Official Next Smash - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[Wunderwaft]

My thoughts on the direct is give me silksong or give me death.

 

[fogbadge]

My thoughts on the direct is give me silksong or give me death.

nice knowing you

 

[smashkirby]

Happy birthday! Hope you get something you’re looking forward to in tomorrow’s Direct.

Hey, thanks! Aside from Nintendo announcing the revival of at least one more currently dormant IP, I'm mostly hoping for that Planet Robobot remaster.

I def wanna see that Planet Robobot port. Idc if they price it at sixty give it the new Return to Dreamland art and I'll be the biggest sucker in the world.

Speaking of that remaster... well, it just feels really wrong to me that Triple Deluxe is potentially going to get skipped over if this really ends up being a thing. Personally, I feel like this remaster should be a 2-in-1 deal with both Triple Deluxe AND Planet Robobot in the package.

Plus, I doubt Smash Bros is ready for a teaser on their next one. So, that will be hands off until then.

I feel about 50/50 on the odds of seeing anything Smash related in next week’s Direct. I think there’s a lot of circumstantial evidence both for and against it. I wouldn’t be too surprised either way. It would be awesome if it happened though.

If the Direct doesn't have anything to do with the Switch 2, then Smash won't be on it.

I’m talking about next week’s Direct that’s focused exclusively on the Switch 2. The only small chance of seeing Smash tomorrow is if they add Smash 64 to the Switch Online service.

Until we get a teaser of Smash Bros in anyway, the flame remains small.

I think I've brought this up in the past, but the only reason I'm even entertaining the possibility of Smash 6 being at least teased next week is mainly because of Melee and how it got announced around the same time as the official unveiling of the Gamecube.

In fact, didn't Brawl AND Smash 4 both get confirmed to be a thing at their respective consoles' reveal events?

(Well, the Wii U reveal in the case of Smash 4, but still.)

 

[Dukefire]

I think I've brought this up in the past, but the only reason I'm even entertaining the possibility of Smash 6 being at least teased next week is mainly because of Melee and how it got announced around the same time.

In fact, didn't Brawl AND Smash 4 both get confirmed to be a thing at their respective consoles' reveal events?

(Well, the Wii U reveal in the case of Smash 4, but still.)

Well, we will see once next week rolls over after tomorrow's direct. Plus, I didn't notice Smash Bros did that for Brawl and Smash 4 (both Wii U and 3DS).

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

My thoughts on the direct is give me silksong or give me death.

Given your profile picture, if it's the latter, I wonder if he'll ask you to collect the 12 souls from the hotel guests?

 

[ninjahmos]

A Nintendo Direct is happening, guys!

https://x.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1904896350853960065

Bottom text

 

[Þe 1 → Way]

Speaking of that remaster... well, it just feels really wrong to me that Triple Deluxe is potentially going to get skipped over if this really ends up being a thing. Personally, I feel like this remaster should be a 2-in-1 deal with both Triple Deluxe AND Planet Robobot in the package.

These are all good points. Triple Deluxe was always a bit second fiddle to Planet Robobot, even being half the price of it for the duration of its shelf life, but it doesn't deserve to be forgotten. I had my fair share of fun with it back in the day.

They might remaster it with a new campaign and side modes and call it Kirby Quintuple Deluxe or smt, but I feel like packing in Robobot with a game that already markets itself as a multi pack is a smidge confusing for some people. I'm just glad Robobot isn't being left on the 3DS tbh, I always wanted to see it in HD.

 

[smashkirby]

Well, we will see once next week rolls over after tomorrow's direct. Plus, I didn't notice Smash Bros did that for Brawl and Smash 4 (both Wii U and 3DS).

Yeah. Heck, I'd go as far as to say that Brawl's situation in particular is fairly infamous for how Sakurai himself (who was at E3 2005 where the Wii AND the "next Smash Bros." was announced) had no idea that Smash was coming to the Wii AND Nintendo didn't even really have a dev team ready for it.

