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[SuperLeviathan]

That's what I'm mainly referring to. The same would likely apply to the Ice Climbers if they weren't as far along as we thought they were.

I can't say for sure, but I'd really have to imagine there's a certain compatibility for stages. Save one (because of the difference in swimming physics), every single DLC stage made it to both versions, even a complex beast like Mario Maker.

If the assets are there, Sakurai doesn't need to be completely hands on to get them working on the NX.

 

[Richie]

Sakurai: Personally, I'm happy I can finally take an extended vacation.

As someone who's a big fan of the man, news of his long due, well deserved rest please me...But it also throws one hell of a curve ball, I could have sworn he was working on this project behind the scenes, if it is a thing. Sakurai doesn't strike me as the sort to distance himself from his baby franchise even if it's just an up-port.

 

[Trevelyan9999]

Sakurai: Personally, I'm happy I can finally take an extended vacation.

As someone who's a big fan of the man, news of his long due, well deserved rest please me...But it also throws one hell of a curve ball, I could have sworn he was working on this project behind the scenes, if it is a thing. Sakurai doesn't strike me as the sort to distance himself from his baby franchise even if it's just an up-port.

Porting the game, updating the graphics and such have nothing to do with him though.

 

[Mpl90]

Serkan Toto is very, very reliable, so I'd say Sakurai's role for this version could be quite minor compared to the other versions. Which is pretty plausible, since Namco won't need to develop it from scratch at all (Wii U version as the base).

 

[Pif]

Serkan Toto is very, very reliable, so I'd say Sakurai'a role for this versione could be quite minor compared to the other versions. Which is pretty plausible, since Namco won't need to develop it from scratch at all (Wii U version as the base).

Mario, it's-a you?

 

[Richie]

Porting the game, updating the graphics and such have nothing to do with him though.

Sure, but this is Sakurai we're talking about.

"That may seem like it contradicts my personal desire to keep giving gamers as much as I can, but I don't see any easy answer for it. And yet, despite that, I also have trouble picturing someone else taking my place and providing all this value-added content without me."

The man lives and breathes and winks to the rhythm of Smash. Even if just a port, I can totally see him trying to sneak in a few goodies at least; to say this is a man who likes to deliver beyond expectations is an understatement.

Serkan Toto is very, very reliable, so I'd say Sakurai'a role for this versione could be quite minor compared to the other versions. Which is pretty plausible, since Namco won't need to develop it from scratch at all (Wii U version as the base).

I reckon he indeed could be in more of a supervisor's role...

 

[Javier]

Sakurai not being fully involved with the NX port makes me wonder how much of a port the game will be. Will all the stages from 3DS and Wii U make it into this version? New Events and Challenges? A couple of extra characters?

 

[Neoxon]

Sakurai not being fully involved with the NX port makes me wonder how much of a port the game will be. Will all the stages from 3DS and Wii U make it into this version? New Events and Challenges? A couple of extra characters?

There probably won't be any extra characters seeing as Sakurai already left.

 

[slavesnyder]

Smash 4 NX.
Exclusively introducing Squidlings.

 

[Nirolak]

There probably won't be any extra characters seeing as Sakurai already left.

Yeah, unless they intend to onboard a new potential director for the series with a small and safe project, I'd expect it to be a straight port with all the DLC and perhaps improved graphics.

 

[Pancake Mix]

Serkan Toto is very, very reliable, so I'd say Sakurai's role for this version could be quite minor compared to the other versions. Which is pretty plausible, since Namco won't need to develop it from scratch at all (Wii U version as the base).

Where were you when Ridley was confirmed for Smash?!

Kidding of course but I do think he will be playable eventually.

Sakurai needs a break bad. He's pretty open about how he's been in pain developing Smash 4 and is a workaholic. I'm worried he's going to burn himself out and just have to retire early. While that may let us toggle stage hazards for example, it would be a damn shame if he felt compelled to return from an extended vacation for an NX port and subsequently burnt out.

 

[Oregano]

Yeah, unless they intend to onboard a new potential director for the series with a small and safe project, I'd expect it to be a straight port with all the DLC and perhaps improved graphics.

I still think it's likely that someone like Yoshito Higuchi has been prepped to step into the Director role.

 

[georly]

Yeah, unless they intend to onboard a new potential director for the series with a small and safe project, I'd expect it to be a straight port with all the DLC and perhaps improved graphics.

Or (the unlikely scenario) he worked on whoever is being included in the NX version alongside the other DLC. At the very least i'd pray he added ice climbers considering they were at least RUNNING on some version of smash 4 before they were cut. We'll see, I guess.

If it's just a port with all DLC makes it an easy skip for anyone who has bought all of it.

Yeah, you're already going to get a ton of people passing on it - being on a new system means only a small fraction of nintendo fans will pick it up - that would mean this is HEAVILY banking on the success of the NX (as appealing to NON-nintendo fans).

