Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[Scrimblo Bimblo]

In my opinion there's absolutely no way Cloud and Sephiroth aren't both in the next Smash base game.
Sora and Hero are more up in the air.

 

[ScrubReborn]

I think Sora is more likely to be base than Cloud just because he's literally the single most requested character of all time according to the Ballot, and cutting a character like that is a ROUGH call to make, especially when Sakurai knows every character has their fans. And even if Disney "bleeds them dry", they did it once and Ultimate's success as the highest selling fighting game ever made would presumably allow a pretty substantial budget, likely HIGHER than before. Plus if I recall correctly, wasn't Disney pretty open to the idea? I mean they hashed out the deal after Sakurai met a Disney exec at an awards show, with FP2 being for sale in early 2020, so I don't think negotiations could've possibly taken that long.

At the same time, I could see Cloud and Sephiroth being DLC because FF7 Remake is Square's giant multi-part game project currently spanning four years and counting.

I'm of the opinion that if Square wants in from the start we'll see Hero in base at least, and I feel like Sora will be there too from his sheer popularity.

Hmm, yeah, good points. Though all that was when Sora was a DLC character and Disney would get extra cash from each purchase. I'm just not sure Disney would be as cooperative for base game. Maybe they would, but I'd have to see it to believe it. IDK I don't trust the mouse as far as I can throw 'im.

...Also I deadass forgot about Hero when making that post lol. He makes a good case for likeliest Square base inclusion too. Especially if the music was really the only barrier (which I've heard, but I'm not the first person you should consult on that). I think I'd still give the edge to Cloud for seniority, but good play.

 

[Louie G.]

I think I'd still give the edge to Cloud for seniority, but good play.

This is what I had thought too, but I'm starting to feel that this is a pretty sterilizing mindset. Particularly if our total number of guests has to take a significant hit, I would suspect we want to maintain at least 3-4 characters from Ultimate's expansive DLC cycle of guest characters (and Simon). Cutting these characters' wings immediately after they take off isn't what I anticipate the next game will do. Smash deserves to create a new legacy and further establish new faces. So when I see people say oh yeah, Snake will totally come back over Simon because he was in Brawl so he has the legacy... I just think the mentality is flawed.

Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest are pretty interchangeable here. Not in that these two series are the same thing, far from it, but in the way they are both a couple of the definitive JRPG series with massive cultural influence and clout. Cloud is a bigger character to us out in the west, but Hero's reveal was treated with such fanfare and excitement overseas that I believe they value this collaboration more than some people are giving credit toward. The Toriyama designs also help give it a strong identity and might be something people are feeling especially passionate about now. I'm not suggesting Hero would simply be added back in memoriam of Toriyama but I do believe it meant a lot for Sakurai and others to pay respect to his work in Smash.

In Cloud's defense, Final Fantasy is the first third party series to get a fully unique second character which is quite a big deal. I would love if they brought back Sephiroth immediately. I don't think they will, but I wish they would. The fact that Cloud / Sephiroth bundle is something that could feasibly make a good amount of money and serve as a vessel to reintroduce them both into the series might make FF DLC / DQ base roster the easier move.

There's a scenario where we get both back from the jump, but I think it's fairly unlikely. Mostly because I'm trying to keep my expectations conservative and I truly believe just about anything can happen with our third party lineup. As long as are in tact I could see the logic behind pretty much any combination of guest characters past that.

 

[ShotoStar]

My hot take is that I think Disney is a lot less of a hassle than people make them out to be. Disney has been getting into the gaming market recently and investing heavily into it so if they think re-adding Sora will help their brand then they'll definitely be willing to do so. I think Sora is actually very high on the priority list given he ranked #1 in the Smash Ballot to the point I'm half convinced he'll be returning in Base Game. It's a hard sell to convince anyone else of this because the rightful notion of Disney being stingy but while companies are stingy, they also care about money and advertisement. Smash is a fantastic way to advertise the KH brand especially with KH4 being an upcoming release likely close to or around when Smash 6 releases.

