Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

If a Pac-Man stage were up to me, it'd probably be something like Pac-Village from Pac-Man World 2 with the Ghosts occasionally showing up to cause problems for the players, or maybe something like they do in the intro and plucking the Golden Fruit to release Spooky or something. Plus then I could finally fix my biggest problem with Pac-Man in Smash and add more damn PAC-MAN music for PAC-MAN, because right now he has three songs and then medleys for things like Mappy, Galaga, Libble Rabble, Metro Cross, Sky Kid...

I'm fine with having all these tracks, but Pac-Man had his own adventure games that I'd like to actually represent and the music is bangers like Inky's Blade-O-Matic, Canyon Chaos, and Ghost Bayou.

 

[Gorgonzales]

If a Pac-Man stage were up to me, it'd probably be something like Pac-Village from Pac-Man World 2 with the Ghosts occasionally showing up to cause problems for the players, or maybe something like they do in the intro and plucking the Golden Fruit to release Spooky or something. Plus then I could finally fix my biggest problem with Pac-Man in Smash and add more damn PAC-MAN music for PAC-MAN, because right now he has three songs and then medleys for things like Mappy, Galaga, Libble Rabble, Metro Cross, Sky Kid...

I'm fine with having all these tracks, but Pac-Man had his own adventure games that I'd like to actually represent and the music is bangers like Inky's Blade-O-Matic, Canyon Chaos, and Ghost Bayou.

I've thought about Pac-Village as a stage before and I think it'd be a stellar choice. Especially if it's the final boss arena version where the town center is ripped from the ground and floats in the air, that's a Smash stage layout if I've ever seen one.

 

[ninjahmos]

It'd probably never happen, but I still think a Time Crisis stage with music from both the Time Crisis and Point Blank series would be awesome.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

I've thought about Pac-Village as a stage before and I think it'd be a stellar choice. Especially if it's the final boss arena version where the town center is ripped from the ground and floats in the air, that's a Smash stage layout if I've ever seen one.

The way I imagine it is either the normal Town version with the Pac-People going about their day as little cameos with occasional stage hazard shenanigans from the Ghosts, OR something kind of akin to Northern Cave hilariously enough where like they release Spooky, he makes the stage into the final boss version and maybe does some stage hazard/stage boss things kinda like Metal Face, and he's eventually resealed under the tree once he's beaten or after a certain amount of time, dropping the stage back into normal Village mode lol

Could do both honestly, like the Ghosts mess around until Spooky is released at a random point in time, at which point any Pac-People on the stage panic and retreat to their homes.

 

[Kirbeh]

If a Pac-Man stage were up to me, it'd probably be something like Pac-Village from Pac-Man World 2 with the Ghosts occasionally showing up to cause problems for the players, or maybe something like they do in the intro and plucking the Golden Fruit to release Spooky or something. Plus then I could finally fix my biggest problem with Pac-Man in Smash and add more damn PAC-MAN music for PAC-MAN, because right now he has three songs and then medleys for things like Mappy, Galaga, Libble Rabble, Metro Cross, Sky Kid...

I'm fine with having all these tracks, but Pac-Man had his own adventure games that I'd like to actually represent and the music is bangers like Inky's Blade-O-Matic, Canyon Chaos, and Ghost Bayou.

I know Pac in Smash is focused on just arcade stuff design wise, but it does strike me as odd that so little is acknowledged even after returning in Ultimate.

I'm lucky to at least have gotten the Block Town/Pac-Park remix as I really like Pac-Mania but the complete absence of the World series is a bit disappointing imo.

As for new stages, my full bias answer is an adaptation of Block Town (probably a boring choice to most, but it's always been memorable to me,) or a location from the first Pac-Man World. I'm admittedly not very familiar with 2 or 3 so I don't know what to pick from those.

 

[ninjahmos]

It'd probably never happen, but I still think a Time Crisis stage with music from both the Time Crisis and Point Blank series would be awesome.

Oh, and maybe some Rolling Thunder music too.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

I know Pac in Smash is focused on just arcade stuff design wise, but it does strike me as odd that so little is acknowledged even after returning in Ultimate.

I'm lucky to at least have gotten the Block Town/Pac-Park remix as I really like Pac-Mania but the complete absence of the World series is a bit disappointing imo.

As for new stages, my full bias answer is an adaptation of Block Town (probably a boring choice to most, but it's always been memorable to me,) or a location from the first Pac-Man World. I'm admittedly not very familiar with 2 or 3 so I don't know what to pick from those.

If it's any consolation, I definitely think a location from Pac-Man World 1 would be more likely since it got that remake, 2 is just my bias pick because it was like my third real game of all time after like Melee and Pokemon Sapphire at like age 6? So using 2-specific stuff is VERY much my personal bias and nostalgia talking lmao

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Speaking of light gun games, while having the Super Scope as a weapon is nice, I always thought a Yoshi's Safari/Battle Clash/Metal Combat stage would be a cool way to strongly pay tribute to that peripheral and its games.

