Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[DarthEnderX]

I think a lot of Pokémon’s current problems could be solved with a new Pokemon Stadium game. The Stadium game could just be purely about battling and random mini games where the core games could focus more on the Champaign itself.

Pokemon Stadium should be PART of Pokemon Home.

Mainline games = Where you play the story and collect new Pokemon.
Home = Where you store, trade and competitively battle with your entire collection of Pokemon.

Dexit: Despite Gamefreak straight up lying about why they did this, it was going to be necessary at some point, so whether they were ripping the band-aid off or just literally couldn't swing it, it couldn't be helped.

Dexit was necessary at the time, but there's no reason it should still be a thing.

Sw/Sh alone brought 600 Pokemon into the modern era. Between Pikachu/Eevee, SP/BD, Arceus, and S/V, there's absolutely zero reason to not have all 1000 in the same game by now.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Pokemon Stadium should be PART of Pokemon Home.

Mainline games = Where you play the story and collect new Pokemon.
Home = Where you store, trade and competitively battle with your entire collection of Pokemon.

...

This makes so much sense I'm actually kinda miffed that it isn't a thing.

 

[Ivander]

And it's funny how it turns out that Godzilla actually would appear in a video game crossover:

I mean, it's not his first time.

And I've already seen the rumors regarding Godzilla and the very notable game with numerous crossovers and characters.

 

[GoldenYuiitusin]

I mean, it's not his first time.

And I've already seen the rumors regarding Godzilla and the very notable game with numerous crossovers and characters.

In this day and age, it feels like Toho just puts Godzilla in almost any possible collab under the sun.

I deadass feel if it weren't for Smash being strict with the IP type that gets featured, we would have had some kind of content present even if nothing more than a Godzilla suit for Mii Brawler and possibly the iconic theme for stages.

 

[Ivander]

In this day and age, it feels like Toho just puts Godzilla in almost any possible collab under the sun.

I deadass feel if it weren't for Smash being strict with the IP type that gets featured, we would have had some kind of content present even if nothing more than a Godzilla suit for Mii Brawler and possibly the iconic theme for stages.

We could always choose the 2nd best option that is a video game character.

Spoiler

Hmmm, were you expecting something else? I don't see what possibly could coughTyranitarcough

 

[Wonder Smash]

I mean, it's not his first time.

And I've already seen the rumors regarding Godzilla and the very notable game with numerous crossovers and characters.

I had mentioned Shinobi II in my reply to his post at that time.

That reminds me, wasn't one of the Event Matches in Melee a reference to King Kong vs Godzilla? With a Giant Donkey Kong and Giant Bowser match?

 

[GoldenYuiitusin]

We could always choose the 2nd best option that is a video game character.

Spoiler

Hmmm, were you expecting something else? I don't see what possibly could coughTyranitarcough

I think you mean:

The Pokémon that's more like Godzilla than Tyranitar is (whose design takes after an Ultraman monster called Bemular).

And the biggest reason why it's one of my top choices for a Gen 9 Pokémon in Smash.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

Given that Splatoon 3's in-game jukebox has damn near every song in the series but the Music app doesn't even have any post-launch content, I don't think TTYD Remake in the app would add any of the original tracks.

I mean yeah but to be fair, Splatoon 3's jukebox having like every song in the series means you can't add the other 2 games later, as opposed to TTYD just being TTYD twice. It's possible they'd split it into the original and remake (I think remake is only missing like one track, the one that plays when you win a battle after your partner dies), but I dunno, I feel like the situation is a little different lol

Plus I could also see them just adding the whole OST and having separate playlists for the remade music and the original tracks, like how Pokemon Scarlet and Violet on the app has stuff split up based on what branch of the story it's in. Could even name the playlist after the Nostalgic Tunes badge used to access the original music.

 

[Ivander]

I think you mean:

View attachment 396417


The Pokémon that's more like Godzilla than Tyranitar is (whose design takes after an Ultraman monster called Bemular).

And the biggest reason why it's one of my top choices for a Gen 9 Pokémon in Smash.

Sure, Baxalibur definitely has the similarities down to a tee. Especially with the breath for flying. But...does Baxcalibur have both two Mecha versions, a Mega Evolution that looks an awful lot like a certain Space version And have a history with rap/hip-hop?

