Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[fogbadge]

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.

yeah but everyone seems dead keen for Nintendo to bring out all their big hitters asap rather than let them be nicely spread out with decent dev times

 

[PersonAngelo53]

Another option for a smash reveal on the upcoming Nintendo direct I don’t see talked about is the possibility of an announcement of a Sakurai presents the new smash bros game a month after the April 2 direct.

 

[Gengar84]

yeah but everyone seems dead keen for Nintendo to bring out all their big hitters asap rather than let them be nicely spread out with decent dev times

The only game revealed so far is Mario Kart. I don’t think it’s too much a stretch to have one big game at launch and another either for the holiday or some time the following year. There’s still tons of other heavy hitters left even if we get Mario Kart and Smash early. I think it makes sense to get both of these early since they have the potential for longevity through DLC. A lot of other games might get a DLC expansion but it’s not quite the same as the continued interest and hype of Fighter’s Passes or what Mario Kart 8 Deluxe did.

 

[RileyXY1]

The only game revealed so far is Mario Kart. I don’t think it’s too much a stretch to have one big game at launch and another either for the holiday or some time the following year. There’s still tons of other heavy hitters left even if we get Mario Kart and Smash early. I think it makes sense to get both of these early since they have the potential for longevity through DLC. A lot of other games might get a DLC expansion but it’s not quite the same as the continued interest and hype of Fighter’s Passes or what Mario Kart 8 Deluxe did.

I think we'll also have a new 3D Mario game out this year for the Switch 2. We haven't had one since Odyssey back in 2017 and this year is also Mario's 40th anniversary so I think they'll do it to celebrate that too.

 

[fogbadge]

The only game revealed so far is Mario Kart. I don’t think it’s too much a stretch to have one big game at launch and another either for the holiday or some time the following year. There’s still tons of other heavy hitters left even if we get Mario Kart and Smash early. I think it makes sense to get both of these early since they have the potential for longevity through DLC. A lot of other games might get a DLC expansion but it’s not quite the same as the continued interest and hype of Fighter’s Passes or what Mario Kart 8 Deluxe did.

mario kart’s the only officially announced game, and even then we’re still due Pokemon and Metroid due this year and they’re bound to play up the fact they’re compatible with the switch 2. so that’s three big franchises for this year.

 

[Gengar84]

mario kart’s the only officially announced game, and even then we’re still due Pokemon and Metroid due this year and they’re bound to play up the fact they’re compatible with the switch 2. so that’s three big franchises for this year.

True but Pokémon and Metroid are Switch games. They’re not really system sellers for the Switch 2. I’d imagine Nintendo would want to give fans a reason to buy the new console early. Mario Kart can do that at launch but I’d think they’d want something besides just that for its first year. A 3D Mario is also very likely. I could see either that or Smash in the first year alongside Mario Kart and the other the following year. This is all just speculation so who really knows? That’s just what makes sense to me.

 

[RileyXY1]

True but Pokémon and Metroid are Switch games. They’re not really system sellers for the Switch 2. I’d imagine Nintendo would want to give fans a reason to buy the new console early. Mario Kart can do that at launch but I’d think they’d want something besides just that for its first year. A 3D Mario is also very likely. I could see either that or Smash in the first year alongside Mario Kart and the other the following year. This is all just speculation so who really knows? That’s just what makes sense to me.

There's also the fact that 2026 is already going to have Pokémon Gen 10 as its big holiday Switch 2 seller.

 

[fogbadge]

True but Pokémon and Metroid are Switch games. They’re not really system sellers for the Switch 2. I’d imagine Nintendo would want to give fans a reason to buy the new console early. Mario Kart can do that at launch but I’d think they’d want something besides just that for its first year. A 3D Mario is also very likely. I could see either that or Smash in the first year alongside Mario Kart and the other the following year. This is all just speculation so who really knows? That’s just what makes sense to me.

Like I said they’ll play up the fact that they can played on the switch 2. we’re also due a new Kirby game, they crank out splatoon pretty quickly, next year is Pokémon’s 30th and you know as well as I do they’re going to milk that, there’s the FE remake that was leaked ages ago. there’s a lot we know to be in the works or are as inevitable as the next Mario

 

[Gengar84]

There's also the fact that 2026 is already going to have Pokémon Gen 10 as its big holiday Switch 2 seller.

