Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[Kirby Dragons]

How do you guys feel if Yuffie was the FF Assist instead of Tifa?

Also i just realized tomorrow is my 1st month anniversary in SB

Tifa has the popularity, but they could go with Yuffie if they think they could make her more unique.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

How do you guys feel if Yuffie was the FF Assist instead of Tifa?

I personally prefer if it’s a Tonberry or a summon as a FF Assist but Yuffie works if it has to be a party member.

I think Tifa is more likely to be playable if FF7 ever gets another original rep.

 

[Arcanir]

How do you guys feel if Yuffie was the FF Assist instead of Tifa?

Also i just realized tomorrow is my 1st month anniversary in SB

It'll be Aerith.

And Sephiroth will be programmed to use Down Aerial when she spawns.

 

[SPEN18]

I think the solution is to base the moveset off of Let’s Go Eevee and give it elemental attacks representing each of its Eeveelutions. You could take a page from its Z move and have a spectral version of the Eeveelution for that elemental attacks representing each appear during the animation of that move. That way, you’re still referencing all its forms without having it evolve mid battle.

Yeah you could do that, although I would be concerned if even those "spectral forms" would be too distracting or too out-of-step with the rest of the kit. Depends on what the moves are, how many, and etc.

It's also probably worth mentioning that Leafeon and Glaceon are in similar situations - Debuted in the same generation, are only a duo and not a trio so there's less resources needed to make the dynamic work - but Espeon and especially Umbreon seem to be more popular overall. Sylveon is also pretty darn popular, but it's not part of a set of Eeveelutions. You could easily spin something out of Eevee evolving into Sylveon to still cover the evolution gimmick, but I'm not sure if it covers the full range of options. And like I mentioned before, the Kanto trio are arguably the most iconic set, but since there's three of them, it might get a bit messy trying to cover the full range of options.

Yep, Leafeon/Glaceon would be an odd pair to choose as they're not among the most popular or most recognized. Umbreon/Espeon feels like it would be received much better. Maybe Grass and Ice are easier elements to come up with material for, though thematically the Day/Night theme of the other pair is more fitting for a combo fighter and could be very interesting as well.

 

[fogbadge]

How do you guys feel if Yuffie was the FF Assist instead of Tifa?

I'd burn every copy of the game on the planet

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

How do you guys feel if Yuffie was the FF Assist instead of Tifa?

This opens the possibility of a playable Tifa down the line so it might be the ideal timeline, assuming mooks like Cactuar aren't possible.

 

[BuckleyTim]

Weird how Sony will let Horizon appear on the switch via Lego but super soccer has to get obliterated immediately.

Funny how this comes a page or two after we discussed elden ring getting in. Now I'm starting to heavily doubt it's ever gracing the switch 2.

 

[Hadokeyblade]

How do you guys feel if Yuffie was the FF Assist instead of Tifa?

Also i just realized tomorrow is my 1st month anniversary in SB

Being the party healer i think Aerith would work best.

Me too!

On the one hand, asking people to buy a season pass without telling them what's actually in the pass is a pretty anti-consumer practice.

On the other hand, Smash reveals are a lot of people's favorite part of Smash! You'd lose all those hype reaction moments if the entire pass was announced ahead of time.

It's a real conundrum.

Fine.

I'd rather have an iconic monster like Cactuar or Tonberry though.

I think Chocobo would be funner.

 

[AreJay25]

I feel like Cait Sith wouldn't be a bad FF7 AT considering his whole gimmick is literally, well, randomness, but I get that he's not that popular so he'd probably get passed up for someone else.

 

[Laniv]

How do you guys feel if Yuffie was the FF Assist instead of Tifa?

"...well okay, cool."

Plus it frees up Barret Wallace to be a fighter

 

[PersonAngelo53]

Weird how Sony will let Horizon appear on the switch via Lego but super soccer has to get obliterated immediately.

Funny how this comes a page or two after we discussed elden ring getting in. Now I'm starting to heavily doubt it's ever gracing the switch 2.

Am confident Elden ring will be on the switch 2. Doubt Super soccer is that important to affect anything with Elden ring on the switch

 

[BrawlX10]

I feel like Cait Sith wouldn't be a bad FF7 AT considering his whole gimmick is literally, well, randomness, but I get that he's not that popular so he'd probably get passed up for someone else.

Honestly, i don't think popularity always matters to ATs, i can see Cait Sith begin included if Sakurai sees him as the best possible AT from FF7. I think Sakurai has more freedom with ATs in general, like look at the flyswatter AT xD.

