Anyone looking forward to whatever Sakurai does after Smash?

[Quillion]

Sakurai is clearly very tired of Smash. In fact, he seems to have been tired of Smash ever since Melee.

"It was tough for me to see that every time I made a new game, people automatically assumed that a sequel was coming," said Masahiro Sakurai on August 26, 2003, in an interview with Nintendo Dream, two weeks after his resignation from HAL Laboratory. "Even if it's a sequel, lots of people have to give their all to make a game, but some people think the sequel process happens naturally."

I'd really like to see what he does after Smash, since I suspect that he only did Smash 4 out of obligation and not out of a real desire to continue the series. We've seen what he can do with KI:Uprising, a game only limited by the 3DS's sinister lack of a left control stick. I'd like to see him make an entirely new IP, but reviving another long-dormant series with different gameplay would work, too.

 

[SomewhatMystia]

What long-dormant series do you have in mind? I don't have a source, so this could be complete nonsense, but didn't he express interest in Mach Rider or Excitebike in an interview or something?

I personally think it'd be neat for him to take on something smaller and simpler, like a redone Ice Climbers game that's less 'platformer with stiff controls' and more puzzle-platformer. Kinda like Captain Toad, except larger in scale and with jumping.

 

[Quillion]

What long-dormant series do you have in mind? I don't have a source, so this could be complete nonsense, but didn't he express interest in Mach Rider or Excitebike in an interview or something?

I personally think it'd be neat for him to take on something smaller and simpler, like a redone Ice Climbers game that's less 'platformer with stiff controls' and more puzzle-platformer. Kinda like Captain Toad, except larger in scale and with jumping.

StarTropics seems ripe for revival. Ice Climber looks nice, too.

 

[SphericalCrusher]

If he does something else, I would be excited for it. I just don't want to see him work on Smash anymore except as possibly a consultant. I would love to see a WiiU style Kid Icarus Uprising, since that game was amazing. Or a new 3D Kirby! Or really anything.

 

[finalark]

If Sakurai makes a sequel to Kid Icarus Uprising my only request is that it's lefty compatible so I can actually play it instead of experiencing it through lets plays.

Chances are, Nintendo is going to put Sakurai on another Smash Bros project come next console cycle. In a way, it's a lot like Kojima's situation at Konami where he was done with Metal Gear after MGS1 but executives forced him to make sequels he really wasn't all that interested in making, which is why he left the company causing Silent HIlls to get canceled and leaving MGS5 with an uncertain future.

Anyway, on topic. What people don't realize in the west is that Kojima leaving Konami because he's tired of their **** is an extremely ballsy move in the Japanese business world, which values loyalty and promotes based on age rather than skill. After you leave a company it can be hard to find work in the corporate world because you'll be seen as "disloyal." Even when Sakurai "left" Nintendo he didn't really leave, he just put himself in a position where he wouldn't have to work on Kirby games anymore. He's still making games for Nintendo, only now he's primarily been working on Smash Bros. If Sakurai wanted to completely stop working on Smash he'd have to try really hard to worm his way out of it.

Or so I've heard, I've never worked in Japanese business and I don't know anyone who has so this is based on what I've read.

 

[Spak]

I want him to make a new IP. His Kirby games were fun, his Smash games are fun, and Meteos was fun, so I think he should just move onto making a completely new series instead of continuing an older series. Or he could probably retire because he has been in a pretty bad condition physically as of late since he is suffering from RSI.

 

[Atrabilious]

I'm not sure if Sakurai will ever walk away from Smash, short of actually going into retirement.

I get the feeling that despite all the grief the game development process of these games causes him, he's too attached to the series to ever be able to let it go. Sakurai is an independent developer, he has his own company in Sora Ltd. If he really wanted to walk away... he could. I just don't think he wants to.

That having been said, his works outside of Smash are all excellent too. Whatever he decides to do, should he ever actually end up leaving Smash behind him, I have no doubt it'll be good. He should make his own IP, start something fresh instead of working from someone else's property.

 

[Sarki Soliloquy]

I can see Sakurai taking on a supervisor role for Smash 5 while a new director takes reins of the franchise. Can you imagine the ****storm that would ensue if Sakurai broke up from Nintendo whilst that game's in development, leaving it to a more uncertain future than we already have?