 

[NintenRob]

Speaking of light gun games, while having the Super Scope as a weapon is nice, I always thought a Yoshi's Safari/Battle Clash/Metal Combat stage would be a cool way to strongly pay tribute to that peripheral and its games.

I frequently forget the Super Scope is an actual peripheral. Just doesn't seem to be on the same level as R.O.B. or the NES Zapper

Still the best gun item in the game though

 

[Gorgonzales]

My personal choice for a Pac-Man stage would be the Toy Box World from Pac-Man Arrangement. I really like its distinct aesthetic and think it would look very nice in HD.

My childhood bias pick would be a Pac-Pix stage though. Could act like a spiritual successor to Pictochat or something (which is funny since Pictochat 2 actually references Pac-Pix in one of the transformations). I've always adored this game's art direction and a stage that takes place in a book that's manipulated by ink and ghosts would be a fun idea.

 

[Hadokeyblade]

If we ever get Phoenix Wright, I'm hoping they not only include remixes of Objection! 2001 and Pursuit ~ Cornered, but also a remix of the Steel Samurai Theme.

It's never gonna happen but i want them to use the remix of the Steel Samurai theme from the official Ace Attorney slot machine.

Obviously because this is from a casino gambling machine it's never going to be in this kids game but man, this remix is an absolute banger that captures the tokusatsu hero vibe they were going with with the Steel Samurai.

 

[Guynamednelson]

Obviously because this is from a casino gambling machine it's never going to be in this kids game

Why wouldn't they be allowed to use it if they used art from the MGS3 pachislot?

 

[Hadokeyblade]

Why wouldn't they be allowed to use it if they used art from the MGS3 pachislot?

Im not a Metal gear guy so i did not know this was a thing

 

[Diddy Kong]

Every time someone says Pac I think they mean Tupac and not Pacman lol

 

[GoldenYuiitusin]

Every time someone says Pac I think they mean Tupac and not Pacman lol

Clearly you were not around when the Pac was back.

 

[Hadokeyblade]

Clearly you were not around when the Pac was back.

https://x.com/JoshuaTookes/status/1845985441243451661

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[Noipoi]

https://x.com/JoshuaTookes/status/1845985441243451661

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Pixels (2015)

 

[cashregister9]

https://x.com/JoshuaTookes/status/1845985441243451661

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EX-AID MENTIONED

 

[ninjahmos]

Pixels (2015)

Obligatory text

 

[Kirby Dragons]

Mage characters, I’m surprised I haven’t seen (or just missed) mention of Black Mage being added outright.

I was kind of a Black Mage supporter, but after Cloud got added, I became more focused on the actual FF characters rather than the classes.

 

[Perkilator]

Sakurai just released his last normal video

And with that, the special final episode is going to release next week.

 

[HyperSomari64]

And with that, the special final episode is going to release next week.

Finally

Meteos reboot

 

[fogbadge]

Remind me how convinced was everyone that BN were working on the next smash right now?

cause they made some announcements and well to try and keep things somewhat on topic it said they pausing development on a project commissioned by Nintendo

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Remind me how convinced was everyone that BN were working on the next smash right now?

cause they made some announcements and well to try and keep things somewhat on topic it said they pausing development on a project commissioned by Nintendo

I guess that Donkey Konga sequel just got pushed back another year.

 

[BuckleyTim]

Looked up the Banco announcement and apparently they're cutting staff and "pausing" projects despite the sparking zero game selling like 3 million units in a day. Sad but unfortunately par for the course for major game studios....

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Looked up the Banco announcement and apparently they're cutting staff and "pausing" projects despite the sparking zero game selling like 3 million units in a day. Sad but unfortunately par for the course for major game studios....

They don't have to care about their own employees when Spike Chunsoft brought them bank with Sparking Zero

Not to mention Tekken 8 printed a good bit of money too.

 

[Guynamednelson]

Looking up the news and...

https://www.gamereactor.eu/bandai-namco-cancels-

several-projects-and-opens-the-door-to-the-departure-of-hundreds-of-employees-1444103/
"This practice is typical of Japanese corporations"
At this point, it's more like corporations everywhere, why signal out Japan for this?

 

[BuckleyTim]

I guess it's referring to the practice of trying to get employees to resign rather than laying them off outright (which granted, they'd be doing the latter too if Japanese laws allowed them to).

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

"This practice is typical of Japanese corporations"
At this point, it's more like corporations everywhere, why signal out Japan for this?

No. Places outside of Japan can, have and will keep on firing people without warning whenever the **** they want.

Japanese companies are not allowed do that because that country's worker laws are a LOT tighter. Mass layoffs are literally illegal there.

The closest they can legally do to the stuff we see from Microsoft is exactly what Bandai Namco is doing; drive them to resign on their own by giving them less work to do. So it makes total sense to single out Japan for doing exactly this because other countries usually just cut to the chase and kick you out.

