Official Smash for Switch 2 - Speculation & Discussion Thread

[Guynamednelson]

That's alot of licensing costs, but with them experimenting with $80 games, they'll find a way to make their money back

Well it isn't exactly the amount of money invested into them that's making Nintendo charge $80 per game.

At least GTAVI has a reason for the $100 rumors: Its budget is allegedly in the 1-2 billion range. Nintendo would never spend that kind of money on a single game, not even Smash.

 

[Dukefire]

Looking back at Switch 2's direct, it has a good amount of titles that could be counted as exclusive only for its debut on June 5th. At least, the backward compatibility will allow it to stabilize itself for people that choose to get it. Despite not having much for Switch 2 games.

Of course, the price dispute will cause a rift on people buying it.

 

[PlasmaDam]

Now that I think about it is weird that Sakurai doesn't have a successor or next in line to direct smash.As much as Sakurai can have his faults smash wouldn't be the same without him

 

[DarthEnderX]

Well going off the Choices Nintendo made, If they were in charge of the Base Roster, than I figure the Base Newcomer roster might lean more towards 3rd Parties than people might expect. That's alot of licensing costs, but with them experimenting with $80 games, they'll find a way to make their money back

Games that sell 35 million copies don't need to "find a way" to make their money back.

 

[Lionfranky]

Games that sell 35 million copies don't need to "find a way" to make their money back.

Issue is that we don't know whether next Smash will sell that many copies. It's possible that they will have lower sales due to price increase. I know Nintendo is more than capable of paying for all the 3rd party licenses, but you know where I am coming from.

 

[Guynamednelson]

Issue is that we don't know whether next Smash will sell that many copies.

It's definitely not going to if it's $80.

 

[Kirbeh]

It's definitely not going to if it's $80.

People have been consistently buying 80-100 "special" editions of half baked "AAA" games for a good number of years now. And we're not talking physical copies with extra goodies, but digital pre-orders with meager offerings like a week of early access and some in game bonus items/cosmetics.

I fully expect people to buy less games, but if any games are still going to be consistent among players' libraries it's stuff like Mario Kart and Smash.

If the Switch 2 only performs half as well as the original (76-ish million units like the 3DS) and only half the user base buys Smash, it'll still clear 35 mil pretty comfortably.

The attachment rate for Smash is high, so, as long as the Switch 2 itself does good numbers, Smash will too.

The Switch 2 has to bomb or the next Smash itself would need to be deemed of poor enough quality that people are driven away.

The attachment rate could also maybe be a little lower but even at a third or so it'd still sell well enough to be profitable.

 

[Ivander]

Look, I don't want to sound like a downer, but at the rate the economy is going, if things aren't done to actually fix and improve it, fans might need to swallow the fact that the next Smash Bros could actually not happen.

 

[Guynamednelson]

People have been consistently buying 80-100 "special" editions of half baked "AAA" games for a good number of years now

People buying those special editions=/=every single person who buys a game buying its special edition. That's why people are complaining about $70-80 prices now, because it used to be optional.

 

[Dukefire]

Look, I don't want to sound like a downer, but at the rate the economy is going, if things aren't done to actually fix and improve it, fans might need to swallow the fact that the next Smash Bros could actually not happen.

At best, maybe an update to the current Smash Bros Ultimate for Switch 2.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

Look, I don't want to sound like a downer, but at the rate the economy is going, if things aren't done to actually fix and improve it, fans might need to swallow the fact that the next Smash Bros could actually not happen.

I know the U.S. is headed straight for an economic depression, and Canada and the UK aren't doing so hot either, but with how big Smash is and how it's highly likely to be in active development right now, there's no way it's gonna just never come out.

Heck, even if Japan's market tanks overnight Nintendo, Sora Ltd., Bandai Namco, and everyone else involved aren't gonna just implode immediately, and a heavy hitter like Smash is exactly what you'd want to prioritize in the event of an economic disaster. Worst case scenario we just don't get as many 3rd parties.

 

[Kirbeh]

People buying those special editions=/=every single person who buys a game buying its special edition. That's why people are complaining about $70-80 prices now, because it used to be optional.

