The latest Famitsu column written by Super Smash Bros. series director Masahiro Sakurai has leaked online, with early tidbits revealing a number of details about the future of the series.
With thanks to translations by @PushDustIn, we can see that the six additional fighters planned to release in the form of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's Fighters Pass 2 are the final characters scheduled to arrive in the game. No other DLC plans are currently in the works.
In further translations, Sakurai notes that he and Nintendo are not currently planning any future entries in the Super Smash Bros. series, so it is unclear how (and if) the franchise will continue beyond the upcoming Fighters Pass. Sakurai 'plans to give his all' with the development of these final six characters, and says that he wants to keep working 'to make other people happy'.
It's hard to imagine a world without Smash, so you'd think the series will continue in one way or another after Ultimate is complete. In the meantime, remember that a celebration of '90s gaming is taking place within the game this weekend.
[source twitter.com]
Comments (93)
I think this game should end the series like a big finish
I would be fine with them just porting this game to any future nintendo consoles. Maybe with 1 or 2 more characters.
Only one more shot left, then... so let's male it count!
Honestly, there is no need for another Smash for a very long time.
Will the toxic part of the fandom be satisfied with a port of ultimate for every new console gen?
Remember, there’s people who believe this is still a port of Smash 4
Sakurai truly made a gem here. Smash Ultimate deserves the title "Ultimate"
I wont expect this many fighters in future smashbros games.
This game will keep me busy for yearss!
I hardly think that this will be the end of Smash, especially with the numbers it put up. In terms of what you do from here? I dunno. Either reboot it with a smaller roster, or keep going with the insane roster. I can’t imagine trying to balance 70 or 80 characters though. Madness.
The next smash bros will probably be 3D like that promo for ultimate
@Aaron09
It’s true. I remember a certain person on here who even changed his icon to Smash 4 cause they just didn’t believe it was a new installment. They’re gone now, thank god. Such a troll, and I’m sure there’s plenty more out there.
If Switch 2 plays Switch 1 games there will be no need to port it. Although they might re-release it with the current DLC included.
Maybe include Subspace Emissary again as that's all that is missing from 'Ultimate'.
To me there's just no need to buy another Smash again.
Maybe if they bring in a new director next game it’ll be a reboot of sorts. This could be the big finale of classic Smash and the new one could be the Street Fighter 4 to Smash. Not like that sounds particularly promising however.
Smash Bros could and should ultimately become s platform at this point. No need to make another one anytime soon
To be fair, what more can they do to the game without upgrading the graphics? Mario Kart is in a similar situation - I imagine the next instalment will be an 'ultimate' experience with past tracks, drivers and more.
Well, not surprised as they're still supporting the current title with DLC, so why would they be rushing ahead with plans for the next installment? This is not like CoD where we get one every year. Perhaps a Smash Ultimate, Ultimate edition with all DLC for the Switch successor with graphical improvements, but otherwise I'd be fine without a proper follow up for a quite a long time.
And here I was hoping for a big finish with an actual adventure mode xD. Something like what Splatoon 2 got with its DLC.
Characters or stages is really not what's lacking.
Oh well, maybe they'll just port & keep improving the game forever again, like a -lot- of the current very successful games do. There was nothing wrong with it being a 4.5 in the first place, GaaS can be a really good thing for Smash.
Sakurai's treated each Smash game as his last for a while now.
We've been hearing that since Melee... Never belive Sakurai, LOL.
Of course there will be more Smash in the future. Especially if Nintendo keeps releasing new consoles. I've even said a soft reboot in terms of roster and accompanying stages and music would be my idea for the next Smash game. Whenever that may be
Considering how much effort they're putting into this particular Smash Brothers and we're now in an age where it's proven that ports will massively sell, this WILL be the last Smash Brothers. Expect this particular Smash Brothers to be ported to future consoles. Nintendo will than finally set Sakurai free.
At this point, I don't really need another Smash game ever. Just keep porting Ultimate forward, and periodically putting out some new stuff (fighters, spirits, items, modes, etc...). Any game that comes after this will either feel like a step backward, or will have to be some kind of "Beyond Ultimate" craziness.
Sakurai and his team deserve a well earned break. Smash Wii U and now Smash Ultimate are amazing games. This current one in particular has a very long life in front of it with more DLC and a prominent place in the Switch's library. I'm not 100% convinced the series is finished but I don't think they need anything for 5 years or so. This game will hold it down well. Could end up a 20 million seller like Kart.
There were no future games planned after the Wii version and again after the Wii U / 3DS version.
So yeah, there will always be Smash on Nintendo hardware. Maybe the next one will be developed by a different team. But there will always be Smash.
@The-Chosen-one honestly I'd expect future games might trade off less character for the return of something like subspace emissary or something of the like again at least.