 

[BrawlX10]

If the Direct doesn't have anything to do with the Switch 2, then Smash won't be on it.

Technically speaking, there's there's a very very small chance of a Fighter Pass 3 reveal like booster course pass, but like the chances of that are very slim, so whatever lol.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

Sakurai working on a new game means that the only way there will be a Fighter’s Pass 3 is if the next game isn’t Smash.

 

[Gengar84]

Assuming Sakurai’s project isn’t Smash and we don’t get a new Smash game for at least 4-5 years from now, would you all rather have a Fighter’s Pass 3 for Ultimate to hold us over until then or would you rather just not have any Smash content at all?

 

[Thegameandwatch]

Assuming Sakurai’s project isn’t Smash and we don’t get a new Smash game for at least 4-5 years from now, would you all rather have a Fighter’s Pass 3 for Ultimate to hold us over until then or would you rather just not have any Smash content at all?

Fighter’s Pass 3 but it’s weird that there wouldn’t be a new game for more then 10 years if it’s mid or late game for the console if the next project isn’t Smash 6.

 

[ninjahmos]

Assuming Sakurai’s project isn’t Smash and we don’t get a new Smash game for at least 4-5 years from now, would you all rather have a Fighter’s Pass 3 for Ultimate to hold us over until then or would you rather just not have any Smash content at all?

Kinda hard to say.

Fighter's Pass 3 would probably hold us over until a new Smash game gets announced/teased…but it might also be a waste of resources for that new Smash game whether or not it's Sakurai's next project.

 

[Gengar84]

Fighter’s Pass 3 but it’s weird that there wouldn’t be a new game for more then 10 years if it’s mid or late game for the console if the next project isn’t Smash 6.

Yeah, that’s why I think his project is likely Smash. If it isn’t, and he starts development on Smash as soon as his mystery project releases, it’s likely going to be several years until we see Smash. There is the chance that his mystery project already finished development a while ago and he could have started on Smash last year. If that’s the case, we’d probably see Smash in 3-4 years instead of 4-5 but even that seems a bit late for a Smash game on a new console. Time will tell though.

 

[RileyXY1]

Yeah, that’s why I think his project is likely Smash. If it isn’t, and he starts development on Smash as soon as his mystery project releases, it’s likely going to be several years until we see Smash. There is the chance that his mystery project already finished development a while ago and he could have started on Smash last year. If that’s the case, we’d probably see Smash in 3-4 years instead of 4-5 but even that seems a bit late for a Smash game on a new console. Time will tell though.

Yeah. In that case Smash might completely skip the Switch 2 entirely.

 

[fogbadge]

huh it occurs to me sakurai's new game could be in tomorrow's direct

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

Yeah, that’s why I think his project is likely Smash. If it isn’t, and he starts development on Smash as soon as his mystery project releases, it’s likely going to be several years until we see Smash. There is the chance that his mystery project already finished development a while ago and he could have started on Smash last year. If that’s the case, we’d probably see Smash in 3-4 years instead of 4-5 but even that seems a bit late for a Smash game on a new console. Time will tell though.

I mean if it started last year and takes 3-4 years that puts it in likely 2027 which means marketing for it would probably start next year, which really isn't that crazy when the Switch 2 probably comes out in like June lol

Yeah. In that case Smash might completely skip the Switch 2 entirely.

Smash is not skipping the Switch 2, especially not off the heels of being the third highest selling game on the platform and the best selling fighting game of all time.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

huh it occurs to me sakurai's new game could be in tomorrow's direct

Although that depends if the non-Smash game is on Switch 1 or 2

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

huh it occurs to me sakurai's new game could be in tomorrow's direct

Huh. Assuming it isn't Smash, that's actually a very likely prospect.