 

[Guynamednelson]

No. Places outside of Japan can, have and will keep on firing people without warning whenever the **** they want.

Japanese companies are not allowed do that because that country's worker laws are a LOT tighter. Mass layoffs are literally illegal there.

The closest they can legally do to the stuff we see from Microsoft is exactly what Bandai Namco is doing; drive them to resign on their own by giving them less work to do. So it makes total sense to single out Japan for doing exactly this because other countries usually just cut to the chase and kick you out.

Alright, that's understandable.

That said another question I have regarding the shelving of a Nintendo project: Bamco set up two teams for Nintendo stuff, and we think one is allegedly for Smash and the other non-Smash Nintendo games. Isn't it possible the shelved project couldn't be Smash?

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Alright, that's understandable.

That said another question I have regarding the shelving of a Nintendo project: Bamco set up two teams for Nintendo stuff, and we think one is allegedly for Smash and the other non-Smash Nintendo games. Isn't it possible the shelved project couldn't be Smash?

I think it's very likely the third-person shooter thing we've known for a while.

Bandai Namco would have no reason to publically say a project that wasn't even announced in any way (like a new Smash game?) was shelved.

 

[DarthEnderX]

drive them to resign on their own by giving them less work to do.

Threaten me with a good time...

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Threaten me with a good time...

For you, it's a good time.

But Japanese culture is an entirely different thing. People with a work ethic like Sakurai's is worrisome in the West but in Japan, it's practically the norm.

People like that getting no work to do is practically torture, which is why this is an effective (and legal) alternative to mass layoffs in Japan.

 

[Speed Weed]

I know Pac in Smash is focused on just arcade stuff design wise, but it does strike me as odd that so little is acknowledged even after returning in Ultimate.

I'm lucky to at least have gotten the Block Town/Pac-Park remix as I really like Pac-Mania but the complete absence of the World series is a bit disappointing imo.

As for new stages, my full bias answer is an adaptation of Block Town (probably a boring choice to most, but it's always been memorable to me,) or a location from the first Pac-Man World. I'm admittedly not very familiar with 2 or 3 so I don't know what to pick from those.

As far as Pac-Man World goes I think the simplest explanation for why it isn't represented is that the games are barely popular in Japan. The original trilogy was actually developed by Namco's American branch, always came out first there, and the third one never even got a JP release - that part of the series has always been very West-first. Thinking of things from that perspective, and especially considering Sakurai's already-existing leanings towards JP retro/arcade stuff, I think it makes sense why Pac's representation is the way it is.

(FWIW, Re-Pac actually was made in Japan - by longtime Namco collaborators Now Production at that - so who knows where the future's headed)

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

For you, it's a good time.

But Japanese culture is an entirely different thing. People with a work ethic like Sakurai's is worrisome in the West but in Japan, it's practically the norm.

People like that getting no work to do is practically torture, which is why this is an effective (and legal) alternative to mass layoffs in Japan.

Yeah, there's been stories about certain workers (even those within Nintendo) joining longshot projects at their respective companies simply because the alternative was seeing any possibility of actual work disappear.

 

[Oracle Link]

I never Understood why so many People want ninten as another earthbound rep!
Ness Is Litterally a redesign of him! And his Fanon Design was from 1 Trailer?
His Moveset would probably also just be another Clone Moveset!
I totally get making him an alt costume but i think if we get a new Earthbound rep either do porky if you have the resources for a full character!
Or Do Giygas as a mewtwo Echo?
Or heck do another unique Party Member Not My Choice but still better then having 2 identical characters or a non canon design!

 

[Hadokeyblade]

I never Understood why so many People want ninten as another earthbound rep!
Ness Is Litterally a redesign of him! And his Fanon Design was from 1 Trailer?
His Moveset would probably also just be another Clone Moveset!
I totally get making him an alt costume but i think if we get a new Earthbound rep either do porky if you have the resources for a full character!
Or Do Giygas as a mewtwo Echo?
Or heck do another unique Party Member Not My Choice but still better then having 2 identical characters or a non canon design!

The simple answer is that it's weird to have a series of three games but only represent two of them in the crossover

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

The simple answer is that it's weird to have a series of three games but only represent two of them in the crossover

Magicant says hi.

I get you meant characters but I had to lmao

 

[Gengar84]

The simple answer is that it's weird to have a series of three games but only represent two of them in the crossover

Yeah, and we usually get the protagonist of the first game in a series before anyone else so it’s extra weird to not have Ninten. I’m not really a big fan of Earthbound/Mother so Ninten isn’t really at the top of my most wanted list but I can understand how fans of the series might see his omission as odd.

 

[Shinuto]

Yeah, and we usually get the protagonist of the first game in a series before anyone else so it’s extra weird to not have Ninten. I’m not really a big fan of Earthbound/Mother so Ninten isn’t really at the top of my most wanted list but I can understand how fans of the series might see his omission as odd.

Ninten is just boring Ness.