It's also partially why I think Banjo will be in base game and Steve will be DLC since Banjo placed high in the Smash Ballot as well. Generally, I think 3rd parties are much less of a problem than they're made out to be though just because of how much sway Sakurai has over the gaming industry. If Sakurai returns, I could see most 3rd parties return as well and if Sakurai doesn't then I could see a much more conservative, milquetoast Smash game being produced

 

[Sucumbio]

2 Final Fantasy
1 Dragon Quest
1 Kingdom Hearts

Which SE series is next of any? Or we just need to conserve what we have and hope they all make it? Are these options mutually exclusive?

 

[GoldenYuiitusin]

2 Final Fantasy
1 Dragon Quest
1 Kingdom Hearts

Which SE series is next of any? Or we just need to conserve what we have and hope they all make it? Are these options mutually exclusive?

Nier.

 

[Louie G.]

the rightful notion of Disney being stingy but while companies are stingy, they also care about money and advertisement

Both of which are still effective, even moreso, by selling Sora as DLC again. This puts emphasis on him directly, presumably gives the participating companies more monetary incentive, and brings back a fan favorite character all the same. It just feels like the ideal business move for a savvy company like Disney to maximize as much as they can out of this deal, while still effectively playing ball and keeping their somewhat good will.

Banjo and Steve feel like another situation entirely, to me. Unlike Sora, there is pretty heavy precedent for Banjo being an easy grab for base roster. Microsoft has been providing Nintendo with Rare games on NSO, a service in which they're unlikely to see too much profit from unless Nintendo is paying top dollar for these titles... somewhat unlikely, because the original Banjo-Kazooie, probably the one that would cause the biggest stir, was announced to be coming to NSO in the most nonchalant way possible. Rare got a heavier showcase in that last partner direct, but the conditions in which these games are available is very generous. They could have easily sold all these games independently on the eshop, or through a premium. So I'm willing to agree with the likelihood of Banjo coming back at launch, because Microsoft's recent behavior has favored it... I'm not sure if we have any evidence of Disney operating the same way right now.

And then Steve is Steve. I could see him being DLC, but Banjo / Steve always felt like a comfortable package deal the same way Mega Man / Ryu is to me. And Microsoft feels a bit more desperate to keep its good will among Nintendo fans? So maybe this is more of a personal thing, but I don't see them fighting it too hard as long as Nintendo agrees to add another Microsoft character as DLC soon after - and the options are plentiful.

I think under other conditions Sora would be a lock for base roster. If he was owned by Sega or Capcom this wouldn't even be a question. But Disney isn't just another third party, naturally. I agree that they must be easier to work with than most people think... seeing how Sora was once deemed impossible for this reason. But I do think the "DLC incentive" is the most generous condition that Disney is willing to agree to, personally. I DO think Sora will be back, eventually.

 

[DKing]

2 Final Fantasy
1 Dragon Quest
1 Kingdom Hearts

Which SE series is next of any? Or we just need to conserve what we have and hope they all make it? Are these options mutually exclusive?

Nier or Chrono Trigger.

 

[Swamp Sensei]

This is a friendly reminder that Square isn't against cross overs. Or particularly greedy when taking part in them.

They're just buried under more legal red tape than most.

 

[Undella2]

This is a friendly reminder that Square isn't against cross overs. Or particularly greedy when taking part in them.

They're just buried under more legal red tape than most.

Isn't it moreso the composers/artists/etc. often involved with them than the actual company in and of itself, or am I just misremembering?

 

[Swamp Sensei]

Isn't it moreso the composers/artists/etc. often involved with them than the actual company in and of itself, or am I just misremembering?

That is indeed where most of the issues come from. Final Fantasy VII in its entirety has a lot of owners for various parts.