 

[fogbadge]

Although that depends if the non-Smash game is on Switch 1 or 2

of course

Huh. Assuming it isn't Smash, that's actually a very likely prospect.

thank you

 

[RouffWestie]

15 Farming Simulators on their way to be revealed as the final Switch 1 releases:

 

[Thegameandwatch]

15 Farming Simulators on their way to be revealed as the final Switch 1 releases:
View attachment 400540

That’s probably the one that is guaranteed.

 

[Ivander]

15 Farming Simulators on their way to be revealed as the final Switch 1 releases:
View attachment 400540

Isn't every game practically a Farming Simulator nowadays? If you aren't farming for fruits or veggies, you're farming for XP and stronger gear.

 

[Gengar84]

I mean if it started last year and takes 3-4 years that puts it in likely 2027 which means marketing for it would probably start next year, which really isn't that crazy when the Switch 2 probably comes out in like June lol

Smash is not skipping the Switch 2, especially not off the heels of being the third highest selling game on the platform and the best selling fighting game of all time.

I thought the development cycle for Smash was closer to 4-5 years than 3-4. Even if it started last year, I think that it would put the release closer to 2028-2029 rather than 2027. Maybe I’m wrong about how long it takes to make a Smash game but modern games tend to have longer and longer development cycles.

Okay, I asked Chat GPT and assuming it’s accurate, it seems like modern Smash games have taken 4-6 years to develop. Of course you can’t blindly trust whatever AI tells you so maybe the info is inaccurate. This is what it told me:

Spoiler

A Super Smash Bros. game typically takes about 4–6 years to develop, though the timeline can vary depending on factors like scope, team size, and whether they’re reusing assets.

• Smash 64 (1999): About 2 years (1997–1999), as it started as a small project with a limited budget.

• Melee (2001): About 2 years (1999–2001), though it had a notoriously rushed development cycle.

• Brawl (2008): About 6 years (2002–2008), including delays due to Sakurai forming a new team.

• Smash 4 (2014): About 5 years (2009–2014), developed alongside both Wii U and 3DS versions.

• Ultimate (2018): About 4 years (2014–2018), with a strong foundation built on Smash 4.

If a new Smash is in development now, it could release around 2026–2028 depending on scope and platform.

 

[dream1ng]

Honestly anticipating a kinda underwhelming Direct given how late-stage Switch is, but given I wasn't even expecting a Direct at all and we're getting a ton of stuff next week, I'm gonna walk away just happy we got anything.

Though any infrequent, small IP showing up is gonna make me go dang why couldn't you have been for Switch 2.

But hey, bring on the FE remake, the Mario ports and the requisite Kirby game lol.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

I thought the development cycle for Smash was closer to 4-5 years than 3-4. Even if it started last year, I think that it would put the release closer to 2028-2029 rather than 2027. Maybe I’m wrong about how long it takes to make a Smash game but modern games tend to have longer and longer development cycles.

Ultimate's project plan was made in December 2015 and development officially started in February 2016, releasing in December 2018.

Brawl was late 2005 to January 2008 and Smash 4 was early 2012 to September 2014.

Smash has always been about the same window of time, I don't think any of them have ever been 4 years, let alone 5. Starting last year also lines up better with the usual pattern of Smash starting development the year before a new console comes out, which applies to every game except the original (including Melee with its crazy 13-month development window, setting it sometime in mid-to-late 2000) and even applies to Ultimate despite its circumstances.

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

I can't say I'm terribly hyped (at least first party wise) for tomorrow's Direct. The significant Nintendo stuff I want (new DK, new Star Fox, a new Mario RPG/Paper Mario) are pretty much all Switch 2 or bust, so there's not really much left to really entice me on that front. Getting a Mario baseball title to round out the sports titles or a Woolly World port would be nice, but otherwise I'm just viewing this as an okay appetizer before next week.

Third party might be a different story. As noted, a Chrono Trigger remake could be in play, the recent official Pac-Man video seemingly teased something with World so PMW2 might on be the table, and Nightdive Studios has all sorts of interesting remakes (Jedi Knight, Thief, Unreal, etc) they could do great things with. Those type of surprises have my interest far more at the moment and I'm reserving my greater Nintendo hype for next week.