I wasn't saying every single person buys them, but enough people bought them despite the many flaws often attached. Smash tends to be a complete package with people often praising it for being stuffed to the brim (I'm speaking broadly here, I know not everyone feels that way about every title.)

The point was that people will justify the purchase to themselves, reluctantly now in many cases but they still will. Smash had a pedigree for being a content rich and genuinely good product. Smash will still sell. As will Mario Kart, GTA6, the next MK, etc, etc. Even if it's lower numbers than they would have done at $60, these are still franchises on the higher end of consumer demand and brand power.

Like I said in the previous post, I'm fully expecting less sales than Ultimate, especially since I'm also expecting the Switch 2 to sell less too. But again, unless the Switch 2 bombs horribly or they fumble the next Smash's production horribly, it's more likely to still sell enough. It won't be the success Ultimate was but it'll still turn a profit.

 

[DarthEnderX]

Look, I don't want to sound like a downer, but at the rate the economy is going, if things aren't done to actually fix and improve it, fans might need to swallow the fact that the next Smash Bros could actually not happen.

Lol, that's ridiculous. That's like saying "If the economy doesn't turn around, the next Marvel movie might not happen!"

In lean times, it's not the AAA blockbuster sure things that get cut.

Americans might not be able to actually BUY it. But it's still gonna happen.

 

[Diddy Kong]

Look, I don't want to sound like a downer, but at the rate the economy is going, if things aren't done to actually fix and improve it, fans might need to swallow the fact that the next Smash Bros could actually not happen.

This is a serious matter indeed. Its all fine, fun and cute, but Nintendo has serious problems right now. People aren't getting the Switch 2 for these ridiculous prices. Even me, even if there's a new Donkey Kong game coming. I might just wait for a price drop.

Ultimate was made when it was established that the Switch was a financial success. The Switch 2? Yeah, that's gonna need to prove itself. However, with this same logic applied, Switch 2 might NEED a strong Smash Bros game just to sell.

It'll probably cost 120 dollars / euros though

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Ultimate was made when it was established that the Switch was a financial success.

What are you talking about? It started being worked on in 2016, long before the Switch was even announced.

 

[PersonAngelo53]

Look, I don't want to sound like a downer, but at the rate the economy is going, if things aren't done to actually fix and improve it, fans might need to swallow the fact that the next Smash Bros could actually not happen.

I don’t get it. What does the economy have to do with a game happening or not? I thought it only affected the price?

 

[Gengar84]

I do think there’s a small possibility of not getting a new Smash for the Switch 2 but I’m not sure it has much to do with the economy. If they don’t make a new game, it’s more likely because Sakurai would rather work on other projects for a while and maybe he’s a bit burnt out making only Smash for so long. With enough fan demand, I’m sure it will come back at some point but I wouldn’t be surprised if we get Ultimate Switch 2 Edition this generation over a true Smash 6.

 

[Oracle Link]

Did I start this Discussion About if Switch 2 will have a new smash or not?
Like that wasnt even the main point with the last post it was the crazy concept!

 

[Dukefire]

I can say give it about a year or 2 since Switch 2 isn't out yet as of discussion right now. By then, Nintendo may be ready to announce another Smash Bros. I may be wrong, but we got a solid game lineup for the Switch 2's debut. So, there is no rush.

 

[Gengar84]

I can say give it about a year or 2 since Switch 2 isn't out yet as of discussion right now. By then, Nintendo may be ready to announce another Smash Bros. I may be wrong, but we got a solid game lineup for the Switch 2's debut. So, there is no rush.

Yeah, a new Smash would be great early on but I’m not sure about buying the console at all right now because of the prices. If it releases a few years from now, then maybe prices will have stabilized a bit. Time will tell. The later release actually might help the chances of a few characters I really want in Smash like Magus, Princess Garnet and Jinx.

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Did I start this Discussion About if Switch 2 will have a new smash or not?
Like that wasnt even the main point with the last post it was the crazy concept!

Don't blame yourself. The longer we talk, the more likely Smash on Switch 2 will come up, regardless of the subject at hand.

 

[PersonAngelo53]

I can say give it about a year or 2 since Switch 2 isn't out yet as of discussion right now. By then, Nintendo may be ready to announce another Smash Bros. I may be wrong, but we got a solid game lineup for the Switch 2's debut. So, there is no rush.

