Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[AreJay25]

So, to distract myself from... whatever the hell is happening right now. I figured this was interesting.

Sega announced (in an interview) that they do indeed have a new Virtua Fighter game in the works. Again, it's only in text, and it's pretty much been an open secret for a while now, but hey.

I think it's pretty expected that we might get at least a few more fighting game reps next go around. With this, what do you all think are the chances of a VF rep making it in? Sakurai clearly has a lot of respect for the series seeing that it's gotten content in Smash 4 and Ultimate, and it has more than enough of a legacy within the industry to justify its inclusion. I guess the main hurdles are implementation (considering how difficult it was to include a Tekken character) and Sega already having a bunch of characters vying for spots.

 

[dream1ng]

I seriously doubt it solely because of backwards compatibility.

BotW had a valid argument for having both a Wii U version and a Switch version (Wii U was the promised console for years and Switch lacked BC), but it would feel a bit weird for Prime 4 to be given the same treatment.

The only reason I could see two versions co-existing is if there is stuff that is simply unfeasible on the original Switch hardware.

This doesn't really address the major commercial differences between Switch and Switch 2 games in 2025 and beyond.

BC squeezes a few more units out of old games, but exists primarily to make the new console more appealing to the existing install base. Marketing-wise, they're going to move more units of a game marketed for the new system than one they're laying to rest. Not just in the lead up to the release of the system and game but consider the shelf life of a new system versus any Switch games.

How many units you think MP4 is selling in, like, 2027 as a Switch game versus as a Switch 2 game? All Switch games are about to have a dropoff in sales, even with BC, because people just want to buy what's new. And even a new game on an old system will seem less new than a new game on a new system.

Just because a system has BC doesn't mean Switch games will continue to sell as if they're on the current console.

Switch lacked BC, but Wii didn't. And Twilight Princess came to both. I think the commonality between it, BotW, and MP4 is that a big reason these games touched down on the previous system is because they had already been promised for it. But I don't think any of the older systems were the priority for the cross-release, more an obligation, and I think the same will be true here. They're priority games, they're going to be put on the priority system.

Despite Metroid being treated as bigger than it actually is, MP4 is still a high-status game. If it releases solely on the Switch, it's going to be neglected promotionally as it actively competes against the much bigger Switch 2 push, then releases on an already outdated platform, whose library will only continue to diminish commercially. BC won't afford it nearly as many sales as actually releasing it on the thing Nintendo is pushing, will exist for years to come, and enables actually working in tandem with and benefitting from the massive Switch 2 promotion, instead of against it.

Like, if MP4 is a Switch 2 game, it will actually be a part of the reveal and the push. Like ARMS and Splatoon 2 and XC2. That will be very big for this game. Just because you'd be able to play the Switch version on the Switch 2 doesn't make up for the effect of actually being a Switch 2 game.

 

[Speed Weed]

So, to distract myself from... whatever the hell is happening right now. I figured this was interesting.

Sega announced (in an interview) that they do indeed have a new Virtua Fighter game in the works. Again, it's only in text, and it's pretty much been an open secret for a while now, but hey.

I think it's pretty expected that we might get at least a few more fighting game reps next go around. With this, what do you all think are the chances of a VF rep making it in? Sakurai clearly has a lot of respect for the series seeing that it's gotten content in Smash 4 and Ultimate, and it has more than enough of a legacy within the industry to justify its inclusion. I guess the main hurdles are implementation (considering how difficult it was to include a Tekken character) and Sega already having a bunch of characters vying for spots.

Saying what I've said before - it has the legacy, Sakurai's clearly fond, I just can't shake the feeling that he sees the Akira assist as good enough representation as is. There's also, of course, the matter of competition - for example, nowadays, you can't go 5 seconds without hearing SEGA push Sonic, Persona and RgG as their pillars, and we're 2 for 3 on that one - and VF is a series that's still going to need to do some work to "re-establish" itself for the time being, so I don't know that it's a priority in their heads right now.

I would love to see it though. Have em come with a Honey Mii costume

 

[Guynamednelson]

Twilight Princess came to both

I feel like that had a very good reason to happen beyond it being announced for the Gamecube: If you didn't have a Gamecube, you're likely to not have a GC controller, and thus you'd need to buy the Wii version of TP if you want to actually play the game on your new console.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

This doesn't really address the major commercial differences between Switch and Switch 2 games in 2025 and beyond.

