Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

I think there were some hints that he would have some announcement in the direct if I remember right.

The only thing he said is that news of it would come "soon"

It's easy to assume it'd be a Direct because he typically works on Nintendo projects (though we have seen instances of it not being the case) and Nintendo usually reveals stuff in Directs. But he never said that, only that it would be revealed "soon"

Though being fair, with now NDA-heavy Nintendo is, he probably wouldn't be allowed to say that something would come in a Direct.

 

[NintenRob]

I'm honestly not expecting anything Smash Bros related in the presentation. Feels too soon. I expect to see Smash in the second or third year

 

[Swamp Sensei]

I kinda hope we don't get Smash news.

I want it to simmer more.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

On one hand, I want to say that it won't happen so we get some time not being Smash-brained.

On the other, my predictions are always wrong so.....

 

[Among Waddle Dees]

I'm not gonna be happy if Smash gets announced at this upcoming Direct. For a number of reasons, but mainly because it might make SmashBoards too late for adding its individual character threads before the next Smash cycle.

 

[Perkilator]

I'm not gonna be happy if Smash gets announced at this upcoming Direct. For a number of reasons, but mainly because it might make SmashBoards too late for adding its individual character threads before the next Smash cycle.

?

I mean I want character support threads back as much as the next guy, but how would it be “too late” if a new Smash game gets announced at the Direct?

 

[NintenRob]

I'm not gonna be happy if Smash gets announced at this upcoming Direct. For a number of reasons, but mainly because it might make SmashBoards too late for adding its individual character threads before the next Smash cycle.

Nah, that's not gonna happen. Even if Smash Bros shadow drops, you'll still have character threads for dlc

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

I'd be okay with Smash just being mentioned in passing by Sakurai or someone else, especially if something else from Sora Ltd. gets shown instead, like a Kid Icarus remaster or something that I think would fit much better with Sakurai making a "lightning-fast" project proposal, as well as making more sense imo with the timeline based on the limited info we have.

Melee was announced at E3 in 1999 as "a Smash game on the Gamecube", Brawl was announced before E3 2005 which was even a surprise to Sakurai, and Smash 4 was announced in 2011 when the Wii U was unveiled, so I could see them just mentioning it's in development, which would allow character threads to open presumably and more people to come in and make discussion topics potentially. I mean not long after Smash 4's announcement is when I joined here, so I wouldn't mind that tactic again lol

 

[MBRedboy31]

If the next Mario Kart is indeed this year, I’m not expecting them to bring up Smash yet. Given how much of an ultra-megaton series Mario Kart is, they’d probably want to maximize attention for it first.

Maybe they’ll tease the next Smash near the beginning of 2026, much like how Ultimate was first teased at the start of the year it released.

 

[AreJay25]

If the next Mario Kart is indeed this year, I’m not expecting them to bring up Smash yet. Given how much of an ultra-megaton series Mario Kart is, they’d probably want to maximize attention for it first.

Maybe they’ll tease the next Smash near the beginning of 2026, much like how Ultimate was first teased at the start of the year it released.

I mean, Smash 4 and Mario Kart 8 both got revealed within the same year and then got released within the same year.

Not saying they'll both release in 2025, but I don't think one stops the other from being announced.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

So, what do you think is happening in the April 2 presentation regarding Smash Bros.?

1.- Full reveal trailer similar to the Brawl and Smash 4 first reveals. Includes cutscenes, gameplay footage, and at least one newcomer. Game title is shown in full.
2.- Teaser trailer similar to the initial Inkling reveal for Ultimate. Only cinema, no gameplay.
3.- Confirmation that new Smash Bros. is in the making along with several details such as Sakurai and Bandai Namco returning. No footage, outside of maybe a piece of artwork.
4.- "Yes, we are making Smash Bros. for Switch 2", and that's all we get.
5.- Nothing. No mentions, not even a hint.

Assuming Smash Bros. is the game Sakurai is working on then I think there's a decent chance of option #2, as the game should be in a state where footage can be shown, although I suppose they could do #3, with #1 being saved for a big reveal in June or later. If the game is not Smash I'm leaning towards #4, since even if Sakurai's game wasn't Smash I doubt Nintendo hasn't done the necessary paperwork to have Smash ready for Switch 2.