Spoiler: Spoilering for NSFW language

 

[GoldenYuiitusin]

Sure, Baxalibur definitely has the similarities down to a tee. Especially with the breath for flying. But...does Baxcalibur have both two Mecha versions, a Mega Evolution that looks an awful lot like a certain Space version And have a history with rap/hip-hop?

Spoiler: Spoilering for NSFW language

Erm, ackshually it would be closer to a super form Godzilla had in the aptly named Super Godzilla for SNES, which would be the inspiration for SpaceGodzilla's design.

I just wanted an excuse to nerd out, don't mind me

 

[dezeray112]

Honestly? I'll make another case for Chun-Li here. Street Fighter 6 has been a rousing success and helped revitalize excitement for the series in a fresh new way. Surely Street Fighter was doing fine enough to warrant Ken in Ultimate, but I think there's something to be said about the way Smash treats Street Fighter vs what the series has built up for itself recently. In Smash, the series remains a celebration of the classical Street Fighter II era - something I've rambled about before. But now I think SF6 has brought attention back to everything beyond that, and would demand more current focus.

Another thing to add is that Chun-Li is one of the more recognisable female characters within the fighting game genre.

Other than that the Street Fighter franchise does have a lot of interesting and iconic characters too whether this is from the likes of Guile, Cammy, Juri etc.

On the highlighted whilst Street Fighter 6 certainly helped revitalised Capcom's fighting game department (especially with the Marvel Vs Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics), I do hope that they will consider revitalising several of their dormant fighting game IPs down the line.

On the topic of fighting games, definitely Sol Badguy or any Guilty Gear character. The release of Guity Gear Strive introduced the series to a bigger audience than ever, firmly taking the series from more of a hardcore, cult classic status more akin to Darkstalkers into sharing space with the biggest names of the genre. It seems safe for me to say that if we get another fighting game character next game, it'll either be from Guilty Gear or maybe Virtua Fighter.

I generally could see Sol Badguy or any other Guilty Gear character being represented in Smash for sure. As for Virtua Fighter, all that is known so far is that a new entry is currently in the works and I think they may possibly reveal it some point next year.

I would also perhaps throw in another possibility of another fighting game character represented from the SNK franchise in which they are starting to gain recognition. My predictions would be between either Rock Howard, Mai Shiranui or Nakoruru.

 

[Gengar84]

My only issue with Chun-Li is that a third Street Fighter character is generally less exciting to me than a character from a brand new franchise to Smash. New franchises also bring a lot of things like music with them that Chun-Li wouldn’t really. She’s definitely a great and deserving character but I just generally like to see more varied representation. Even within Street Fighter, I feel like Juri Han might be a more interesting choice since she’d represent the modern side of the franchise instead of a third character from Street Fighter 2. No complaints if we get Chun-Li though but those are just my thoughts.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

New franchises also bring a lot of things like music with them that Chun-Li wouldn’t really.

She could, though whether or not she would is certainly a question.

I think it's possible since as the third Street Fighter character, and the second unique one, they do have more incentive to explore the Street Fighter universe with her addition. She's also more known for her appearances in the Street Fighter Alpha series, and Street Fighter III: Third Strike, so they could base her off one or both of those instead of Street Fighter II.

 

[Master_Scorpion]

Here’s a question that I’m stuck on. If they ever do another Smash Ballot or something similar and we only get one vote, are you planning to vote for your absolute favorite character even if they’re not at all likely or would you narrow it down to characters you feel actually have a decent chance and vote for your favorite among those? I’m always kind of conflicted there because I feel like if I don’t vote for my favorite character, no one else will but that also kind of feels like throwing your vote away.

Master Chief all day!

 

[Gengar84]

Master Chief all day!

