Bill Trinen Discusses Smash Bros. Invitational 2018, Won’t Disclose Whether It’s A Port Or New Game

I think it's fair to say that because Nintendo is going all in on Smash Bros. this year and making it the spotlight game, this is more than just a port.

It's a remake.

Plot twist, it isn’t Smash 4 Deluxe or Smash 5

It’s a Super Smash Bros Brawl port

I bet its a port

With all this hype and secrecy going on I would be severely disappointed AND confused if this turned out to be just a port.

"...we're keeping a few surprises for later in the year."

Bill's wording makes me think Smash might not launch in unison with the paid online service in September as many are speculating.

I would probably bet money on it being a new smash bros. game honestly. Although I don't want to get my hopes up too much just in case it's not

It’s gotta be a new game, if it’s just an enhanced port they would have announced it months ago. Maybe. We will see what happens at E3. Port, remake, or a new game, all I really want is a Smash game for Switch.

We will see the reveal from Nintendo Direct.
Prepare your body.

There would be nothing to lose by saying it's a new game. That is the normal expectation of any upcoming game that comes out unless it's specifically stated to be a remaster/port/remake, like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. I think the secrecy and vagueness of Bill's statement and Nintendo in general might suggest it's a port, unfortunately.

I hope I'm wrong.

I think Smash is a special case, though. Port or no port, people are gonna be stoked to finally have this series on the Switch, and the invitational will be exciting either way because we know this version will at the very least have plenty of new content. Personally, I think it's a port.

Super Smash Bros Maker, with the ability to choose any ruleset, character, and stage to mix and match from every game. 😋

I still feel that it will be a port. Though not "just" a port. I imagine it would be a port++ or something to that effect.

I suspect it's been "sitting in the rafters" so to speak for a while because Smash Bros. was always intended to be their main persuasion tool in getting people to sign up for and pay the Online service, so it can't have been released until the go-live was set in stone and going to happen. Though with the time it's had and such, I would expect to see new modes, new mechanics, new items, etc. So if that alone is enough to qualify it as a new game, then we're probably on the same page.

So at this point either Nintendo is trying to avoid spilling that this is a completely new game... or horribly trolling us and it is. Honestly, neither would surprise me at this point.

Thing is, if it’s a port they’re digging their own grave by keeping the suspense. The longer they wait and refuse to answer, the worse the backlash if it is just a port. I don’t want to assume it’s a new game because it’s really not a sure thing but I hope they know what they’re doing or people will be really disappointed with Nintendo this E3...

Also I don’t know at what point people consider it a port and at what point a new game. Ideally, we’ve reached the point where they should be using the same engine, polish it a bit, and add a bunch of content (levels, characters, items, modes, etc). Using the same engine and keeping all the old content shouldn’t make it a port, since there’s no reason to build new engines at this point or cut content...

It's obviously a new game if it's going to be their main E3 title.

Having a remake would be like Nintendo going to E3 in 2016 having their main focus be on a port of Zelda: Skyward Sword (not Breath of the Wild) or last years E3 main focus being on a port of Mario 3D World (not Odyssey). To me it's just ridiculous to think it's a port at this point.

I really hope it's not a port. The Switch is already enough of a Wii U 2.0 in terms of its library. Give it some more new games.

It's A New Game.

& the characters that I want is:

1. Waluigi
2. Daisy
3. King K. Rool
4. Dixie Kong
5. Krystal

Why no one things of the third right options ; its not a port, it's a new game on the same but upgraded engine like the damn rest of the world do all the time.

People misuse the term port.
SSB5 will more than likely not be a port. It is either a new game or it is a enhanced edition/new version or whatever you like to call it. Even Mario Kart 8 DX was not really a port....
And being a port doesn't necessarily mean the game comes out after the versions for other devices.

Super Smash Bros. Go.

@Deku-Scrub careful we don't want to have e3 burned down.

Bill literally says 'new game' in the first sentence

Even if it is a port I don't see the problem Smash 4 is a masterpiece that only needs a few tweaks, modes, stages and characters and boom new game but still basically be an enhanced port

Ah, yes, because we all know a port would really bring the hype for arguably the biggest games show of the year. I don't see any reason to bank on a port at this point. It's definitely a new entry we just don't know how much different it will be from Smash 4.