Hot take but there is rush. The faster a new smash game comes the better. Honestly I even take just smash ultimate but with added characters and content for the future but that’s an even hotter take lol.

 

[Guynamednelson]

Don't blame yourself. The longer we talk, the more likely Smash on Switch 2 will come up, regardless of the subject at hand.

To be fair, this topic is supposed to be about discussing what the next Smash game would do, so it's inevitable.

 

[BritishGuy54]

I know the U.S. is headed straight for an economic depression, and Canada and the UK aren't doing so hot either, but with how big Smash is and how it's highly likely to be in active development right now, there's no way it's gonna just never come out.

Heck, even if Japan's market tanks overnight Nintendo, Sora Ltd., Bandai Namco, and everyone else involved aren't gonna just implode immediately, and a heavy hitter like Smash is exactly what you'd want to prioritize in the event of an economic disaster. Worst case scenario we just don't get as many 3rd parties.

That does beg the question of which Nintendo franchises are vulnerable enough to become dormant (at least for a little while) under outside conditions such as an economic depression.

Or maybe not, considering I can’t really think of any real candidates right now.

 

[SMAASH! Puppy]

That does beg the question of which Nintendo franchises are vulnerable enough to become dormant (at least for a little while) under outside conditions such as an economic depression.

Or maybe not, considering I can’t really think of any real candidates right now.

The only ones I can think of are WarioWare and Yoshi since they go on random hiatuses anyway, but even then WarioWare is very much worth pursuing in depression days since you can afford to sell it for cheap.

EDIT: The main things we'd stop getting are the smaller scale new projects like that wheelchair basketball game I've already forgotten the name of, smaller scale older IPs that struggle to get games anyway like Kid Icarus, Golden Sun, and Famicom Detective Club, and IPs in weird spots like Astral Chain,

 

[kirbstr]

This is a serious matter indeed. Its all fine, fun and cute, but Nintendo has serious problems right now. People aren't getting the Switch 2 for these ridiculous prices. Even me, even if there's a new Donkey Kong game coming. I might just wait for a price drop.

Ultimate was made when it was established that the Switch was a financial success. The Switch 2? Yeah, that's gonna need to prove itself. However, with this same logic applied, Switch 2 might NEED a strong Smash Bros game just to sell.

It'll probably cost 120 dollars / euros though

I know the theoretical schadenfreude of the Switch 2 being a flop because of pricing is therapeutic to gamer moral panics, but it will be extremely sobering to many of you who consider yourselves "frugal" or "rational consumers" when Nintendo strolls on without a dent in their pocket books because the system sells what it needs to their target demographics and their investors are still happy.

The Switch 2 will sell. If you are being priced out by it despite being a long-time Nintendo fan, guess what? You are no longer their target demographic. The dumb thing about the Switch being such a success is that their fanbase has grown to the point that they can narrow it down to higher-income units for increased profit. Thats capitalism baby. I guarantee you the soulless suits at Nintendo HQ spent hundreds if not thousands of hours on calculating the price at their ideal profit margins.

Your only real hope is a genuine market crash as a result of a true economic disaster, at which point video games will be the last thing on your mind. People saying this will be another Wii U are fooling themselves. Most people that bought a Wii had it collecting dust a few years later. the Switch sells and its software sells. There is a massive consumer base that will be willing to fork over what they are selling the console at on release. Mario Kart World makes that an inevitability with how popular 8DX is to this day. Smash will only add to that, and I doubt Nintendo will be in any rush for a new smash game this time around like they were for Ultimate on the Switch.

 

[dream1ng]

However, with this same logic applied, Switch 2 might NEED a strong Smash Bros game just to sell.

Smash isn't Nintendo's only killer app... nor is it their biggest.

There's not much Smash can accomplish that Kart can't. Look at the Wii U.

If the system's issues aren't it's lack of AAA Nintendo games, then more AAA Nintendo games won't help all that much. Kart and Smash will sell well proportionate to whatever the install base is, and they will move units, but if price proves a large barrier, then Smash won't succeed where Kart came up short.

 

[DarthEnderX]

Honestly I even take just smash ultimate but with added characters and content for the future but that’s an even hotter take lol.