I think my number one pick for who I’d like to see is the Battletoads since they’re my brother’s favorite characters ever and I think they’d have a really fun Smash moveset. Their over the top transformations and animations seem perfect for a game like Smash. They’re a bit of a long shot though not completely impossible. As far as characters I think have a decent chance, the two characters I feel are the most likely out of my top 10 are Zero and Jinx so it might make more sense to vote for one of them instead.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

I mean yeah but to be fair, Splatoon 3's jukebox having like every song in the series means you can't add the other 2 games later, as opposed to TTYD just being TTYD twice. It's possible they'd split it into the original and remake (I think remake is only missing like one track, the one that plays when you win a battle after your partner dies), but I dunno, I feel like the situation is a little different lol

Plus I could also see them just adding the whole OST and having separate playlists for the remade music and the original tracks, like how Pokemon Scarlet and Violet on the app has stuff split up based on what branch of the story it's in. Could even name the playlist after the Nostalgic Tunes badge used to access the original music.

If they're adding the remake, they're only adding the remake's OST so you'd have to keep waiting for the original.

I mean, they split the NES and Famicom Disk System versions of the original Metroid. I don't see why TTYD would get preferential treatment.

 

[Louie G.]

The issue with the line of thinking that Chun-Li can’t sustain new content is that she’s literally in all the major unrepresented games too. Like Smash Puppy said, adding another Street Fighter character by proxy incentivizes new content one way or another.

She’s no worse a representative of modern Street Fighter games than Juri, of Third Strike than Alex, or of Alpha than Sakura. My assumption that I touched on before is after the success of Street Fighter 6 we’re quite likely to see more content from that game regardless of who gets added, and advancing past just SF2 material should already be a priority.

I want to make a quick comparison too - labeling Chun-Li a SF2 character is to me the same as the insincere arguments that call Kirby, Dedede and Meta Knight “Sakurai-era Kirby characters” to justify someone from the newer games. Both of these statements are technically true, but they’re deceiving. Because the fact of the matter is these same characters have continued to be the faces of their respective series both old and new.

 

[Gengar84]

The issue with the line of thinking that Chun-Li can’t sustain new content is that she’s literally in all the major unrepresented games too. Like Smash Puppy said, adding another Street Fighter character by proxy incentivizes new content one way or another.

She’s no worse a representative of modern Street Fighter games than Juri, of Third Strike than Alex, or of Alpha than Sakura. My assumption that I touched on before is after the success of Street Fighter 6 we’re quite likely to see more content from that game regardless of who gets added, and advancing past just SF2 material should already be a priority.

I want to make a quick comparison too - labeling Chun-Li a SF2 character is to me the same as the insincere arguments that call Kirby, Dedede and Meta Knight “Sakurai-era Kirby characters” to justify someone from the newer games. Both of these statements are technically true, but they’re deceiving. Because the fact of the matter is these same characters have continued to be the faces of their respective series both old and new.

I don’t mean to diminish her role in more recent games. She’s clearly an iconic and deserving character and has maintained relevance over the years. I’m just speaking from personal preference, not to dismiss how important she is. I would actually compare Chun-Li to a character like Gengar. Both came from very early on in the series but have remained relevant and popular throughout. That doesn’t make Gengar not a Gen 1 Pokémon. If people say they’d rather see a Pokemon from a more recent generation instead of yet another from the first game, that’s totally valid. Again, I’m fine with Chun-Li getting in, I’m just trying to express my personal opinion on what characters would interest me more. Apologies if that offended anyone.

 

[Louie G.]

Again, I’m fine with Chun-Li getting in, I’m just trying to express my personal opinion on what characters would interest me more. Apologies if that offended anyone.

Yeah I understand, you’re welcome to have that opinion but I just disagree with the conditions you’re implying. Street Fighter is not like Pokemon, where the focus drastically shifts every game. Ryu and Chun-Li are always the main characters, and the usually guys on the box or at the forefront of marketing. Gengar is not.

Pikachu is a Gen 1 Pokemon, but it might sound kinda silly if you looked at Pikachu and said “I’d rather a Pokemon from another gen”. It’s a valid opinion if that’s how you feel, who am I to say otherwise, but I hope you’d understand why it comes off reductive toward a character whose identity and merit has long since transcended that as a MC and mascot.

It’s not about being offended really, you’re all good, I just think you’re misrepresenting the character a bit.

 

[Gengar84]

Yeah I understand, you’re welcome to have that opinion but I just disagree with the conditions you’re implying. Street Fighter is not like Pokemon, where the focus drastically shifts every game. Ryu and Chun-Li are always the main characters, and the usually guys on the box or at the forefront of marketing. Gengar is not.

