Masahiro Sakurai Notes That Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Could Be The Last In The Series

That is the definition of 'Ultimate', isn't it?

I doubt this will be the last, but we probably won't see another for quite some time and there probably won't be another with as much content as this one.

I actually wouldn't mind if this is the last one. It's the ultimate iteration of the entire series, after all. End on a high note. Furthermore, poor Sakurai works himself to death on every new Smash game, the dude needs a break.

Doubt.jpg

If it is at least the series is going out with a bang and not a whimper, though let's be real everyone knows that when the next console comes around there will be talks of another one, with or without Sakurai, preferably with him on at least as a consultant.

I think if there is another, Sakurai won't be directly involved the way he is now. It seems this game is basically going to be his vision of a perfect Smash Brothers. Which means it'll be time for someone else to take up the reigns next time around.

He has been saying things like this since melee. I doubt this is the last one. If he won't do it they will get someone else to.

"The Smash series may continue in the future, but I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to pull this off"
By this I think he means have this roster of this size plus all these 3rd parties at the same time again.

I hope it is. I totally get why this guy gets frustrated at all these so called fans, after reading some comments sections in articles on this game. Holy crap. A lot of people should be ashamed of themselves. Finish this, then in the future, just port it to newer systems. Take a long rest after finishing it too, good sir. Turn off the internet though. Jeez.

They should take the opportunity to completely overhaul character movesets then. Too many characters play identical and are very unbalanced. They could rework characters and make it far more competitive over time.

I doubt they will stop making these games as they are usually one of the best sellers for whatever console it is on but i could understand a long break from the series

This sounds familiar

Well, in his "defense", he looked worn out and old in last E3's Direct. He should take a rest.

Hmm. Could be the last one he himself is involved in, but as long as the games' keep selling, they will keep getting made.

What's with all the click bait style headlines recently? Yes, this may very well be Sakurai's last time in the Director's chair, but he may be a consultant on future outings. Smash Bros is far too important to shelve & Nintendo are well aware of that. Could be a while before we see the next version of course - to be honest, I can't believe how quickly 4 years has gone by since the 3DS & Wii U outings. A lot of the new versions of games like Mario Kart etc are now facing a transition where the previous Directors & Producers are handing the torch to the fresh talent that make up the bulk of Nintendo's workforce these days.

@Shiryu "That is the definition of 'Ultimate', isn't it?"

Well I thought the definition of DX was "done" but that didn't stop them from selling extra characters for Pokken Tournament DX.

It's probably the last normal game. After this they will just be free to start w/ 8 characters and 4 stages, buy the rest as it trickles out.

They'll call it - "Super Smash Bros. Service"

Random note that could make this "sorta" true:

A-This Smash is the first to compile content of ALL previous titles(especially ALL the characters) in a single game.

B-Smash WiiU was the first to introduce DLCs, in a way that saw players keeping to asks for more every new DLC, to the point of shock when the last DLC was released(probably due to being only an experiment and the failures of the WiiU).

With DLCs, this could very well be(in a technical fashion) the "last" Smash Bros game... yet be far from the end of Smash Bros simply due to a steady stream of DLCS for new stages, characters and perhaps even mode(imagine DLCs to the scale of Subspace Emissary and it's ilk).

No one knows yet what to expect, but there's a LOT of possibilities still up in the air. Like, just the new classifications of "clones" as very much formalized "Echo Fighters" open a lot of doors for how DLCs might be handled based on that alone. Windwaker-era Ganondorf "Echo fighter"? Raichu Echo fighter?

Lots of possibilities just there that would still very much fit with Smash Bros' nature as a literal crossover game-history-museum-as-a-fighting-game nature(even the concept of the old Trophies is basically the equivalent of a Nintendo Gaming digital museum). "And now, for our next surprise exhibit.... Windwaker-era exhibit complete with Windwaker Zelda and Windwaker Ganondorf echo fighters as the central pieces of the exhibit!"

Oh boy, I’m so tired of reading, seeing and hearing about Smash. Nintendo Treehouse are giving me FFS – Fatigue For Smash.

Please Nintendo, show us something new. Just one surprise? A cool indie, something obscure, anything other than Smash. FFS.