Seems refreshingly cool to me.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

That does beg the question of which Nintendo franchises are vulnerable enough to become dormant (at least for a little while) under outside conditions such as an economic depression.

Or maybe not, considering I can’t really think of any real candidates right now.

Metroid if it’s in general since it has been dormant twice.

Not sure about outside factors unless Nintendo just focus on franchises that sell extremely well.

 

[PersonAngelo53]

Smash isn't Nintendo's only killer app... nor is it their biggest.

There's not much Smash can accomplish that Kart can't. Look at the Wii U.

If the system's issues aren't it's lack of AAA Nintendo games, then more AAA Nintendo games won't help all that much. Kart and Smash will sell well proportionate to whatever the install base is, and they will move units, but if price proves a large barrier, then Smash won't succeed where Kart came up short.

I mean some people still buy Nintendo consoles only for smash bros. Even if smash doesn’t sell as much as Mario kart it would still sell a ton of systems.

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

There is a possibility (given that the ire at the moment seems more reserved towards the game prices than the console price) that we see something similar to the Wii market position where the system itself sells quite well, but the attach rate and overall sales of games themselves are more hit and miss You could end up with loads of customers (especially parents of kids) that get the system but end up far more reserved in what they'll buy especially first party software not likely to go on major sales. The heavy hitters like Smash and Mario Kart will be fine. Your mid-level and below series though? They could be the ones most affected by a marketplace not as keen on putting out that sort of money for riskier releases.

I'm someone with some safe disposable income and even my overall strategy now with Switch 2 is to be much more conservative with first party purchases and generally look towards indies and third parties because they're much more willing to offer discounts after a time. Even with a current plan to pick up the console when DK Bananza releases, I'm honestly not sure if I'll even buy MK World in the first year of the console, which I'd have much less hesitancy about if we were still talking about Switch era pricing.

 

[Wonder Smash]

Not sure if that has been posted yet but:

Once again, amazing work! X was always one of my favorite Mega Mans, so I really like this.

Though, does anybody know why they never added any victory themes for the characters?

 

[Oracle Link]

Maybe its just me bit im sick and tired of:
"Nintendo is the devil" and "nintendo hates its customers"
for one 90 % of nintendo still loves the fans cause 90 % are the developers and unlike disney i havent seen anyone at the company insult fans so its a couple buisness men at most! And if you mean the company it feels neutral cause it isnt alive!
Secondly nintendo while doing some bad moves
is faaaar from the worst vompany nor do they primarily introduce consumer unfriendly practices either they are consumer friendly or they jump on terrible ideas that were introduced by someone else!
Thirdly most people saying stuff like that tend to delibaratly lie/ spread midinfotmation
And fourth its just so damn tiring man! Sure nintendo does some bad moves but other then the 80/90 dollar price for some switch games everything doesnt even seem worth menhioning!

 

[AreJay25]

Not sure if that has been posted yet but:

Once again, amazing work! X was always one of my favorite Mega Mans, so I really like this.

Though, does anybody know why they never added any victory themes for the characters?

They probably did. The Beefy Smash Dudes disabled the in-game music, so you don't actually get to hear them.

 

[CrusherMania1592]

Still waiting for Crash to make his debut. Would have me going NUTS

 

[Oracle Link]

Still waiting for Crash to make his debut. Would have me going NUTS

Knowing smile!
Also as a question which stage would you give crash?

 

[The Stoopid Unikorn]

Maybe its just me bit im sick and tired of:
"Nintendo is the devil" and "nintendo hates its customers"
for one 90 % of nintendo still loves the fans cause 90 % are the developers and unlike disney i havent seen anyone at the company insult fans so its a couple buisness men at most! And if you mean the company it feels neutral cause it isnt alive!
Secondly nintendo while doing some bad moves
is faaaar from the worst vompany nor do they primarily introduce consumer unfriendly practices either they are consumer friendly or they jump on terrible ideas that were introduced by someone else!
Thirdly most people saying stuff like that tend to delibaratly lie/ spread midinfotmation
And fourth its just so damn tiring man! Sure nintendo does some bad moves but other then the 80/90 dollar price for some switch games everything doesnt even seem worth menhioning!

Either way, the customer is still very valid in making the complaint of games being too expensive now.

