My fear with all this is that if we get the Ice Climbers back in any form other than what they are now, will he (or whoever adopts this series in the hypothetical scenario where Sakurai leaves) want to keep them that way in the future? I'm really hesitant in supporting anything other than a dual IC for that very reason.
I really wish he'd just go SoPo for 3DS, and regular IC's for Wii U. Why not have a poll for something like that? I know he's hesitant in doing something like that because he doesn't want 3DS fans to feel "ripped off", but how many 3DS fans would really be opposed to something like this?
I think their (likely because 3DS) modification in Smash 4 would be treated as a "just this once" type of change. I'm willing to take anything Ice Climbers over no Ice Climbers at all, but when Smash 5 comes around, chances are ICies will go straight back to their traditional playstyle. I also made a post quite some time ago where characters like ICies, Zelda, Samus, etc. could have different custom playstyles where ICies for example could have their Melee/Brawl playstyle as their default (minus chaingrabs to avoid salt) and their Smash 4 playstyle could be their "Deluxe" version. I'm not sure what Sakurai/ the potential new director would think about only giving a select few characters a second moveset though.
As a 3DS owner, I felt more "cheated" seeing all the modes and stuff available for the Wii U version than I would have been if the IC couldn't appear there for technical reasons. I genuinely felt like I got ripped off. I basically only play the Wii U version now. I'm annoyed that a lot of good stages are stuck on the 3DS because "we got to keep varieties!"
I wonder how many people who bought the 3DS version would have bought the Wii U if there weren't any 3DS version? How many more people would have bought Wii Us, period? I wasn't getting Smash U until I saw how awesome the Wii U version was (and how empty the 3DS one was in comparison).
This is the stupidest idea ever, but what if a very large group of people bought the IC game on the Wii U at the same time? As part of some campaign to show that people still love the IC or whatever. It's probably impossible to coordinate, but it sounded cute. just ignore it
First, long time no see. Second, I feel a similar way about the 3DS as if they were intended to be treated as equal versions. That for the most part didn't turn out to be the case because of the difference in content and different quantity of it as well as fans calling the 3DS version "the appetizer." And I still believe that name holds true. I would rather have the 3DS version made with the mindset that it is a smaller project that's more of a side thing than the main course and we want to build it with the concept of portable Smash in mind first and foremost. Instead, Sakurai and the team consistently put equal focus on both versions and nearly killed themselves in the process. Regarding that, I definitely put blame on the working contract that Sakurai was under where he
had to work on both simultaneously. Although having two separate contracts would make development harder, maybe there could've been more space between the two to add flexibility. It may as well have been done that way since there is minimal dual platform interaction which was emphasized when development began. The Smash Wii U 50 Fact Extravaganza also blew the 3DS version out of the water and into oblivion when it showed all the awesome stuff the Wii U version had to offer, much of it not possible on the 3DS version.
As far as your idea goes, I feel like someone mentioned the same thing way back when...
If there was no 3DS version, I'd think that about 95% of the people who have either version of Smash currently would still get the Wii U version. It's Smash for crying out loud! People would've gotten it if it were a Wii U only game.
I remember back in E3 2013 when Smash 4 was announced. When I found out there was gonna be a 3DS version, I groaned. Just by looking at it I thought there would be no way it could be considered a step up from Brawl. I was thinking why, why bother, there's no way it can be capable of performing Smash the same way a console would, and it's just gonna hold the game back. I also was thinking about those fake video game cover art images people make up and one was for Smash Bros. for DS. At the time, I expected handheld Smash to be nothing more than fake box art because I knew the hardware's body just wasn't Reggie. Then when the Wii U gameplay was shown, I was like, "That's better!" and was hyped and then Mega Man. If there was no 3DS version, I could see there being a lot more Wii U sales, but it would negatively affect those who can't afford a Wii U. Still, case in point being, the Wii U version shouldn't have had content cut to make it out to be like the Wii U and 3DS versions are on an equal playing field.
I only got the 3DS one because it was cheaper, I already have a 3DS, and I got the impression there wouldn't be very large differences between them. Clearly I was wrong, because the 3DS version is so incredibly empty compared to the Wii U version. It has a couple of advantages - some nice stages, a better Classic mode (wtf @ WiiU classic, Sakurai), Smash Run is more fun than Smash Tour. But the Wii U version is simply superior. Obviously better graphics, 8 player Smash (this is so much fun played casually with friends), stage creator, big stages, bosses (yes I like them), more trophies, more music variety. I wish there weren't a 3DS version or that we knew about their features before the 3DS release date so I could have just gone for the Wii U one instead of buying the 3DS one and then ending up buying the Wii U one anyway. The only thing I use the 3DS one for now is portability. Going on a trip? Smash time. But... I didn't think it was worth it. Of course, some people did. This is one person's opinion.
I for the most part don't play the 3DS version anymore except for when new DLC characters are out. Last time I played it (I completed the game 100% already by the way) I was doing some battles and Classic mode, and tried out the DLC and eventually just got... bored. I honestly don't find the 3DS version to be nearly as fun as the Wii U version.
Didn't Sakurai intend on only making a 3DS Smash until Iwata ( R.I.P. ) or Miyamoto proposed him a Wii U version aswell? I can understand why they'd cut them for the main game, but not including them for DLC is something i wouldn't understand. Olimar has already gotten some huge changes, why not do the same with the Ice Climbers such as making them inseperable or all the other suggesed alternatives? The 3DS version should not be hindering the Wii U version this much after all.
I believe that was just a misinterpreted rumor from an Iwata Asks interview with Sakurai or something. But no, Smash 4 was intended to have two versions the whole time as shown in Sakurai's project proposal.
http://www.sourcegaming.info/2015/07/04/english-smash4-project-proposal-slides/
( Though with some minor differences, such as making Pikmins not able to carry items on the 3DS ).
Pikmin can carry items in Smash?!