Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[fogbadge]

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.

it’s currently slated for this year

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

it’s currently slated for this year

Yeah but all we know is the year. This makes me think it'll likely be on the later months because they wouldn't do that if it was a summer release.

So new Smash would likely release late 2028 at its earliest... assuming Air Riders gets no post-launch support.

 

[Gengar84]

You know, I hope this doesn’t offend people but I’m kind of glad we didn’t get a Smash announcement in this Direct and it’s likely years away. It makes it all the easier to just say screw buying a Switch 2. The Mario Kart game looks pretty cool and the DK game looks fun even though I hate his new design but there’s no way in hell I’m paying $90 for physical games. The price of the console was high but I was fine with it but $90 for a game is beyond ridiculous. On top of that, the fact that they’re charging for a tutorial game is crazy. Nintendo seems to have gone full PS3 era Sony and I’m not here for it. Yes, I’m aware that a lot of the blame for all this is due to Trump and his tariffs and I tried to do everything in my power to keep him from taking office.

As for Smash itself, I don’t even care what happens in the future anymore. I think I’m done buying Nintendo consoles. I still enjoy speculating and talking about characters and ideas I like but I’m no longer excited for Nintendo. I’ll probably stick around here and theorize but I’m just going to go back to playing and modding Ultimate. Smash 6 was almost definitely going to be a personal disappointment to me anyways with how many cuts people are expecting.

Nothing against anyone here, I’m just pretty upset at the whole situation. The good news is that now I’ll have more time to do more meaningful things like take part in protests (like I’m planning to this weekend). Again, I apologize if this offends anyone but I’m just sick of being taken advantage of by greedy politicians and corporations.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Yes, I’m aware that a lot of the blame for all this is due to Trump and his tariffs and I tried to do everything in my power to keep him from taking office.

It's weird because the general consensus seems to be that the prices are consistent across countries, so either it isn't because of the tariffs, or the US is ruining it for everyone.

I honestly don't know what's worse.

 

[Laniv]

For what it's worth, Sakurai has said outright that yes, Kirby Air Riders is indeed that secret project he talked about in his last video.

チャンネル最終話で話していた秘密の企画…
白日の下にさらされましたね｡https://t.co/RaayGMoDtD pic.twitter.com/zr9XBLDBuT

— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) April 2, 2025

Link to it because this site gets weird with twitter nowadays

 

[fogbadge]

For what it's worth, Sakurai has said outright that yes, Kirby Air Riders is indeed that secret project he talked about in his last video.

チャンネル最終話で話していた秘密の企画…
白日の下にさらされましたね｡https://t.co/RaayGMoDtD pic.twitter.com/zr9XBLDBuT

— 桜井 政博 / Masahiro Sakurai (@Sora_Sakurai) April 2, 2025

View attachment 400959

Link to it because this site gets weird with twitter nowadays

i never did play the GC one but I think I’d like to try this one

 

[Thegameandwatch]

If the price stays the same then my prediction is the Switch 2 will probably sell decently well but probably seen as a huge disappointment compared to the Switch 1. Same comparison as the 3DS to the original DS. Maybe even worse.

For what it's worth, Sakurai has said outright that yes, Kirby Air Riders is indeed that secret project he talked about in his last video.

He also mentioned that it will be announced sooner or later in his last video if development goes well.

 

[Idon]

So, are yall ready to see Age of Imprisonment to give Ganondorf a more true-to-character and faithful moveset than Smash ever has?

 

[Laniv]

So, are yall ready to see Age of Imprisonment to give Ganondorf a more true-to-character and faithful moveset than Smash ever has?

I'm ready to see it happen... again!

Hahahaha... I made myself sad

 

[Undella2]

It's weird because the general consensus seems to be that the prices are consistent across countries, so either it isn't because of the tariffs, or the US is ruining it for everyone.

I honestly don't know what's worse.

Perhaps they don't want to have region-locked switches for areas other than Japan for one reason or another, and so they just raise the prices everywhere due to increased prices involved with selling it in the States to avoid cross-country scalpers or whatnot.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

I'm watching a video by Arlo who mentioned the price in other countries taking exchange rates into account and holy heck the UK is paying $97 for Mario Kart World.

I hate everything about this.

 

[fogbadge]

I'm watching a video by Arlo who mentioned the price in other countries taking exchange rates into account and holy heck the UK is paying $97 for Mario Kart World.