He mentioned it clearly “...new game”. So why do we kept on asking，“you mean，is it a new game or a 'new game' of a port game?”. What kind of question is that?
All I bet is that this article is just need to publish anyway. The writers NEED to post something to fire up the community and hype. That's all.
He also said “surprises”. So let us not jump on to the conclusion.

@Not_Soos
I am 99% sure Smash will launch in the middle of november. It is Nintendo’s favorite block to launch games just in time for the holiday season and just after Black Friday.

And in a comment on the term ‘port’. I don’t get why we are all suddenly asking this question. Would we ask the same when a new Mario, Zelda, Pikmin or Animal Crossing game gets announced? Besides, this game could engine wise still be a ‘port’, the content can be new.

@Kamalen
Guys this is the right answer^ and people need to stop being this damn salty about it. Its a practice that 99% of the developers do all the time.

Even if it's a new game, I don't think there will be a massive jump in fidelity (especially handheld). So I'm more inclined to think it's a new game like Splatoon 2 and Mario Tennis Aces in that, to look at them, there isn't much to tell apart, but upon inspection, there is more polish and a lot more content.
A quid will get ya ten that people will still be arguing if it's a new game or an enhanced port long after the bloody thing has been revealed!

I think it'll be sufficiently placed between many people's definitions of 'port' and 'new game' that we'll still be having this debate even after we know exactly what it is.

@Yoshi Just because they're going all in and making it the spotlight, doesn't guarantee that it's 'more than just a port'. Remember how they went all in with Wii Music?

It's definitely going to be a port. So many evidence points towards it. The font of the title, the style of the trailer (very similar to the Wii U), the timing of the game. The fact that Masahiro Sakurai was/is tired of creating Smash.

BILL!

It seems to me wrong to suggest this mega- dichotomy between port and new... i mean smash is simply an evolving series, as it has been... the wii u building on the wii version, simply this will built on that basis......

I’m hoping for a portmanteau. Maybe “Smarms.”

@Nassov
I don't see your point, Wii Music was a new game - not a port. They've never had a port of an old title be the highlight of their entire show.

Doesn't matter to me as I don't have any other Nintendo console anyway. But I should really start playing Pokken now that I bought it a few weeks ago.

It is happening guys: Nintendo's only big game at E3...is a souped up port. Rip Switch 2018!

I'm expecting a port, because the Switch is allowing me to re-buy everything I loved and already own on my Wii U... with extra characters and stages. A Definitive Edition.

But hey, they might blow me away and make it brand new!

I imagine people will still call it a port even if it's an entirely new game. For whatever odd reason, some people still believe Splatoon 2 is a port.

The fact that Nintendo are making this their main focus at E3 should tell you it’s not a port. Add to that the fact that they’re inviting top players to compete using it, and showcasing the modes, should also clear up any doubt. Can’t wait to see what it’s shaped up to be!

@Deku-Scrub well people have been saying they want a sub space emissary-like mode...

Melee HD pls

It already has one new character, the Inkling, meaning even if it's a port, the entire roster needs to be rebalanced anyway. Besides, if it was a port, Nintendo wouldn't build up hype like this. It would only lead to a lot of gamers getting frustrated. Me, I just want Smash on Switch, port or otherwise.

I'm getting scared by them not confirming whether it's a new game or not. At first I was confident that it's a new game, but this attitude wasn't seen before so I'm getting really scared...

Nothing against this. But how comes Nintendo argues (years ago) they didn’t make a new F-Zero yet, because they had no new ideas for it. 🤨

I love smash, but if this is a port I won't be buying it, I wasn't too keen on smash WiiU and it had characters that ruined it... If it a new game as in smash 5 then awesome! But if port nah I'll pass

@Yasaal and you should be scared lol i don't like that all these companies are making HD ports of old games when gamers want new games

I think it will be in-between a port and a new game, I'm guessing it will have all of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U's content but it will have so much new content that it couldn't really be called a port either.

@Nassov
What does timing imply exactly? The previous Smash Bros came out in 2014, that is 4 (!) years ago. For the other points, none of them imply this is a port. Super Mario 3d Land and World share fonts, graphics, mechanics, elements, name and characters (just like any other Mario game, but these two are especially close). And they are sequels and not ports.

If the game is headlining their E3, I really can't believe that it would be a port. That said, I think it will be shown as a new game, but there will be some obvious reuse of some assets. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I mean, we got a new Xenoblade in two years because of cleverly reusing assets. In the end, if there's enough changes to it, they can certainly call it a new game.