I wouldn’t say it’s a fact that we’re getting Gen 10 in 2026. I know we got Legends Arceus and Scarlet/Violet in the same year but that doesn’t mean we’re definitely seeing Gen 10 next year. Maybe they want to give GameFreak a bit more time between games considering the backlash SV got.

 

[RileyXY1]

I wouldn’t say it’s a fact that we’re getting Gen 10 in 2026. I know we got Legends Arceus and Scarlet/Violet in the same year but that doesn’t mean we’re definitely seeing Gen 10 next year. Maybe they want to give GameFreak a bit more time between games considering the backlash SV got.

I heard a lot of people saying that Gen 10 has to come out next year due to next year being Pokémon's 30th anniversary.

 

[Golden Icarus]

I just want a teaser. A twenty second shot of Mario with the Smash logo and then “Holiday 2026.” Nothing more.

I agree that Smash shouldn’t overshadow everything else about the Switch 2 yet, so I don’t want a full blown reveal. I also want the opposite of a shadow drop. I’m quite nostalgic for the years of speculation after Smash 4 was announced and then the year and a half of speculation after it was properly unveiled and slowly revealed everything else. Ultimate’s more speedy approach of revealing everything in just a few trailers over a few months was fun, but I like the “speculation game” and I’d like it to really last this time around.

But yeah, I want a teaser asap so they can at least open the damn character support threads around here lol

 

[Guynamednelson]

I do understand wanting to give Sakurai a break since he overworks himself

And unfortunately for people who want that, and Sakurai's health, he lives in a country where that'd be the rule, not the exception.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

I’m purely on the “no Smash on Direct” side solely to keep my expectations in check but in reality, I’m really fine no matter what happens.

The only thing real thing I stand for is that it’s not gonna be a Year 1 game. Nothing really lines up for the 2021 project to be Smash outside of “Sakurai’s directing it” (which itself is very iffy reasoning since he’s done other things in the past) so I heavily doubt there’s gonna be a whole Smash game ready before we enter Year 2.

 

[Gengar84]

I heard a lot of people saying that Gen 10 has to come out next year due to next year being Pokémon's 30th anniversary.

That’s possible. I don’t think mainline Pokemon games typically release that early in a console’s life. Sword and Shield launched over two years into the Switch’s life. GameFreak needs more time in general to work on their games but I feel like that’s especially true when adjusting to a new console. I’m not sure what that means for the 30th anniversary but I feel like it might do more harm than good to rush out a game just to meet the anniversary deadline. The games are selling better than ever but I feel like at some point the negative reception is going to catch up to them. I feel like it would be smart to try to course correct before that happens.

I’m purely on the “no Smash on Direct” side solely to keep my expectations in check but in reality, I’m really fine no matter what happens.

The only thing real thing I stand for is that it’s not gonna be a Year 1 game. Nothing really lines up for the 2021 project to be Smash outside of “Sakurai’s directing it” (which itself is very iffy reasoning since he’s done other things in the past) so I heavily doubt there’s gonna be a whole Smash game ready before 2026.

What exactly isn’t lining up for the game to be Smash? Ultimate DLC ended in 2021 so it’s feasible that he could have started working the next Smash shortly after. He did that exact thing from Smash 4 to Ultimate. Nothing’s guaranteed of course but I don’t think it’s too far fetched. To me, it would be weirder if it wasn’t Smash. That would mean Smash likely isn’t coming until closer to 2030 if they want a reasonable development window if they started now, and that’s assuming his current project is finished. I feel like that’s way too late.

 

[Dukefire]

I think Mario Kart 9 is going to be the strong point for initialize the Switch 2's release window as it was shown during the teaser reveal.

Though, we still don't know if Switch 2 is going to take the entire presentation without game trailers or teasers. We will see in 3 weeks...

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

I think Mario Kart 9 is going to be the strong point for initialize the Switch 2's release window as it was shown during the teaser reveal.
View attachment 400103
Though, we still don't know if Switch 2 is going to take the entire presentation without game trailers or teasers. We will see in 3 weeks...