 

[GoldenYuiitusin]

This is a friendly reminder that Square isn't against cross overs. Or particularly greedy when taking part in them.

They're just buried under more legal red tape than most.

Aren't most collabs also post-game DLC as well? With Cloud being in base Ultimate being an outlier?

 

[Swamp Sensei]

Aren't most collabs also post-game DLC as well? With Cloud being in base Ultimate being an outlier?

Because it's easier to pay all the appropriate parties that way.

 

[Gorgonzales]

That is indeed where most of the issues come from. Final Fantasy VII in its entirety has a lot of owners for various parts.

It still blows my mind how, if we're assuming Nintendo approached him to ask, C418 didn't let any of his Minecraft tracks be remixed/used for Ultimate. That's like the opportunity of a lifetime (aside from getting to compose music for Minecraft itself) and it just didn't happen.

("They're too slow-paced to work" is only a half-truth since the japanese presentation on Steve mentions other complications as well. The Smash team is no stranger to remixing slower tracks to be upbeat, with Halland/Dalarna ironically being the most relevant example of this, along with a plethora of other songs.)

 

[Speed Weed]

2 Final Fantasy
1 Dragon Quest
1 Kingdom Hearts

Which SE series is next of any? Or we just need to conserve what we have and hope they all make it? Are these options mutually exclusive?

Kaiser Knuckle

 

[Scrimblo Bimblo]

2 Final Fantasy
1 Dragon Quest
1 Kingdom Hearts

Which SE series is next of any? Or we just need to conserve what we have and hope they all make it? Are these options mutually exclusive?

C H R O N O T R I G G E R

Nah, next up are probably 2B and Geno. Not sure in which order, but those two anyways.

 

[dream1ng]

I think the only SE characters that will be in base are ones they can pair with a DLC character a la Cloud and Sephiroth.

Which I don't think will be many. Maybe just Cloud. And even then, without EiH, Nintendo might acquiesce to Square's preference for DLC, especially given how much they'd get on the back end of Cloud. Otherwise they give Square a lot of leverage.

One concession I can see Square making in exchange for having most of their characters as later DLC is putting Geno in base. I think they're less invested in him, and I also think he'd bring in a lot less than the Clouds, Heros, Soras, etc. Though it is Square, so Geno as DLC instead is still a real possibility.

 

[ShotoStar]

Both of which are still effective, even moreso, by selling Sora as DLC again. This puts emphasis on him directly, presumably gives the participating companies more monetary incentive, and brings back a fan favorite character all the same. It just feels like the ideal business move for a savvy company like Disney to maximize as much as they can out of this deal, while still effectively playing ball and keeping their somewhat good will.

Banjo and Steve feel like another situation entirely, to me. Unlike Sora, there is pretty heavy precedent for Banjo being an easy grab for base roster. Microsoft has been providing Nintendo with Rare games on NSO, a service in which they're unlikely to see too much profit from unless Nintendo is paying top dollar for these titles... somewhat unlikely, because the original Banjo-Kazooie, probably the one that would cause the biggest stir, was announced to be coming to NSO in the most nonchalant way possible. Rare got a heavier showcase in that last partner direct, but the conditions in which these games are available is very generous. They could have easily sold all these games independently on the eshop, or through a premium. So I'm willing to agree with the likelihood of Banjo coming back at launch, because Microsoft's recent behavior has favored it... I'm not sure if we have any evidence of Disney operating the same way right now.

And then Steve is Steve. I could see him being DLC, but Banjo / Steve always felt like a comfortable package deal the same way Mega Man / Ryu is to me. And Microsoft feels a bit more desperate to keep its good will among Nintendo fans? So maybe this is more of a personal thing, but I don't see them fighting it too hard as long as Nintendo agrees to add another Microsoft character as DLC soon after - and the options are plentiful.