I wouldn't look too much into his comments, he just doesn't want to say anything cause we'll know for sure by next week.

He VERY SPECIFICALLY STATES NEW GAME. What the heck

I can’t wait for this game whether it be a port or a new entry in the series (which is the one I’m leaning towards). I can’t wait to play as an Inkling.

I hope it's a port.

Curse you E3... I'm taking that day off!

It will be a new game that uses assets from the previous title, but is rebalanced and has a better single player mode added. I see it being like HYRULE WARRIORS on Switch. It will have all of the DLC and combine everything from the WiiU and 3DS versions, while also adding new characters.

I prefer new but I know it will be no less than an enhanced port, and I'm perfectly fine with that. I'm just ready for SSB Switch!

I think it's a new game now. I originally said it was going to be a port but after reading this, I change my mind.

@NintyNate I know right. Like one or two HD ports are alright, but Nintendo has overdone it. Now if they do it to one of the most important franchises like Smash, I don't think people will be impressed. As a result, I'm scared. None of the folks at Nintendo have confirmed directly if we'll be getting a new game or it's just a port. We'll have to see next week... 4 days to go 😰

SPRING MAN OR RIOT

If it's a port, it better be the newest port Nintendo's ever made.

@link3710 Nintendo called Tropical Freeze for Switch a new game.

I just feel like, if it was just a port, we'd already know all about it. They'd not be making as big of a deal out of it. It might be based on SSB for Wii U, but heavily enhanced, but I would be pretty shocked if it was just a port with a couple more characters.

This comment section, lol.

@Grumblevolcano "Nintendo called Tropical Freeze for Switch a new game."

Funny you should mention that, my kid and I looked up yesterday what the port of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker was called on Switch. It's called, as far as I can tell, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. This despite the fact that they added in new SMO themed levels that won't be available in the Wii U version. Also the same levels and name it has on 3DS. They couldn't even be bothered to add DX or Switch or 3DS to the title. I think they've given up caring about the new/port debate if they can't even be bothered adding suffixes to titles.

People are going to be debating whether SSB is a port or not for years after it comes out, right up until the time they start debating if Smash 6 on Switch 2 is a port of or not of Smash 5. It's all port discussions from here on out. Next up will be the discussion if Super Maker Maker is a port or not. Unless they just name it 2. It will be on Switch one way or another, and no matter what they call it, the port/new debate will likely take place.

I'm in the new camp, for reasons I've typed often enough I can't be bothered anymore, but from the article - I'm not bothering w/ his use of THE NEW GAME that's too obvious - but later on he said:

"we’re keeping a few surprises for later in the year"

How many surprises does it take to qualify as a new game? 1? 2? 3? At some point even if you are only adding in new surprises to an old game it's going to become a new game. See every 2nd set of Pokemon games ever made and every follow-up Monster Hunter game that's sold for full price. Those are always sold as "new" games, not ports.

This game will be roughly half the old, half new. Just like the previous Smash Bros games it's going to be a 2D fighting game w/ Mario et al. It will be new enough for us to buy, and we won't buy a single Wii U port. We bought Zelda BotW on Wii U.

I feel like everyone is getting too hung up on the port debate, to be honest. I don't thing they would be hyping a port this much. I think the Wii U version is a base and they reworked it to the point that it's not a port like the other Wii U games have been. A lot of assets will get reused, but there are going to be new characters and stages. If this game is just SSB4 with Splatoon added in, there would be a riot and I think Nintendo knows that. I don't think Samurai would be that involved with a simple port, either.

That said, I don't think core gameplay will evolve that much. SSB4 was close to perfect for many. This really shouldn't be a total rework either.

Is a new game that reused a lot of assets of the WiiU version.

Might as well talk about the roster too lol...

1) Inkling will be one character with boy/girl skins.

2) Link is getting a BOTW overhaul on his moveset, so kind of a new character.

3) ARMS will bring Springman and Ribbon Girl to the roster. This will be highlighted for E3 Direct.

4) Ice Climbers and Wolf make their return.

5) Bomberman and Simon Belmont are added as 3rd party characters. Snake returns.