Sakurai clearly needs to focus his creativity in some new areas. Where he'll have more room for innovative new ideas. Would love to see Hades eat his words and give us a Kid Icarus: Uprising sequel sooner than 25 years (along with lefty-friendly control options & the ability to switch between 2 weapons.) Maybe even a new Meteos game. Or a brand-spanking new franchise. Or even a new Kirby game.

 

[Quillion]

I can see Sakurai taking on a supervisor role for Smash 5 while a new director takes reins of the franchise. Can you imagine the ****storm that would ensue if Sakurai broke up from Nintendo whilst that game's in development, leaving it to a more uncertain future than we already have?

Sakurai clearly needs to focus his creativity in some new areas. Where he'll have more room for innovative new ideas. Would love to see Hades eat his words and give us a Kid Icarus: Uprising sequel sooner than 25 years (along with lefty-friendly control options & the ability to switch between 2 weapons.) Maybe even a new Meteos game. Or a brand-spanking new franchise. Or even a new Kirby game.

Well, it took HAL Laboratory SIXTEEN YEARS (since Kirby Super Star) to properly develop a game that properly advanced the Sakurai style of Kirby instead of going to a different style (the Dark Matter style in Kirby 64) or went backwards (Amazing Mirror and Squeak Squad).

Sakurai not being involved would probably require a LOT of time to make a new Smash.

 

[Heroine of Winds]

I like to see him do something else instead of working only on Smash. I can really tell he's tired of Smash, so seeing him working on another game would be a complete waste of his talent.

I'm more concerned about his health, though. My best options are either work on a different game or retire. His condition is far more important anyway.

 

[dezeray112]

Well, Sakurai does deserve to take a break from all that Smash work and he can take as much time as he needs with all the DLC content stuff.

Anyways, I would like to see a sequel to Kid Icarus Uprising.

 

[Mr. Oshawott]

Yes, it would be good if Mr. Sakurai-san worked on a new title or, better yet, retired, since I think all that hard work he put into Sm4sh is really starting to take its toll on his health. A new game of Kirby and/or Kid Icarus would be awesome.

 

[Tino]

Well Sakurai does need to take a long ass vacation for all the hard work he has put himself and the staff into making these amazing games. Wish he could save himself the trouble of trying to make the fans happy with the DLC and stuff.

I wouldn't say that Sakurai should walk away from Smash but it would be best if he could make something else instead, like maybe a new Kirby game.

 

[Depressed Gengar]

All honesty, no. He needs a break. Although he does need to stay away from established franchises and just make his own after said break.

 

[Powerman293]

I'm looking forward to him talking about retirement, because the man deserves it.

 

[Foxus]

I believer at this point, Sakurai has kept it going with Smash because of Nintendo putting pressure on him. If what that Nintendo Treehouse translator said was true, it shouldn't be any surprise Miyamoto would put pressure on Sakurai to put out another Smash installment.

 

[Wintropy]

Kid Icarus and I can die happy.

 

[_gold_]

As you pointed out, Sakurai has been talking about parting from Smash Bros. for a while now. Therefore, I won't believe he's officially done with the series until I see someone else's name on the sequel. Nonetheless, if he decides to leave, hats off to him for creating such a well known series. It's quite a feat.
Personally, I'd like to see him partner up with someone to create a game. Share his vision with someone else. Perhaps it'll make the process of creating a game less burdensome too.

 

[Foxus]

As you pointed out, Sakurai has been talking about parting from Smash Bros. for a while now. Therefore, I won't believe he's officially done with the series until I see someone else's name on the sequel. Nonetheless, if he decides to leave, hats off to him for creating such a well known series. It's quite a feat.
Personally, I'd like to see him partner up with someone to create a game. Share his vision with someone else. Perhaps it'll make the process of creating a game less burdensome too.

I think the only reason Sakurai has continued making Smash is from pressure Nintendo has put on him. If I recall correctly, he wasn't even going to make Brawl. It might be interesting to see Smash directed from someone elses perspective (maybe even a Americans).