I think this SHOULD be Sakurai's last Smash game. He's spent so much of his life working tirelessly on this series. Not only does he need a break, he should make the games that he wants to make (ala Kid Icarus or something original). He's earned it. Many times over, in fact.

@sikthvash Definitely clickbait-y title.

Do like FIFA. Change 2% of the game and increment the number every year.

It might be Sakurai's last Smash game, but Nintendo's not gonna just let their biggest cash cow die.

Sakurai don’t do this to me, just pass on the series to someone else please D:

I'd be completely fine with this, as long as they keep adding to the game in terms of DLC etc, and making sure to port game to any future consoles.

You know, I would honestly love to see Ultimate become the platform for all future Smash games. They add a new character or stage here and there, and when Nintendo has a new console, they port Ultimate with a big update.

@Rhaoulos Heh. With the success of their DLC experiment in the WiiU era, they don't even need to make new titles.

Just keep adding more content, even playing it to the theme of a museum exhibit if they want since that's what Smash Bros basically is in a way: Nintendo's gaming history as a museum turned fighting game(even the trophies menus are kind of like a digital museum exhibit tour). Even the formalization of clones as "Echoes fighter" now make them perfect for such additions that could stretches over for years of DLC to come.

"And now an entirely new exhibit: Legend of Zelda, the Windwaker era. See the new stages, all the new trophies and as the central part of our exhibit: Windwaker-era Zelda and Ganondorf echo fighters!"

@rjejr Super Smash Bros Omega

@Beedrill4Smash Basically. With DLC, you could even see stuff taking the Skyrim route of Collectors' Editions: "Here's the base game and all our DLCs to date for those people who haven't YET purchased the game, in case you were still on the fence!" and thus justify entirely new retail copies of the game without losing multiplayer support for existing owners.

This could become big, if handled well... and very much a phenomenon entirely of it's own. Like, just imagine the potential of finally formalizing clones into "Echo fighters": Windwaker-era Ganon anyone? Windwaker Zelda? These don't need to be justified as "new" characters, but very much "echoes" of different eras of that character.
You could do it with Samus and a ton of others too("Power Suit Samus" instead of the standard Varia Suit, for example) these would make them easier to skip for the non-interested... yet still really appealing for the collector who "gotta collect them all".

They could also make a spirtual sequel. Every installment of Smash will always be compared to Melee. Starting from a clean slate gives the designers way more freedom to play with.

I think he should be allowed to move on. Ultimate means ultimate, right?

They're gonna milk that cow until it's dry.

@Shiryu Super Smash Bros Omega

Well admittedly that's a better name, but mine's a better joke.

Nintendo won't let this franchise die but I can see this being the "final" Smash Bros game for quite a while, and likely the last that Sakurai will be involved in. I don't think Nintendo will make another Smash Bros for the Switch, given that they've admitted Ultimate is indeed a new game and not a port of the Wii U version. So that means the next Smash wouldn't be happening until Nintendo launches a new console, and the Switch has many many years left in it (given it's only 1 year old right now). Nintendo hasn't released two Smash Bros game per platform and Nintendo has also said they intend on extending Switch with accessories rather than a hardware refresh. So all in all, it's less a final Smash Bros game and more like the series is going on hiatus until a totally new console emerges and by then, Sakurai will have a choice to make of either returning like he always does or actually following through on his intentions to retire from the series.

Lol, he's been saying this for years. I do feel after this one, he legitimately could call it his swan song, but it's hard to take him seriously when he says it after every Smash Bros game. Oh and just because he leaves, it won't be the end of the franchise, someone else will take over.

They’ll make more. Stopping such a successful series would be beyond stupid. Sakurai just might not be heading the project is all.

Will someone buy Sakurai a MyPillow so he can finally get a good night's rest!??

Each Smash game sells over 8 million copies; Nintendo will make sequels, with or without Sakurai.

Hope we get a story mode then.

I agree that it should be, at least for a long time. And honestly, with the sheer amount of content included in this game, I don’t believe I will need another one for years to come. After all, I would just like them to keep supporting this one with DLC. It will keep it fresh and new without having to start from scratch again.

I can really see this being Sakurai's last Smash. No wonder he aims to make it the ultimate version.

It's very admirable that Sakurai has always aspired to make each installment as good as possible. Indeed, each game in the series is arguably timeless. Of course going back to the N64 version feels like the biggest downgrade, but objectively even it is still highly playable.

