With the Nintendo Switch 2 set to launch soon, anticipation is growing not only for the hardware itself but for what software will define its next generation. At the top of most wishlists? A new Super Smash Bros. game. Whether it’s a full sequel, a Deluxe-style port, or something entirely different, the future of Smash is a hot topic. While Nintendo has remained tight-lipped, industry signals, developer activity, and community speculation offer plenty to unpack.
It is undeniable that Nintendo has not yet announced the next Super Smash Bros. game, which suggests that the earliest we might expect a release is 2026 or later. While this is disappointing, it is the most realistic outlook based on current information. Additionally, news has surfaced that Masahiro Sakurai, the creator of Super Smash Bros., is working on a different project, which could further delay the timeline for the new game on Switch 2.
Despite this, it’s hard to imagine Nintendo passing up the opportunity to capitalize on this highly popular franchise. Therefore, we can be sure that a new Super Smash Bros. game will eventually be released in some form over the next few years. Here’s what we know so far, along with the rumors surrounding its potential future on Switch 2.
What We Know (or Can Strongly Infer)
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Set a Monumental Benchmark
Released in 2018, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is the most ambitious title in the franchise to date. It brought together every previous fighter and introduced newcomers from across the gaming world, delivering a 74-character base roster that grew to 89 with DLC. Masahiro Sakurai has openly stated how difficult it was to coordinate licensing and development for Ultimate—and that recreating that feat would be close to impossible.
Sakurai’s Next Project Is Confirmed: Kirby Air Riders
Masahiro Sakurai has officially returned to game development with Kirby Air Riders, a new title announced during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct on April 2, 2025. Set to release later this year, the game marks Sakurai’s return to the Kirby franchise for the first time since directing Kirby Air Ride on the GameCube more than two decades ago.
Development reportedly began in April 2022, following the conclusion of his Creating Games YouTube series, which wrapped up in late 2024. The announcement puts to rest much of the speculation around whether Sakurai would remain active in game development—and confirms that his next major effort is not Super Smash Bros., at least not yet.
While this doesn’t rule out his involvement in the next Smash installment, it suggests that if a new entry is in the works, it may either be in early stages without his full attention—or potentially being helmed by a different creative lead altogether. Sakurai’s history with Super Smash Bros. remains central to the franchise, but his focus is clearly on Kirby Air Riders for the foreseeable future.
Switch 2 Will Likely Be Backward Compatible
Reliable insiders and leakers suggest the Switch 2 will support backward compatibility. That means Smash Ultimate could run natively on the new console, potentially with performance improvements. This raises the possibility of either a simple re-release or a “Deluxe” edition.
The Competitive Community Is Still Going Strong
Despite the lack of new characters, Smash Ultimate tournaments are still thriving. From major events like Genesis and Smash Con to local weeklies, the fighting game scene remains vibrant, suggesting continued interest and demand heading into the Switch 2 era.
The Rumors and Speculation
1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Deluxe Edition
One of the most persistent rumors is that Nintendo might repackage Ultimate for Switch 2 as a Deluxe edition, similar to what it did with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. This version would include graphical upgrades, all DLC, and potentially a handful of new fighters or modes.
Why It Makes Sense:
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the best-selling Switch games.
- A Deluxe version allows Nintendo to capitalize on Ultimate‘s success without rebuilding from scratch.
- It could serve as a stopgap while a brand-new entry is developed.
Why It’s Complicated:
- Re-licensing characters like Joker, Sora, and Cloud may be expensive or even impossible.
- Sakurai previously described Ultimate as a one-time culmination.
2. A New Game, Smaller Roster, More Focused Direction
The other possibility is a completely new game, developed from the ground up, with a smaller roster and new mechanics designed to showcase the Switch 2’s capabilities. This could be a return to form, focusing more tightly on Nintendo’s core IPs with a sprinkle of third-party fighters.
Why It’s Likely:
- It avoids the licensing headaches of re-releasing Ultimate.
- It allows for gameplay evolution tailored to new hardware.
- Nintendo tends to innovate between console generations rather than port aging titles indefinitely.
What Fans Are Hearing:
Some “leaks” mention a focus on fewer characters with expanded movesets, dynamic stages, and a return to a deep single-player mode reminiscent of Subspace Emissary.
