Tomodachi Life’s Return Could Revolutionize Smash Bros’ Mii Representation

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The much-anticipated return of Tomodachi Life is happening on the Nintendo Switch! After more than a decade since the launch of the latest game on the Nintendo 3DS (Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream), this beloved life simulation series is coming back to consoles in 2026. This upcoming game will be one of the last significant titles for the Nintendo Switch, while also being playable on the future Nintendo Switch 2 as a backward-compatible title.

Whenever a fresh installment of a Nintendo franchise is unveiled, there’s usually a spin-off game that enthusiasts imagine from the publisher, and that’s the beloved Super Smash Bros. series. As Nintendo’s grand crossover franchise, it’s always intriguing to ponder about what new characters or settings might be included in the next Smash Bros. game from other popular franchises. The possible reappearance of Tomodachi Life could significantly impact a key aspect of the current Super Smash Bros. series.

Tomodachi Life Bodes Wii For Smash Bros.’s Mii Representation

Miis Have Been De-Emphasized On The Nintendo Switch

The comeback of Tomodachi Life implies that Nintendo might persist in featuring Mii characters as playable figures within the Super Smash Bros. series. Initially appearing on the Nintendo Wii as personalizable avatars, players could create Miis resembling themselves or others. Subsequently, the Mii creation tools were also included in later systems like the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, enabling Mii characters to appear in various Nintendo games.

As a devoted fan, I’ve noticed that with the arrival of the Nintendo Switch, there seems to be a subtle shift in the focus on Miis. Unlike the previous systems where we had a dedicated Mii creation app, it feels like the Mii creation tools are tucked away more in the system settings. This could potentially imply that Nintendo might be subtly phasing out Mii characters, which also aligns with their apparent intention to distance themselves from the Wii brand with this new system.

Tomodachi Life Shows Miis Are Still Near And Dear To Nintendo

Despite the passage of time, I can’t help but feel a special bond with Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream. Just as before, this latest installment invites us to oversee an island populated by our very own Mii characters. It’s heartening to see Nintendo continue to nurture these digital companions, incorporating them into a game nearly three console generations after the Wii. The Mii characters from Super Smash Bros. could potentially make a comeback in the next game, given their ongoing presence in Nintendo’s creative realm.

If series creator Masahiro Sakurai decides to carry on incorporating Mii characters in Super Smash Bros., he might consider expanding their roster by introducing a fourth Mii Fighter category. In the present iteration of the game, there are three distinct classes for Mii characters: Brawler, Swordfighter, and Gunner. For the upcoming edition, it could be intriguing to see the addition of another type or even merge all existing classes into a versatile “Master” class fighter.

Since Nintendo continues to focus on Miis and incorporate them significantly into games, spanning nearly three console generations since the Wii, there’s a higher likelihood that the Mii characters from Super Smash Bros. will reappear in the upcoming title.

Tomodachi Should Have Greater Rep In Smash Beyond Fighters

Absolutely, with Tomodachi coming back, Nintendo should expand the game’s representation beyond just playable fighters. Previous installments have already introduced the Tomodachi Life stage, modeled after the apartments where Mii characters reside in the game. For the next game, they could either reintroduce this stage or even create a new one based on the tropical island setting of the upcoming game.

The game Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream promises to delight long-time fans who have eagerly anticipated it for years, while simultaneously captivating novice players entering the series. Upon its comeback, enthusiasts of the Super Smash Bros. franchise can also look forward to some thrilling new content when the next installment is launched. Tomodachi Life is poised for its greatest leap yet, and its late success on the Nintendo Switch could significantly boost the popularity of Super Smash Bros. when it eventually arrives on the Switch 2.

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2025-04-05 16:12