I hate everything about this.

only for the physical version. according to when I checked the digital is worth $90

it’s also worth noting that DK bananza is actually a little cheaper with its physical version being the same as MK’s digital

 

[cashregister9]

Oh yeah I didn't get a bingo

Did pretty alright with the Bonuses

-Like A Dragon
-Native Social Features
-PS5 Style Backwards Compatibility
-Remedy Entertainment Games
-Deltarune


I have thoughts™️about a lot of things here, Mario Kart looks Great, DK looks fun, Air Ride returning is amazing and the never ending speculation cycle for the next game will never end, but I am still upset about the prices and especially upset about the political situation in the US.

 

[DarthEnderX]

An Ultimate Deluxe is asking to flop because people who wanted Ultimate have it.

Getting people who already have it to pay more money is the entire point of Switch 2 Editions.

Even moreso if that S2E then goes on to have DLC.

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.

Well, that's two different things really. The S2Es of the Zelda games are mostly just getting performance enhancements. The S2Es of, like, Mario Party and Kirby are adding new modes and story campaigns to the game.

An Ultimate S2E with no Fighters and just performance enhancements I'd put at about 30%. An Ultimate S2E with actual new content like Fighters and Modes I'd put at 40%.

So, are yall ready to see Age of Imprisonment to give Ganondorf a more true-to-character and faithful moveset than Smash ever has?

Also important is people who wanted Rauru will have a real moveset to work with now. Instead of just "Ultrahand stuff".

 

[BrawlX10]

Yeah but all we know is the year. This makes me think it'll likely be on the later months because they wouldn't do that if it was a summer release.

So new Smash would likely release late 2028 at its earliest... assuming Air Riders gets no post-launch support.

I don't think Nintendo is going to take that long in releasing a new Smash game after the sucess of Ultimate.
My guess it will be a 2027 release, i think Smash 6 is likely in development right now, probably by Team S.
And if we're not getting a new smash bros, then the switch 2 edition of Ultimate begin in 2026 is also possible.

 

[Nabbitfan730]

It's weird because the general consensus seems to be that the prices are consistent across countries, so either it isn't because of the tariffs, or the US is ruining it for everyone.

I honestly don't know what's worse.

It's the latter. Apparently the American tariffs affects Switch 2 production costs. Nintendo even moved their production to Vietnam to avoid increasing costs but Trump just recently announced new tariffs for Vietnam at 46% so looking like these prices are just beginning now

https://twitter.com/shinobi602/status/1907536101041975306

 

[fogbadge]

Oh yeah I didn't get a bingo

Did pretty alright with the Bonuses

-Like A Dragon
-Native Social Features
-PS5 Style Backwards Compatibility
-Remedy Entertainment Games
-Deltarune


I have thoughts™️about a lot of things here, Mario Kart looks Great, DK looks fun, Air Ride returning is amazing and the never ending speculation cycle for the next game will never end, but I am still upset about the prices and especially upset about the political situation in the US.

there was a fire emblem thing. the GC title was among those coming to switch

 

[cashregister9]

there was a fire emblem thing. the GC title was among those coming to switch

Yeah I only noticed after the fact

Still wouldn't have gotten a bingo unfortunately

 

[Thegameandwatch]

It's the latter. Apparently the American tariffs affects Switch 2 production costs. Nintendo even moved their production to Vietnam to avoid increasing costs but Trump just recently announced new tariffs for Vietnam at 46% so looking like these prices are just beginning now

https://twitter.com/shinobi602/status/1907536101041975306

I am not even sure if there is any major company or new product that wouldn't be affected since most outsource their production.

 

[PlasmaDam]

One last thing talking about the prices but this is lunacy paying 70 dollars for botw in 2025

 

[Thegameandwatch]

One last thing talking about the prices but this is lunacy paying 70 dollars for botw in 2025

Also the fact that Super Mario Party Jamboree and TOTK are the same price as Mario Kart and DK despite both games being ports.

 

[KingofPhantoms]

It's weird because the general consensus seems to be that the prices are consistent across countries, so either it isn't because of the tariffs, or the US is ruining it for everyone.

I honestly don't know what's worse.

From a moral standpoint, the latter's absolutely worse, and is more likely to be the case.

From a practical standpoint, the more hypothetical former case would potentially be worse because it means we'd be screwed to have to deal with stupidly high prices for video games either way.

 

[Guynamednelson]

there was a fire emblem thing. the GC title was among those coming to switch

And a Microsoft thing since they own Tony Hawk's Pro Skater

 

[Gengar84]

Ugh…..