3. Character Rumors
The fanbase is already speculating on potential newcomers. Some names making the rounds include:
- Waluigi (still absent, despite massive fan demand)
- Toon Zelda (to coincide with the Echoes of Wisdom game)
- Noah & Mio (Xenoblade Chronicles 3)
- Crash Bandicoot
- Sol Badguy (Guilty Gear)
- Armorouge/Ceruledge (Pokémon Scarlet and Violet)
None of these have been verified, and character leaks have a long history of being fabricated—so take all of these with a heavy grain of salt.
4. Potential Release Window: 2026?
Some insiders suggest that if a new Smash game is in development, it’s likely aiming for 2026, giving Nintendo time to fully showcase Ultimate on the Switch 2 at launch and then follow up with a new entry later in the console’s life cycle.
A Quick Look at Sakurai’s Recent Activity
- October 2024: Final update to Smash Ultimate (v13.0.3) released, fixing GSP bugs.
- 2024-2025: Sakurai completed his YouTube project Creating Games, which offered deep insight into game design.
- March 2025: Received a national award for contributions to gaming.
- April 2025: Reacted positively to the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement, sparking speculation he may be involved in future projects.
The Legacy of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Released in December 2018
- Features 89 total fighters from across the industry
- Received critical acclaim for its scale and polish
- Ended DLC support in 2021 with Sora from Kingdom Hearts
- Supports Amiibo, Spirits, online, and local multiplayer
- Single-player includes World of Light, Classic Mode, and more
- Still used in competitive tournaments worldwide
The Smash Community Isn’t Waiting
Even in the absence of new announcements, the community remains active:
- Online forums and Reddit threads dissect every new “leak” or Nintendo filing.
- Tournaments are still drawing top players and large audiences.
- Fans are already crafting “wish rosters” for Smash 6, complete with fan art and mock trailers.
Final Thoughts
A new Super Smash Bros. for the Switch 2 is almost inevitable—but whether it takes the form of a Deluxe port, a trimmed reboot, or a full sequel remains to be seen. Nintendo’s history suggests they’ll want to keep the franchise alive on new hardware, but after the Herculean effort that was Ultimate, a slower, more deliberate rollout might be on the cards.
Until Nintendo makes it official, fans can enjoy Ultimate with the expectation that—sooner or later—the fight will begin again.
About The Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s roster expanded significantly through DLC fighters, with characters like Steve/Alex from Minecraft and Sora from Kingdom Hearts joining the battle. These additions brought unique gameplay mechanics and meaningful balance adjustments to the fighting game.
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s DLC expanded the roster with 12 fighters from diverse gaming franchises across two Fighters Passes plus Piranha Plant.
- Each downloadable character brings unique moves, stages, and music that add fresh gameplay experiences to Nintendo’s fighter.
- Character reception has varied among fans, with some DLC fighters becoming fan favorites while others sparked debate in the community.
Character Profiles and Abilities
The DLC fighters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate include standout additions like Steve/Alex from Minecraft, who revolutionized gameplay with their block-building mechanics. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII brings his iconic Masamune sword with exceptional range. Pyra and Mythra function as a dual character with swappable fighting styles—Pyra focusing on power while Mythra excels in speed.
Banjo-Kazooie delighted fans with their nostalgic moveset, while Terry Bogard introduced fighting game mechanics from Fatal Fury. Byleth wields multiple weapons from Fire Emblem, and Kazuya brings Tekken’s combo-heavy fighting style.
Sora, the final fighter revealed by Sakurai, features fluid aerial combat and magical abilities that reference his Kingdom Hearts origins.
Gameplay and Balance Changes
Each DLC character introduced unique mechanics that expanded Ultimate’s competitive depth. Steve’s mining and crafting system created new resource management strategies, while Sephiroth’s “One-Winged Angel” form activates when at high damage percentages, increasing his power and mobility.
The development team implemented several balance patches alongside DLC releases. These updates addressed issues with overpowered characters and improved underperforming fighters to maintain competitive balance.
Some DLC fighters received specific adjustments post-release. Banjo-Kazooie’s Wonder Wing move saw limitations to prevent overuse. Min Min’s range advantage was slightly reduced to create fairer matchups.
The final balance update came with Sora’s release, making subtle adjustments to most characters while preserving the game’s established meta.
Collaborations and Developer Insights
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s DLC characters represent an unprecedented level of collaboration across the gaming industry. These partnerships brought iconic characters from diverse franchises to Nintendo’s fighting game, creating a truly unique gaming crossover experience.