It's just sad that he always has to do it at the cost of his own health. I'm sure the pressure for perfection doesn't come from Nintendo, and it's mostly Sakurai's own perfectionism, but I wouldn't mind a longer development time if I knew Sakurai was happier. ;--p

As long as they nail the mechanics and balance of the game there doesn't really need to be another, graphically it can't really go much further.

He seemed to mean that they may never get all the characters together again, at least that's how I took it during the stream

I’d be fine with this being the last one as long as it is ported to every Nintendo console from here on out.

It also won’t be ultimate until King K. Rool and Dixie Kong join the fight. Sakurai heard the community’s cries for Ridley so I hope he heard King K. Rool’s fans too.

This is the compilation of all Smash Bros games that Sakuri has worked on. That's why it is ultimate.
DLC don't the line is a given, and I assume that Sakuri's team know what to do with Smash. Adding characters, whether they are new or Echo, would be revealed every few months, like Overwatch. New stages, modes, etc..... Nintendo is listening and really making their games show that they care again. So updates on the game, ala Direct announcements or even have a dedicated reporter on a YouTube account, like overwatch and bring players in every few months.

Nope, not a chance it's the last. It may be his last. It may even be the last for a very long time, but at the end of the day, Nintendo is a business and Smash is a huge IP for Nintendo. After some time, the demand will undoubtedly lead to a new release/enhanced ports/remasters of sorts.

Like others have said, I doubt it will be the last, but for Sakurai's sake, I hope it's the last one Nintendo asks of him. I hope they are planning a team to replace him for future iterations. Until then I will enjoy Ultimate!

When Nintendo releases a new flagship system after the Switch, I hope they at least port Smash 5 to it if it will be the last game in the series.

The last smash? No. The last smash for Sakurai, I can see that. I forsee this version just being ported and have new characters added potentially though. The heavy lifting has been done, and if the pros are okay with how it plays, I think it would be wasting dev time to start from scratch again. But I'd like to see Sakurai make something new and be on a team making a creative new IP potentially, but get this man something else to do.

Don't worry, Namco will carry on the Smash torch when Sakurai is done

"The Smash series may continue in the future..."

That part alone literally makes this entire article null and void. Super clickbait. He just means he probably won't have EVERY character in the game in future iterations, if HE is still at the helm of development.

He’s said that about Brawl and 4 too.

Grain of salt.

If it were up to me, we'd be on Kid Icarus Uprising 3 and someone else would be doing Smash. So, let him move on, I say! Though this iteration of Smash looks good, and looks to be good for Switch overall, and I wouldn't want to undo that.

The other day I was pondering how they can’t ever “live up” to this one... any sequel likely have to cut content to add new stuff because of the sheer volume of the game (unless they literally start with this as a base and just add stuff)... but I mean that’s okay, I still don’t want future systems to have NO Smash. :-/

This is the ultimate clickbait.

Super Smash Bros. will still continue, just without Sakurai but I hope whoever would handle Smash Bros. in the future knows how to evolve the series.

I still think there will be future Smash iterations with or without Sakurai. For now, I think the poor guy deserves a long vacation....Or even retirement.

I would wager the next system's Smash will be port of Ultimate. Though assuming this is the "last" would be outright foolish. New characters, new sequels, new universes and IPs are constantly being made. And with that new fans grow on them, and one day many would want those new things to pummel Pikachu into the dirt with.

And that is free money.

Well, Final Fantasy was supposed to be the first and the last, but we never seem to hit that "final" fantasy do we XD

Nintendo would just kidnap him, chain him up and make him get to it.

He doesnt even say that "maybe the last" Taken out of context.

Useless article as Sukurai is not the proprietary of any part of this game. He’s only contracted to Nintendo. C’mon, you know how corporate properties work, no one developing the game is going to be able to comment on it’s protraction

@Shiryu How would you guys feel for a Smash is the form of the Kid Icarus battle sections from the 3DS? A 3D game rather than a 2.5D game? What about a pure 2D game?

@AlternateButtons I don't know why he always thinks he's the ONLY one that's humanly capable of making these games.

Is he currently the most talented person handling these projects? Absolutely. But Nintendo can always train a new set of VERY talented developers to carry on his work.