That said I'm absolutely setting myself up for option #5, although I hope we get at least #4 so that the Character Support threads can be reopened.

My opinion is that it’s either 4 or a 5 and that depends on if the secret game by Sakurai is a Smash game.

There are cases where Smash is revealed early or even before launch of a console such as for Brawl and Smash 4 but the launch reveal is generally a 4 with Sakurai involvement being mentioned.

 

[Watuna4343]

So, what do you think is happening in the April 2 presentation regarding Smash Bros.?

1.- Full reveal trailer similar to the Brawl and Smash 4 first reveals. Includes cutscenes, gameplay footage, and at least one newcomer. Game title is shown in full.
2.- Teaser trailer similar to the initial Inkling reveal for Ultimate. Only cinema, no gameplay.
3.- Confirmation that new Smash Bros. is in the making along with several details such as Sakurai and Bandai Namco returning. No footage, outside of maybe a piece of artwork.
4.- "Yes, we are making Smash Bros. for Switch 2", and that's all we get.
5.- Nothing. No mentions, not even a hint.

Assuming Smash Bros. is the game Sakurai is working on then I think there's a decent chance of option #2, as the game should be in a state where footage can be shown, although I suppose they could do #3, with #1 being saved for a big reveal in June or later. If the game is not Smash I'm leaning towards #4, since even if Sakurai's game wasn't Smash I doubt Nintendo hasn't done the necessary paperwork to have Smash ready for Switch 2.

That said I'm absolutely setting myself up for option #5, although I hope we get at least #4 so that the Character Support threads can be reopened.

Yeah, I am in agreement that it's either 4 or 5. Though I am leaning towards 4 tbh. I think that a confirmation of a Smash 6 coming eventually seems plausible (especially if we assume that Smash 6 will come in late 2026-early 2027, a confirmation of it coming is very probable) but I could see Nintendo waiting if Smash releases too deep in the next console's cycle.

 

[BrawlX10]

My guess:

If its a Deluxe Port, we'll probably get a full trailer.
If it's a new game, we'll get a teaser trailer like the inkling one from Ult, peraphs with a small gameplay glimpse at best.
If we don't get anything, it's probable we aren't geting a port or a new game and just a FP3 down the line ala Booster Pass.

I think it's unlikely we'll get nothing at all if they're planing a new game on the Switch 2, a smash reveal will get everyone talking, even if it's just a teaser, honestly both Mario Kart 9 and Smash 6 getting trailers would generate a lot of hype, i'm sure they want to avoid another WiiU scenario at any costs.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

If we don't get anything, it's probable we aren't geting a port or a new game and just a FP3 down the line ala Booster Pass.

I don't exactly see how us not seeing anything immediately in the first ever Switch 2 Direct means that when Smash 4 was announced the E3 after its console was RELEASED (meaning seven months after) and Ultimate's first teaser was a full year after the Switch launched. Keep in mind the Switch 2 is likely still some months out because you can't just shadow drop a console unless you're the SEGA Saturn, and look how that turned out.

Not getting info on Smash immediately doesn't mean they're suddenly gonna go back and add like 6 new characters to a 7 year old game.

 

[dream1ng]

My guess:

If its a Deluxe Port, we'll probably get a full trailer.
If it's a new game, we'll get a teaser trailer like the inkling one from Ult, peraphs with a small gameplay glimpse at best.
If we don't get anything, it's probable we aren't geting a port or a new game and just a FP3 down the line ala Booster Pass.

I think it's unlikely we'll get nothing at all if they're planing a new game on the Switch 2, a smash reveal will get everyone talking, even if it's just a teaser, honestly both Mario Kart 9 and Smash 6 getting trailers would generate a lot of hype, i'm sure they want to avoid another WiiU scenario at any costs.

They got everyone talking by showing a system that looks like the old system and like ten seconds of Mario Kart.

In a full length presentation of new software they don't need Smash to get everyone talking.