 

[BrawlX10]

Assuming Sakurai’s project isn’t Smash and we don’t get a new Smash game for at least 4-5 years from now, would you all rather have a Fighter’s Pass 3 for Ultimate to hold us over until then or would you rather just not have any Smash content at all?

Honestly, I think the only way we'd get a Fighter Pass 3 is if there's no Smash game of any kind on the Switch 2—not even an Ultimate Deluxe—and they decide to do a FP3 instead of porting Ultimate, due to backward compatibility with the Switch 1. I highly doubt this, though, since an Ultimate Deluxe followed by a Fighter Pass exclusive to that port would probably bring in more money. But technically, it's still a possibility, so I’m just throwing it out there.

As I’ve mentioned a few times, I’d personally want Smash 6, but I’d understand if they go with an Ultimate Deluxe or a Fighter Pass 3 instead. You can’t always get what you want. Even if I don't buy an Ultimate Deluxe, the speculation and reveal trailers will still be fun to follow, so i'll probably stick around regardless.

 

[Wonder Smash]

Assuming Sakurai’s project isn’t Smash and we don’t get a new Smash game for at least 4-5 years from now, would you all rather have a Fighter’s Pass 3 for Ultimate to hold us over until then or would you rather just not have any Smash content at all?

Fighters Pass 3 if it means any of my other MWs can still get in.

 

[Zerp]

Possibly a contrarian take but I think Sakurai's project potentially not being Smash wouldn't effect Smash's chances of showing up next week. Like, I doubt Nintendo would delay their ultimate marketing cheat code just to get one guy on a project. They're a company and will care about money over everything else, if they need to get another person they'll go ahead and do that. If we don't see Smash next week I imagine it'll be because it wasn't planned for that direct or isn't ready to be shown, not them delaying development entirely because he's working on another thing first.

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

If Smash gets anything next week, I feel like it's gonna be an off-hand remark that they're currently making one and that there will be more details at a later date.

Then we get either an Inkling style teaser early next year (like March/April or so) or a full on reveal in the summer next year like Smash 4 had, potentially both since Ultimate had both in short order, though Ultimate's was also the EiH trailer, which I don't think they'll do again.

 

[DemifiendEnjoyer]

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

I made a video about how i'd like the Onion Knight from Final Fantasy to be in Smash.

 

[CapitaineCrash]

Though any infrequent, small IP showing up is gonna make me go dang why couldn't you have been for Switch 2.

Well, at least since Switch 2 is backward compatible you could play the game on that console either way. I would really love a Rhythm heaven Switch, and even if it release late in the generation it could still be played on Switch. I think the late 3ds game like WarioWare gold were more frustrating because they where stuck on a 240p console when the Switch was right there.

If Smash gets anything next week, I feel like it's gonna be an off-hand remark that they're currently making one and that there will be more details at a later date.

Then we get either an Inkling style teaser early next year (like March/April or so) or a full on reveal in the summer next year like Smash 4 had, potentially both since Ultimate had both in short order, though Ultimate's was also the EiH trailer, which I don't think they'll do again.

Yeah I feel like at best if Smash is at the Switch 2 direct it's probably going to be a Prime 4 or Animal crossing style announcement where it's just going to be a logo and a release year. I think it's a bit early to have more than that and I think the big focus will be on Mario kart and 3d Mario and having to much big ip will just overshadow their own game.

 

[dream1ng]

Possibly a contrarian take but I think Sakurai's project potentially not being Smash wouldn't effect Smash's chances of showing up next week. Like, I doubt Nintendo would delay their ultimate marketing cheat code just to get one guy on a project. They're a company and will care about money over everything else, if they need to get another person they'll go ahead and do that. If we don't see Smash next week I imagine it'll be because it wasn't planned for that direct or isn't ready to be shown, not them delaying development entirely because he's working on another thing first.