 

[Jawmuncher]

If it's just a port with all DLC makes it an easy skip for anyone who has bought all of it.

 

[Pancake Mix]

If it's just a port with all DLC makes it an easy skip for anyone who has bought all of it.

Right, but if it's a ~720p or so handheld and port of the Wii U version at base rather than 3DS it could draw in a lot of people anyways. I see the Ice Climbers and unique 3DS stages being put in as well.

But on an HDTV Smash 4 has already been more or less perfected so I see what you mean.

 

[Kinsei]

There probably won't be any extra characters seeing as Sakurai already left.

Well they don't need Sakurai for new characters.

Right, but if it's a ~720p or so handheld and port of the Wii U version at base rather than 3DS it could draw in a lot of people anyways. I don't see how the Ice Climbers and unique 3DS stages wouldn't be put in either.

But on an HDTV Smash 4 has already been more or less perfected so I see what you mean.

But the 3DS version is the better game. Why would an inferior version entice people? The resolution upgrade wouldn't be worth the price of a new system.

 

[georly]

Right, but if it's a ~720p or so handheld and port of the Wii U version at base rather than 3DS it could draw in a lot of people anyways. I see the Ice Climbers and unique 3DS stages being put in as well.

But on an HDTV Smash 4 has already been more or less perfected so I see what you mean.

Nintendo would have to offer me one hell of a discount to buy smash 4 on ANOTHER portable system - especially when I think a decent portion of the smash community and fans prefer playing it on the big screen with a controller. Sure the 3DS version SOLD more but that's also due to the install base. At least that's how it seems to be, anecdotally speaking.

 

[10k]

Yeah, unless they intend to onboard a new potential director for the series with a small and safe project, I'd expect it to be a straight port with all the DLC and perhaps improved graphics.

That's all I need. I stopped playing the vanilla version a month after launch and haven't bought any DLC. I'd love a GOTY edition for NX.

 

[Coffee Dog]

Yeah, you're already going to get a ton of people passing on it - being on a new system means only a small fraction of nintendo fans will pick it up - that would mean this is HEAVILY banking on the success of the NX (as appealing to NON-nintendo fans).

I mean, the entire company is heavily banking on the NX appealing to non nintendo fans. It's why we're getting a new console so quickly.

 

[Spyder_Monkey]

I was right. No new characters.

 

[Huge Succeeded]

I can't imagine that the NX version is going to be any different from the Wii U and 3DS versions of Smash 4 at all outside of ancillary content like stages and single player modes.

 

[Pancake Mix]

But the 3DS version is the better game. Why would an inferior version entice people? The resolution upgrade wouldn't be worth the price of a new system.

How is the 3DS version superior in any way? I guess you like the (fewer) stages it contains more and feel Smash Run makes up for any shortcomings. You're probably not going to find many gamers who have both and would agree, unless it's something about the portability factor or load times. The HD Wii U version is far superior regardless.

Not a fan of swimming?

 

[SuperLeviathan]

There probably won't be any extra characters seeing as Sakurai already left.

At the very least, I could see IC's and Wolf make it. As with Lucas, it's more of a matter of polishing up their Brawl assets, and Sakurai doesn't really need to be hands on for that.

 

[Richie]

If it's just a port with all DLC makes it an easy skip for anyone who has bought all of it.

You've got a point, yet...As someone who -has- bought all of the Smash DLC, I'd be instantly convinced into double dipping if they combine the contents of both the Wii U and 3DS version into a single version. That's about 30 more stages for starters, and Smash Run is infinitely better than Tour and something I'd actually love playing with other people.

Also, even if they just go the route of including all the DLC and calling it a day...Well, wouldn't they make an attempt to integrate the DLC characters better? Since they'd be part of a base package in that scenario, there's no reason why they shouldn't have custom moves, their own events, challenges, etc...

 

[twothunder]

If it's just a port with all DLC makes it an easy skip for anyone who has bought all of it.

Unless a Smash 4 NX port has quite some worthwhile new stuff. It certainly would be an easy skip for me.
I can hope the NX launches with quite some more software that would convince people (including myself) to buy it.

I mean, the entire company is heavily banking on the NX appealing to non nintendo fans. It's why we're getting a new console so quickly.

The way I see it. The first people that would give the NX a chance are probably big Nintendo fans. If they can't convince them to buy it and sales fall flat... it would be even more difficult to convince non nintendo fans to buy it.

 

[DrROBschiz]

Yeah, unless they intend to onboard a new potential director for the series with a small and safe project, I'd expect it to be a straight port with all the DLC and perhaps improved graphics.