I think under other conditions Sora would be a lock for base roster. If he was owned by Sega or Capcom this wouldn't even be a question. But Disney isn't just another third party, naturally. I agree that they must be easier to work with than most people think... seeing how Sora was once deemed impossible for this reason. But I do think the "DLC incentive" is the most generous condition that Disney is willing to agree to, personally. I DO think Sora will be back, eventually.

Yeah for sure, I don't see Sora not coming back one way or another. I'm not even entirely convinced that Sora would be a lock for Base Game like say Sonic, Pac-Man, Mega Man and Ryu would but I am convinced he'll appear somewhere throughout the lifespan of the next title. My primary argument was more centered on how overplayed the difficulty of getting Sora is -- which is an argument that people relied on constantly for Sora not making it in at all until he eventually did appear. It's more of a personal hunch that Disney would be more willing to play ball than people realize but the incentive for Sora being DLC is still very strong and I'm definitely not writing that possibility off either.

I do agree that the Microsoft situation is different from the Disney situation because they're different companies so they have different priorities and different stances as to handling their characters. I don't know if I would personally say that Banjo and Steve are a package deal but at the very least they're easier to negotiate with than Disney regardless of how Disney is less difficult than people realize as I think. I genuinely believe the unique circumstances of Rare once being so close to Nintendo enough to function practically as second party will help sway Banjo's chances towards being included in Base Game. Steve may not have that but Minecraft being as big as it is and Steve requiring as much work as he did will also lead to him being included eventually.

My personal take is that Cloud and Sora would be the base game "Square-Enix characters" (associated in Sora's case) because I just sort of see Cloud and Sora -- those two very specifically -- as "too big to go back on" type characters. Once they're included I think they'll be high priorities to be included henceforth. Same with Sonic and Snake in Brawl. Saying that, it definitely hampers my argument because Snake was cut in Smash 4 but I think that was a simple case of bad timing with all the drama surrounding Kojima and Konami as well as perhaps limited resources and/or dev time. Smash as a franchise is so big and such a cashcow nowadays that I don't think the limited resources argument will be nearly as strong as it once was but resources will of course never be unlimited -- there will be an upper cap eventually. In that regards it comes down to "who do Sakurai and co. prioritize?" and to me I think Snake, Sonic, Cloud and Sora have a strong argument for priority. Again, it's mostly just a hunch and instincts of how I feel the dev team would think in these terms so I don't rly have any "proof" to back up my claims

 

[HyperSomari64]

2 Final Fantasy
1 Dragon Quest
1 Kingdom Hearts

Which SE series is next of any? Or we just need to conserve what we have and hope they all make it? Are these options mutually exclusive?

Anything from Taito
The Bubble Bobble dragons.

 

[Gorgonzales]

2 Final Fantasy
1 Dragon Quest
1 Kingdom Hearts

Which SE series is next of any? Or we just need to conserve what we have and hope they all make it? Are these options mutually exclusive?

it's gex

 

[YeppersPeppers]

I've been sitting on this thought for a bit and I've been wondering what the possibility of Akira Yuki from Virtua Fighter sliding his way into the next game might be like. VF's legacy in Japan is very much not to be understated, and clearly Sakurai sees it important and notable enough to warrant a fairly recognizable role in the game with the assist trophy, one that when compared with the other third-party assist from non-playable franchises (Bomberman, Rathalos, Shovel Knight, and Yuri Kozukata) feels the most out of place by having the least association with Nintendo (not that it entirely matters but I find it an interesting observation amongst those assists). In fact, I believe the only VF title to ever release on a Nintendo console has been Virtua Quest, which is a strange little spin-off game so far removed from main VF (Akira has of course appeared a few times in other games on Nintendo platforms though). EDIT: I just remembered that the Genesis version of VF2 is included on one of the collections and is on Switch, so there's that I guess.

With the series having some spark put into it with rereleases like VF5 Ultimate Showdown and VF3tb Online, and rumors of VF6 being in development, I wonder if there's a chance Sakurai may decide to give himself a rare "this one's for me" inclusion (because Akira definitely ain't gonna be for the Smash audience), because clearly he views the series as being important.