I mean, we just made the jump from 60 to 80 like, right away. And before you get wise and bring up TotK, the fact that it was the only 70 dollar Switch game Nintendo made definitely makes it an exception.

And given how the economy is getting worse and worse, people are gonna be less and less willing to spend that kind of money on games because it's gonna start requiring to take from stuff like rent or groceries just to afford a silly video game you won't even have enough free time to sink your teeth into because you need a full-time job just to afford the damn games in the first place. For some people, it might not be worth it.

It's true the devs still have soul and care a lot for the fans, but the big wigs running the company definitely don't care about anything other than our wallets. They're already dipping their toes into being anti-consumer by doing something so vile that EA is probably foaming at the mouth for not doing before them; charging money for a TECH DEMO

We'll have to see if it's just a quick dip or if they're ready to take the plunge but either way, the only defense people have for justifying a PAID tech demo is for these people to admit that they're sheep and Nintendo is their shepherd.

 

[Ivander]

It's true the devs still have soul and care a lot for the fans, but the big wigs running the company definitely don't care about anything other than our wallets. They're already dipping their toes into being anti-consumer by doing something so vile that EA is probably foaming at the mouth for not doing before them; charging money for a TECH DEMO

We'll have to see if it's just a quick dip or if they're ready to take the plunge but either way, the only defense people have for justifying a PAID tech demo is for these people to admit that they're sheep and Nintendo is their shepherd.

This did almost happen with Wii Sports(with the Wii) and Wii Play(with a Wii Controller), had it not been for Reggie supporting a pack-in. Supposedly, it might be a culture thing, but regardless, Miyamoto had some strong thoughts in regards to both.

Also, $10 dollars for a tech-demo that showcases the system's features is arguably more consumer friendly than what Nintendo did with 1-2 Switch, which despite being sold at full-price, would somehow end up being a 3-million seller.

 

[LiveStudioAudience]

Either way, the customer is still very valid in making the complaint of games being too expansive now.

I mean, we just made the jump from 60 to 80 like, right away. And before you get wise and bring up TotK, the fact that it was the only 70 dollar Switch game Nintendo made definitely makes it an exception.

And given how the economy is getting worse and worse, people are gonna be less and less willing to spend that kind of money on games because it's gonna start requiring to take from stuff like rent or groceries just to afford a silly video game you won't even have enough free time to sink your teeth into because you need a full-time job just to afford the damn games in the first place. For some people, it might not be worth it.

It's true the devs still have soul and care a lot for the fans, but the big wigs running the company definitely don't care about anything other than our wallets. They're already dipping their toes into being anti-consumer by doing something so vile that EA is probably foaming at the mouth for not doing before them; charging money for a TECH DEMO

We'll have to see if it's just a quick dip or if they're ready to take the plunge but either way, the only defense people have for justifying a PAID tech demo is for these people to admit that they're sheep and Nintendo is their shepherd.

And the thing is we have precedent that demonstrates the money first philosophy the company has had and that such an approach bends only when their market performance scares them enough to change it. Reggie fighting to get Wii Sports as a pack in game for North America, the 3DS launching overpriced and underdelivering with games, the insistence on often selling titles (even ports from previous systems) at full price 6,7,8 years after release. The fan lionization of stuff like the greatest hits on N64, the Gamecube console selling at $99, Wii U games getting decent digital discounts have become cherished in some fan's memories. However these are the hallmarks, not of company's generosity, but of their need to unload stock/get market share because both systems and games weren't selling enough.

I'm not saying they're extraordinarily greedy, or that an insistence on making their games seem valuable in the marketplace isn't a prudent business move. But Nintendo has stockholders like any major technology/entertainment entity and their primary responsibility is to maintain and increase their value. They're smarter long-term thinkers than those that bloat their employee count beyond practicality and rely on the short-term gains of stuff like microtransactions, sure. Just don't mistake that as them being your friendly neighborhood video game company because they ultimately aren't.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

This did almost happen with Wii Sports(with the Wii) and Wii Play(with a Wii Controller), had it not been for Reggie supporting a pack-in. Supposedly, it might be a culture thing, but regardless, Miyamoto had some strong thoughts in regards to both.

It was a pack-in title in Japan then Wii Sports probably would have been higher then 80 million despite the Wii selling 100 million