Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[Dinoman96]

Assuming Banjo comes back in the base game, my idea for the other Rare IPs is give them cameos via assist trophies, spirits (or whatever collectibles they're doing this time around) and music in the base game. Imagine Rash as an assist trophy, but also a remix of the Turbo Tunnel theme. Surely that's good enough, right Gengar84 ? Haha.

I'd also like to say Mii Fighter outfits, Mii Gunner costumes based upon Joanna Dark and the Jet Force Gemini kids would go pretty hard, but going by past precedent those would have to be DLC only (also I suppose we also have to make sure Mii Fighters even come back at all lol).

 

[PersonAngelo53]

I'd love chief (haloid fans rise up), but his competition internally is pretty fierce at this point. As much as I'm lukewarm on the idea I really do think Dovahkin is the dark horse here that everyone is sleeping on. Skyrim hit Japan compared to how it hit the western gaming market; I've even seen it referenced in media like Pop Team Epic years after the fact. While I think the two green space marine guys and the bandicoot are inevitable they might have to cower before the might before the first western RPG Swordsman in Smash.

The Todd posting that day will be glorious

Also don’t forget Skyrim got a mii costume so is clearly Sakurai is aware of the characters popularity.

no one is guaranteed

Wrong, Mario is guaranteed.

 

[Hydreigonfan01]

Wrong, Mario is guaranteed.

Mario is never making it into Smash. He's too much of a "literally who?" character smh my head

 

[Gengar84]

Assuming Banjo comes back in the base game, my idea for the other Rare IPs is give them cameos via assist trophies, spirits (or whatever collectibles they're doing this time around) and music in the base game. Imagine Rash as an assist trophy, but also a remix of the Turbo Tunnel theme. Surely that's good enough, right Gengar84 ? Haha.

I'd also like to say Mii Fighter outfits, Mii Gunner costumes based upon Joanna Dark and the Jet Force Gemini kids would go pretty hard, but going by past precedent those would have to be DLC only (also I suppose we also have to make sure Mii Fighters even come back at all lol).

That’s probably the more likely scenario to be honest. Still, I’m going to keep rooting for another playable RARE character. Beyond my own personal biases growing up playing their games, they’re also the closest things to honorary Nintendo characters to me. Back on the SNES and N64, RARE and Nintendo were pretty much synonymous. Like Killer Instinct felt like Nintendo’s fighting game and GoldenEye and Perfect Dark felt like Nintendo’s FPS games. The fact that their influence on the DK series lasted as long as it did was a testament to that. Despite being bought by Microsoft 20 years ago, RARE and Nintendo will always be linked to me. Their games and characters were some of the most iconic on those platforms during an era when Nintendo was otherwise really struggling with third party support.

 

[Dinoman96]

With Microsoft presumably on board, I actually do hope one day they convert the Motion Sensor Bomb back into its former GoldenEye or more realistically Perfect Dark glory.

 

[Gengar84]

In my opinion, consideration for Smash shouldn’t be limited to sales or current relevancy. I think it’s also a great way to celebrate gaming history, particularly when that history is relevant to Nintendo. For me, RARE’s history with Nintendo warrants consideration of other fighters despite no longer being relevant to mainstream gaming. I totally understand if you feel differently. A lot of fans grew up after RARE was bought by Microsoft and don’t really have any nostalgia for the company. It doesn’t help that Microsoft hasn’t done a great job at keeping their IP relevant. Thankfully, they’re at least doing something with them with the KI reboot in 2013, the Battletoads reboot in 2020 and the upcoming Perfect Dark reboot.

 

[PersonAngelo53]

Mario is never making it into Smash. He's too much of a "literally who?" character smh my head

Dang good point you are right. Probably Luigi at least be more likely since that’s Nintendo’s real mascot.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Dang good point you are right. Probably Luigi at least be more likely since that’s Nintendo’s real mascot.

They even dedicated a whole year to him!

 

[chinkuru]

They need to bring back Pacman to the Mario kart roster

And Mametchi

 

[DynamicSmasher]

If nothing else, I hope the more cartoony direction of MK9/10(?) means that Sakurai lets DK and especially Bowser act(and talk!) like they do in their home games.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

If nothing else, I hope the more cartoony direction of MK9/10(?) means that Sakurai lets DK and especially Bowser act(and talk!) like they do in their home games.

"Mario! How dare you disturb my family vacation!"