If Smash isn't poised for the first year of this thing, there's good reason they might wait to show it. They didn't show Ultimate in the og Switch's first year, and they were even more desperate back then to avoid another Wii U scenario.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

when Smash 4 was announced the E3 after its console was RELEASED (meaning seven months after)

Although if it's about the Wii U then the E3 presentation that revealed it. The console was teased earlier but only as the console that will be the sequel to the Wii and some vague details.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

Although if it's about the Wii U then the E3 presentation that revealed it. The console was teased earlier but only as the console that will be the sequel to the Wii and some vague details.

I mean that's when they said "yeah we're making a new Smash" but that was all we had to go on until E3 2013 (seven months after the console came out) when they actually showed the game. Reggie still unveiled it as the Wii U at E3 2011, so the equivalent--since the Direct next month is the Switch 2's actual unveiling for more than 10 seconds of Mario Kart--would be showing Smash 4 off then rather than 2 years later.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

My guess:

If its a Deluxe Port, we'll probably get a full trailer.
If it's a new game, we'll get a teaser trailer like the inkling one from Ult, peraphs with a small gameplay glimpse at best.
If we don't get anything, it's probable we aren't geting a port or a new game and just a FP3 down the line ala Booster Pass.

I think it's unlikely we'll get nothing at all if they're planing a new game on the Switch 2, a smash reveal will get everyone talking, even if it's just a teaser, honestly both Mario Kart 9 and Smash 6 getting trailers would generate a lot of hype, i'm sure they want to avoid another WiiU scenario at any costs.

The idea that Smash won't get a new game AT ALL on the Switch 2 and instead just get DLC for Ultimate if it gets nothing on the Switch 2 Direct is certainly an extreme opinion. Even more so when the Switch didn't get even a whisper about Ultimate until the second year.

 

[PersonAngelo53]

Am honestly surprised how much people don’t want the new smash game to be announced already. Or think there is no chance of the game being announced on the upcoming direct. I personally could see it being slightly teased at least with a quick mention even if it doesn’t get a trailer.

 

[BritishGuy54]

I think it’s too early for a new Smash to be revealed. 2025 is likely already stacked with stand-out games on the horizon.

I’d say a release between Autumn 2026 and Holiday 2027 feels the most reasonable.

 

[PersonAngelo53]

I think it’s too early for a new Smash to be revealed. 2025 is likely already stacked with stand-out games on the horizon.

I’d say a release between Autumn 2026 and Holiday 2027 feels the most reasonable.

Holiday 2027 sounds like to far away and unrealistic personally. Unless Sakurai has been working on a different game that’s not smash the last 5 years perhaps. But otherwise that would make it the longest development cycle for a smash game by a huge amount.

 

[Perkilator]

I think with how long Sakurai’s been working on his project, it would release in 2026 at the latest, regardless of whether or not it’s Smash. Plus, like I said earlier, Nintendo’s likely to at least confirm development of a new Smash anyway, like they’ve done multiple times.

 

[Gengar84]

I have been thinking about something regarding the Smash reveal that I think we brought up before. I’m not sure Nintendo has a singular first party character that can generate the same excitement as the Inklings did. Splatoon was a brand new IP that was a huge success. While I don’t personally care about Splatoon, it was a very important start of a huge franchise for them. There isn’t really anything comparable to that this time. They could lead with Waluigi since he’s been a long time request but I’m not sure the 8th Mario character really has the same impact as a major new series. There are new series like Astral Chain that I’d personally love but it didn’t reach the same levels as Splatoon. So I suspect we’ll see something closer to Brawl with a group of newcomers rather than focusing on just one.

 

[WeirdChillFever]

I have been thinking about something regarding the Smash reveal that I think we brought up before. I’m not sure Nintendo has a singular first party character that can generate the same excitement as the Inklings did. Splatoon was a brand new IP that was a huge success. While I don’t personally care about Splatoon, it was a very important start of a huge franchise for them. There isn’t really anything comparable to that this time. They could lead with Waluigi since he’s been a long time request but I’m not sure the 8th Mario character really has the same impact as a major new series. There are new series like Astral Chain that I’d personally love but it didn’t reach the same levels as Splatoon. So I suspect we’ll see something closer to Brawl with a group of newcomers rather than focusing on just one.