 

[Shinuto]

I hope we get more ladies this time around.

 

[BrawlX10]

Fire Emblem: Awakening really got lucky in Smash 4, huh.
Awakening released in Japan in April 19, 2012 and the project plan of Smash 4 proposal was on April 26, 2012, if it even released 1 month later it might not have gotten in the base game at all.

 

[Watuna4343]

Something that I've been wondering about... If Fire Emblem Awakening did NOT save the franchise like it did, what do you think happens to the Fire Emblem characters in Smash?

Personally, in Smash 4 and Ultimate I don't think Marth would get cut. Even if the franchise was left dormant, I don't see it being completely removed from the roster. The others though... I think it's safe to say that Corrin and Byleth never come as they would never exist in this AU. Chrom I also don't see getting added given that if FE did not turn out to be a success, I don't see if the fan demand would get him even as an echo. Robin is tougher to say as he was planned early on in Smash 4 and Idk if Sakurai would go through the process of wholly making a character just to cut them. Lucina I think it's safe to say would never be made into an a clone, Alph would probably have taken her slot as an 'alt-promoted-to-echo' with Lucina at best remaining an alt. Ike and especially Roy are interesting. Ike kinda falls into the Robin situation where Sakurai would probably have made Ike anyway, so would he drop a fully ready and functional fighter at the last minute? Roy is in a tricky spot in this AU Smash 4 because there was clearly Smash-fan-demand but would they go on with him over say Wolf? Idk

And Idk what would happen in the hypothetical Smash 6... Even then, again, I don't think Marth would get dropped. I think the franchise would stay, but Ike, Roy and Robin would be a tougher sell. Lucina might stay as an alt but again, she'd never be promoted to echo fighter.

 

[BritishGuy54]

Something that I've been wondering about... If Fire Emblem Awakening did NOT save the franchise like it did, what do you think happens to the Fire Emblem characters in Smash?

Personally, in Smash 4 and Ultimate I don't think Marth would get cut. Even if the franchise was left dormant, I don't see it being completely removed from the roster. The others though... I think it's safe to say that Corrin and Byleth never come as they would never exist in this AU. Chrom I also don't see getting added given that if FE did not turn out to be a success, I don't see if the fan demand would get him even as an echo. Robin is tougher to say as he was planned early on in Smash 4 and Idk if Sakurai would go through the process of wholly making a character just to cut them. Lucina I think it's safe to say would never be made into an a clone, Alph would probably have taken her slot as an 'alt-promoted-to-echo' with Lucina at best remaining an alt. Ike and especially Roy are interesting. Ike kinda falls into the Robin situation where Sakurai would probably have made Ike anyway, so would he drop a fully ready and functional fighter at the last minute? Roy is tricky in spot in this AU Smash 4 because there was clearly Smash-fan-demand but would they go on with him over say Wolf? Idk

And Idk what would happen in the hypothetical Smash 6... Even then, again, I don't think Marth would get dropped. I think the franchise would stay, but Ike, Roy and Robin would be a tougher sell. Lucina might stay as an alt but again, she'd never be promoted to echo fighter.

Without Fire Emblem, I’d imagine we’d get another first party in DLC instead. Maybe a Gen 8 Pokémon for that recent release bonus? Or Bandana Dee to give Kirby a boost?

This alternate Smash 6 could be people’s first glimpse at an ‘anime’ series getting a big boost in representation. That being Xenoblade.

The anime swordfighter hate likely wouldn’t be as serious. Ultimate would probably be a bit calmer and smoother. But only a bit.

 

[BrawlX10]

Something that I've been wondering about... If Fire Emblem Awakening did NOT save the franchise like it did, what do you think happens to the Fire Emblem characters in Smash?

Personally, in Smash 4 and Ultimate I don't think Marth would get cut. Even if the franchise was left dormant, I don't see it being completely removed from the roster. The others though... I think it's safe to say that Corrin and Byleth never come as they would never exist in this AU. Chrom I also don't see getting added given that if FE did not turn out to be a success, I don't see if the fan demand would get him even as an echo. Robin is tougher to say as he was planned early on in Smash 4 and Idk if Sakurai would go through the process of wholly making a character just to cut them. Lucina I think it's safe to say would never be made into an a clone, Alph would probably have taken her slot as an 'alt-promoted-to-echo' with Lucina at best remaining an alt. Ike and especially Roy are interesting. Ike kinda falls into the Robin situation where Sakurai would probably have made Ike anyway, so would he drop a fully ready and functional fighter at the last minute? Roy is tricky in spot in this AU Smash 4 because there was clearly Smash-fan-demand but would they go on with him over say Wolf? Idk

And Idk what would happen in the hypothetical Smash 6... Even then, again, I don't think Marth would get dropped. I think the franchise would stay, but Ike, Roy and Robin would be a tougher sell. Lucina might stay as an alt but again, she'd never be promoted to echo fighter.

