Topic: 2 Major Things That Go Against Having A Smash Bros. "Deluxe Port"

@skywake So you ask me what could be needed in order for a true sequel to be necessary, and then you're saying I am fantasy booking? That's a head-scratcher.

I've heard this reasoning many times before: "If they were going to do a port, surely they would have released one already".

Not necessarily. A smart business strategy is to spread out the releases to avoid dry spots. Nintendo not having released a port of Smash Bros for WiiU on Switch doesn't mean it won't happen.
I think its chances are 50/50 right now.

Now, personally I'd like an enhanced port with a couple of extra characters (including some indies) and stages. The reason I'd prefer a port over an entirely new game is the fact that it would allow Nintendo to put more time and energy in creating new IP or sequels to games that need it more (Kid Icarus, F-Zero,...).

That's why they shouldn't. They wouldn't race against the clock to release a whole new game for an online service. A new Pokemon or Animal Crossing game could be the game to sell online subscriptions. As I said before, gamers would buy a new port, but skip out on online & play online from their 3DSs.

Fire Emblem Warriors & Super Mario Odyssey have released in back-to-back weeks.
Kirby Star Allies and Hyrule Warriors: DE will also release in back-to-back weeks in Japan.

You're still assuming way too much, especially regarding the state of online for previous systems when the paid online service comes. Don't forget that Wii and DS online was shut down only 10 days before Mario Kart 8's launch and while that time wasn't Nintendo's fault, Nintendo has shut down quite a few services related to Wii U in the Switch's first year.

@backup368

There's on big major flaw in people thinking the porting would be so easy: The Wii U engines compatibility with the Switch, and whether or not the game would have to be programmed and tested from the ground up.

There's also the fact they would need to add new content to make the double dip worth it.

Exactly correct, Nintendo's not going to port SSB4 5 years out. No amount of added content would keep anyone happy by this point, it's going to be a new game or nothing at all.

@Pazzo-ZaFool first off: SSB4 launched 4 years ago. Second: hyrule Warriors which released in the same year is getting ported to switch this year.

@SVTornado Spin-off game from Zelda =/= Biggest crossover fighting game in gaming.

@Grumblevolcano When there is to be a paid online service, shouldn't you expect more out of it? With Wii-U's online service, it was free of charge. This possible "deluxe port" would be a version of the same games that you enjoyed on that free service. It would be like if a restaurant charged customers for "deluxe water", which is no difference from free, regular drinking water.

Also, I am pretty sure that they wouldn't shut down the Wii-U's online service after just 4 years, and the 3DS is still very lucrative to Nintendo still.

@MegaVel91 I have said previously that an authentic representation of the Inkling might be very difficult to do with the 2014 game engine they are using.

How long was it from Brawl to Wii U? We should be approaching that same time frame.

@Pazzo-ZaFool 4 years, but I wouldn't count on a new game to release this year.

EDIT: I misunderstood that. Early 2008 to late 2014.

@Pazzo-ZaFool Nearly 7 years. Here's the setup for the whole Smash series.

64 to Melee: Nearly 3 years (early 1999 to late 2001)
Melee to Brawl: Just over 6 years (late 2001 to early 2008)
Brawl to 3DS/Wii U: Nearly 7 years (early 2008 to late 2014)

So a new Smash game would likely come around late 2021 but enhanced ports wouldn't take anywhere near as long so if Smash comes in the next year or 2 then it's extremely likely to be an enhanced port.

@backup368 You're forgetting that the online didn't work well for Smash 4, outside of For Glory 1v1 the connection was horrible usually becoming a slideshow at times irrelevant of how good your connection was. An enhanced port of Smash 4 which works well with all online modes would be a much bigger improvement than a Smash 5 could ever bring.

@Grumblevolcano And a port would reset that clock, meaning a new Smash wouldn’t come out until 2024 or later. That’s 10 years between instalments. A long time to wait!

Maybe they’ll port Smash 4. Or perhaps the vc will have GameCube games with added online like Melee and F Zero. It’s fun guessing.

Either would be cool, and tide me over until Smash 5 comes.

I do wonder how a Smash 5 could differentiate itself on Switch - so I’d rather have 4 Deluxe now if I could.

So that's why we need a port? You can't really believe what you are saying.

Also, Neatherrealm makes a new fighting game that is even bigger than the last, & it only takes them 2 years to do so.

It doesn't take 7 years to make a Smash game. There's only that gap because Sakurai was always doing other stuff. After Melee, he went off to do his own stuff like Meteos and stuff. After Brawl, he went off to his own company and made Kid Icarus: Uprising. Smash 4 development started in 2012 and released in 2014.

That said, making a Smash 5 with the Smash 4 engine while adding more stuff is pretty much a Smash 4 DX, to be honest. Maybe tightening the gameplay and altering some movesets, but aside from that, what kind of core gameplay change can be made?

Even if we get a Smash 5, I don't think I'd see it any more than just an iterative game that builds a bit on Smash 4.

@backup368 The main reasons a port would be better:

• Not having to wait until near the end of Switch's lifespan for Smash
• Character roster intact
• A new game would basically be the same as Smash 4 but with some different characters/stages, you could have the extras be DLC for a Smash 4 port instead
• With Smash released earlier, the main project for the Smash team can be something else like a new IP or a currently dormant IP (think like how ARMS existed because of no MK9)

The only people who would be disappointed with a Smash 4 enhanced port are people who are sour about Wii U ports on Switch in general.

@backup368 Well it's $20 dollars for a whole year, it's already cheaper than other services on consoles, Smash isn't the only game you'll be playing online with... and online play isn't the only thing you'll be getting out of the service...