To me the Inklings being revealed first was more of a “Of course Inklings are in the new Smash, why would you even ask” to get their reveal out of the way since they were such a standout pick

 

[RileyXY1]

If the next Mario Kart is indeed this year, I’m not expecting them to bring up Smash yet. Given how much of an ultra-megaton series Mario Kart is, they’d probably want to maximize attention for it first.

Maybe they’ll tease the next Smash near the beginning of 2026, much like how Ultimate was first teased at the start of the year it released.

Unless they're doing Everyone is Here again I can't see them revealing Smash 6 in the same year it released.

 

[Gengar84]

To me the Inklings being revealed first was more of a “Of course Inklings are in the new Smash, why would you even ask” to get their reveal out of the way since they were such a standout pick

Yeah I kind of had that feeling too. They definitely seemed like the most obvious choices at the time for Smash. Still, I’m struggling to think of the singular character that could kick off the first trailer for Smash 6 if they go the same route. None of the current first options have quite the same impact as a standalone reveal. I think Octolings are the most likely first party characters but they’d be pretty boring as the first reveals since they’d likely be variants of the Inklings. Waluigi has a great chance too but he’s purely a spinoff character in a franchise that already has a ton of characters. I suppose it’s also possible that they could go with a third party character as the first reveal but they’ve never done that before.

 

[Kirby Dragons]

I still don't want the Sakurai project to be Smash. I consider Ultimate to have ended in 2021, so it would've been way too soon to start a new Smash IMO. Yes I know Ultimate started development right after Sm4sh ended, but I think waiting would give more newcomer options, and give Sakurai more of a break from Smash. Starting development in 2024, and being released in 2027, sounds better to me.

 

[Gengar84]

I don’t really understand the thought process behind thinking it’s way too soon for a new Smash and not even wanting to see it for a few more years. It’s been over 6 years since Ultimate released and 4 years since the start of the project plan and end of the DLC. The game likely isn’t going to launch with the Switch 2 and is more likely holiday 2025 or sometime in 2026. That would still give Smash 6 one of the longest development windows of any entry. I get wanting Sakurai to have the freedom to work on other projects but what if what he wants to work on Smash instead? I say Sakurai should have the freedom to work on what he’s passionate about. If that’s Smash, cool. If it’s something else, that’s cool too.

 

[Kirby Dragons]

I don’t really understand the thought process behind thinking it’s way too soon for a new Smash and not even wanting to see it for a few more years. It’s been over 6 years since Ultimate released and 4 years since the start of the project plan and end of the DLC. The game likely isn’t going to launch with the Switch 2 and is more likely holiday 2025 or sometime in 2026. That would still give Smash 6 one of the longest development windows of any entry. I get wanting Sakurai to have the freedom to work on other projects but what if what he wants to work on Smash instead? I say Sakurai should have the freedom to work on what he’s passionate about. If that’s Smash, cool. If it’s something else, that’s cool too.

If he doesn't mind going back to Smash so soon, that's fine. But it would be interesting to see what he does with, say, a new Kid Icarus game or a revival of another retro Nintendo series.

 

[Gengar84]

If he doesn't mind going back to Smash so soon, that's fine. But it would be interesting to see what he does with, say, a new Kid Icarus game or a revival of another retro Nintendo series.

Yeah, I’m cool with that if that’s what he’d rather do. We don’t really have any way of knowing what he wants unless he tells us. Either way, I think it would be a good idea to have a Smash game fairly early on in the Switch 2’s life cycle as it’s proven to be a big system seller and the Fighter’s Passes get a lot more people excited to watch their Directs, which also helps their other games. If Sakurai wants to work on something else instead, he should be free to do so and he could have more of an advisory role in Smash.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Am honestly surprised how much people don’t want the new smash game to be announced already. Or think there is no chance of the game being announced on the upcoming direct. I personally could see it being slightly teased at least with a quick mention even if it doesn’t get a trailer.

With how many times they’ve shot themselves in the foot by doing this exact thing in the Switch era (Three Houses, Prime 4, Bayonetta 3, TotK), I think it’s safe to say they’re probably not going to do it again.

