As Ultimate is upon us, how will Smash 4 be remembered among the competitive community?

[TheMisterManGuy]

Super Smash Bros. Brawl was a divisive game in the series, after Melee put the concept of competitive Smash on the map, Masahiro Sakurai wanted a change of pace for the next game, designing Brawl to be simply a stupid fun party game, rather than a 4-player fighter that has a deep side. Mechanics like Tripping, Hitstun canceling, and drastically slowed down gameplay were meant to favor casual play that's fun for newcomers. Naturally, this didn't go well with Melee players, and despite a brief time in the spotlight, Brawl's competitive scene died after only a few years with a mod known as "Project M" created to make the game closer to Melee.

With Super Smash Bros. For Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, Sakurai decided to make a compromise. Something with the pace and atmosphere of Brawl's party focused gameplay, but with just enough speed and depth that it could be a competent tournament fighter (abiet less so than Melee) if players wish to play that way. Tripping was gone, Hitstun cancelling was significantly nerfed, the speed's been punched up a bit from Brawl, and new mechanics borrowed from other more recent fighters like Rage were added to create as balanced of a game as possible. 4 years have passed since Smash 4's release, and with the Upcoming Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, how will Smash 4 be remembered among the community? Will it be looked at like Brawl, or will it be looked at as a game that was able to still be fun held its own in the tournament space? Melee 2 will never happen, but It'd be interesting to see if Smash 4 will still be looked at on its own.

 

[Crystanium]

I think Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U/3DS will be remembered well. It was balanced and diverse with character choices, and it's a game that should have been the true successor to Super Smash Bros. Melee. It didn't catch the attention of most SSBM players, but that's fine.

 

[lordvaati]

It will be remembered competitively as the step in the right direction. Despite the controversy of the power of the final DLC cast members, overall it will be looked at fondly for how it helped make mid card characters like Mario and Ness tournament faves and even gave Giants like Bowser and DK a niche as common pocket characters.

I worry the actual game itself though is fated to be the "SSFII New Challengers" of the series though

 

[Mogisthelioma]

Smash 4 probably will have a divided remembrance. Some people will enjoy it for what it was, while other people will argue that it could have been s much better. The roster choices were also controversial. But the game took steps i the right direction.