I dunno, just spewing thoughts. Not something I think is all that likely at all but VF's notable representation in Ultimate has always had me thinking about the possibility of it going all the way.

 

[RodNutTakin]

I've been sitting on this thought for a bit and I've been wondering what the possibility of Akira Yuki from Virtua Fighter sliding his way into the next game might be like. VF's legacy in Japan is very much not to be understated, and clearly Sakurai sees it important and notable enough to warrant a fairly recognizable role in the game with the assist trophy, one that when compared with the other third-party assist from non-playable franchises (Bomberman, Rathalos, Shovel Knight, and Yuri Kozukata) feels the most out of place by having the least association with Nintendo (not that it entirely matters but I find it an interesting observation amongst those assists). In fact, I believe the only VF title to ever release on a Nintendo console has been Virtua Quest, which is a strange little spin-off game so far removed from main VF (Akira has of course appeared a few times in other games on Nintendo platforms though). EDIT: I just remembered that the Genesis version of VF2 is included on one of the collections and is on Switch, so there's that I guess.

With the series having some spark put into it with rereleases like VF5 Ultimate Showdown and VF3tb Online, and rumors of VF6 being in development, I wonder if there's a chance Sakurai may decide to give himself a rare "this one's for me" inclusion (because Akira definitely ain't gonna be for the Smash audience), because clearly he views the series as being important.

I dunno, just spewing thoughts. Not something I think is all that likely at all but VF's notable representation in Ultimate has always had me thinking about the possibility of it going all the way.

This might be the internal bias in me, but the only way I can see this happening is if SEGA's getting at least two new series in the next game by the time everything's said and done. It is much as you already said, this is a character that is only going to happen if Sakurai and co. are given wiggle room after they put in what SEGA wants first (hopefully assuming they even want a newcomer since...well, look at how they practically disappeared on all fronts after Joker came out in Ultimate.)

 

[Will]

I would love Bubble Bobble Assist Trophies, or even a dedicated stage. I prefer other SE reps for playability, though.

 

[Speed Weed]

Listen, anything that gets ZUNTATA music in Smash is fine by me

 

[DarthEnderX]

I would love Bubble Bobble Assist Trophies, or even a dedicated stage.

As long as we get...The Song.

Bubble Bobble is in the same boat as Double Dragon. Where...The Song...is the most iconic part of the franchise.

Listen, anything that gets ZUNTATA music in Smash is fine by me

DADDY MULK!

 

[Sucumbio]

Almost 3400 hours lol WHAT DOES YOURS SAY NO CHEATING

JK I just thought it was funny cause I think it's probably my longest smash game play time... Stats like this are fun like the winningest character etc.

 

[Perkilator]

View attachment 393512

Almost 3400 hours lol WHAT DOES YOURS SAY NO CHEATING

JK I just thought it was funny cause I think it's probably my longest smash game play time... Stats like this are fun like the winningest character etc.

Mine's at around 700+ hours.

 

[Wonder Smash]

2 Final Fantasy
1 Dragon Quest
1 Kingdom Hearts

Which SE series is next of any? Or we just need to conserve what we have and hope they all make it? Are these options mutually exclusive?

Chrono Trigger, the game that was Square and Enix before there was a Square-Enix.

 

[Gengar84]

Chrono Trigger, the game that was Square and Enix before there was a Square-Enix.