"I'll shower you with coconut cream pies!"

 

[Gorgonzales]

"Mario! How dare you disturb my family vacation!"

"I'll shower you with coconut cream pies!"

I mean, I'd take it.

 

[Noipoi]

Looking closer at the Mario Kart 9/10/whatever trailer, you can tell they put a lot of thought into the visual design and animations. There’s obviously been talks about the characters, but there’s also a decent amount of squash and stretch, cartoony effects, and more expressiveness in the characters. Just look at how that kart bounces, it’s so toony!

It reminded me of an interview back when Wonder was coming out, where they said that the game’s new artstyle and focus on charming animations was a direct result of the movie’s success. They figured, after coming off of a beautifully animated film, audiences would expect that same level of detail in the games.

So it seems this push for a more cartoony style is something they want to carry forward to more Mario games, not just Wonder. Though it could just be a coincidence. If we see a new 3D Mario with a similar style then we’ll know for sure.

Either way, between Sonic and now Mario, it’s interesting to see these game franchises embrace the elements of their successful films. It wasn’t too long ago that video game movies were all flops and disasters.

 

[Stratos]

It's unbelievable that they changed the character design almost to the old design.

 

[Diddy Kong]

If nothing else, I hope the more cartoony direction of MK9/10(?) means that Sakurai lets DK and especially Bowser act(and talk!) like they do in their home games.

Whatever happens, I don't want the new DK design in Smash. That would be terrible.

 

[Gengar84]

Whatever happens, I don't want the new DK design in Smash. That would be terrible.

Same here. Thankfully Smash 6 will probably be modded eventually and someone will mod his old design over this new one if it happens. I pretty much exclusively play Smash with mods once they’re a thing so it shouldn’t affect me too much personally.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Whatever happens, I don't want the new DK design in Smash. That would be terrible.

Assuming DK's redesign is now standard, I kind of have a feeling both he and Dedede will be ignoring their current designs. The much more compact DK wouldn't work super well with the big body grappler archetype, and King Dedede's new design is a lot less expressive than the current Smash design (and again, it's a lot more compact to fit in with the other playable Kirby characters and Dedede's supposed to be a big body in Smash).

 

[Opossum]

Assuming DK's redesign is now standard, I kind of have a feeling both he and Dedede will be ignoring their current designs. The much more compact DK wouldn't work super well with the big body grappler archetype, and King Dedede's new design is a lot less expressive than the current Smash design (and again, it's a lot more compact to fit in with the other playable Kirby characters and Dedede's supposed to be a big body in Smash).

I get the comparison but I also don't really think DK and Dedede are equivalent here for one reason: Sakurai uses the Dedede design that comes from the era he worked on Kirby. He doesn't really have that personal connection to DK, so there could absolutely be a scenario where Dedede keeps the design he's been using in Smash while DK changes, like how Yoshi and Bowser did in the transition from Brawl to 4.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

I get the comparison but I also don't really think DK and Dedede are equivalent here for one reason: Sakurai uses the Dedede design that comes from the era he worked on Kirby. He doesn't really have that personal connection to DK, so there could absolutely be a scenario where Dedede keeps the design he's been using in Smash while DK changes, like how Yoshi and Bowser did in the transition from Brawl to 4.

Yeah, and I guess there's also the fact that, in the movie anyway, most of the changes are in the face rather than build so it'd probably still work based off of that. There's also a possibility of them straight up going mobile grappler with him if they make him smaller since he keeps getting faster with each entry anyway, and the more compact body means less range on attacks.

 

[MBRedboy31]

I wonder if corporate Nintendo would tell him which design to use or not. Although, if Smash 6’s development is already well underway, it’d probably be too late for them to tell him to switch to the new design anyway.

 

[Louie G.]

I'd say that given King Dedede's tumultuous design history, Smash should feel far less obligated to cater to the new angle on the premise that he'll probably have a completely different look in a few years. The Super Star design he has in Smash is kind of the greatest catch-all approach to the character because it's the one the series always ends up falling back on eventually. Also, IMO, it is way better suited for a fighting game.

With Donkey Kong, it's safe to assume Nintendo has some longterm plans in mind if they are serious about this design becoming the standard. I'm not sure whether to expect it in Smash or not, it's far too early to say. But I would argue that the DKC design may still feel better suited on the basis of cohesion with Diddy Kong and (presumably) King K. Rool, along with all of the legacy DKC content that would realistically carry over.