I don't know why he always wants to sound so dramatic about the franchise. I admire his work, but the torch doesn't need to die with him, so he should stop acting like it.

Now......if the series is growing old and stale, then that's another matter entirely. In that case, end it with grace on a high note.

Of course it’s not the last.

Sakurai is just like Kojima, each game is apparently his "last". Reminder that Brawl was supposed to be the last Smash. So I'll believe it when I see it.

Hard to say. On the one hand, he always gives this speech when a new Super Smash Bros game comes out. And Smash is one of their main E-ticket franchises, though certainly not the biggest. It’s doubtful they’re going to just stuff it in the Disney vault once the new system rolls around.

With that being said the name, design, concept (“everyone is back and we finally gave you Ridley!”), and even the music make it seem an awful lot like a swan song. And the Switch will be the last console generation for a long time (maybe even forever). Particularly if Nintendo Switch Online is successful, it may make sense to just keep indefinitely supporting the game through paid DLC (with “all-in-one” editions coming out every few years).

After Sakurai dies, Smash will truly be a free for all. Unless they find a suitable successor.

Honestly, Smash Bros. and Splatoon both would benefit from the regular update treatment. I do hope Sakurai can find a way to move on to other things and be happy doing that. Anything he touches is magic.

"Can I stop making these please? I'd like to leave this dungeon now".
-Sakurai probably

This will be the last until we get a new console, so I can see what he means. It will be a very long time until we get a new one after this.

Figured that by the kitchen sink approach. Iwata-denka kept smash going and I am not sure if Nintendo will hand the series off if Sakurai-san steps down. That being said i hope the go crazy with assist trophies.

I really would have liked a subspace emissiary mode. Perhaps a DLC expansion ala Spaltoon 2 and then it really will be ultimate.

Unless Nintendo starts hating money I don't see why they would stop having Smash games made.

And regardless of Sakurai saying "this is his last Smash game" after every single Smash game, he's returned to direct it every single time.

Given, I would not be against another person directing the Smash series to bring some fresh ideas and direction to the game. So if Sakurai actually refuses to direct another Smash game I would be totally fine with that.

I don't think he's going to, for multiple reasons, including how Sakurai, despite technically being an independent developer, has been contracted out to Nintendo full time since leaving HAL anyway and nobody else has ever hired him, so unless he finds employment elsewhere I don't think he'll turn down the job Nintendo gives him even if he doesn't want it (which I think he does anyway because he likes having control over the games he's created).

I'm sure he works hard, but it's not like he does a lot of games. Including this game, he's done 4 games in the last 10 years (the only one that wasn't Smash Bros. was the 3DS game Kid Icarus: Uprising).

And he says this with every Smash game. And he always comes back, because he knows we want more Smash games

Also, not sure how you thought he was saying this could be the final game. He clearly said the series could continue, just that it might not be as big as this (meaning having every character in the history of the series).

Nintendo will never stop making new entries in smash. Think Sakurai will step down from an active role in the games instead

I mean we live in an age where new content can always be added via updates and DLC, and I don't mean just balance, fighters, and stages (though of course that stuff is included), but even new modes and stuff like that could be added in the future. If done right, this iteration of Smash could truly be the Ultimate and final version (at least for a long foreseeable future), allow future Nintendo systems (I have to imagine they'll be further evolutions of the Switch idea as it is) compatible with your Switch library be it physical or digital, and yeah, I can see this being the definitive version that can just grow and live indefinitely like Minecraft or Rocket League.

He's said that every time, haha.

I think this time, he's right. Where do you go in terms of content (especially this roster) from here? The only logical thing to do is to reboot the entire series and start from scratch for the next Smash Bros.

@Shiryu I wouldn't give the subtitle much importance. After all, the game's just called ''Special'' in Japan.

I think what they'll do from now on is just continually update Ultimate and port it to each new system. Make Smash an evolving platform.

He needs a break, smash ultimate looks amazing but there should be a new one on nintys next console, a little bit different and new stuff we never seen

If this is going to be the last Smash Bros., then I at least hope they'll put more tunics in for Link available as DLC.

I hope this isn't the last one. I'd like to see Smash on any new console that comes about. That said, I understand Sakurai is in a love-hate relationship with his baby so I fully expect this will be his last hurrah. I'll be fine if they just port Smash Ultimate to future consoles or something. That'd be good enough for me, really.