6) Besides that...Rex from Xenoblade 2 is very realistic. I don't think Ridley and K. Rool will ever happen (though I want them). I'm looking for a DK character after Tropical Freeze, though...Dixie, Cranky, Funky, one of those.

@rjejr I think the reason Tropical Freeze and Captain Toad aren't having stuff like DX or Definitive Edition at the end is the amount of extra content (Tropical Freeze) and the existence of a 3DS version (Captain Toad). Tropical Freeze on Switch had Funky Kong and that's it, we'll likely see about Captain Toad's extra content next week (my prediction is 13 levels, 1 level for each Kingdom in Odyssey you meet Captain Toad in).

As for Smash, I'm leaning towards something like Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition but with a lot of extra content.

@Grumblevolcano "but with a lot of extra content."

I've actually been focusing on what they'll take out. If they only add stuff, whether it's characters or levels, people will still just say it's a port w/ added content. But if they take stuff out, well at what point is a port only half of the old stuff and half new stuff?

They released SSBU on the back of "play next to your amiibo". Since amiibo don't exist any more - they aren't going to re-release 60+ amiibo for Switch owners - they are probably out. Maybe they'll give new costumes, but no reason to include that "play alongside" concept for the few Switch owners who will own those. So it's a different game from that perspective right there. No amiibo tournaments.

I also think they'll drop 8 player. You can't play 8 player in portable or handheld mode so why bother trying to balance the game for 8 inklings. Do they ever use 8 player in big official type tournaments?

They'll drop any reference to Miiverse, so the Miiverse level is out.

Can you take that much out of a game, and maybe drop a few characters like WiiFit trainer, Duck hunt dog, Cloud, and say it's a port? That's one sorry port. And it certainly wouldn't be a "Complete" or "DX Deluxe" edition missing that much content.

So you take all of that out, add smash run rush mode from 3DS into the Wii U game which didn't have it, a few new characters and levels, to me at least it starts too look like a new game. It won't be either the U or 3DS version, won't be a complete combination of both either. Maybe "new" isn't the right word, but it isn't a port. It's SSB: Hybrid, like the Switch itself.

When people start trying to explain it as a port, but they took levels out, but they combined stuff from 2 different games, but they took characters out, but they took amiibos out, but they added in a new mode or two, but they added in new characters or levels, well how many 'buts" does it take to make it a new game? I think the buts will win the port/new argument favoring new.

If the game still has play alongside amiibo and 8 player mode then it's a port.

@rjejr "Since amiibo don't exist anymore"

I have to disagree there, if you look at the 1st party games released for Switch since Odyssey they've mostly been Wii U ports. So E3 would be a better indication of the future for amiibo.

Amiibo could stay because Smash was the driving force for amiibo sales. If an enhanced port, create figures for the new characters (e.g. Inklings) and alternate characters (e.g. Alph, Koopalings, Wii Fit Trainer, Robin). 8 player Smash could also stay as not only do some Switch games already support 8 player local wireless multiplayer (e.g. MK8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2) but 8 player docked is very easy too thanks to the USB ports on the front of the dock (you could have 8 GC controllers or a mixture of GC controllers and Switch controllers).

But in the end there's not long to wait, in 4 days is the Nintendo Direct when we'll find out the reality.

people, I do not care. Nintendo will make a good smash bros game. that is the bottom line.

@Joeynator3000 Seeing as how "amazing" Pokémon Go is compared to proper Pokémon, I would be running in the opposite direction — crying, cussing, sweating, and cursing Nintendo's name all the while.

Super Smash Bros. Showdown

@Grumblevolcano "Smash was the driving force for amiibo sales"

I'm going to have to disagree with you on that one.

Smash was the game that was marketed as THE amiibo game, but I think the driving force behind amiibo sales was Nintnedo's extremely low stock manufacturing and eBay scalpers. Most of the people buying those amiibo never even took them out of their boxes, much less used them in game. My kids used theirs. You could get an amiibo from level 1 to level 50 in 3 hours. Then they never used them again.

Nintneod was marketing amiibo w/ Smash, people were buying amiibo as collectibles, not to play with in Smash.

And toys-to-life is dead. Toys R US was a huge seller, now they are out of business. I think in part b/c they stocked too many figures that weren't selling after the craze died down. My Targets' have been remodeling, their toys-to-life displays are gone. They did have 4 amiibo - 2 each of Mario and Bowser wedding outfits form SMO - but just hanging next to the digital download game cards, no room for any others. Gamestops have turned into toy stores more than video game stores but even their toys to life sections are shrinking, they aren't going to start stocking amiibo for SSB Switch.