None of this means that DK can't change his look but I think the DKC lineup has a particularly consistent philosophy (for better or worse?) and throwing in a far more aloof Kong may disrupt the balance and force more explicit changes toward at the very least Diddy Kong. Like, would this new / old DK make gorilla grunts? Probably not - so then we'd have to bring in Diddy Kong's voice right? Would be strange for them to be inconsistent with the animalistic stuff.

I wonder if corporate Nintendo would tell him which design to use or not. Although, if Smash 6’s development is already well underway, it’d probably be too late for them to tell him to switch to the new design anyway.

Not sure about that, provided BOTW Link made it in. This is the first time we're seeing this DK in-game but as addressed the design has been floating around via promotional art for a good while now. It's reasonable to assume this has been in the works for a good while, enough to tip Sakurai off for sure.

Hell, even in Smash art.

 

[Gengar84]

I’m not sure if I’m in the minority here but I hope Link goes back to his classic green tunic and cap as his default in the next Smash. To me, his Ocarina of Time design is my favorite and will always be the first thing I think of when I think of Link. His blue shirt from BotW and TotK were cool for a change but I don’t really want that to become his main design going forward. I’m also hoping he gets his hookshot back in Smash because it was one of the things that made him stand out and fun to play in my opinion.

 

[Opossum]

I'd say that given King Dedede's tumultuous design history, Smash should feel far less obligated to cater to the new angle on the premise that he'll probably have a completely different look in a few years. The Super Star design he has in Smash is kind of the greatest catch-all approach to the character because it's the one the series always ends up falling back on eventually. Also, IMO, it is way better suited for a fighting game.

With Donkey Kong, it's safe to assume Nintendo has some longterm plans in mind if they are serious about this design becoming the standard. I'm not sure whether to expect it in Smash or not, it's far too early to say. But I would argue that the DKC design may still feel better suited on the basis of cohesion with Diddy Kong and (presumably) King K. Rool, along with all of the legacy DKC content that would realistically carry over.

None of this means that DK can't change his look but I think the DKC lineup has a particularly consistent philosophy (for better or worse?) and throwing in a far more aloof Kong may disrupt the balance and force more explicit changes toward at the very least Diddy Kong. Like, would this new / old DK make gorilla grunts? Probably not - so then we'd have to bring in Diddy Kong's voice right? Would be strange for them to be inconsistent with the animalistic stuff.



Not sure about that, provided BOTW Link made it in. This is the first time we're seeing this DK in-game but as addressed the design has been floating around via promotional art for a good while now. It's reasonable to assume this has been in the works for a good while, enough to tip Sakurai off for sure.

Hell, even in Smash art.

View attachment 397924

Maybe it's just me but I feel like Diddy Kong doesn't really need as much of a change, if any? He already fits really well with the newer take on DK.

 

[Hadokeyblade]

I’m not sure if I’m in the minority here but I hope Link goes back to his classic green tunic and cap as his default in the next Smash. To me, his Ocarina of Time design is my favorite and will always be the first thing I think of when I think of Link. His blue shirt from BotW and TotK were cool for a change but I don’t really want that to become his main design going forward. I’m also hoping he gets his hookshot back in Smash because it was one of the things that made him stand out and fun to play in my opinion.

I would like alt skins based on his designs from across the series.

A breath of the wild one, a twilight princess one and one in the ocarina of time 90's anime artstyle.

 

[Louie G.]

Maybe it's just me but I feel like Diddy Kong doesn't really need as much of a change, if any? He already fits really well with the newer take on DK.
View attachment 397925

I think he looks fine too, I'm just suggesting that Smash Bros might need to take more exhaustive measures than the main Mario brand. Stuff like how much detail the characters have, how they're going to sound, etc. since they already have their own creative liberties at play. If DK and Diddy are notoriously more animalistic in Smash, I feel like there's probably some adjustments that could be made if Donkey Kong looks noticeably sillier by default.

Not saying Diddy needs to be overhauled, it probably wouldn't be so extreme, but if DK is taken in such a drastically different direction then there's at least some reconsideration to be done about the way Diddy is portrayed in Smash. Enough for it to be a substantial conversation, even if little is done.

 

[ninjahmos]

no one is guaranteed

"Mario! How dare you disturb my family vacation!"