Not that it matters anymore but I just thought of another small thing that might indirectly help the Battletoads’ chances when the next Smash game releases in 10 years. So there’s been a pretty big 80’s and 90’s nostalgia trend going for the last few games with the revival of the Beat ‘em Up genre and popular franchises of the era like TMNT and Streets of Rage. I don’t think any characters personify the early 90’s attitude quite as well as the Battletoads so they’d be the perfect choices to ride that trend. Add that to the fact that multiple Battletoads games are now playable on Switch online and I think there’s a legit argument for them. Of course, by the time we get Smash, the trend will have probably moved on to 2000’s and 2010’s nostalgia.

 

[BrawlX10]

If Sakurai doesn't return as a director, do you think it makes some characters less likely to return? Like i could see a new director not puting Palutena or Sheik in very high priority, for example.

 

[Kirbeh]

If Sakurai doesn't return as a director, do you think it makes some characters less likely to return? Like i could see a new director not puting Palutena or Sheik in very high priority, for example.

I think that depends entirely on whether the new director wants to/is tasked with preserving as much of the Sakurai era legacy content as possible or he wants to/is encouraged to take things in a completely new direction.

 

[Wario Bros.]

If Sakurai doesn't return as a director, do you think it makes some characters less likely to return? Like i could see a new director not puting Palutena or Sheik in very high priority, for example.

He could still supervise the game and suggest ideas even if he isn't the director

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Sakurai announces he will not be directing the next Smash Bros.

Betting odds for new characters oddly start to shift towards Bandana Waddle Dee afterwards.

 

[~ Valkyrie ~]

I'm watching a video by Arlo who mentioned the price in other countries taking exchange rates into account and holy heck the UK is paying $97 for Mario Kart World.

I hate everything about this.

Really do wonder will Switch 2 just end up having a bit of poor or slow launch due most of peeps in the millions just not being able to afford it or the games that'll come to it.

Because just thinking about paying 90€ or more for a "big" Switch-game from now on is seriously something I can't see myself affording at all.

 

[NintenRob]

Yes!! Let the switch 2 have a bad launch, cut the price and give us early adaptors a new ambassador program with 3DS games

 

[Guynamednelson]

Yes!! Let the switch 2 have a bad launch, cut the price and give us early adaptors a new ambassador program with 3DS games

How would they handle a Switch 2 Ambassador Program now that they want old games tied to their subscription services? Will early Switch 2 owners just have free unlimited access to GameCube Online?

 

[Gengar84]

I’m reminded of something Mark Rosewater from Wizards of the Coast said in response to complaints about their price gouging in Magic: the Gathering. “Maybe this product just isn’t for you.” That’s about how I’m feeling right now about the Switch 2 and, honestly, Nintendo in general.

It’s crazy that I just made the decision to finally stop watching wrestling after over 30 years of never missing a Monday Night RAW due to politics. I’m giving it until WrestleMania this month and then I’m cancelling Netflix and giving up on wrestling. Now it looks like I might have to do the same tho g with Nintendo. It’s sad because most of the entertainment in my life has come from WWE, Nintendo, or Magic and they’re all falling apart for me at once. Making things even worse, I get into constant fights with my father over politics. These things used to give me an escape from all that but not so much anymore. I have no idea what I’m going to do with my free time now.

 

[Undella2]

I’m reminded of something Mark Rosewater from Wizards of the Coast said in response to complaints about their price gouging in Magic: the Gathering. “Maybe this product just isn’t for you.” That’s about how I’m feeling right now about the Switch 2 and, honestly, Nintendo in general.

It’s crazy that I just made the decision to finally stop watching wrestling after over 30 years of never missing a Monday Night RAW due to politics. I’m giving it until WrestleMania this month and then I’m cancelling Netflix and giving up on wrestling. Now it looks like I might have to do the same tho g with Nintendo. It’s sad because most of the entertainment in my life has come from WWE, Nintendo, or Magic and they’re all falling apart for me at once. Making things even worse, I get into constant fights with my father over politics. These things used to give me an escape from all that but not so much anymore. I have no idea what I’m going g to do with my free time now.

The "This product isn't for you" attitude taken by corporations in this current economic and political environment is really quickly turning into "Every product isn't for you". If everything (besides some PC games that receive big discounts during Steam sales) is getting pricier and pricier, what's even left?

 

[~ Valkyrie ~]

On the topic of Sakurai directing KARiders VS Smash:

Sakurai not helming next Smash would honestly be some fresh breath of air for everyone involved. I really wanna see someone just shake up the model that Sakurai's build up, and actually break some traditions the series has had for a while.