Pikachu is a Gen 1 Pokemon, but it might sound kinda silly if you looked at Pikachu and said “I’d rather a Pokemon from another gen”. It’s a valid opinion if that’s how you feel, who am I to say otherwise, but you just have to understand why it comes off reductive toward a character whose identity and merit has long since transcended that as a MC and mascot.

Fair but now I feel like you’re dismissing Gengar’s importance in the series now. Gengar is one of the only Pokemon to have made every game. It also has both a Mega and a Gigantimax and has among the most merchandise of any Pokemon. It’s clearly still very relevant and pushed. Dismissing it as just another Gen 1 Pokemon is similarly doing it a disservice. Either way, apologies if I seemed like I was doing that with Chun-Li. A lot of this is probably just coming from my own personal biases. I like Chun-Li but she’s never really been one of my favorite Street Fighter characters. Guile has always been my favorite but he didn’t make my most wanted list for the same reason. I also really like Juri and feel she’d be a fresh take for the series.

 

[Freduardo]

Here’s a question that I’m stuck on. If they ever do another Smash Ballot or something similar and we only get one vote, are you planning to vote for your absolute favorite character even if they’re not at all likely or would you narrow it down to characters you feel actually have a decent chance and vote for your favorite among those? I’m always kind of conflicted there because I feel like if I don’t vote for my favorite character, no one else will but that also kind of feels like throwing your vote away.

Yeah, I'd vote for Crono again.

 

[dezeray112]

My only issue with Chun-Li is that a third Street Fighter character is generally less exciting to me than a character from a brand new franchise to Smash. New franchises also bring a lot of things like music with them that Chun-Li wouldn’t really.

In terms of what music that can be accompanied with Chun-Li, I could see:

• Theme of Chun-Li - Smash Remix - Street Fighter II
• China VOX - Street Fighter III
• Resolution - Theme of Chun-Li - Street Fighter Alpha 3
• Crowded Downtown Stage - Street Fighter IV
• Run Down Back Alley Stage - Super Street Fighter IV
• Bustling Side Street - China Stage - Street Fighter V
• Not a Little Girl - Theme of Chun-Li - Street Fighter 6
• Tiang Hong Yuan Stage Theme - Street Fighter 6

Of course they can also bring in other themes too:

• Theme of Lee - Smash Remix - Street Fighter I
• Crowded Street - Street Fighter III
• Moments - Theme of Gen - Street Fighter Alpha 3
• Theme of Gen - Super Street Fighter IV
• Theme of F.A.N.G. - Street Fighter V
• Poisonous Passion - Theme of AKI - Street Fighter 6

Whilst I do believe that there may be more included, but I do expect some of them to get remixed by different composers.

 

[Gengar84]

Yeah, I was trying to make a general point about me being more excited for new franchise representation than additional characters from existing ones. I didn’t really mean to make it about Chun-Li specifically. Like I said, she’s clearly a very iconic character who is more than deserving of a spot in Smash. If she makes it in, it’s very well earned. Perhaps in doing so, I came off as dismissive of people that really want her in Smash. That wasn’t my intention and I’m sorry for that. I always try to be respectful of different opinions and it can be hard for me to properly voice my own without coming off that way.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

My only issue with Chun-Li is that a third Street Fighter character is generally less exciting to me than a character from a brand new franchise to Smash.

Fair and I agree. Unless it's someone I specifically want, I don't really care much about existing franchises getting more. It's neat but it's also whatever.

With that said...

New franchises also bring a lot of things like music with them that Chun-Li wouldn’t really.

VERY wild take given that the music content in Smash zeroed in on SF2 and nothing else. SF3 and 4 in particular have had some incredibly beloved songs and now SF6 is on the table too.

She’s definitely a great and deserving character but I just generally like to see more varied representation. Even within Street Fighter, I feel like Juri Han might be a more interesting choice since she’d represent the modern side of the franchise instead of a third character from Street Fighter 2. No complaints if we get Chun-Li though but those are just my thoughts.

I got into Street Fighter because I saw the bat**** insane South Korean lady to bat**** insane things and was like "HELL ****ING YEAH!"