"I'll shower you with coconut cream pies!"

Well…better than nothing, I guess.

 

[Gengar84]

I would like alt skins based on his designs from across the series.

A breath of the wild one, a twilight princess one and one in the ocarina of time 90's anime artstyle.

Same here. That’s my ideal for the whole Zelda cast actually. If they do that, they could either pick one design as the default (my choices would be OoT Link, TP Zelda, TotK Ganondorf, and SS Impa) and make the others alts or even make a completely new Smash original design for the default like Hyrule Warriors did. Since Sheik overlaps with Link for OoT, she could get an original Smash design in either scenario.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

If they do commit to the more compact DK design, I feel like that'd force them to give him cartoony monkey noises instead of the realistic ones we have now, which would force them to do it for Diddy and K. Rool as well. So I guess that would be a plus.

 

[Opossum]

I think he looks fine too, I'm just suggesting that Smash Bros might need to take more exhaustive measures than the main Mario brand. Stuff like how much detail the characters have, how they're going to sound, etc. since they already have their own creative liberties at play. If DK and Diddy are notoriously more animalistic in Smash, I feel like there's probably some adjustments that could be made if Donkey Kong looks noticeably sillier by default.

Not saying Diddy needs to be overhauled, it probably wouldn't be so extreme, but if DK is taken in such a drastically different direction then there's at least some reconsideration to be done about the way Diddy is portrayed in Smash. Enough for it to be a substantial conversation, even if little is done.

Ah I gotcha. I definitely agree that if they go through with the DK redesign in Smash, other things about the duo's presentation would need to change, most notably the voices. I do think their general movements are still fine though. Honestly the DK shrug taunt feels like it would work better with the new design lol.

Though honestly if that's what it takes to get their actual voices in I'm all for it LMAO. Long overdue imo.

 

[Noipoi]

They give DK a new design, a new voice, and a new taunt

 

[Gengar84]

I think I’m alone in preferring DK’s original DKC trilogy and Mario Kart 64 voice compared to his post DK64 voice. I also kind of miss Yoshi’s voice from Super Mario World and Mario Kart 64. I never had an issue with DK’s Smash voice because it was closer to those games.

 

[Louie G.]

I do think that, generally, K. Rool can stay pretty much the same in Smash since he's so wonderfully expressive and cartoony already. Nu-DK and K. Rool wouldn't look especially strange next to each other. But maybe they'd dial back the detail in his scales for example, just simplifying the design to look a bit more stubby and toyetic (?) to match.

Not particularly what I want out of him, I think K. Rool is virtually perfect in Ultimate. But I could see those kind of small adjustments if they want to level out the DK cast a bit. K. Rool's voice was never too consistent so honestly I don't think that one needs to change - Smash's interpretation is about as valid as any other.

 

[dream1ng]

If Smash had given Donkey Kong his O-K! it would've been up there with Hiiiiiiiii, HYES, and Ohhkaeigh~

What a missed opportunity.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

They give DK a new design, a new voice, and a new taunt

On the one hand, I agressively don't want this taunt. On the other hand, Donkey Kong being the only character with muscle deformation would be funny as heck...

I also kind of miss Yoshi’s voice from Super Mario World and Mario Kart 64.

I like it too, but a single sound effect is only going to carry you so far.

Although the idea of everyone in the Mario cast talking while Yoshi's speaking in a heavily edited bitcrushed sound effect like a Gen 1-4 Pokémon is really funny.

 

[cashregister9]

About the new Donkey Kong design, currently I have no strong feelings on the design one way or another, I am used to the Rare design overall, but I can definitely get used to the new one.

Not my theory but I think it is an interesting thought, I could see them using the Rare design for Donkey Kong Country specifically and the new design for Mario games specifically. Sort of like Wario's Biker Outfit, how that is used specifically for WarioWare, but whenever he appears in a Mario game, it's the overalls.

 

[Guynamednelson]

it’s interesting to see these game franchises embrace the elements of their successful films

It's not anything new tbh, Mortal Kombat retconned a lot of its lore a long time ago to be consistent with the 1995 movie, like making Kano Australian.

 

[Stratos]

The truth is that the redesign of Mario, Donkey Kong and the other characters is somewhat the same as their old versions and that disappointed me a little and I wasn't excited. But it doesn't matter so much what their new design is like, because I'm sure their new games will be the best and that's enough for me.