What kind of clickbait headline is this?

Obviously "may continue" is not meant to cast doubt on whether it will, only to foreshadow the immediately following statement.

If they ever do make another one I think its only fair to let Sakurai rest and find someone new to take the helm

"He's also regularly mentioned the negative effects that the creation of these games have on his personal life and health"

Then he should talk to Nintendo about their OH&S policy. I'm sure he has enough clout with them to demand better working conditions (IF the conditions really are inappropriate, that is, and he's not just being a typical Japanese salaryman and working 12 hours a day because he's afraid to stand up for himself)

@Jayvir "Too many characters play identical and are very unbalanced."

I agree with you on the clone characters point, but unbalanced? Smash in my opinion is the most balanced fighting game series ever. The fact that's it's so balanced with so many different characters and variables is even more impressive. I think the reason Sakurai works himself half to death is because he spends so long playing and balancing every character, once even damaging the nerves in his hand!

Could say this is Sakurai's last Smash. The series will live on under the helm of a new head who possibly will lead it in a way Sakurai envisioned it, but Smash won't die, especially since it has such an active fanbase and it takes in the profits.

I'd be horrified if Smash had the F-Zero case of not being released ever again but then there's a huge difference between the two mainly the gigantic amount of fans for Smash.

@ryancraddock

The whole quotation would mention that this IS probably the last Smash... WITH ALL THESE CHARACTERS. Why is such an important part of his comment omitted in this article? You focus on something that was not the main point of his comment. It would be okay to pinpoint that (that "the series may continue", can of course also mean it may not, although the former is more probable, looking at what was said), if you at least mentioned the "last with all characters" aspect.

However, that is totally omitted, making this article s̶e̶e̶m̶ ̶a̶ ̶b̶i̶t̶ ̶u̶n̶t̶r̶u̶t̶h̶f̶u̶l̶.̶ ... miss an important point, which in my view is also worth the news. After all, it is good to realize that even if the series does continue, it is not realistic to hope for such a big roster with all the previous characters as well as a plethora of new ones in the future installments. Rather, the series will probably focus on having less characters overall to have more new ones / modes, etc. after Ultimate - at least this is how I understand his statement, elaborating a bit.

Otherwise I have of course no problem with the analysis of whether Sakurai himself (and even the series) continues or not, as that is a good point, but I think it would be good to give the whole picture in the article

I believe we are reading a lot in little text. As he is quite aware, it is nintendo's decision to make or not a new smash.
I believe that what he actually means is that the game looks too big. People might complain about this or that character being broken, but Sakurai always stated how seriously they take the balancing even if they don't always get it right.
I only believe he doesn't believe he could handle another smash with so many characters, and well, we don't know how big are the other contents, if we have new cool modes like subspace emissary or Smash Run.

But, the biggest problem might lie in that a lot of the characters were from older games, so while it might be not as hard to update characters from more recent games, they might not be able to bring as many "new" on next iterations.

As many have already said, I would be ok with this game being ported over with a couple of extras from console to console.

There is no doubt this will be the last Smash Bros. game for a long, long time. With as much content as they seem to be packing into this, I think we'll be good for the next decade haha.

As if they would let their PR cash cow die that easily.
But as many said, i think this will be it for a couple of years.

Ideas have run dry, there need to be more, fresh IPs and a serious development break for the team.

This is Sakurai's final destination. (How did you guys let a FD tag line slip? Wow)

There were a bunch of comments on Reddit that brought some tears to my eyes regarding this subject. I'll share it here. I would are recommend the sub comments as well. ( Sorry if I'm breaking any rules)

https://reddit.com/r/NintendoSwitch/comments/8qyr2q/is_it_just_me_or_the_new_smash_feels_like/e0ni0en?context=3

When Iwata passed, Sakurai actually tweeted that he will continue moving forward and used the passing as motivation on his projects (presumably Smash Ultimate). Now, with the reveal of Smash Ultimate, Sakurai recently tweeted out “We were finally able to announce Smash Bros. Can I cry a little only for today now?” Could be referring to tears of joy about the game’s reveal, but also could be a nod to Iwata’s passing.

if true, he better include free updates / dlc wich comes with fan favorite, most wanted fighters, like Rayman, K. Rool, Shovel Knight, Shantae & the man who realy deserves it, Waluigi

@rjejr Nintendo would just get someone else to work on future smash bros games because it sells a lot and they want money.