My guess Marth returns and either Ike or Robin get cut in this AU for Smash 6, i think FE having 2 reps would be ok, if Kid Icarus can have unique 2 reps, i don't see why Fire Emblem can't.

 

[SubspaceJigglypuff]

Something that I've been wondering about... If Fire Emblem Awakening did NOT save the franchise like it did, what do you think happens to the Fire Emblem characters in Smash?

I'd assume Ike and Robin stay in Smash 4; Sakurai would not have been aware Awakening bombed in this alt universe, so their priority does not get affected much. Then Roy.... I'm not sure what happens with him. I think he was specifically chosen to be a DLC from Melee, so no Wolf or anyone like that. Without Roy, the other choices are Young Link and Pichu... yeah. I'd assume if FE was a flop, they'd skip Roy as 4 FE reps may be seen as a bit much, and bill Mewtwo as Melee's vet.

Our boy would return with the other three FE fighters in Ultimate, but his changes may be closer to what Pichu got rather than getting fully semi-cloned, and he wouldn't get his new design either. Chrom would not happen though; dead franchises rarely get new fighters, and someone else would become the echo instead

I think Marth would basically become like Ness, Fox, Falcon, Pit, etc. and stick around forever for legacy and more importantly, being the main rep of his universe. Like those four though, I imagine secondary characters from these inactive series would have it rougher; in a downscaled roster I imagine the main reps as moderate priority, the second ones as mid-low priority, and it just gets worse for any extras, so I'll apply that logic to this alt universe FE.

Assuming the order is Ike > Robin > Roy, Roy becomes a Pichu/Young Link tier guaranteed cut, Robin is in extreme danger and most likely cut, and Ike is about 50/50 for Smash 6. And of course forget about any newcomers.

My guess Marth returns and either Ike or Robin get cut in this AU for Smash 6, i think FE having 2 reps would be ok, if Kid Icarus can have unique 2 reps, i don't see why Fire Emblem can't.

That's assuming Kid Icarus still has two in Smash 6. Which is possible, but not a sure thing by any means.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Something that I've been wondering about... If Fire Emblem Awakening did NOT save the franchise like it did, what do you think happens to the Fire Emblem characters in Smash?

I thing Robin would still have been selected, but it would mean that Corrin and Byleth wouldn't exist. Since they're both promo picks, I think the likely picks in this scenario are either Inkling or Elma (but probably the former), and King Boo, Officer Howard, a Gen 9 starter, or maybe Ring & Ring Fit Trainee.

Roy still comes back in SSB4 since he's a Smash popularity pick, and assuming people still like Chrom in this AU, he joins Roy in Ultimate.

 

[Kirby Dragons]

I hope we get more ladies this time around.

I'm sure we will. We've come a long way from Brawl only having Peach, Zelda and Samus.

 

[Guynamednelson]

I hope we get more ladies this time around.

I'm sure we will. We've come a long way from Brawl only having Peach, Zelda and Samus.

Why wouldn't we? Something like that might as well be saying "I hope the next Smash game has new characters".

 

[Lukingordex]

Something that I've been wondering about... If Fire Emblem Awakening did NOT save the franchise like it did, what do you think happens to the Fire Emblem characters in Smash?

Personally, in Smash 4 and Ultimate I don't think Marth would get cut. Even if the franchise was left dormant, I don't see it being completely removed from the roster. The others though... I think it's safe to say that Corrin and Byleth never come as they would never exist in this AU. Chrom I also don't see getting added given that if FE did not turn out to be a success, I don't see if the fan demand would get him even as an echo. Robin is tougher to say as he was planned early on in Smash 4 and Idk if Sakurai would go through the process of wholly making a character just to cut them. Lucina I think it's safe to say would never be made into an a clone, Alph would probably have taken her slot as an 'alt-promoted-to-echo' with Lucina at best remaining an alt. Ike and especially Roy are interesting. Ike kinda falls into the Robin situation where Sakurai would probably have made Ike anyway, so would he drop a fully ready and functional fighter at the last minute? Roy is tricky in spot in this AU Smash 4 because there was clearly Smash-fan-demand but would they go on with him over say Wolf? Idk

And Idk what would happen in the hypothetical Smash 6... Even then, again, I don't think Marth would get dropped. I think the franchise would stay, but Ike, Roy and Robin would be a tougher sell. Lucina might stay as an alt but again, she'd never be promoted to echo fighter.