Certainly seems that way unless he signed off on whatever is going to be done WAY in advance

Who knows but evidence points to a straight port so far

 

[georly]

How is the 3DS version superior in any way? I guess you like the (fewer) stages it contains more and feel Smash Run makes up for any shortcomings. You're probably not going to find many gamers who have both and would agree, unless it's something about the portability factor or load times. The HD Wii U version is far superior regardless.

Not a fan of swimming?

Smash run > smash tour, but other than that:

wii u >>>>>>>>> 3DS

 

[Pancake Mix]

Nintendo would have to offer me one hell of a discount to buy smash 4 on ANOTHER portable system - especially when I think a decent portion of the smash community and fans prefer playing it on the big screen with a controller. Sure the 3DS version SOLD more but that's also due to the install base. At least that's how it seems to be, anecdotally speaking.

While that's how I feel too, Nintendo handhelds have always had a larger install base by default and received the lion's share of first-party ports. I think it could entice some people, and regardless, an NX version would hopefully have Ice Climbers and even more additional content.

The Ice Climbers were running on Wii U after all and there was this painful glitch in early versions of Smash 3DS.

 

[Rodney McKay]

This rumor is making me hold off on buying anymore of the Smash DLC characters until I know this is true or not.

How is the 3DS version superior in any way? I guess you like the (fewer) stages it contains more and feel Smash Run makes up for any shortcomings, but come now, you're probably not going to find many gamers who have both and would agree, unless it's something about the portability factor or load times. The HD Wii U version is far superior regardless.

Not a fan of swimming?

I don't know what their reasons are, but I like the 3DS version better because I like the Classic mode better. Neither version is as good as the past games since they are missing hit the target or other mini game stages, but the Wii U classic mode was kinda weird to me. I sold my Wii U version because I just never saw myself playing it as much as on my 3DS.

I do also like Smash Run better than the Wii U versions weird board game sorta mode.

If the NX version is able to combine both versions modes I would definitely be interested in buying it again. The one thing I wish the 3DS version had is the Challenge mode the Wii U version has.

 

[Theosmeo]

At the very least, I could see IC's and Wolf make it. As with Lucas, it's more of a matter of polishing up their Brawl assets, and Sakurai doesn't really need to be hands on for that.

It's much more complicated than that, every patch people talk minute frame data issues that are extremely pivotal to competitive play despite seeming irrelevant

 

[Smiles and Cries]

we really need some more tidbits

I really doubt Sakurai taking a vacation means anything for an NX port

 

[Neoxon]

we really need some more tidbits

I really doubt Sakurai taking a vacation means anything for an NX port

It likely means that we shouldn't expect anything major to be added.

 

[DrROBschiz]

It likely means that we shouldn't expect anything major to be added.

Its a co developed game with a pretty sizable team

But he was the man in charge so

To hard to say until they finally unveil NX details

Months from now.....

 

[balladofwindfishes]

It likely means that we shouldn't expect anything major to be added.

No it doesn't.

Sakurai can still take a vacation for a few months if he wants and development can continue on without him.

He doesn't need to be there to port an engine to a new console.

When that's done, he'll be rested and come back to work on new features/characters/stages/whatever.

In that same interview he also said characters were important to build excitement and make the game not get stale. Which could be seen as saying he wouldn't bother with a new release if it didn't build excitement, through characters.

 

[Neoxon]

Its a co developed game with a pretty sizable team

But he was the man in charge so

To hard to say until they finally unveil NX details

Months from now.....

Exactly. It all depends on how long his break is.

 

[KingBroly]

Yeah, unless they intend to onboard a new potential director for the series with a small and safe project, I'd expect it to be a straight port with all the DLC and perhaps improved graphics.

I think a lot of people would still expect the Ice Climbers to return in a potential NX version.

Myself included.

 

[DrROBschiz]

Its possible he already finalized and signed off on the NX version a long time ago

Who knows

To much murkyness though... its important to note that we arent reasonably expecting NX to launch until the end of the year IF its even releasing this year (appears to be on track to)

So yeah.. He could take a pretty long vacation and STILL come back with plenty of time to oversee NX development

 

[Fandangox]

I wonder if the console NX port would replace the Wii U version as the competitive version if there's some form of wired controller.

 

[MrSaturn99]

Porting Smash Run/all the 3DS stages isn't a realistic request, but I do wonder as to what new content could possibly be added.

Man, I still want that custom music uploader...oh well, My Music's good enough.

Edit: Supposing this is all real, anyway. The mystery of Sakurai's possible involvement deepens!

 

[TDLink]

Sakurai taking a vaction doesn't prevent a NX version. Assuming the NX launches in October/November and the NX version needs to be finished by September/October, there is still plenty of time for Sakurai to go on vacation for a few months even and then have a few solid months to work on new content. They could also do the NX version without him in the worst case scenario. But really, there's no reason he can't take a vaction and then come back and do the NX version. I mean, rumours are saying work on the NX version already started so maybe he even has finished what he needs to do for that.