Thanks for the 4 player on Switch update. Maybe I'm wrong and they will leave that aspect in then. I can see 8 player being in more than amiibo. And that would be an upgrade for SSB on 3DS owners who didn't have that before. Nobody ever really calls it a 3DS port, just a Wii U port, even though in several ways they were different games.

"So E3 would be a better indication of the future for amiibo."

Mario Tennis Aces, a new 1st party Switch game w/ Mario, doesn't have any amiibo. Kirby Star Allies, another new Switch game, didn't have any new amiibo either, though it did have support. I think that says a lot right there. We know Yoshi is coming out eventually, they already showed it, but Yoshi Wooly World already had amiibo, not sure he needs any more. He may get 1 or 2 or 3, but not enough for a retailer to have a wall of them. I do think SSB could have amiibo support, just not any new amiibo.

So there likely will be an amiibo or 2 announced at E3, but having 2 new amiibo for every new game, like Metroid did on 3DS, isn't the same as having 60 or even 12 for a game. They are just collectible toys now, Funko-Pop, not toys-to-life.

Oh, and dont' forget, this is Nitnedo we are talking about, just b/c SSB is at E3 doesn't mean we'll learn anything about it. Remember that whole - "No DLC is planned for SSB U" - thing before they announced $100 of DLC for it? And the past few days w/ Pokemon Let's Go and online? Is there, isn't there, do we have to pay for it? We're Nitneod is concerned nothing is known until after we know it. And we won't know it all next week. Bill Trinen said they are saving a few surprises for later in the year. Amiibo announcements could come them. Nobody is as secretive as Nintedo. We should know more than we know now though.

All my moneys on Enhanced Port

It's the quick and easy way.. (&they've already done the same with other big name franchises)

We already know there are many Smash fans who would willingly re-purchase under the right conditions...

@Nassov Wii Music was a decade ago. If that's your best example, that's pretty weak.

They've been using the same styled logo since Brawl. Font doesn't mean anything.

The style of the trailer doesn't mean anything.

It'll be four years after Smash 4 comes out when this comes out. The timing lines up, especially since they're developing one game this time instead of two.

Sakurai always complains about being tired of developing games, but he always gets drawn back in.

Bear in mind, I said "more than just a port". I did not say "brand new game".

@rjejr Smash was the driving force in the form of creating a fantastic collection of amiibo. There's a lot of amiibo in that collection that wouldn't have existed if not for the Smash situation like Captain Falcon, Ike, Ness, Lucas, Olimar, Falco, etc.

There is no game play footage to actually confirm if Smash Switch is a new game, a port with additions, or "new game" with a heavy asset recycle.

We won't know until we actually see extended game play footage.

"It’s an exciting way to showcase the new game..."

He literally said "new game".

Why are we still debating about this?

@Grumblevolcano "There's a lot of amiibo in that collection that wouldn't have existed if not for the Smash"

That's true. But it's also why I think they won't bother to port that over, wouldn't be fair to all of the new game purchases who can't get a hold of those amiibo anymore b/c Nintneod isn't likely to make more.

Let's just say I'll be very surprised if next week during the SSB tournament there's any talk of amiibo.

@Yasaal why make ports!!! If companies like Ninty listen to gamers we'd get what we want not ports or crap games... I'm so hoping it new SMA5H... No crappy cloud or snake this time please

I feel like there's just too much pomp and circumstance for this to be a port. The dramatic reveal in the March Direct, the amount of time from Smash 4 (released 2014), and the fact that this game is the keystone title for Nintendo's E3 this year. It just wouldn't make much sense to do all this for a mere port.

@somoore94 DAISY N DIXIE!!!!

If it was a port, they'd have just said so already, rather than keep to all the secrecy. It wouldn't make sense otherwise.

So its a new game. I can't believe we're still talking about this when Sakurai himself has stated he's been working on a new game.

If you read his comment again you will see that he already said it
Quote:
"It’s an exciting way to showcase the NEW GAME with some of the best players in the world playing it"
-
So yeah imo its a new game, and as hr said they wont show everything from the game. If it was just a port we already would know everything simple as that.

I can't wait for wednesday. Then all of this will be done.