Official Newcomer/DLC Speculation Discussion

[Rie Sonomura]

I’m banking on January 6, same day as that supposed new Splatoon 2 update. Have a feeling there will be a direct that day

 

[Garteam]

At this point, it does kinda seem like a January Direct is pretty inevitable. Right now, the only major release we know of going into 2020 is Animal Crossing and possibly Breath of the Wild 2. Compare to last year, where we knew Yoshi, Animal Crossing (until it got delayed), Luigi's Mansion, Fire Emblem, and Pokemon would be coming in 2019.

 

[Ramen Tengoku]

i'm not the one to believe in patterns, and think this is no more than just a funny coincidence, but:

First general direct of 2017: April (Kinda cheating due to the Switch presentation in January, but still)
First general direct of 2018: March
First general direct of 2019: February

:bigthink:

 

[Gentlepanda]

remember that time sakurai posted a rathalos image teasing isaac




yeah let's not read into funny smash pictures he posts

 

[EricTheGamerman]

That moment when I do consider Sojiro a father figure for Joker, but also dated Futaba.

Hey! You can be close to your future father in law!

At this point, it does kinda seem like a January Direct is pretty inevitable. Right now, the only major release we know of going into 2020 is Animal Crossing and possibly Breath of the Wild 2. Compare to last year, where we knew Yoshi, Animal Crossing (until it got delayed), Luigi's Mansion, Fire Emblem, and Pokemon would be coming in 2019.

Yeah, it's almost eerily quiet from Nintendo right now. Obviously, we're coming off an absolutely insane year for Nintendo that is easily one of their best of all time. Seriously, 2019 was probably better than 2017 in my eyes, which I never expected coming off of how good a year that was. 2017 had Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2, Super Mario Odyssey, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2... but then 2019 had amazing Smash DLC characters, Super Mario Maker 2, Fire Emblem Three Houses, Astral Chain, Link's Awakening, Luigi's Mansion 3, and Pokemon Sword and Shield (I'm having a blast with them, so, they're definitely a big deal for me). It just feels like Nintendo might need another breather year in the same way 2018 was...

But still, there have to be some more surprises and there are still a handful of obvious ports Nintendo could make such as Pikmin 3 or Super Mario 3D World to fill out the year. And there are still some looming projects like No More Heroes III, Shin Megami Tensei V, Bayonetta 3, and Breath of the Wild 2 that could easily show up. It's also worth pointing out that the last time we went into a year knowing very little about what was coming (2018) we got a Mini Direct in January and a general Direct in March that did a lot of work, so there's some degree of precedent for announcements early in the year from Nintendo when there is otherwise little known about their release schedule. That said, I just don't know how much Nintendo could realistically have left at this point when they've had so many incredible releases back to back and I'm struggling to come up with studios of theirs that would be in a good place to release a new project or content...

 

[Deleted member]

At no point will I ever be convinced that any of the supposed "hints" (like the barrel at E3 or stage builder) were actual hints. For every "hint" that "came true" there's about 15 that didn't.

 

[DMTN]

Sakurai rarely hints at things. And when he does, it's not always in the way people hope.

Spoiler

 

[Deleted member]

Sakurai rarely hints at things. And when he does, it's not always in the way people hope.

Spoiler

View attachment 254719

"Other boss appearances" + Ridley's shadow = He's in

 

[Deleted member]

Sakurai rarely hints at things. And when he does, it's not always in the way people hope.

Spoiler

View attachment 254719

I still can’t understand how people thought Ridley was going to be playable when Sakurai was making it clear he would be a boss.

 

[Wunderwaft]

I don't believe every single thing said by Nintendo employees is a hint. But when we do get an actual hint it's quite a rare sight.

Remember this tweet?

There was a problem fetching the tweet

 

[KatKit]

FP5 or not, I've seen a lot of people saying that Travis Touchdown is guaranteed sometime next season.

View attachment 254686

Wonder why that is. I'm all for it, I love Suda51 games, but everyone suddenly hopping on the Touchdown Train feels like there's a correlation behind it.

No one is guaranteed, but people have been asking for Travis since Brawl (fun fact: a game Suda worked on in some capacity). More importantly, Suda has been very vocal/enthusiastic about getting Travis in Smash for years. There's also a bit of mutual respect between Sakurai and Suda: the two met at a No More Heroes launch party.