Yeah, Chrono Trigger’s my top choice too. I’d also love to see some content from their HD2D games like Octopath Traveller and Triangle Strategy. Both games have great soundtracks and really cool and unique visuals. I’d love to see H’aanit, Throne, or Frederica as playable characters in Smash. The other party members would be great too but those would be my choices. Hughette from Triangle Strategy is probably my favorite in the game and would be really unique as a bird riding archer but she’s more of a supporting character so she’s less likely.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

I've been sitting on this thought for a bit and I've been wondering what the possibility of Akira Yuki from Virtua Fighter sliding his way into the next game might be like. VF's legacy in Japan is very much not to be understated, and clearly Sakurai sees it important and notable enough to warrant a fairly recognizable role in the game with the assist trophy, one that when compared with the other third-party assist from non-playable franchises (Bomberman, Rathalos, Shovel Knight, and Yuri Kozukata) feels the most out of place by having the least association with Nintendo (not that it entirely matters but I find it an interesting observation amongst those assists). In fact, I believe the only VF title to ever release on a Nintendo console has been Virtua Quest, which is a strange little spin-off game so far removed from main VF (Akira has of course appeared a few times in other games on Nintendo platforms though). EDIT: I just remembered that the Genesis version of VF2 is included on one of the collections and is on Switch, so there's that I guess.

With the series having some spark put into it with rereleases like VF5 Ultimate Showdown and VF3tb Online, and rumors of VF6 being in development, I wonder if there's a chance Sakurai may decide to give himself a rare "this one's for me" inclusion (because Akira definitely ain't gonna be for the Smash audience), because clearly he views the series as being important.

I dunno, just spewing thoughts. Not something I think is all that likely at all but VF's notable representation in Ultimate has always had me thinking about the possibility of it going all the way.

I think Akira would have a pretty big uphill battle to get chosen due to Sakurai's approach to fighting game characters. He seems extremely resistant to making up or twisting moves for them, and Virtua Fighter does its best to not have any superhuman attacks, which wouldn't translate super well in Super Smash Bros.

Not saying it's impossible, because I don't really know much, but given Heihachi was passed up because Sakurai couldn't think of how a man with lightning powers could propel himself through the air, it seems unlikely to me.

 

[Swamp Sensei]

I would absolutely love Chrono Trigger.

But I don't think it's even in Square's headspace right now.

It's a shame. It's a peak game.

 

[ShotoStar]

Outside of Geno because he's my dear little man and funny ScrimbloMcJRPG, My personal preferences for a Square-Enix character falls upon a Final Fantasy XIV character or 2B. Triple dipping into Final Fantasy would be a bit overwhelming for some but Cloud + an FFXIV character would be good enough for me w/Final Fantasy characters. Sephiroth is a great inclusion and I wouldn't mind if we had three FF characters but given the weird imbalance that would cause I think it'd be more trouble than it's worth reception wise.

I would love an FFXIV character whether that's Emet-Selch, Y'shtola, Zenos, Estinien, Sakurai could take his pick as he wishes but FFXIV is simultaneously one of the most beloved non-FF7 Final Fantasy entries as well as an entry that stands out so distinctly within the FF entry lineup with many pieces to pull from. FFXIV is an MMO and inherently has a lot of distinct iconography to pull into Smash from it's music to it's characters, locations, general aesthetic , so on. It's an MMO and we don't have any MMO character within the roster of Smash right now so it's able to pull from a wholy distinct genre of game whilst boosting the love given to the Final Fantasy franchise.

And then 2B's cool too, Nier is a really cool franchise and as I've become less combatative against SE characters -- as I've started to just go with the flow and not argue voraciously for Geno's inclusion I've come around to thinking highly of 2B. I don't know whether her time has passed because she would've likely been included as a "cool new modern icon" which isn't as effective nowadays as time goes by making her less modern, less relevant, but regardless she'd be cool just because Nier is a cool franchise. The aesthetic of Nier is cool and I think Sakurai could do cool things with 2B. I don't really need to sales pitch as hard with 2B as I did with an FFXIV character because y'all already know about 2B

 

[Scrimblo Bimblo]

View attachment 393512

Almost 3400 hours lol WHAT DOES YOURS SAY NO CHEATING

JK I just thought it was funny cause I think it's probably my longest smash game play time... Stats like this are fun like the winningest character etc.