It would be insane for Nintendo to pull a whole Direct for the Switch 2 and then not reveal a single game for it.

This is how stocks ****ing plummet.

 

[Gengar84]

It would be insane for Nintendo to pull a whole Direct for the Switch 2 and then not reveal a single game in it.

This is how stocks ****ing plummet.

It’s also a good way to convince people to hold off buying a Switch 2 anytime soon if there aren’t any exclusives worth showing off.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

It’s also a good way to convince people to hold off buying a Switch 2 anytime soon if there aren’t any exclusives worth showing off.

Why would a company be like “don’t buy our product yet”?

If all they had was like, console speces and **** like that but not a single game, this could’ve been a website instead of a Direct.

We’re definitely getting a peek about stuff we’ll get on the launch year. Like the Switch Presentation in 2017 but without the live show, instead being formatted like a Direct.

 

[fogbadge]

I wouldn’t say it’s a fact that we’re getting Gen 10 in 2026. I know we got Legends Arceus and Scarlet/Violet in the same year but that doesn’t mean we’re definitely seeing Gen 10 next year. Maybe they want to give GameFreak a bit more time between games considering the backlash SV got.

it's doesn't have to be gen 10 but you know we'll get something

 

[Dukefire]

It would be insane for Nintendo to pull a whole Direct for the Switch 2 and then not reveal a single game in it.

This is how stocks ****ing plummet.

They could save the games for Summer as Switch 2's news alone is the news for Spring.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

It would be insane for Nintendo to pull a whole Direct for the Switch 2 and then not reveal a single game for it.

This is how stocks ****ing plummet.

Reminds me of that Lincoln Park parody.

 

[Gengar84]

it's doesn't have to be gen 10 but you know we'll get something

Yeah, I’m expecting something but not Gen 10. Maybe the Champions game will be enough. Either that or something like a Pokken Tournament 2.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

They could save the games for Summer as Switch 2's news alone is the news for Spring.

I already said my reply to this before you even posted that. A true tactician is three steps ahead

We’re definitely getting a peek about stuff we’ll get on the launch year. Like the Switch Presentation in 2017 but without the live show, instead being formatted like a Direct.

The Switch was a goddamn innovation and it didn’t even take that much of the Switch Presentation, all things considered. There is no way they have enough to say about “Switch but bigger and with mouse controls” to fill an entire Direct.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

But yeah, I ain't buying a $500-$600 console if it don't got games I'm excited for.

Ideally they should also be replayable because $87.50 each (assuming they don't round to $89.99 or a flat $90 or something) is pretty darn steep and we'll probably be scrounging for necessities in about a year if that.

 

[Gengar84]

But yeah, I ain't buying a $500-$600 console if it don't got games I'm excited for.

Ideally they should also be replayable because $87.50 each (assuming they don't round to $89.99 or a flat $90 or something) is pretty darn steep and we'll probably be scrounging for necessities in about a year if that.

I hope things aren’t going to be that expensive but the way our economy is headed, I wouldn’t doubt it.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

“I can’t wait to spend triple digits plus tax for a Switch 2 port of a Switch 1 game.”

Words said by the utterly deranged who also happen to be Canadian (man, my country’s currency sucks)

 

[Perkilator]

But yeah, I ain't buying a $500-$600 console if it don't got games I'm excited for.

Ideally they should also be replayable because $87.50 each (assuming they don't round to $89.99 or a flat $90 or something) is pretty darn steep and we'll probably be scrounging for necessities in about a year if that.

Oh, you mean CAD, right?

...Please tell me you mean CAD.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

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.

Especially since it will be more than 10 years if there isn’t a game on the Switch 2.

Potentially a bigger gap then Mario Kart 8 outside of Tour.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Oh, you mean CAD, right?

...Please tell me you mean CAD.

CAD prices would be around around $89.99-99.99, assuming the games are raised to 70 USD so it’s likely.

 

[Will]

I’m less curious about when the game will be revealed and moreso interested in what changes they’ll make for the art, and designs.

MK9 is a lot more cartoonish compared to MK8, probably as just one way to make it stand out from its predecessor as the graphics for the console aren’t receiving a major upgrade. Not necessarily implying that Smash will also do that, just food for thought.