Roy would probably be safe as DLC because he's more of a smash bros. character than a FE character at this point and was very popular for this reason. He's in the same boat as Captain Falcon.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

Something that I've been wondering about... If Fire Emblem Awakening did NOT save the franchise like it did, what do you think happens to the Fire Emblem characters in Smash?

I think we would have still gotten Robin but Lucina remains as an alt like originally planned. Corrin and Byleth obviously wouldn’t exist and Roy isn’t guaranteed as DLC in Smash 4.

I think there is a possibility in Smash 6 for it to just be Marth like most fan games with the possibility of Ike returning. Edit: If Awakening Failed.

 

[DynamicSmasher]

I thing Robin would still have been selected, but it would mean that Corrin and Byleth wouldn't exist. Since they're both promo picks, I think the likely picks in this scenario are either Inkling or Elma (but probably the former), and King Boo, Officer Howard, a Gen 9 starter, or maybe Ring & Ring Fit Trainee.

Roy still comes back in SSB4 since he's a Smash popularity pick, and assuming people still like Chrom in this AU, he joins Roy in Ultimate.

If there had been no Corrin, they might still potentially have held off on Inkling if they wanted them as a big reveal for Ultimate. Otherwise, yeah, they probably would have promoted their brand new IP over one which already had a rep in.

I think we would have still gotten Robin but Lucina remains as an alt like originally planned. Corrin and Byleth obviously wouldn’t exist and Roy isn’t guaranteed as DLC in Smash 4.

I think there is a possibility in Smash 6 for it to just be Marth like most fan games with the possibility of Ike returning.

Very much doubt that it would just be Marth in 6 unless there's <20 or so characters. Especially not with how important Awakening and 3 Houses are to the series.

 

[Megadoomer]

Why wouldn't we? Something like that might as well be saying "I hope the next Smash game has new characters".

It's not consistent in that regard. With Smash 64, there's only Samus and seemingly Jigglypuff, but that can be chalked up to it being the first one. Melee added Peach, Zelda, and technically Nana (who took the lead in some costumes, but wasn't the default character so I'm not sure about counting her), but Brawl only added Zero Suit Samus. (who was just another version of a character who was already in the game)

Later games did better in that regard (Smash 4 added Lucina, Palutena, Wii Fit Trainer, and Rosalina, along with some alternate costumes and the Miis; Smash Ultimate added Inkling, Isabelle, Daisy, and technically Dark Samus), though DLC leaned heavily towards men. (with Smash 4, it was just Bayonetta (and Corrin if you include alts, though the default costume continues to be male), and with Smash Ultimate, it was Min Min and Pyra/Mythra, not counting alts and Kazooie)

I'm sure it will do well when it comes to including more women, though; I remember that being a big complaint during the Brawl era, and they seem to have taken that into account for future games.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

Very much doubt that it would just be Marth in 6 unless there's <20 or so characters. Especially not with how important Awakening and 3 Houses are to the series.

I am meant if Fire Emblem stopped after Awakening.

Its not going to just be Marth in this timeline.

 

[fogbadge]

I'm sure we will. We've come a long way from Brawl only having Peach, Zelda and Samus.

Nana: am I a joke to you?

 

[Dukefire]

It would be ironic if the next smash bros complaint is too many girls. The internet always finds a reason to complain.

 

[Wario Bros.]

It would be ironic if the next smash bros complaint is too many girls. The internet always finds a reason to complain.

Call it "Super Bash Sisters"

Problem solved

 

[DynamicSmasher]

I am meant if Fire Emblem stopped after Awakening.

Its not going to just be Marth in this timeline.

Ah, right, right. That makes a lot more sense.

Call it "Super Bash Sisters"

Problem solved

Have Palutena as the main announcer too.

 

[Guynamednelson]

It's not consistent in that regard. With Smash 64, there's only Samus and seemingly Jigglypuff, but that can be chalked up to it being the first one. Melee added Peach, Zelda, and technically Nana (who took the lead in some costumes, but wasn't the default character so I'm not sure about counting her), but Brawl only added Zero Suit Samus. (who was just another version of a character who was already in the game)

Later games did better in that regard (Smash 4 added Lucina, Palutena, Wii Fit Trainer, and Rosalina, along with some alternate costumes and the Miis; Smash Ultimate added Inkling, Isabelle, Daisy, and technically Dark Samus), though DLC leaned heavily towards men. (with Smash 4, it was just Bayonetta (and Corrin if you include alts, though the default costume continues to be male), and with Smash Ultimate, it was Min Min and Pyra/Mythra, not counting alts and Kazooie)

I'm sure it will do well when it comes to including more women, though; I remember that being a big complaint during the Brawl era, and they seem to have taken that into account for future games.