 

[PersonAngelo53]

With how many times they’ve shot themselves in the foot by doing this exact thing in the Switch era (Three Houses, Prime 4, Bayonetta 3, TotK), I think it’s safe to say they’re probably not going to do it again.

Well, then sure maybe a small teaser reveal closer to the Inkling reveal it’s the most likely option then.

 

[Gengar84]

I just feel like too many things are lining up for a new Smash for the Direct to come and go without a single mention of Smash. It’s been long enough since the DLC ended to fall on the longer end of development of Smash releases this holiday or sometime next year, Sakurai has a mystery project he’ll be revealing soon, and Smash has always launched within the first two years of a console’s life since Melee. The only confirmed Switch 2 exclusive game is Mario Kart 9 and Mario Kart has launched the same year as a Smash game in the past. Again, this is all just speculation but I feel like it’s pretty likely we’ll see something based on this.

 

[RileyXY1]

I just feel like too many things are lining up for a new Smash for the Direct to come and go without a single mention of Smash. It’s been long enough since the DLC ended to fall on the longer end of development of Smash releases this holiday or sometime next year, Sakurai has a mystery project he’ll be revealing soon, and Smash has always launched within the first two years of a console’s life since Melee. The only confirmed Switch 2 exclusive game is Mario Kart 9 and Mario Kart has launched the same year as a Smash game in the past. Again, this is all just speculation but I feel like it’s pretty likely we’ll see something based on this.

Yeah. If it is a 2026 game I think that we will see an announcement this year unless they're doing Everyone is Here again. I think that if they aren't doing Everyone is Here I think they will revert back to a Brawl or Smash 4 style prerelease period, which would necessitate it being two years.

 

[BritishGuy54]

I have been thinking about something regarding the Smash reveal that I think we brought up before. I’m not sure Nintendo has a singular first party character that can generate the same excitement as the Inklings did. Splatoon was a brand new IP that was a huge success. While I don’t personally care about Splatoon, it was a very important start of a huge franchise for them. There isn’t really anything comparable to that this time. They could lead with Waluigi since he’s been a long time request but I’m not sure the 8th Mario character really has the same impact as a major new series. There are new series like Astral Chain that I’d personally love but it didn’t reach the same levels as Splatoon. So I suspect we’ll see something closer to Brawl with a group of newcomers rather than focusing on just one.

We would very much be looking at picks such as or to kick things off.

I can see picks like Paper Mario, Waluigi, Bandana Dee, or others to start a new Smash.

 

[Gengar84]

Yeah. If it is a 2026 game I think that we will see an announcement this year unless they're doing Everyone is Here again. I think that if they aren't doing Everyone is Here I think they will revert back to a Brawl or Smash 4 style prerelease period, which would necessitate it being two years.

I’m guessing they probably won’t do EiH again but there won’t be a ton of cuts either. I think they’ll try to get as many fan favorites back as they can but smaller or less played characters might not be prioritized. My guess is we’ll see a starting roster around Ultimate’s base game size with around an equal amount of cuts as newcomers.

 

[DarthEnderX]

Am honestly surprised how much people don’t want the new smash game to be announced already.

Yeah that's....baffling to me.

Who cares about Smash enough to be on Smashboards but then is like, "Eh...we don't need more Smash yet."?

 

[Gengar84]

Yeah that's....baffling to me.

Who cares about Smash enough to be on Smashboards but then is like, "Eh...we don't need more Smash yet."?

Apparently a lot of people. I don’t get it either. I do understand wanting to give Sakurai a break since he overworks himself but if he wants to make Smash, then he should make Smash.

 

[fogbadge]

Some of us are curious to see what original ideas sakurai can come up with

 

[Gengar84]

Some of us are curious to see what original ideas sakurai can come up with

I understand that and if that’s what Sakurai wants then he should go for it. But Smash doesn’t necessarily need to have Sakurai at the helm in order to continue. He could primarily work on a new project while serving as more of an advisory role to Smash. I just feel like it would be a mistake not to have a Smash game in the first few years of a new console considering how much hype it generates.