Masahiro Sakurai, legendary creator of theSuper Smash Bros.andKirbyfranchises, is rumored to be putting Nintendo in a difficult situation when it comes to the future of theSmashseries due to his pivotal role.Sakurai is currently developingKirby Air Riders, a sequel to the GameCube classicKirby Air Ridethat’s slated for a 2025 release. With it releasing sometime soon, a lot of Nintendo fans are probably questioning when another Smash game could be on the way, and it seems Sakurai is essential to continuing the beloved franchise.
According to game developer interviewerReexe “Kiwi Talkz” Reillyon X, allegedly, Sakurai was burned out after working on and completingSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateandrequested he be able to makeKirby Air Ridersas a negotiation for eventually developing a newSmashgame for Switch 2.Smashis dependent on Sakurai, purportedly, with Reilly adding:“Nintendo are in a bind with Smash Bros as Sakurai is irreplaceable currently.“This is just a rumor, as of right now, and no information about a newSmashor its supposed development has been confirmed.
Sakurai Is Essential To Smash
Super Smash Bros. Takes A Lot Of Work
Sakurai, as the series creator, hasoften been credited with making the “impossible possible” when it comes toSmashand its huge roster. The game is seen as a celebration of many different video game franchises and remains one of the most popular fighting games (and party games, depending on one’s definition of a “fighting game”) ever made for its easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay, its expansive roster, and its sheer amount of content. Sakurai has previously statedthe roster would likely have to shrinkif a sequel toUltimateis made, which had 89 characters at the end of its development.
Back in 2021, Sakurai stated thata sequel toUltimateis not being planned. Years later, and with a new console out, it seems likely that Nintendo would desire a newSmashgame, given its popularity. Sakurai was reportedly instrumental in getting characters like Cloud, Sephiroth, Sora, and several others into the game, and he’s been with the series since the very beginning, so, despite this being a rumor,most fans would probably agree that a newSmashwould be impossible without Sakurai.
Our Take: A New Smash With Sakurai Seems Likely
But What Will Have To Be Sacrificed?
Despite previous statements about not returning toSmashand how difficult the development ofUltimatewas, it’s almost impossible to imagine a Nintendo console without a new entry.Every Nintendo console since the Nintendo 64 has had a newSmashgame, so it seems quite likely that a newSmashwill happen at some point during the Nintendo Switch 2’s lifespan. WithKirby Air Ridersas Sakurai’s priority right now, it will likely be a ways away if it does happen.
However, withAir Ridersreleasing later this year, its development is most likely wrapping up, and a lot of eyes will probably be watching Sakurai’s next move. These rumors make a lot of sense; they allow Sakurai to do something different, return to one of his other beloved creations, and eventually come back toSuper Smash Bros.refreshed. All of this is just speculation, but it would be a surprise if we don’t see a newSuper Smash Bros.title in the next few years.