@The_Pixel_King Don't worry in an article that I found they said that they had announced and unannounced games slated for 2018 to not be shown at E3 and have their own Nintendo directs

That's not even a remotely truthful headline. Maybe y'all could cover some of the dozens of other games at the show instead of making mundane clickbait articles?

It will be his swan song for the series. I'm sure he's sick of it but Nintendo said lets end this once and for all, help us with final ultimate version for this new console and you can move on to what more interests you.

As far as a new one completely we will probably not see another one in 7 years at least after this one.

Even if Sakurai quits the series itself will never end.

It might be Sakurai's last, and if it is, well I can't say anyone should blame him. The man works himself to near death every time!

But even if it is his last, I doubt the series would end. Even if Sakurai didn't name a successor, I am sure Nintendo would appoint someone. Who knows if anyone could ever match Sakurai, but hey, the show must go on, right?

Not to speak ill of the creator but even without Sakurai I expect the series will continue whether he likes it or not. Smash is a pretty huge system seller. I'd certainly rather Sakurai be on board for any iteration that comes along but if he were to pass on the next one I'd still probably check it out.

I think he may be serious this time. If Nintendo releases another console (which is likely) they may just pull a page out of Skyrim's handbook and keep porting Ultimate. I don't know, though, I obviously don't work there but definitely a possibility if they're calling it "Smash Bros. Ultimate."

If it does continue (which let's be honest here, it will) I bet they might just add on to this existing base creating something more akin to updated versions. Like enhanced visuals and increase framerates or something like that. Almost lIke how Skyrim keeps getting ported to everything imaginable.

I hope the guy doesn’t kill himself doing this series. I’d like to see him be allowed to work on something else for a change.

He deserves a long, peaceful rest.

@RyanCraddock @TheBigK @Shiryu - Wow.. talk about out of context Ryan - In that interview, he was specifically referring to not being able to pull off ‘all the characters being there’ again. Not the ‘game’ not being continued.

He did no such thing. In the full context of what he was talking about in that moment, what he said was that he did not know if they'd ever be able to have all the past Smash characters in one game again.

ClickbaitLife indeed. Ryan perhaps being the worst offender on this site.

I had a feeling. This looks set to be the best game in the series, mostly for how it seems to be built on player feedback. No cuts, returning veterans that were cut, a massive stage line-up, faster gameplay for the competitive types, and Ridley. Sakurai always wanted the last SSB to be the best in the series, and I think this will let him end the series with a bang!

Inspiration drawn from ... anomaly then a character'S cast which is reinvented through active planes
And fields of play.

There is no way Nintendo will stop making Smash Bros games on future. They are not going to let go of the biggest fighting game franchise in the industry because they "might run out of ideas."

With that being said, Smash Bros Ultimate might be Sakurai's last Smash Bros game. That would be sad, but based on this comment, it sounds more likely than not.

Having 65+ characters available at launch already puts all other fighting games to shame. I'd like to see future Smash Bros games (and even this current one) focus on new game modes rather than new characters.

He just needs to relax with a different game, then he'll be itching to come back.

The great thing about it coming out during Switch's 2nd year is that we probably won't see another one on a new system for 5-7 years.

Well, apart from him already being tired of it anyway,
reading those guys that talk down the work the put in by calling it just a port will probably make up his mind for real.

If I were the dev, I would very annoyed by that at least.

I'd be down for that. Because really - with this much content, you'd inevitably have to cut down on it.

Now what I could see happening is this version receiving content updates every now and again for ... basically the rest of eternity. Just port it whenever a new console arrives with all the contents added thus far. I can't see graphics getting any better as they already are so that shouldn't be an issue.

If this indeed were to be the last in the series; I really wouldn’t mind. The games we’ve been given have been marvelous and I am glad to have experienced them over the years.

Let’s hope Sakurai will have more unique opportunities and projects lined up in the future.

Sakurai is almost 50 years old, this game is killing him. Look how frail and old he looks...