But also I fear the idea of Smash getting yet another TOD character that can cancel normal moves into imagination for some ridiculous bull****, even if in Juri's case it'd be a temporary install (and potentially a comeback mechanic too if they make it work like Ultra moves in SF4), so I'm genuinely not sure if I want her over Chun-Li, even if Juri does have the popularity to back up her being in Smash since she's by far the most popular post-SF2 fighter.

 

[Louie G.]

Fair but now I feel like you’re dismissing Gengar’s importance in the series now. Gengar is one of the only Pokemon to have made every game. It also has both a Mega and a Gigantimax and has among the most merchandise of any Pokemon. It’s clearly still very relevant and pushed. Dismissing it as just another Gen 1 Pokemon is similarly doing it a disservice.

I’m not dismissing Gengar’s significance, I’m saying Gengar is not Chun-Li. Gengar isn’t Pikachu and Charizard. That’s the league we’re batting in here. It’s not undermining Gengar to say that, it’s just that the alternative is in their own world of importance.

Gengar and Guile is actually a good comparison if anything. Both are consistently important, recurring faces but they’re just not the main guy. Just as you may not seriously consider Gengar for Smash until Pikachu / Charizard / Mewtwo are here it seems appropriate to say Ryu / Chun-Li / Ken are of an equivalent standing.

 

[Gengar84]

Let me try to explain my music point. It’s not like they would only stick to Street Fighter 2 music, but that they could expand the scope with or without Chun-Li as a playable character. To my knowledge, Ryu is in every game Chun-Li is so nothings stopping them from doing that with our existing characters

I’m not dismissing Gengar’s significance, I’m saying Gengar is not Chun-Li. Gengar isn’t Pikachu and Charizard. That’s the league we’re batting in here. It’s not undermining Gengar to say that, it’s just that the alternative is in their own world of importance.

Gengar and Guile is actually a good comparison if anything. Both are consistently important, recurring faces but they’re just not the main guy.

Okay, I can kind of see where you’re coming from but Chun-Li isn’t the main character either. She’s extremely popular and has been pushed more than most of the other characters but Ryu is still the main to my knowledge. I’ll concede that Chun-Li is a bit more important to Street Fighter than Gengar is to Pokemon. Perhaps that wasn’t a completely fair comparison.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Let me try to explain my music point. It’s not like they would only stick to Street Fighter 2 music, but that they could expand the scope with or without Chun-Li as a playable character. To my knowledge, Ryu is in every game Chun-Li is so nothings stopping them from doing that with our existing characters

Okay, that's a fair enough point. But adding Chun-Li would basically force SF3 content since even though she debuted in SF2, she is heavily associated with Third Strike.

They can always do it without adding another character but if they don't add another character, they have no reason to add more songs other than just... wanting to add more songs.

 

[GoldenYuiitusin]

Instructions unclear.

Adding Q to Smash.

 

[ninjahmos]

I've said this before, but I'd love it if they included Chun-Li's Alpha and SF6 designs as well as her OG one, and I agree that they should not only include a new remix of her theme, but more music from the Street Fighter series that isn't just from SFII.

And, as unlikely as it sounds, maybe they could even include music from Capcom crossovers, like MVC2 and CVS2.

 

[Gengar84]

I wanted to clarify that I’m not at all opposed to Chun-Li joining Smash. I think she’d actually be a cool addition to the roster. I just personally have a harder time getting excited for characters the more we already have in their series. That’s why Garnet from Final Fantasy IX isn’t in my top 10 most wanted characters despite being my favorite character from my favorite game ever. That’s just a me thing and I don’t mean to imply anyone is wrong for having a different preference or priorities.

You all have made some good points in her defense that really helps her case though. While I still think her presence isn’t required to expand the music selection, it would be a great reason to do that. She could focus on other aspects of the series too despite originating from Street Fighter 2. I’m still always going to prefer my favorite characters but it seems she would offer more than I was originally giving her credit for.

 

[Ivander]

Instructions unclear.

Adding Q to Smash.

Huh, didn't expect them to be our Xenoblade 3 rep. I was expecting Noah or Mio.

 

[dezeray112]

I've said this before, but I'd love it if they included Chun-Li's Alpha and SF6 designs as well as her OG one, and I agree that they should not only include a new remix of her theme, but more music from the Street Fighter series that isn't just from SFII.

