The future of Super Smash Bros. On the Switch 2 is unclear at the moment, but it could end up getting the same treatment that Mario Kart 8 did. With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate now six years old, and its last character coming out in 2021, fans can't be blamed for wondering what the series' next step will be. After all, every Nintendo console since the Nintendo 64 aside from some handhelds have had their own Super Smash Bros. Title. As for the Switch 2, Nintendo could potentially make a move that another franchise benefited from rather recently.
With no Super Smash Bros. News for the Switch 2 yet, it seems like fans of the series may have to wait a while to see another sequel hit the market. To be fair, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has had a rather impressive shelf life, as have several other games in the series. Super Smash Bros. Melee's continued popularity over two decades after its release is proof of that. At the same time, with Super Smash Bros. Being such a major property for Nintendo, it's hard to imagine it not seeing another game in the future. The question is what form this next game may take.
The Case for the Next Super Smash Bros. To Double Down on its Party Game Status
Super Smash Bros. Is one of the best party games in the fighting genre, and the next entry in the series can solidify that reputation.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Could Be a Great Pick For Its Own Deluxe Rerelease
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Was a Wildly Successful Port
One look at the impressive sales of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe shows what a monumental success it was for Nintendo. However, it should be noted that it was actually an upgraded port of the original Mario Kart 8 rather than a completely new game. Of course, the Booster Course Pass would lead to the game's content doubling compared to the original version. It's still astonishing that the most successful Mario Kart to date is essentially an updated version of a previous title in the series. While it may feel like lightning in a bottle, if it happened once, it could happen again.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Could Also Get the Deluxe Treatment
With this in mind, it's worth considering whether a Super Smash Bros Ultimate Switch 2 port could also be in the cards. The advantages are obvious. A remastered port would have to drop any of the existing characters or stages from the game. Plus, much like the Booster Course pass, it could also add even more content to the game. In essence, it would make the definitive Super Smash Bros. Game even bigger and more complete. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate could be in a position to benefit from that formula. If Nintendo thinks that there's potential there, then it could happen someday.
While Super Smash Bros. Ultimate had every playable character, it was missing some past stages, like the popular Poke Floats.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate May Not Need the Extra Push
However, there are some mitigating factors that could prevent this. While both titles are bestselling games on Nintendo consoles, Mario Kart 8's original release was on the Wii U, a console that struggled throughout its lifespan. Its port on the much more successful Switch helped it receive more exposure. On the other hand, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate initially released on the Switch, so it already had the advantage of first appearing on a successful, widely-owned console. For that reason, Super Smash Bros Ultimate might not gain as much from a port on the Switch 2, because there wouldn't be as significant an upside from the new version.
The Super Smash Bros. Series has a few paths ahead of it on the Switch 2. The next Super Smash Bros. Game will undoubtedly have a high bar to clear after Ultimate featured nearly the entire series' history. A new port of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with additional content sounds like a very enticing offer. However, the situation isn't quite the same as it was for Mario Kart 8. Super Smash Bros. On the Switch 2 could be more of a good thing, or something new.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- December 7, 2018
- ESRB
- E for Everyone: Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