Smash will definitely continue even without him.The next one could have Rex instead of Shulk,Rayman,Shantae,Krystal,a character from the new Fire Emblem for Switch.Jeanne,Ken and Shadow as echo fighters or costumes with a different model and voice.A new playable Pokèmon.A Wario Land or Ware character.

Regarding cut content,I want it to be cut.I don't like at all that Ultimate went into the quantity over quality direction.Smash 4 had already too many characters for me.

@Ludovsky love that museum idea. I'd bite, for sure.

@Randomname19 Can people stop mentioning Shantae? She will not and should not be in Smash.

@Randomname19 They're not going to cut characters.

Easily this is "it" for the SSB on Switch. Imagine it'll get an SSB Ultimate 4K, on the next console with minor tweaks and so on forever. Expect a spinoff using the branding and similar mechanics for an adventure style game, before seeing a new proper Smash. Doubt there will be DLC, but my ONLY selfish wish is that Simon Belmont is the last final character.

@Nincompoop Usually by 50, he'd be acting as a producer on a game like this and not a director. Koizumi (50) is a producer on Odyssey; Aonuma was 48 and a producer by the time Skyward Sword came out.

@Dog Her inclusion would make way more sense that Cloud and Snake.All her games but one are Nintendo exclusives.

@Dang69 I would totally buy that spin-off instead of Ultimate,loved the subspace emissary.

@Randomname19 I feel in my bones, that due to the dramatic nature of the two character trailers we got, they're going to announce that in the eventual pre-release Smash Direct.

That's what they always say. Don't fall for it guys!

With a name like "Ultimate," he's really throwing the gauntlet down. Either this title has to be the very last one, or the only way forward for the franchise is to see a "Super Smash Bros. Mega-Evolved" 4-6 years down the line.

There make another one for sure, he may just not be working on it.

That's fine. SSB is a supremely overrated series anyway; it'll be nice to not hear people drooling over how it's the best thing in the world.

Yeah，I heard that before.
I'm thinking，if that's the case，Nintendo should make more new IPs.
I love Smash Bros. more than any other 2D fighting game. The series mustn't die without our “approval”.

@Shiryu marvel vs capcom says; WHAT?

@tc-senzei

@PhilKenSebben Careful, Net Neutrality's rules are dead. But the House can turn it around, if influenced enough.

He just wanted to make more Kirby. Is it so much to ask? I know I never bought Star Allies, or a Switch, but when I DO get a Switch, I can play SSB Ultimate on the Switch. Now I wish I hadn't traded in my DVD of "Fright to the Finish." Maybe Discotek Media could work with Nintendo to release Kirby: Right Back At Ya on DVD and SD Blu-Ray.

@Morgan19 How selfish you are...

I love how he always makes sure to say that this might be the last one he's ever working on. It allows him to avoid pressure to leave things out for sequels and push to get everything into the game he is working on.

Since Melee, Smash has always been remarkably ambitious about what it includes, all the way up until release. Since the Wii-U, even beyond that.

@Dog Mmmm, no. It's not "selfish", it's my opinion that I'm tired of hearing about it. It's a silly fighting game that people go WAY overboard heaping praise on, and the Internet could use less of it.

@Randomname19 No, it doesn't. Using your logic, Cooking Mama has better grounds for being in Smash than Sonic as her games are exclusive to Nintendo consoles whereas Sonic was once the anti-Nintendo of video gaming. It doesn't work like that.

@Dog Once I saw a fan art of a Cooking Mama stage and really liked it.Cooking Mama herself was a stage hazard.

The game after Ultimate should reinvent the entire series somehow. If Ultimate is all they can do with the current format, then it's time to change the format. Introduce less characters with more complex gameplay and completely new kinds of details in various aspects.
If they just keep on doing the "same" thing by adding characters etc. every time, eventually, both the series and its creator will wear out.

When I saw him in the Direct on Tuesday, I couldn't help but notice how old and tired he looked. He almost reminded me of what Satoru Iwata looked like shortly before his death.

I know he's always treated every Smash game as if it would be the last one, but honestly, I highly doubt the series would ever end. It is simply too popular and profitable for Nintendo to simply abandon.

More likely, Sakurai will step down as director of the series after Ultimate, and let a newer, younger generation of developers take the lead in developing a future game. That's my prediction.

I doubt it's the last but I want it to be