I can't name many game designers/directors/producers/CEOs on Suda's level who has been as adamant about getting their character in Smash as long as him. He also has the fan support, which probably increases with each new No More Heroes installment.

Speaking of which, No More Heroes has a strong Nintendo connection. Two out of three of the mainline games are Nintendo exclusive, and the original started off as one. In many ways, he reminds me of Bayonetta. They're two kooky, standout protagonists from very great Mature rated games whose creators have publicly expressed interest in Smash. Having a Sakurai connection isn't a determining factor, but it can help (see: Snake). Having a Nintendo connection isn't a determining factor, but it can't hurt. Being used to promote upcoming games isn't the most important thing, but it's been done before. Popularity isn't everything, but it's been taken into consideration. Appealing to a broader demographic (i.e. a mature one in this instance) has its perks. Travis is a Japanese character who is more popular in the West, which also has its own benefits. Overall, he's a character who has a little bit of everything going for him. Again, I don't consider anyone a lock, but I wouldn't be surprised if it ever happened. And if it did? Hoo boy. That would be awesome. Especially if we get a Shinobu Jacobs and/or Henry Cooldown echo.

 

[Flyboy]

So some people are speculating the Joker image might be hinting towards Phoenix Wright given the whole "Objection!".

no they ****ing aren't

 

[Animegamingnerd]

I have a get feeling the direct will air on the 14th. Feels like something is gonna air about halfway into the month.

 

[Schnee117]

So some people are speculating the Joker image might be hinting towards Phoenix Wright given the whole "Objection!".

who's actually doing this unironically

 

[Michael the Spikester]

I have a get feeling the direct will air on the 14th. Feels like something is gonna air about halfway into the month.

I feel the 15th or 16th would be more likely. Don't Directs normally occur on Wednesdays or Thursdays?

who's actually doing this unironically

In the Phoenix Wright thread.

 

[Rie Sonomura]

What if FP5 were revealed in a Robin style surprise livestream? That can happen any weekday

 

[Michael the Spikester]

I’m banking on January 6, same day as that supposed new Splatoon 2 update. Have a feeling there will be a direct that day

Has there ever been directs that occurred on Mondays?

Or at least Smash reveals notably/?

 

[Deleted member]

My wtf newcomer addition would be Chase McCain, ngl.

 

[Flyboy]

In the Phoenix Wright thread.

no

they ****ing aren't

 

[Deleted member]

no

they ****ing aren't

Just went there and I can confirm they aren’t.

 

[Michael the Spikester]

Well some brought up the idea. Should had chose my words more carefully my bad.

 

[King Sonnn DeDeDoo]

Despite some of the community being prone to jumping the gun, I can’t wait for more pic of the day from Sakurai!

It’s a fun vessel for discussion that gives us something new to look forward to, even though most of the time it’s stuff like a picture of Luigi’s nose.

 

[Deleted member]

Despite some of the community being prone to jumping the gun, I can’t wait for more pic of the day from Sakurai!

It’s a fun vessel for discussion that gives us something new to look forward to, even though most of the time it’s stuff like a picture of Luigi’s nose.

If he posts a pic of the day starring Eight and Samus, I don’t know how high my hype and joy could grow.

 

[XorahnGaia]

I don't think the Robin/Lucina Sm4sh reveal sets up a convincing precedent for a possible Monday Direct tbh.
It's something that they did only once more than five years ago.
Nowdays the only thing i can see them doing outside of their usual "announcements window" Is something like reveal the release date for a previously announced game on Twitter, but not for a full Direct.

 

[DMTN]

I still can’t understand how people thought Ridley was going to be playable when Sakurai was making it clear he would be a boss.

I guess I can't blame people for keeping their hopes up until the very end. I strongly believe that the entire Pyrosphere debacle helped Ridley in the long run, because he became more discussed than ever. So in a sense I'm glad it happened, even though I really wanted Ridley back in Smash 4.

 

[Animegamingnerd]

I feel the 15th or 16th would be more likely. Don't Directs normally occur on Wednesdays or Thursdays?

In the Phoenix Wright thread.

They've aired on Tuesday before I believe.