More than 4000 iirc.
I think I have 600 hours just playing as Banjo.

I always feel 50% proud, 50% ashamed...

 

[Bowser D.X]

Here me out; Raichu as a Pikachu clone.

 

[pitchfulprocessing]

I've been sitting on this thought for a bit and I've been wondering what the possibility of Akira Yuki from Virtua Fighter sliding his way into the next game might be like. VF's legacy in Japan is very much not to be understated, and clearly Sakurai sees it important and notable enough to warrant a fairly recognizable role in the game with the assist trophy, one that when compared with the other third-party assist from non-playable franchises (Bomberman, Rathalos, Shovel Knight, and Yuri Kozukata) feels the most out of place by having the least association with Nintendo (not that it entirely matters but I find it an interesting observation amongst those assists). In fact, I believe the only VF title to ever release on a Nintendo console has been Virtua Quest, which is a strange little spin-off game so far removed from main VF (Akira has of course appeared a few times in other games on Nintendo platforms though). EDIT: I just remembered that the Genesis version of VF2 is included on one of the collections and is on Switch, so there's that I guess.

With the series having some spark put into it with rereleases like VF5 Ultimate Showdown and VF3tb Online, and rumors of VF6 being in development, I wonder if there's a chance Sakurai may decide to give himself a rare "this one's for me" inclusion (because Akira definitely ain't gonna be for the Smash audience), because clearly he views the series as being important.

I dunno, just spewing thoughts. Not something I think is all that likely at all but VF's notable representation in Ultimate has always had me thinking about the possibility of it going all the way.

I think Akira would be great and could possibly have a chance, I wrote something up about him before

Akira Yuki: People suggest a lot of different Sega and fighting game characters, but I rarely see Akira come up, which I understand given the state Virtua Fighter is in. I think Akira has a fairly solid shot, Virtua Fighter is outright just one of the most influential games ever made with massive legacy and significant representation in Smash already, it seems clear to me Sakurai holds a lot of reverence for the series. It's one of Sega's most important IPs, and is about to get a revival according to Midori's leaks. While I don't see why someone like Sakurai would necessarily be privy to something like that happening, I do think it helps counter the series being dormant for a while. The main issue with Akira I'd say is implementing Virtua Fighter mechanics into a game like Smash. Akira isn't your average fighting game martial artist, he plays nothing like someone like Ryu and is very complex. Sakurai even cited Virtua Fighter as a 3D fighting game that's difficult to translate into Smash in the Kazuya presentation, and the Virtua Fighter series is known for being relatively grounded, so Akira doesn't have any projectiles.

The trade-off is that something Virtua Fighter is also known for is having fairly low gravity and high jumps, moreso than most Tekken games, which is somewhat adapted in Akira's assist trophy already. I could imagine Akira being somewhat like Jigglypuff, having no real recovery but high jumps to make up for it, but unlike Jigglypuff, having limited air mobility and attack powerso he's still a grounded fighter. This would make him easily punishable, but I think it's a fair trade-off. Virtua Fighter, unlike Tekken, is a 3-button game, with guard, punch, and kick buttons, so I could see a moveset adapting it as the attack button being punch, the special button being kick, and the shield button being guard, which would allow you to faithfully represent Virtua Fighter's grounded movement and Akira's moveset. Sakurai already considered giving Min-Min no actual special attacks, and I could see that coming into fruition here. It would make Akira very technical and difficult to master, but I think that's important to the series. Akira is very basic and standard visually, but to me that's part of the appeal of him and Virtua Fighter as a whole, and how the series has to evolve to attract a wider audience is something the people behind it have talked about in interviews, so it's something to think about.

 

[Diddy Kong]

I said smaller roster before but I couldn't do it, so newish roster based on current ideas.















Echoes:





Lemmy is placeholder for Koopalings as separate characters. This gives Jr. color options. And they can have slight stat differences now.