Well still, considering some of the characters we've been speculating on:

• Various Splatoon options who are or can be female, except for DJ Octavio
• The female-only Tinkaton and the otherwise feminine Meowscarada
• Pauline
• Akira Howard, who can be female
• Alear, who also can be female and potentially a Trojan horse for making characters like Celica, Lyn, or Erika playable
• Third-parties like Chun-Li and 2B

...I think it's safe to say the next game is going to have a few.

 

[PersonAngelo53]

Well still, considering some of the characters we've been speculating on:

• Various Splatoon options who are or can be female, except for DJ Octavio
• The female-only Tinkaton and the otherwise feminine Meowscarada
• Pauline
• Akira Howard, who can be female
• Alear, who also can be female and potentially a Trojan horse for making characters like Celica, Lyn, or Erika playable
• Third-parties like Chun-Li and 2B

...I think it's safe to say the next game is going to have a few.

Also Reimu, Arle Nadja, Shantae, Estelle Bright, Jinx could all be possibilities too for the next game female newcomers.

 

[dezeray112]

I’ve seen a lot of discussion about whether or not the next Smash game should reveal the characters of its DLC pass ahead of time, like how games like Street Fighter 6 have done. And honestly…it’s a topic I’m a bit conflicted on.

On one hand, ideally, it would help mitigate the tunnel vision in the speculation scene. But on the other hand, what if certain 3rd party companies don’t want their characters revealed too far in advance? Would you then settle for only revealing a few of the DLC characters in advance?

I've seen this debate recently based on Tekken 8's second season pass and they also conducted a poll on social media asking fans on the future of how they will reveal season pass contents.

The choices were either reveal the contents but only show the concept art for the characters or wait for an event such as EVO to do a reveal.

Anyways, I think with the way some games from Street Fighter 6, Guilty Gear Strive, Fatal Fury: CotW have been unveiling their season pass contents, it will be interesting to see what sort of direction they will approach this.

 

[fogbadge]

given the current topic I feel I should bring up Toadette

 

[SPEN18]

My personal "Big 3" of 2000s Nintendo girls is Lyn, Midna, and Krystal. And Dixie and Impa are the 90s duo.

 

[Laniv]

Lip, anyone? Tiki?

 

[CosmicEternity44]

How about Bubbles from Clu Clu Land? That character is a she, right?

 

[BrawlX10]

I've seen this debate recently based on Tekken 8's second season pass and they also conducted a poll on social media asking fans on the future of how they will reveal season pass contents.

The choices were either reveal the contents but only show the concept art for the characters or wait for an event such as EVO to do a reveal.

Anyways, I think with the way some games from Street Fighter 6, Guilty Gear Strive, Fatal Fury: CotW have been unveiling their season pass contents, it will be interesting to see what sort of direction they will approach this.

I peronally think it would suck A LOT if they revealed the FP content beforehand in Smash Bros.
If it's there a game i'd make an exception to this and keep the FP hidden is Smash Bros. Like speculating about DLC was part of the fun back in 2019-2021 and i'm sure lots of us have fond memories of those days.
I guess it's "anti-consumer", but i don't really care in this case as i'd buy the fighter pass regardless, anyway. You can also always not buy the FP and buy the fighters individually.

 

[AreJay25]

I've seen this debate recently based on Tekken 8's second season pass and they also conducted a poll on social media asking fans on the future of how they will reveal season pass contents.

The choices were either reveal the contents but only show the concept art for the characters or wait for an event such as EVO to do a reveal.

Anyways, I think with the way some games from Street Fighter 6, Guilty Gear Strive, Fatal Fury: CotW have been unveiling their season pass contents, it will be interesting to see what sort of direction they will approach this.

I don't know how Sakurai/Nintendo would feel about revealing everything upfront seeing that the reveal trailers are a big part of Smash's marketing.

However, if I can ask for ANYTHING in regards to season passes... please give us time frames for the characters at the very least.

It was absolute agony not knowing when to expect the DLC to drop. The wait would be a lot more bearable if we could at least get what seasons of the year they'd release in.

 

[Wonder Smash]

How about Bubbles from Clu Clu Land? That character is a she, right?

Yep. She would also make a good retro pick too.