 

[Rie Sonomura]

They've aired on Tuesday before I believe.

Remember which ones?

 

[Deleted member]

So who really is left after all this disconfirmations from rumors and stuff happens?

 

[Lamperouge]

I still can’t understand how people thought Ridley was going to be playable when Sakurai was making it clear he would be a boss.

Yeah, but I was a fool who chose to live in denial.

 

[Deleted member]

Yeah, but I was a fool who chose to live in denial.

At least we finally got him in Ultimate alongside Dark Samus.

 

[Lamperouge]

At least we finally got him in Ultimate alongside Dark Samus.

I still can't believe it, tbh.

 

[Verde Coeden Scalesworth]

When Toon Link was part of a stage and playable, some believed Ridley could be the same. It wasn't that hard to honestly come to that conclusion. Huge differences between 'em, obviously(one was of a veteran, one was of a possible newcomer. One isn't a hazard, one is). It didn't help that he wasn't properly confirmed till after Smash 3DS was fully out, which is the first time we knew for sure he wasn't playable. The 50 Smash Facts actually gave us more than hints.

It was easy to see in hindsight, but not for everyone, honestly. Not all hints Sakurai gives us will always be taken at face value. Tis just how speculation is.

 

[Deleted member]

When Toon Link was part of a stage and playable, some believed Ridley could be the same. It wasn't that hard to honestly come to that conclusion. Huge differences between 'em, obviously(one was of a veteran, one was of a possible newcomer. One isn't a hazard, one is). It didn't help that he wasn't properly confirmed till after Smash 3DS was fully out, which is the first time we knew for sure he wasn't playable. The 50 Smash Facts actually gave us more than hints.

It was easy to see in hindsight, but not for everyone, honestly. Not all hints Sakurai gives us will always be taken at face value. Tis just how speculation is.

Honestly, that point is why I still kinda have hopes to see Pauline playable in the future.

 

[Professor Pumpkaboo]

Just went there and I can confirm they aren’t.

Now we need a picture of Joker as an attorney, thanks

 

[Verde Coeden Scalesworth]

Honestly, that point is why I still kinda have hopes to see Pauline playable in the future.

I guess it more depends upon how Sakurai views certain stage characters. How "integral" they are might be the most important part, not simply if they're a hazard or element, or not. I feel she's pretty important to the point of the stage, but eh. Captain Toad could easily be removed, on the other hand, so I'd say he's more likely of the two.

Moveset-wise, Pauline sounds really neat. I'd love for her to heavily represent the Donkey Kong arcade and Mario VS DK series. A few Odyssey moments isn't bad too, but those might be better as taunts. Hard to say, really.

 

[Michael the Spikester]

But Toads can't jump. ;P

 

[Fenriraga]

Now we need a picture of Joker as an attorney, thanks

Does this count?

Blackquill makes sense for him tbh

 

[Rie Sonomura]

Remember which ones?

this question was unanswered. which directs in particular aired on tuesdays? did any have smash info?

 

[MBRedboy31]

When Toon Link was part of a stage and playable, some believed Ridley could be the same. It wasn't that hard to honestly come to that conclusion. Huge differences between 'em, obviously(one was of a veteran, one was of a possible newcomer. One isn't a hazard, one is). It didn't help that he wasn't properly confirmed till after Smash 3DS was fully out, which is the first time we knew for sure he wasn't playable. The 50 Smash Facts actually gave us more than hints.

It was easy to see in hindsight, but not for everyone, honestly. Not all hints Sakurai gives us will always be taken at face value. Tis just how speculation is.

I wonder how it would’ve gone over if they had revealed the Duck Hunt stage pre-release, thus showing that the dog and duck are stage hazards, only for it to later be leaked that they are also playable (while meanwhile Ridley was still a stage hazard only.)

 

[Verde Coeden Scalesworth]

I wonder how it would’ve gone over if they had revealed the Duck Hunt stage pre-release, thus showing that the dog and duck are stage hazards, only for it to later be leaked that they are also playable (while meanwhile Ridley was still a stage hazard only.)

Not well. But it being a Wii U only stage at the time may have helped a bit. Probably a good thing they waited till later for Duck Hunt's trailer. Speculation would've been thrown into even more chaos than it already was.