Well, this is one way to end an otherwise lackluster Nintendo Direct, unless you like ports, Splatoon or Mario Tennis. I didn't expect an announcement of the game before E3, but this will certainly generate tons of hype until June, where they can keep some real surprises for the show.
A Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Switch was certainly expected, as were the Inklings as character additions. They didn't make it clear, but it probably will be just an enhanced port, "Definitive Edition" or "Deluxe" version of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & Nintendo 3DS with all DLC, stages and characters from both versions, plus some content added on top like the Inklings.
What's interesting is that Link is shown in his Breath of the Wild incarnation:
This could be a skin for the normal Link, but I just recently thought that a "Wild Link" would be a potential addition for the Zelda roster, where he uses his Paraglider for B-Up or the Ancient Arrows for his Final Smash. In any case I'm sick of the Twilight Princess looks for the Zelda characters and an update would be very welcome.
It's also thinkable that they are updating some of the characters based on the new games. So, Link will be closer to his Breath of the Wild counterpart, while Mario could finally ditch his F.L.U.D.D. for Cappy.
With that in mind it's also possible that this new Smash game is in fact meant to be a real new Smash game. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & Nintendo 3DS might have been the basis for development, but it could have evolved from there into its own game, instead of being another mere port. We'll see at E3.
A Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Switch was certainly expected, as were the Inklings as character additions. They didn't make it clear, but it probably will be just an enhanced port, "Definitive Edition" or "Deluxe" version of Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & Nintendo 3DS with all DLC, stages and characters from both versions, plus some content added on top like the Inklings.
What's interesting is that Link is shown in his Breath of the Wild incarnation:
This could be a skin for the normal Link, but I just recently thought that a "Wild Link" would be a potential addition for the Zelda roster, where he uses his Paraglider for B-Up or the Ancient Arrows for his Final Smash. In any case I'm sick of the Twilight Princess looks for the Zelda characters and an update would be very welcome.
It's also thinkable that they are updating some of the characters based on the new games. So, Link will be closer to his Breath of the Wild counterpart, while Mario could finally ditch his F.L.U.D.D. for Cappy.
With that in mind it's also possible that this new Smash game is in fact meant to be a real new Smash game. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U & Nintendo 3DS might have been the basis for development, but it could have evolved from there into its own game, instead of being another mere port. We'll see at E3.
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This is Smash Brothers 5; Sakurai stated this in a tweet shortly after the trailer came out.
He only stated that he's working on the game, not that this is a completely new Smash. So, stop spreading false information, please.
The fact that Sakurai is working on it suggests that it may be a new game, rather than an enhanced port. The odds are at least 50/50. But yeah, it would be false to say that this is definitely Smash 5.
Yes, Sakurai once said that he doesn't like the idea of porting one Smash game to the next system, but Nintendo also never ported Mario Kart as the next installment. Since the Wii U completely failed and the Switch is basically the Wii U done right, things are quite different.
Sakurai also said in December 2014 that he's done with Smash and he won't make another:
https://kotaku.com/smash-bros-creator-doesnt-think-hell-make-a-sequel-1666617106
So, what is it now? People need to stop acting like Sakurai is god. Smash 4 drained the guy and I very much doubt that he has the stamina to create a completely new Smash so soon.
The best guess is probably that this is somewhere in between things. It started as an enhanced port, but from there it evolved into a "new" installment with updates to the characters and such. So, it won't just be Smash 4 Switch, but it also won't be a completely new Smash 5, where they started from scratch.
I will also write a follow-up post with more thoughts about this.
I don't think Sakurai is a god. I think he could have well been convinced by new management to helm the title as it's his franchise-baby. The design of the Inklings suggests the work predated Splatoon 2, though that could cut either way.
There is other evidence it's a separate title though. Smash for Wii U and 3DS share a page on Nintendo.com, while Smash for Switch has its own page. Link in Breath of the Wild outfit suggests a complete redesign of the character - something that has only been in new titles in the past.
I think it's likely a full new game, but I also think there's no definitive evidence either way. We'll find out what it is at E3, certainly.
“Spreading misinformation.”
He said he’s been working on this game in secret for quite some time now, and he told us to wait on further information or just wait for the game’s release. You think that if it was just a port of Smash 4 they wouldn’t have shown anything? Namco had nothing to do with this Smash, further proving that it’s a new game. I literally don’t see how this is confusing - we’ve seen how they’ve handled ports in the past. They’ve immediately shown footage of the gameplay when they’re simply ports, such as in the case of HWDX. Refusing that it’s Smash 5 is just refusing fact at this point.
But you don't have any facts, just assumptions.
How do you even know that Namco isn't involved? Do you have a source for this or do you just assume this, because they haven't been credited yet? (Which doesn't mean that they aren't involved.)
Just because they handled Mario Kart 8 DX and co. differently, also doesn't mean anything. We're talking about Nintendo here, who like to do things differently. I also don't think that this will be "just a port of Smash 4", but I think that development started as exactly that, but it advanced from there into something that's more of a new game.
They didn't show anything of the game yet, because they wanted to create hype for E3, where they have the time to explain what this "new" Smash is exactly. That's all.
I don't think that this Smash will be a case of black or white. This probably won't be just a simple port, but it's unlikely that this going to be a completely new game either, not on such short notice. The focus will probably be on adding new contents, so nothing will have to be cut and this will become the most extensive Smash yet. See my new blog post for more thoughts about this.
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