Unless Subspace Emissary style experience became it's own crossover game. Honestly I could see potential for a "true" RPG/metroidvania building from its concept of different franchises worlds clashing into each other
You'd have to be naive to believe this is the last Smash bros game,they'll make Smash games forever,it makes way too much money. I hope we don't see a new game for a long time though
I see ports of ultimate happening someday, but I’ll be fine with this being the last smash I get for a decade. Mariokart should follow on in the sand tracks as ultimate.
Honestly, I can't think of a better Smash game than Ultimate, only with some improvements here and there (with online and so).
For the next gen, they could just do a Deluxe edition of this, with some fixes here and there, the DLCs included, and a couple new entries.
And therefore, Sakurai could work on any other series for a while!
I'll expect there be another Smash down the road but I think for now Ultimate will ties us over for a quite few years. Please give yourself a break Sakurai.
I can't see them being able to top Ultimate. It's doubtful Its roster and stage variety will ever be outdone. I can see an Ultimate port on the Switch's eventual successor (Smash Ultimate Ultimate if you will) but for any sequals, barring the emergence of new and revolutionary gameplay ideas, the only way is down.
A world without smash bros is a world without fun. If Nintendo breaks a sweat to keep Ultimate alive (shoutout to Hungrybox), then we have the best fighting game ever made! (it already is, but we need some effort regarding online netcode and tournaments)
There is no way Nintendo will let Smash end here, but this will be the end of Smash for the Switch. My takaway is they are going to take a rest since the plan is for the Switch to have a longer console life than normal. They can wait and save starting work on the next Smash for when the next console is close to release. There'd be no rush for a Smash at next console launch since Ultimate is sure to keep the community going well into the future. Sakurai and his team has more than earned a break.
The final six fighters could be amazing.
We know we're (PROBABLY) not getting another Fire Emblem character and we also know we're probably getting a Pokémon from Sword/Shield.
The sky's the limit on the other 5 fighters.
We've had 4 LEGENDARY series represented in the first pass: SMT/Persona, Dragon Quest, Banjo-Kazooie, and Fatal Fury/KoF.
I fully expect Nintendo to choose some similarly exciting reps this time around.
The specific characters I still want to see:
Crash Bandicoot
Doomguy
Geno (unlikely at this point, but maybe an upgraded costume like Sans and Cuphead)
What better ending would there be than to make Sakurai the last character?
@JWF I doubt Sakurai will take a break, it doesn't seem to be in his nature.
He'll probably vacation for a month, then go straight into developing a Kid Icarus: Uprising sequel or something similarly awesome. Lmao
@danemord At the very least, he should be a full-body Mii costume like Sans and Cuphead.
Just keep adding DLC and periodically make an all-in-one version. No need to reinvent the wheel. Also no need to make another console ever, the Switch serves its purpose well and they’ve finally gotten it right. Dead serious.
I've been working on finishing Cuphead that I forgot about the second Fighters Pass. Maybe I'll get it when my tax refund shows up.
Well I still DO expect a Switch re-release for a DX version.
Ultimate with all DLC.
After this generation, a different take from someone else, with a total reboot or maybe themed "Smash" game;
Poke'mon Smash, for example?
Hmmm...
Its the best selling fighting game, too valuable for nintendo to let it go. I dont mind if they port it again and make a ultimate plus verison with a story make like subspace, missing modes (trophy collection) and 8-13 new characters and more dlc passes
I hope we get another Fire Emblem character, just to make Dante whiners angrier. The tantrum they threw at Byleth was funny, albeit obnoxious.
All seriousness though, I'm kinda sad knowing that Crono probably won't make it thanks to Hero (yuck). But at least Sakurai can maybe take a vacation after it's all done.
Honestly, I don’t think this will be the end of Smash after the next wave of DLC. I think that will be it for Ultimate though, and a new Smash doesn’t need to fly off the shelves anytime soon after this.
Groose CONFIRMED!
Coming in 2028: Smash Infinite on the entirely cloud-based NX2. Base game with just 12 fighters (the original core 8, plus Marth, Olimar, Inkling and Isabelle), with another 3,287 fighters available as micro-transactions.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/12/masahiro_sakurai_admits_that_super_smash_bros_for_wii_u_may_be_his_last_in_the_series
Said similar 6 years ago. And since then he's admitted that they were thinking about Smash 5 whilst working on the Wii U DLC. So I don't expect this is the end of Smash.
Yeah don't see where they could go from here. And I don't think they could keep porting it, wouldn't that be a nightmare with all the licensing work?
@Emperor-Palpsy I would absolutely love that. Some older tracks really benefit from the visual enhancements given to them, i.e. Yoshi's Valley and Moo Moo Meadows in MK 8, and other retro tracks have yet to return.