 

[Diffense]

I think he said that his next job was already liined up though. It was in an article talking about what Japanese devs will be up to in the new year.

He could still be involved because even if he's going on a vacation, it probably won't be for the entire duration of development.
With a port, there's a lot of inital work that can be done without his direct oversight but he could rejoin the team to help design any new content.

 

[Spyder_Monkey]

Fighting games get ported all the time with no new content. I expect Smash NX will be treated like USFIV on PS4... except not shit at launch.

 

[balladofwindfishes]

Sakurai taking a vaction doesn't prevent a NX version. Assuming the NX launches in October/November and the NX version needs to be finished by September/October, there is still plenty of time for Sakurai to go on vacation for a few months even and then have a few solid months to work on new content. They could also do the NX version without him in the worst case scenario. But really, there's no reason he can't take a vaction and then come back and do the NX version. I mean, rumours are saying work on the NX version already started so maybe he even has finished what he needs to do for that.

Smash NX being a "launch" title for the NX also doesn't necessarily mean it will release the same day as the NX.

It very likely could release in early 2017 and still be within the "launch window" which Nintendo always uses for launch titles.

Fighting games get ported all the time with no new content. I expect Smash NX will be treated like USFIV on PS4... except not shit at launch.

Fighting game ports aren't generally massive potential system sellers either. An enhanced Smash port can move units if they do it right.

 

[Clov]

Personally I think that a bit more can be added without Sakurai's involvement, and I'd expect at least one veteran and one newcomer for an NX version (maybe Ice Climbers and Inklings).

For arguments sake though, let's assume that no new characters/stages are able to be added to Smash NX. Even without that, I still think an NX version could have some interesting additions! Both sets of new stages (3DS and Wii U) could be added, along with a hazard toggle, some new event matches, new trophies, choosing which way to do All-Star Mode, both kinds of Classic Mode, Smash Run, etc.

Ideally it would have new content on top of this in terms of characters and stages, supported with DLC afterwards. Maybe Sakurai has found someone who will continue the Smash series while he takes a break! It's a big wait and see situation.

 

[Herb Alpert]

Couldn't it be the 3DS version?

Spoiler

ssb meltdown edition

 

[Linkhero1]

Sakurai: Personally, I'm happy I can finally take an extended vacation.

As someone who's a big fan of the man, news of his long due, well deserved rest please me...But it also throws one hell of a curve ball, I could have sworn he was working on this project behind the scenes, if it is a thing. Sakurai doesn't strike me as the sort to distance himself from his baby franchise even if it's just an up-port.

If Smash Bros at NX launch is true, then this pretty much confirms no new content. It will be a straight up port, with maybe a few tweaks. I doubt they would add additional characters/stages without Sakurai's input.

 

[Danthrax]

Sakurai's probably already worked on whatever will be added to the NX port/remaster. I can't imagine he spent the last 15 months supervising the development of just six characters, nine stages and some Mii skins.

 

[balladofwindfishes]

If Smash Bros at NX launch is true, then this pretty much confirms no new content. It will be a straight up port, with maybe a few tweaks. I doubt they would add additional characters/stages without Sakurai's input.

Why would they do that? Who would it even appeal to being a straight port of Smash 4?

The RTO for adding new characters for this port would be out of this world. They'll add new characters, they'd be insane to leave easy money laying around like that.

It's the difference between a system seller and just a random port.

 

[Neoxon]

Sakurai taking a vaction doesn't prevent a NX version. Assuming the NX launches in October/November and the NX version needs to be finished by September/October, there is still plenty of time for Sakurai to go on vacation for a few months even and then have a few solid months to work on new content. They could also do the NX version without him in the worst case scenario. But really, there's no reason he can't take a vaction and then come back and do the NX version. I mean, rumours are saying work on the NX version already started so maybe he even has finished what he needs to do for that.

It's more of if anything major will be added without Sakurai than anything else. At most, they could finish up the Ice Climbers without Sakurai, but likely not much else for characters. If they're gonna move on without Sakurai, Smash 5 would be the best time to do so.

Why would they do that? Who would it even appeal to being a straight port of Smash 4?

The RTO for adding new characters for this port would be out of this world. They'll add new characters, they'd be insane to leave easy money laying around like that.

It's the difference between a system seller and just a random port.

But you may run into a quality issue in terms of characters not made by Sakurai compared to the rest.

 

[Kinsei]

How is the 3DS version superior in any way? I guess you like the (fewer) stages it contains more and feel Smash Run makes up for any shortcomings. You're probably not going to find many gamers who have both and would agree, unless it's something about the portability factor or load times. The HD Wii U version is far superior regardless.

Not a fan of swimming?

Better stages and better modes. Classic & Smash Run >>>>>>>> Anything in Smash U.