Why the Next Super Smash Bros. Game Needs to Embrace Simplicity on Switch 2

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Ever since the unveiling of the Switch 2, there’s been a lot of speculation amongst the community about when the next Super Smash Bros. game will drop. The overwhelming success of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate brought back favorite characters from previous series, while also introducing some long-requested new ones. If a new Super Smash Bros. Ultimate comes out on the Switch 2, it’s got some seriously high standards to meet!

Instead of continuing to add content to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, it might be more prudent to pause and consider a new direction for the next Switch installation. Given that outdopping the previous entry may be challenging, a shift in focus could be beneficial. Rather than merely expanding the roster of crossover characters, a potential Super Smash Bros. for Switch 2 could prioritize other aspects.

Super Smash Bros. on Switch 2 Should Have A Smaller Roster

Not Everyone Is Here

The game Super Smash Bros. Ultimate positioned itself as the definitive title in the series due to its extensive character lineup. In addition to the fresh faces, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate declared “Everyone is Here!”, meaning all previous characters were accessible in the game’s core roster. When creating a new Switch 2 edition, it would be disrespectful to the work done by its predecessor in bringing together characters from the series’ past. Instead, it might be wise for the next installment to focus only on the essential characters.

Instead of sparking controversy, such a move might actually benefit the game. The expansive lineup of characters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has set a challenging standard for any sequel. Given this, player anticipations might reach even greater heights. By announcing early on that the next game will feature a smaller roster, fans can adjust their expectations before the release, making it less likely they’ll be disappointed.

It’s worth mentioning that having a sequel doesn’t mean that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate ceases to exist. If gamers wish to experience all characters from the series’ past in one location, revisiting Super Smash Bros. Ultimate remains an option. Since Switch 2 has confirmed backwards compatibility, players can enjoy both worlds simultaneously, as they will be able to play both Ultimate and a new installment on the new console. Additionally, it’s feasible for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate to receive an upgrade specifically for the Switch 2, aligning it with the rest of the console’s collection.

The unveiling of every new character in the “Super Smash Bros.” series sparked great anticipation within the gaming community, as fans eagerly awaited which iconic figures would join the battle in this epic crossover fight game. As the roster grows larger, however, the less conventional picks can get overshadowed, reducing their overall impact. Although these character introductions were initially surprising, the vast range of playable characters has led some players to overlook certain “Super Smash Bros.” fighters.

Familiar Characters, Different Playstyles

If a future edition of “Super Smash Bros.” were to minimize the number of playable characters, it’s essential to provide a reason for this shift. Players would anticipate an explanation as to why the new game offers less content compared to its predecessor. The longevity of “Super Smash Bros. Melee” is extended through tournaments, which continue due to unique gameplay mechanics and technical aspects that are absent in other versions. Thus, alterations in gameplay could serve as justification for the reduced roster in the upcoming game.

One possible way to keep the series exciting after Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is by refreshing the characters’ move sets. Many of the classic characters have undergone minimal changes to their moves since the original Super Smash Bros. on Nintendo 64. By revising the Super Smash Bros. lineup, players would look forward to playing as the returning favorites once more.

This approach would allow the characters to better align with their contemporary portrayals. For instance, Mario has employed F.L.U.D.D. in his “Super Smash Bros.” arsenal since “Brawl,” even though F.L.U.D.D. hasn’t featured in a main “Super Mario” game since 2002. It’s crucial that characters reflect their entire history, yet some could benefit from elements introduced in more recent games. Consequently, “Super Mario Bros. Wonder” might impact “Super Smash Bros.” by granting Mario new abilities derived from his latest adventures.

As a devoted gamer, I’d be thrilled if a future installment of Super Smash Bros., let’s say for Switch 2, reintroduces the concept of Custom Moves, a feature that was present in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS, often abbreviated as SSB4. This would enable us players to equip our favorite characters with unique special attacks, offering fresh twists to the movesets we’re already fond of. It could be an exciting way to keep the familiar movesets while giving them a much-needed refresh. Characters from series like Fire Emblem and Mother, whose Super Smash Bros. movesets differ from those in their original games, would particularly benefit from this feature as it could provide them with a more canon move list.