I am for a port to the next Nintendo console. Just make a few of the existing Mii costumes legit characters and that's it. Cup head, Geno, MegaMan X. I'll be set.
All we could wish for is that they bring back the sub space emissary
@tc-senzei Or a full Subspace Emissary spin-off game.
When I read the title, I was like a lot here.
We've heard from Nintendo this being the Final Smash (in Sonic voice: "pun entirely intended") ever since, at least, Brawl (Wii, 2008). Nintendo is not going to stop making Smash, just like they won't stop making Mario, & Zelda games. They're a business, & making money is the point.
They're just done with Smasb Ultimate. They could also be very well done with the (2nd FP) dlc, in that, I mean the characters are probably already finished, & Nintendo is just waiting to release them. This waiting by Nintendo only serves the idea to the public, that they are still working on the title, even though they are not.
I highly doubt that they are going to take a long break, without doing anything. I'm sure it's already been, & still is seriously being talked about, where the series goes from here. What the next step is. Remember, as soon as you purchase a pc, it's already being outdated by something that a co. is working on behind the scenes. Likewise, Nintendo is already working on the next step, after the Switch, whether it's upgrades, and/or a whole new system. That includes the future of their ips, and franchises.
The next Smash will probably be a port of this, and/or minus the 3rd party characters, and assets. Alternatively, the next Smash might change the formula up in some way. I think eventually Smash might even find its way into the mobile realm; Nintendo is probably aware of the potential for customers/fans purchasing favorite characters, and things like that. To a certain degree, Nintendo is already like Disney, in that, they have a large cache of characters.
No future plans?
Did someone let Sakurai leave his cell?
As a huge fan of Smash Bros., I would be ok with this being the final entry in the series. Sakurai works way to hard on each entry and has to deal with so much toxicity despite giving so much. It will suck to not have any more Smash Bros. games, but it would suck more if Sakurai had to keep this up for the rest of his career (constant work).
I mean they say this all the time, didn't they say there were no DLC plans after pack 1?
Anyway, it will be hard to top, that's for sure. They can keep porting it with updated visuals each system. Or maybe they could do some IP-centric spin-offs? Pokémon Smash, Mario Smash, Fire Emblem Smash? Could be fun!
Yeah originally the game was already supposed to be done with by now so they already extended its support with fighter pass 2 anyway. I'm fine with this.
Maybe they’ll do an arcade release like Mario kart and. Luigis mansion have
How do you top Smash Ultimate, really?
Someone already said it, but I do think they should remaster this game for future generation consoles with maybe a few more modes/graphical updates. I would be fine with that honestly.
Theres still a myriad of things they could do to this series to keep it going, just let Sakurai get a break, maybe 6 years at least.
@Dr_Corndog You add more stuff basically. Subspace emissary, trophies, break the targets, chronicle...
If this one is called Super Smash Bros. Ultimate then the next one (whenever that is coming) should be called Super Smash Bros. Rebirth. A fresh restart to the series maybe handle by someone else.
Anyone with half a brain can tell you that Smash will continue on in some form in the future, with or without Sakurai. Nintendo isn’t going to abandon a series that sells this well. And of course there are “no plans for future Smash games” at the moment. They’re still working on the current game. “No plans currently” does not equal “no plans ever”.
How about like this? Let Sakurai retire, take a permanent vacation, and hire another director to replace him, and make Fighter Pass 3, 4 and 5.
We love you Sakurai! Please make me another Kirby game.
Spoiler alert:
@jarvismp You're kidding, right? Plenty of games still in development (Zelda, Metroid). There'll be more games. Chill.
Someone else will take over making Smash Bros games in the future. It's far too big a series for Nintendo to just forget about
Before Ultimate was announced, I was speculating that the Switch Smash game would be a combo of the Wii U and 3DS games (all of the stages and modes in one game) with a few new characters and the return of the Ice Climbers. Instead we got something more ambitious than that. If the next Smash game is just a port of Ultimate with some bonus content, I'll probably be OK with that.
Remember how Smash 4 was to be the final game in the series, but then he worked silently on this game. This seemed to be a rumour or something, but Smash Ultimate came as a surprise to many, so who knows.
Pretty sure another company will take control of future games in series.
Smash Bros Ultimate didnt start development until December 2015, right as the final DLC content for Smash Bros Wii U/3DS was being completed. When a next-gen Smash Bros game is greenlit, it won't begin development until December 2021 (when Fighter Pass 2 will be completed) at the earliest as a Switch 2 game.
So of course no future Smash game is being planned at the moment. Wait 2 years or so and that may change.
This was said with fighters pass 1 so there could be a third fighters pass but they really need to make the last fighter something better then fighters pass 1 cause it was really divisive.
Hmm I wonder what are the next fighters..