Nah, I agree that Smash is Nintendo's priority, and especially since it's going to have, probably, years of DLC following its launch, they're going to want it out in the first few years, as they do with most of their AAA evergreen stuff.

So if Sakurai is working on something else, I could see him doing both, because he's Sakurai. I mean, it would probably mean a more advisory, producorial, overseeing role rather than in the weeds as director for Smash, but I also don't see him not being involved.

I'm also convinced that Studio S is specifically for Smash, and that someone is and has been making it.

And, under the premise they are in fact two different projects, until 2026 comes and goes without seeing Smash I wouldn't worry about it starting development after whatever else Sakurai is making.

Well, at least since Switch 2 is backward compatible you could play the game on that console either way. I would really love a Rhythm heaven Switch, and even if it release late in the generation it could still be played on Switch. I think the late 3ds game like WarioWare gold were more frustrating because they where stuck on a 240p console when the Switch was right there.

That's true, and the Switch has a massive install base, but it just wouldn't perform as well as it could had it showed up before the transition, and it won't receive the benefit of being promoted much after this week, stuck on a system being sunset.

 

[CapitaineCrash]

That's true, and the Switch has a massive install base, but it just wouldn't perform as well as it could had it showed up before the transition, and it won't receive the benefit of being promoted much after this week, stuck on a system being sunset.

I don't think it would hurt that much sales as long as the marketing made it clear that said game have a cross gen release. The ps4 was still getting big game even in 2023 like Diablo 4, Street fighter 6, Resident evil 4 remake and those games were marketed as cross gen games so the sales were very good.

 

[RileyXY1]

Well, at least since Switch 2 is backward compatible you could play the game on that console either way. I would really love a Rhythm heaven Switch, and even if it release late in the generation it could still be played on Switch. I think the late 3ds game like WarioWare gold were more frustrating because they where stuck on a 240p console when the Switch was right there.



Yeah I feel like at best if Smash is at the Switch 2 direct it's probably going to be a Prime 4 or Animal crossing style announcement where it's just going to be a logo and a release year. I think it's a bit early to have more than that and I think the big focus will be on Mario kart and 3d Mario and having to much big ip will just overshadow their own game.

And 2026 will be a big year for Pokémon so I can't see Smash releasing then either.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

And 2026 will be a big year for Pokémon so I can't see Smash releasing then either.

Both series will be successful regardless of when the games release. They could just make Smash 6 earlier since Pokémon is generally a late year release.

 

[smashkirby]

If Smash gets anything next week, I feel like it's gonna be an off-hand remark that they're currently making one and that there will be more details at a later date.

Then we get either an Inkling style teaser early next year (like March/April or so) or a full on reveal in the summer next year like Smash 4 had, potentially both since Ultimate had both in short order, though Ultimate's was also the EiH trailer, which I don't think they'll do again.

My thoughts exactly. By the way, I've been meaning to ask you all... do we think the next Smash Bros. is going to kick off like Brawl? Multiple characters being revealed all at once?

 

[TheFirstPoppyBro]

My thoughts exactly. By the way, I've been meaning to ask you all... do we think the next Smash Bros. is going to kick off like Brawl? Multiple characters being revealed all at once?

I think it's going to be more similar to Smash 4/Ultimate. If there's a teaser like Inkling got, we might get a second newcomer in the full on reveal alongside seeing moves of the teased one (sort of like how Ridley was shown at Ultimate's after EiH and everything), but that's about all I expect in that scenario.

If there's not a teaser, I expect more like Smash 4 where we get a reveal in the initial trailer and one in a separate trailer right after the fact, like Villager and Mega Man.

 

[CapitaineCrash]

I don't think we're ever going back to a huge newcomers announcement like Brawl did. They know that part of what make Smash bros special is those trailer announcement, no way they announced 1/3 of the newcomers in a single trailer.