The Next Super Smash Bros. Game Could Reintroduce Older Game Modes

Despite Super Smash Bros. Ultimate being labeled as the ultimate game in the series, it primarily refers to its character roster. Regrettably, there are still some features missing that devoted fans have been anticipating. Specifically, several game modes from previous Super Smash Bros. games were absent in the Switch version. If a future Super Smash Bros. game for Switch 2 concentrates less on new fighters and instead focuses more on reintroducing these missing game modes, it could potentially meet the expectations of fans who have been eagerly waiting for their return.

For longtime series enthusiasts, there’s been a strong desire for a continuation of the Subspace Emissary narrative since the release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Unlike World of Light, which primarily offered a gameplay experience, Subspace Emissary was rich in story content, featuring numerous boss battles and an expansive platforming adventure field. A smaller roster in the next Super Smash Bros. could enhance the narrative by allowing for more detailed character development without feeling overly crowded or excessive.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, one much-loved game mode that was missing was “Break the Targets”. Originally a signature feature in the series, this mode transformed over time from Melee’s renowned Target Test to SSB4’s Target Blast, which combined Break the Targets and Home-Run Contest. For the next installment on Switch 2, it could be refreshingly brought back with customizable Break the Targets stages tailored for each character. These stages would serve as a test of their unique abilities, guiding players through the basics and familiarizing them with potential new move sets.

Which Characters Could Players Expect in the Next Super Smash Bros.?

Since the first release of Super Smash Bros., a total of 12 characters have consistently appeared. It’s reasonable to anticipate that these characters will make a return in the next installment; however, updating their move sets could maintain their appeal for players. Some characters from Super Smash Bros. may require enhancements, and a game that offers a new take on the formula might be the ideal platform for such improvements.

Despite a potential reduction in characters for the upcoming sequel of “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate”, certain third-party characters are expected to remain. Characters like Sonic the Hedgehog and Banjo & Kazooie were initially surprising inclusions due to their seemingly unlikely fit, but they have since become a natural part of the series. The inclusion of these characters was among the most exciting moments in “Super Smash Bros.”, and it’s possible that some players might be disheartened if these characters are absent in the next game.

In addition to the main cast, there are numerous other characters that fans have longed to control in the series who haven’t made an appearance yet. By keeping the number of playable characters restricted, the introduction of these highly-anticipated figures could create a greater impact. The game “Ultimate” attempted to satisfy players by offering some of these as costumes for Mii characters, like Dante and Geno, but incorporating them as standalone fighters would be much more significant. There are many characters that ought to be part of “Super Smash Bros.”, and with a smaller roster, their eventual inclusion would carry much more weight.

The “Super Smash Bros.” franchise is famous for its unconventional character selections, and “Ultimate” didn’t shy away from this trend, featuring characters like Piranha Plant, Steve, and Alex from Minecraft, but also grounding the game with characters like Kazuya and Terry. Characters such as Min Min and Sora excited fans but were not entirely unexpected additions. The next installment of the series might catch players off guard by introducing lesser-known or unexpected characters as newcomers. Since many Western gamers discovered “Fire Emblem” through “Melee,” the inclusion of more obscure picks could pique curiosity in less popular series and offer a wider array of character choices for players.

There’s a strong possibility that the upcoming “Super Smash Bros.” game might get delayed, but when it finally surfaces, it may not be shocking if not every feature from the “Ultimate” edition is included in the sequel. Given the extensive roster of “Ultimate,” expanding on it could prove challenging and potentially undermine the unique appeal of the “Everyone is Here” concept that set the game apart. Instead, a potential Switch 2 version could reimagine existing characters and the series as a whole, signaling the end of the era of “Ultimate” and the beginning of a fresh one.

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2025-05-28 01:36