To be honest, I doubt it will ever be the last Smash game. It's too much of a moneymaker for Nintendo to simply abandon. I guarantee there will be a new entry when Nintendo's next console (whatever that may be) comes along.
Even if Sakurai himself doesn't work on a future entry, Nintendo will simply find someone else to take the reins. After all, Shigeru Miyamoto is preparing his dev teams to continue working on Mario and Zelda games after he retires, so I see no reason why Sakurai wouldn't do the same.
A franchise should not be abandoned simply because the creator is no longer involved with the project. If it did, we would not have had Star Wars, Star Trek, or Doctor Who (for my British friends across the pond) continue to this very day.
@CoastersPaul I remember when Sakurai said Brawl was the last Smash or at least the last one he would work on. I believed him at the time. Now I’m not buying a word of it lol
Well of course they're not planning any new entries, they want the Switch to last as long as possible and since Smash is a 1 entry per console game, its going to be a long time before the Switch's successor arrives and longer for the next Smash. Before you say mobile, Smash would not work as a mobile game in any way.
Besides, we all know what must come after Fighter's Pass 2 is done.......Sakurai's overdue vacation.
@ShadowSniper7 I remember when Nintendo announced Smash 4 was coming and stated that Sakurai was working on it and Sakurai's response was "Wait am I?!?". XD
@Angelic_Lapras_King He needs to announce Mai in before a vacation.😘
Sakurai ain't leaving smash. He makes so much money making it.
Maybe it's too soon to be taking things as gospel, since this is just leaked translations and the Famitsu article isn't actually available yet, but from what PushDustin said, the exact wording is that there are "no plans" for DLC beyond the second Fighters Pass at the moment, and likewise, they aren't planning a new Super Smash Bros. game after Ultimate at this time. To me, that means things could just as easily change at some point down the line; after all, December 2021 is a long ways off, I can see a lot of things being decided between then and now.
That said, I wasn't really expecting there to be more DLC after this, and if this really is it, then I'm fine with this. I just sincerely hope Nintendo actually learns from the previous Smash Hype cycles and actually end out this Fighters Pass on a character worthy of being hyped about and not just another character from a popular franchise that certain people want but most people would rather get someone else (Smash 4-Corrin/Bayonetta, Ultimate base roster-Ken/Incineroar/Piranha Plant, Fighters Pass 1-Byleth). I... honestly have little faith that will be the case, and the fact that the DLC will be once again decided by Nintendo has me more concerned than anything. I doubt we'll get more than 1 highly requested/demanded character out of this pass, just like the last one.
Still, fingers crossed, maybe we'll finally get Geno... or even Waluigi?
Thank you, Sakurai for everything you do for us and the projects you’ve made over the years.
im fine with this being the last smash game for a very, very long while. if anything just make a deluxe version and just re-release the game some point in the future
So now they can focus on a new F-Zero with Adventure/RPG-elements and Online
@sikthvash Kinda surprised people forgot how Nintendo works with this sort of thing, there won't be another Smash game intill the next Nintendo Console, it's nothing new, Nintendo normally only makes one Smash Game per console
as for the next gen Smash game, I think it would have all the content Ultimate had, plus more, unless there's licensing issue like last time, even then that was only Konami with Snake.
People need to be patient and enjoy whats on offer atm
Smash Bros. will not be complete until Kamek is included.
@Emperor-Palpsy have a 3d arena like Pokemon....
Hoping for Sakurai to direct something completely different again. :3
@LetsGoSwitch In 20 years we will be playing "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Turbo Ultra Definitive Challenger Edition Plus". And I'd be cool with a 16K/240fps version of the same game... or just 4K/60fps as long as in includes Chrono from Chrono trigger, and Link and Zelda from Skyward Sword (at least as a skin)
There will probably be one with the next console, but Brawl still had the best single-player content.
Looking grim for Chibi-Robo, Elma, Saki, Waluigi, Isaac and Geno, so I'm already looking forward to an Ultimate - Deluxe Edition next gen that adds even more fighters and stages, and Hit The Targets and Board the Platforms. And Pokéfloats. I still feel they could add so much more to Ultimate even though I'm totally happy with it being filled to the brim.
I wouldn't write anything off. We did not expect the second wave of DLC so it is not impossible that they could do a 3rd. They could easily just want to keep it quiet for now so that the team could perhaps take a day off? For the first time in probably the last 3 years!
@Angelic_Lapras_King haha that was pretty hilarious
@MysteryCupofJoe Who do you think's going to serve him drinks on the beach during his holiday?
@Angelic_Lapras_King Sigh,.......you're right. Guess no Mai for us.🤧
It sounds like the developers need a break from working on the game. That's understandable. I wouldn't make any bets either way on whether or not there will be any future DLC or other updates.
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