, that'll be the price of Smash 6

 

[BrawlX10]

Hell I think it's going to bite EA in the ass eventually to stop making Sims games at The Sims 4. Even without taking to account all the bugs that get worse and worse with every update and DLC you add, why suddenly worry about people not wanting to move on from their saves now when that wasn't a concern when making The Sims 2 or 3? And they were still big successes?

Honestly, they'll probably make a Sims 5 eventually, but Sims 4 is going to have a very long lifespan, like 25 years or so, minimum and the game is "only" at it's 10th anniversary, gonna be a long time before they move on.
As for Smash, it's not completely impossible that Ultimate will have a very long lifespan, like 15 years minimum if they decide to skip Smash 6 and release a Switch 2 update with an extra FP, which like i previously stated, it's defintiely possible as it would be as succeful and hype as a Smash 6 for most people. (Not for me, though)

 

[PersonAngelo53]

Something I'm a little surprised by when thinking about the presentation is the lack of JRPG titles outside third parties. Granted Xenoblade X just came out, Paper Mario/M&L sequels are some ways off, and Fire Emblem may or may not have a remake in the can, but given how heavily Switch 1 became the JRPG machine, not have any first party offerings in the Switch 2 presentation is something I would not have predicted.

Honestly even besides this I am surprised so many stuff is missing. Like besides barely any JRPG’s besides Bravely default remaster, there was no Master chief collection or Xbox games, no big 3D Mario game, no revival of an old Nintendo franchise, obviously no smash; I at least expected smash melee or something to be on the Nintendo online service etc.

But anyway point being that honestly this event went a lot different then what I was predicting and I be lying if I said I wasn’t somewhat disappointed even with how good the new Mario kart or Donkey Kong game look. Just felt like something was missing in this direct.

 

[Guynamednelson]

as it would be as succeful and hype as a Smash 6 for most people.

Not necessarily. Not everyone buys DLC, and the more we go without SSBU getting more content announced, the more the potential install base for late DLC will decline.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

Not everyone buys DLC

Especially since there are countries without the eShop.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

I don't think we're gonna see Smash for a long time if we don't even know the specific release date for Air Riders.