Lucas and Ness their movesets are fused. Picture Lucas's U and D Smash, Yo Yo with Ness used as their tilts, and no Rope Snake. PK Flash is now PSI Rockin / PSI Love, but basically is a big huge blast like PK Flash anyway , but more functional like PK Freeze as quick edgeguard you name it. Best of both worlds type of attack that's new.



Falco is more a tradional clone like in Melee, he was most popular as one anyway. Blasters are unique of course and so is his height and jumps and speed as different as before like in Melee. He does this to "outshine" Fox. The Falco Shine kick is now an imput for Down B on both characters.



Dark Samus has more unique moves but still mostly clonish, but more Melee clone like Falco



Third party:





Newcomers:

Impa

Dixie Kong

Funky Kong

Isaac

Bandana Dee

Takamaru

Octoling / token Splatoon character that's popular

New Pokemon

Noah and Mio

Either Waluigi or Toad

Geno

Knuckles

Rayman



DLC:

Monster Hunter

Amaterasu

Chun Li

Scorpion

Lyn or Alear

Garchomp

Paper Mario

Raven Beak / Sylux



Noteworthy is that Lucina and Chrom share the same moveset now. Still a sort of Marth-like character but with way more unique animations. Chrom's secondary weapon with spears is referenced and bows for Lucina.



Byleth uses magic, brawling and mostly the Sword of the Creator, and Ike uses the axe Urvan for certain moves as F Smash and Down Smash, maybe all Smash attacks with certain different inputs I dunno. Switch up with Ragnell for more speed and Urvan for more power by inputs or something. Like hold the attack button for slower and more powerful Urvan axe attacks and normal inputs for Ragnell which is speedier. This keeps Ike a tank, and hard hitter, but a more functional and optional one.

New roster ideas here. Making Lucas and Falco full echoes / clones now, fusing the movesets of Fox and Falco but keeping Falco as his Melee self more or less (most popular version anyway), Ness and Lucas, Lucina and Chrom and revamp ideas for the FE cast and all that.

This prevents Lucas to be cut. Gives Lucina and Chrom a better reason to stay around and equally separates the weapon triangle of FE amongst the cast instead of dumping it on Byleth. And makes Falco less unique but allows him to be cheated in by requiring less work.

Thoughts?

 

[Gengar84]

View attachment 393512

Almost 3400 hours lol WHAT DOES YOURS SAY NO CHEATING

JK I just thought it was funny cause I think it's probably my longest smash game play time... Stats like this are fun like the winningest character etc.

So it looks like I’ve put 705 hours into Ultimate. Not bad but I’ve put a lot more time into Brawl. Funnily enough, it looks like I also put 705 hours into Pokemon Shield (but only 380 in Scarlet). 705 hours looks like my record for time spent on a Switch game.

 

[BritishGuy54]

View attachment 393512

Almost 3400 hours lol WHAT DOES YOURS SAY NO CHEATING

JK I just thought it was funny cause I think it's probably my longest smash game play time... Stats like this are fun like the winningest character etc.

Only 190 hours for me. I’ve tended to be pretty on/off with Smash Bros. as a game.

In terms of my top 5 most played…

1. Minecraft (1395 hours, wtf)
2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (405 hours)
3. Super Mario Maker 2 (395 hours)
4. Xenoblade 3 (190 hours)
5. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (190 hours)

Xenoblade 2 barely missed the list, at 185 hours.

 

[Hadokeyblade]

Personally i think Final Fantasy is the least likely of the three Square series to come back.

Kingdom hearts probably gets priority due to the huge demand it had and Dragon Quest just seems easier to get than either of them.

 

[Will]

Almost 3400 hours lol WHAT DOES YOURS SAY NO CHEATING

Before I sold my Switch I had over 1,000 hours clocked in. My only other most played were BOTW at 750 and FE3H at 200.