BC squeezes a few more units out of old games, but exists primarily to make the new console more appealing to the existing install base. Marketing-wise, they're going to move more units of a game marketed for the new system than one they're laying to rest. Not just in the lead up to the release of the system and game but consider the shelf life of a new system versus any Switch games.

How many units you think MP4 is selling in, like, 2027 as a Switch game versus as a Switch 2 game? All Switch games are about to have a dropoff in sales, even with BC, because people just want to buy what's new. And even a new game on an old system will seem less new than a new game on a new system.

Just because a system has BC doesn't mean Switch games will continue to sell as if they're on the current console.

Switch lacked BC, but Wii didn't. And Twilight Princess came to both. I think the commonality between it, BotW, and MP4 is that a big reason these games touched down on the previous system is because they had already been promised for it. But I don't think any of the older systems were the priority for the cross-release, more an obligation, and I think the same will be true here. They're priority games, they're going to be put on the priority system.

Despite Metroid being treated as bigger than it actually is, MP4 is still a high-status game. If it releases solely on the Switch, it's going to be neglected promotionally as it actively competes against the much bigger Switch 2 push, then releases on an already outdated platform, whose library will only continue to diminish commercially. BC won't afford it nearly as many sales as actually releasing it on the thing Nintendo is pushing, will exist for years to come, and enables actually working in tandem with and benefitting from the massive Switch 2 promotion, instead of against it.

Like, if MP4 is a Switch 2 game, it will actually be a part of the reveal and the push. Like ARMS and Splatoon 2 and XC2. That will be very big for this game. Just because you'd be able to play the Switch version on the Switch 2 doesn't make up for the effect of actually being a Switch 2 game.

Like I said, they would need to absolutely justify the Switch 2 version in some way.

Twilight Princess is actually a good example since the GameCube version didn't have any motion controls, which was the Wii's hook. So naturally the Wii launch title should be built with those in mind, right?

I'm not saying the motion controls were good. It is, after all, a launch game for the Wii, but it was a valid enough reason for the two versions to coexist.

If they do two versions of MP4, the Switch 2 version would need stuff that is undeniably unique to the console. Otherwise, it feels pointless, imo. And this is how Nintendo tends to roll with cross-releases too.

"But Breath of the Wild was the same game!"

And the Switch lacked BC. That's reason enough to justify the cross-release.

 

[superprincess]

I couldn't concentrate on the Nintendo post with everything going on and the terrible news of today.

But now that my mind's a bit clearer, I'm gonna say that their announcement about the new console was great! Finally, Ultimate Deluxe is a dead concept. You guys can continue to play Smash Ultimate on this new system.

The fact that Nintendo's president also put out a reminder that we're still getting the console before April 1st 2025 makes me think... it probably won't be announced this year.

 

[Perkilator]

After clearing my mind of…current events, I’ve decided I want the next Smash game’s newcomer selection to be as follows:

• Newcomers from veteran franchises in both the base game and DLC
• Newcomers from newly represented 1st party franchises in the base game
• Newcomers from newly represented 3rd party franchises in the DLC

 

[HyperSomari64]

May this isn't related to Smash, but Sega is going to delist some of their classic Genesis games from digital stores. Maybe they will find a home in a new compilation?

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

May this isn't related to Smash, but Sega is going to delist some of their classic Genesis games from digital stores. Maybe they will find a home in a new compilation?

At this point, does Sega really need another Genesis compilation? The Sega 3D Classics Collection, the Sega Genesis Mini, the Sega Ages line, Genesis titles on NSO, Sega Genesis Mini, and the Sega Genesis Classics release on various platforms... what else can really be done with these games?

Expensive or not, I think Saturn or even Master System games would be far more notable novelty at this point.

 

[ninjahmos]

I kind of would like to hear Akira Yamaoka do his own arrangement of Lavender Town.

 

[Hadokeyblade]

So, to distract myself from... whatever the hell is happening right now. I figured this was interesting.

Sega announced (in an interview) that they do indeed have a new Virtua Fighter game in the works. Again, it's only in text, and it's pretty much been an open secret for a while now, but hey.

I cant wait to play it in the Yakuza Arcade cabinet.