Reminds me of that Lincoln Park parody.

Do you actually believe the band Linkin Park spelled like Lincoln?

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

I hope things aren’t going to be that expensive but the way our economy is headed, I wouldn’t doubt it.

Oh, you mean CAD, right?

...Please tell me you mean CAD.

USD unfortunately. Last I heard the tarrifs are already in place, and against the entire world. Assuming they're still 25%, that's how expensive things are going to be almost immediately.


I would love for like...any part of that to be incorrect though.

EDIT: I'm also assuming the games are $70 as a starting point.

 

[Dukefire]

The first Switch at launch was $300 USD.

Switch 2's pricing.......maybe $350-400 as it does have snap in and mouse features with better fireware and hardware to boot.

Predictions could be wrong, but I believe the Nintendo News thirst is starting to make my mind wanting it despite distractions in RL. So, I'll take a break from it until 1 week remains.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

USD unfortunately. Last I heard the tarrifs are already in place, and against the entire world. Assuming they're still 25%, that's how expensive things are going to be almost immediately.


I would love for like...any part of that to be incorrect though.

Just looked up and… yikes… That’s going to be hella rough…

 

[Gengar84]

USD unfortunately. Last I heard the tarrifs are already in place, and against the entire world. Assuming they're still 25%, that's how expensive things are going to be almost immediately.


I would love for like...any part of that to be incorrect though.

Yup, I try not to get too political here but to say that I’m completely opposed to our current government and the direction the country is headed would be a massive understatement. I’m actually attending a protest this weekend. It almost seems to me like some people are trying to make life as bad as possible for every day people so they can pay for bigger tax breaks to billionaires.

Anyway, back on topic: Who do you think will be the first character they show off for Smash 6? Do you think there’s any chance it could be a third party character?

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Anyway, back on topic: Who do you think will be the first character they show off for Smash 6?

Mario “Jumpman” Mario

 

[Will]

Just looked up and… yikes… That’s going to be hella rough…

Just go to your local GameStop and slap some Trump “I did that” stickers on everything. Surely that will solve the problem!

USD unfortunately. Last I heard the tarrifs are already in place, and against the entire world. Assuming they're still 25%, that's how expensive things are going to be almost immediately.


I would love for like...any part of that to be incorrect though.

EDIT: I'm also assuming the games are $70 as a starting point.

Was this a part of his last administration? I don’t remember paying tariffs on my physical games during his first term.

Furthermore, what about digital releases?

 

[Dukefire]

Anyway, back on topic: Who do you think will be the first character they show off for Smash 6? Do you think there’s any chance it could be a third party character?

Maybe some or all of the original 12. Samus could get her suit updated from Metroid Dread. Third Party is possible, but if they discussed about it first.

 

[Will]

Anyway, back on topic: Who do you think will be the first character they show off for Smash 6? Do you think there’s any chance it could be a third party character?

Probably a first-party character that people have been demanding for years, like Inkling, or Ridley was seven years back.

If only we knew who that character could be…

 

[Noipoi]

Yeah, I’m expecting something but not Gen 10. Maybe the Champions game will be enough. Either that or something like a Pokken Tournament 2.

I dunno, man. As a professional Pokemon historian I can tell you that they really like having new generations drop on anniversary years, and have went out of their way to make sure that happened in recent years.

The whole reason we didn’t get a Pokemon Z is because they scrapped it to focus on getting Sun and Moon out in time for 2016, the 20th anniversary. Not to mention that there’s stuff in the teraleak that suggests the next generation is dropping soon.

Gen 10 in 2026 seems pretty likely, is all I’m saying. And this would be the first generation in 20 years to have a four year development cycle instead of the usual three. I know one extra year isn’t anything crazy, but giving the game even just a bit more dev time definitely helps.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

I wouldn’t say it’s a fact that we’re getting Gen 10 in 2026. I know we got Legends Arceus and Scarlet/Violet in the same year but that doesn’t mean we’re definitely seeing Gen 10 next year. Maybe they want to give GameFreak a bit more time between games considering the backlash SV got.

GameFreak will probably do it anyways since 2026 is the anniversary.