Maybe I could start to hope for Toad and Takamaru again if former won't be kept designated on as as a meatshield special and nothing more - while other being too obscure won't be bothered anymore with being to be as an obstacle to explore him.


Most of all though, I just want Sakurai to enjoy a long, indefinite retirement from Smash in general. He had ended fulfilling Iwata's last wish with more flying colors than double rainbows could muster - not to mention bringing so much joy to countless gaming fans around the world, all together.

A more than well-deserving of going his own way from here on out.

 

[BrawlX10]

I’m reminded of something Mark Rosewater from Wizards of the Coast said in response to complaints about their price gouging in Magic: the Gathering. “Maybe this product just isn’t for you.” That’s about how I’m feeling right now about the Switch 2 and, honestly, Nintendo in general.

It’s crazy that I just made the decision to finally stop watching wrestling after over 30 years of never missing a Monday Night RAW due to politics. I’m giving it until WrestleMania this month and then I’m cancelling Netflix and giving up on wrestling. Now it looks like I might have to do the same tho g with Nintendo. It’s sad because most of the entertainment in my life has come from WWE, Nintendo, or Magic and they’re all falling apart for me at once. Making things even worse, I get into constant fights with my father over politics. These things used to give me an escape from all that but not so much anymore. I have no idea what I’m going to do with my free time now.

My unpopular opinion is that is okay to move on from things if they don't bring you joy anymore, even if they used to for a long time.
Myself, personally, i'm unsure if i'm going to buy a Switch 2 mostly because i think i'm just not that interested in videegames anymore as i was when the Wii U or the Switch 1 came out, i'm not even sure if i'll buy the PS5 either, my future of gaming is uncertain, it's possible Dragon Quest XII and Smash 6 might change right my feelings and make me buy the Switch 2, but maybe by then i just got into another hobby and found a job.
I find Smash Bros. still fun to speculate on so i'll still stay in this site, even if we get a Ultimate N2 Edition which im not very interested in, the reveals will still be fun at least.
I'm jobless right now, so unforunately i don't have much to do for the whole day so somedays im bored as hell, so i just play some random games, sure for example, fire emblem binding blade or ice climber NES aren't the best game ever or anything, but it's fun to play for a while on a lazy sunday and not care if i complete it or not.

 

[Among Waddle Dees]

Not to be rude, but this pricing discussion is getting dangerously close to depression talk. I don't think I can really handle that here.

 

[Gengar84]

Not to be rude, but this pricing discussion is getting dangerously close to depression talk. I don't think I can really handle that here.

No worries, I’ll stop. Sorry, I just had to vent. I’ll try to be a little more cheery from here on.

 

[Dukefire]

Here's Pokemon Colosseum opening to lighten the mood a bit.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

I don't think Nintendo is going to take that long in releasing a new Smash game after the sucess of Ultimate.
My guess it will be a 2027 release, i think Smash 6 is likely in development right now, probably by Team S.
And if we're not getting a new smash bros, then the switch 2 edition of Ultimate begin in 2026 is also possible.

For this to be the case, Sakurai CANNOT be director.

He's still on Air Riders, so a new Smash would need to be HELLA crunched if they want a 2027 release with Sakurai as its director.

 

[Louie G.]

On the topic of Sakurai directing KARiders VS Smash:

Sakurai not helming next Smash would honestly be some fresh breath of air for everyone involved. I really wanna see someone just shake up the model that Sakurai's build up, and actually break some traditions the series has had for a while.

I wouldn't count on this personally. The placement of Kirby Air Riders actually made me more confident in my original intuition about Smash's release.

Sakurai is a workaholic, we all know it by now. He rarely gives himself any time off and that's evidenced through the frequency and development cycles of his games. What I'd like to point out right now is the windows that previous games have released.

Smash 64 (1999) -> Melee (2001) -> Kirby Air Ride (2003) -> Meteos (2005) -> Brawl (2008)

Kid Icarus Uprising (2012) -> Smash 4 (2014)

Kirby Air Riders (2025) -> Smash 6 (???)

I bring this up to convey the fact that Air Riders shouldn't put Smash off track all too much. Sakurai is not beyond conceptualizing his next projects while finalizing his current ones, and 2-3 year gaps in his games seems pretty standard. I had been anticipating Smash might be revealed proper next year, and released the following year in 2027... I don't think most people were expecting it at launch. A couple years into the console's life seems to be the norm at this point, and it probably needs at least a year of breathing room to promote itself and go through its usual hype cycle. 2027-2028 release of a new Smash feels right in line with how this has went for most of Sakurai's career, so there's no reason he can't be on it.