Cross-Industry Partnerships
Nintendo forged remarkable relationships with numerous companies to create Smash Ultimate’s expansive roster. Square Enix contributed multiple characters, including Cloud Strife and the final DLC fighter Sora from Kingdom Hearts—which itself represented a complex collaboration between Square Enix and Disney.
Microsoft’s cooperation allowed Banjo-Kazooie to join the battle, while Atlus partnered to bring Joker from Persona 5 as the first DLC character announcement. SNK Corporation contributed Terry Bogard, and Minecraft’s Steve arrived through collaboration with Mojang AB.
These partnerships required extensive legal negotiations, character design compromises, and music licensing agreements. Each addition needed approval from the original creators, with companies like Konami, Sega, and Capcom allowing their iconic characters to appear alongside Nintendo’s roster.
Behind the Scenes with Sakurai and the Development Team
Masahiro Sakurai, the game’s director, provided unprecedented transparency about the development process through his Famitsu columns and development videos. He revealed the painstaking attention to detail when recreating each character’s movements and special abilities.
The development team at Bandai Namco and HAL Laboratory worked tirelessly to ensure each fighter maintained their unique identity while balancing gameplay. Sakurai often mentioned working 12+ hour days reviewing character animations frame-by-frame.
During development videos, Sakurai showed early character prototypes and explained challenges like programming Sora’s floating movements or implementing Steve’s block-building mechanics. He also discussed the difficulty of obtaining certain characters, revealing that negotiations for some fighters began years before their announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate offers numerous DLC characters through Fighter Passes and individual purchases. These additions have transformed the game’s roster and competitive scene since its initial release.
How can the newest DLC characters be obtained in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?
The newest DLC characters can be purchased through the Nintendo eShop. Players have several options for obtaining these fighters.
They can buy individual character packs that include the fighter, a stage, and music tracks. Alternatively, purchasing the Fighters Pass Vol. 1 or Vol. 2 bundles provides all characters from that respective pass at a discounted price.
Before downloading, players should ensure their game is updated to the latest version. The console must also be connected to the internet for the download to complete properly.
What is the total count of DLC characters available in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate?
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate features a total of 12 DLC characters across its various releases. This includes Piranha Plant as the first post-launch fighter.
Fighters Pass Vol. 1 added five characters: Joker, Hero, Banjo & Kazooie, Terry, and Byleth. Fighters Pass Vol. 2 completed the roster with six more fighters: Min Min, Steve/Alex, Sephiroth, Pyra/Mythra, Kazuya, and Sora.
These additions expanded the already substantial base roster, making Ultimate the largest Smash Bros. game to date.
Are there any announcements regarding Smash Ultimate Fighter Pass 3?
Nintendo has not announced any plans for a Fighter Pass 3 for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The development team has confirmed that Sora from Kingdom Hearts was the final DLC character.
Game director Masahiro Sakurai stated that there are no plans for additional fighters beyond the current roster. The team considers the game complete with its current lineup of characters.
Any rumors about Fighter Pass 3 remain unconfirmed by official Nintendo sources as of March 2025.
What is the price for the latest Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC characters?
Individual DLC fighter packs typically cost $5.99 each. These packs include the character, a stage, and multiple music tracks.
The Fighters Pass Vol. 1 is priced at $24.99 and includes five fighters. Fighters Pass Vol. 2 costs $29.99 and contains six characters. These bundle options offer savings compared to buying each character separately.
Prices may vary slightly by region, and occasional sales might reduce these costs temporarily.
Which character marks the final addition to the Smash Ultimate DLC roster?
Sora from Kingdom Hearts is the final DLC character for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He was released on October 18, 2021, concluding Fighters Pass Vol. 2.
Sora’s addition was highly requested by fans for many years. His reveal marked the end of new fighter development for the game, as confirmed by director Masahiro Sakurai.
The inclusion of Sora completed the roster at 89 total fighters, including Echo Fighters.
Has Nintendo confirmed any future DLC characters for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate beyond the current releases?
Nintendo has officially confirmed that no additional fighters will be added to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The development team has stated that Sora represents the final DLC character.
Masahiro Sakurai, the game’s director, announced that fighter development concluded with the release of Sora. He expressed gratitude to fans for their support throughout the game’s extended development cycle.
Nintendo’s focus has shifted to other projects, with no plans to expand Ultimate’s roster further.