I could see all three of her designs being a part of the costumes set if she were to be in Smash.

Here’s a question that I’m stuck on. If they ever do another Smash Ballot or something similar and we only get one vote, are you planning to vote for your absolute favorite character even if they’re not at all likely or would you narrow it down to characters you feel actually have a decent chance and vote for your favorite among those? I’m always kind of conflicted there because I feel like if I don’t vote for my favorite character, no one else will but that also kind of feels like throwing your vote away.

Well, I did put Xenoblade Chronicles' Fiora as my choice during the Smash Ballet. But if they did another Smash Ballot, I will opt for someone from a fighting game franchise.

 

[fogbadge]

Instructions unclear.

Adding Q to Smash.

before James Bond?

 

[Gengar84]

I personally prefer the more stylistic visuals of previous Street Fighter games compared to the more photorealistic look of Street Fighter 6. Some characters do have really cool outfits in 6 though like Cammy and Juri. I actually prefer those two outfits over their classic ones. Others like Guile and Deejay, I still like their classic outfits more. I feel like Smash is more likely to pull from the more stylistic graphical style to better fit in with the rest of the roster but they could easily take some alternate outfit ideas from 6.

Do you think they’ll still use the Focus Attack for Chun-Li’s down special to keep her in line with Ryu and Ken or do you think they’d base her more off the gameplay style of Third Strike to differentiate her?

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

I personally prefer the more stylistic visuals of previous Street Fighter games compared to the more photorealistic look of Street Fighter 6. Some characters do have really cool outfits in 6 though like Cammy and Juri. I actually prefer those two outfits over their classic ones. Others like Guile and Deejay, I still like their classic outfits more.

I cannot agree on Dee Jay. This man has the biggest glow-up in all of SF6 imo.

 

[Gengar84]

I cannot agree on Dee Jay. This man has the biggest glow-up in all of SF6 imo.

View attachment 396428View attachment 396427

Yeah, I can see why people like his new design. Dee Jay was probably my second favorite character in Super Street Fighter 2 after Guile. I loved his cool yet fun vibe he had with his big smile. In Street Fighter 6, they tuned the fun and goofy slider all the way up. I feel like he lost some of his cool factor in the process. If you prefer goofy characters over traditionally cool ones than I can totally understand why you might prefer his 6 portrayal.

 

[Wonder Smash]

Here’s a question that I’m stuck on. If they ever do another Smash Ballot or something similar and we only get one vote, are you planning to vote for your absolute favorite character even if they’re not at all likely or would you narrow it down to characters you feel actually have a decent chance and vote for your favorite among those? I’m always kind of conflicted there because I feel like if I don’t vote for my favorite character, no one else will but that also kind of feels like throwing your vote away.

If I feel that my character has a chance at all, then I'll vote for them, whether their chances are big or small. Though in the end, it's kind of hard to say for sure. Some characters that seemingly had little to no chances ended up getting in and others that seemingly had a big chance didn't get in at all. So all we can do is go by is which characters even have a chance at all.

 

[ninjahmos]

Do you think they’ll still use the Focus Attack for Chun-Li’s down special to keep her in line with Ryu and Ken or do you think they’d base her more off the gameplay style of Third Strike to differentiate her?

I dunno, but I still think Hazanshu would work better as a Down B for her than Focus Attack.

 

[Kirbeh]

Yeah, I can see why people like his new design. Dee Jay was probably my second favorite character in Super Street Fighter 2 after Guile. I loved his cool yet fun vibe he had with his big smile. In Street Fighter 6, they tuned the fun and goofy slider all the way up. I feel like he lost some of his cool factor in the process. If you prefer goofy characters over traditionally cool ones than I can totally understand why you might prefer his 6 portrayal.

I gotta disagree here, if anything, they toned it down from SF4. I feel like SF6 is a pretty balanced middle ground for his portrayal.

 

[KingofPhantoms]

If a franchise as big as Sonic gets a 3rd newcomer, I don't see why one as big as Street Fighter shouldn't.

Heck, I don't see why most of the existing third parties couldn't get at least one more playable character in general as of the next Smash game.