Nintendo to Announce a New Super Smash Bros. Game for Switch 2 With Big Changes

Nintendo is already thinking ahead when it comes to Super Smash Bros., and if you’ve been following the franchise over the years, you’re probably not surprised that it’s being treated like a key pillar for the next generation of hardware. You’re looking at a series that has already reached massive numbers, with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has sold over 36 million copies worldwide and realistically closer to 37 million by now.

What makes that even more notable is that you’re not seeing heavy price cuts driving those sales. It’s been a strong seller on its own terms, and that’s before you even factor in DLC content like challenger packs and seasonal additions, which have generated a huge amount of long-term revenue for Nintendo.

That kind of performance is exactly why Nintendo keeps the franchise on a relatively tight schedule. Historically, you don’t see them letting Smash Bros. sit idle for too long. In most cases, they aim for a new entry or major version within roughly a two-year window. Sometimes it stretches slightly beyond that, but not by much.

If you look back, the pattern becomes clearer.

On Wii U and 3DS, Smash Bros. releases were closely timed, arriving not long after the console’s life cycle had properly started. Then on Nintendo Switch, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was announced in 2018 and released that same year, even though the system launched in 2017. That kind of timing shows you how quickly Nintendo is willing to move when Smash is involved.

Now that attention is shifting toward Nintendo Switch 2, you’re starting to see speculation that the next Smash Bros. game could be announced earlier than people expect. Even if it feels like there hasn’t been any official movement yet, there’s a strong belief that development planning is already underway behind the scenes.

A big part of that conversation revolves around Masahiro Sakurai.

He’s been the face of the franchise for years, and even though he recently wrapped up work on Kirby Air Riders, there’s still a sense that he may be involved in shaping what comes next for Smash Bros., at least in some capacity.

At the same time, you’ve also seen comments and speculation suggesting that Sakurai himself doesn’t really envision the series continuing without a carefully planned transition. That’s where the idea of a “passing of the torch” comes in. If the next Smash Bros. game is being built, it might not just be about a new roster or new mechanics—it could also be about introducing a new lead developer to carry the series forward.

That’s part of why people expect that when the next Smash Bros. game is revealed, Sakurai might appear alongside whoever is stepping into that role. It would make sense as a way to reassure players while also signaling a shift in direction.

Timing-wise, there’s a lot of debate.

You’re hearing expectations ranging from an announcement within the next year to something closer to 2027. Some of that speculation ties into the idea that Nintendo likes to keep momentum strong in a console’s early years, especially with a system-selling franchise like Smash Bros.

There’s also a split in thinking about what the actual game will be. One option is that Nintendo simply upgrades Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Switch 2. In that scenario, you’re not looking at a brand-new game but a heavily enhanced version. That could mean improved resolution, smoother performance, and possibly even 120 FPS support given the extra hardware power. It could also include expanded features that were limited on the original Switch.

A big point that comes up often is online play. Right now, Ultimate still uses delay-based netcode, which has been a long-standing complaint for competitive and casual players alike. With newer technology available, there’s a strong expectation that Nintendo could finally move to roll back netcode, which would make online matches feel much more responsive and stable.

Alongside that, you could see improvements to online systems overall. Modes that are currently locked to offline play might finally become fully usable online. Features like Squad Strike and Stage Morphing could become more integrated into matchmaking, and the overall online experience could feel much closer to modern fighting game standards.

There’s also discussion around ranking systems. Instead of relying on Global Smash Power, which has always felt a bit abstract, a proper competitive ranking system could be introduced. That would give you a clearer sense of skill progression and make matchmaking feel more structured.

But there’s another direction Nintendo could take, and it’s the more dramatic one: a full reboot.

In that version, you’re not just upgrading Ultimate. You’re looking at a completely new Smash Bros. built from the ground up for Switch 2. The roster could be scaled down significantly, possibly to around 40 to 50 characters instead of the massive lineup you see in Ultimate. That would put it closer to earlier entries in the series, like the Wii U version, where the focus was more contained.

The idea behind a reboot wouldn’t just be about reducing size. It would be about rebuilding everything. Move sets could be redesigned so they actually reflect modern versions of characters. For instance, Mario could use skills from newer games like Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario Bros. Wonder, which has mechanics based on Cappy. You could give Samus new moves from Metroid Dread, and Link could get a new set of tools that work better with the newer Zelda games.

The goal would be to make each character feel more current and intentional, even though the roster is smaller. This is because older versions of their move sets have been used for years with only minor changes.

There would still be third-party characters, especially well-known ones like Sonic, Mega Man, and Pac-Man. Instead of including almost 100 fighters from the start, the focus could shift to better quality, balance, and more complex systems. More characters could still be added later through DLC or seasonal content, which would keep the game growing over time.

That way, Nintendo could also put more effort into single-player content, which a lot of players thought was lacking in Ultimate. In a new version, a stronger campaign or a more structured offline experience might be more important.

Also, Switch 2 hardware would give designers more options for stage design, environmental effects, and gameplay systems. You’re talking about more complex interactions, more detailed backgrounds, and more dynamic matches overall, simply because the system can handle more than the original Switch.

There’s also the business side of things.

A new Smash Bros. release would almost certainly be positioned as a system seller. Bundles would be expected, possibly including themed consoles, special Pro Controllers, and even the return of GameCube-style controllers, similar to past Smash releases. Nintendo has done this before, and it’s the kind of marketing move that fits the franchise perfectly.

Even though there’s no official confirmation yet, the expectation remains strong that Super Smash Bros. is going to play a major role in the Switch 2 era. Whether it comes as an enhanced version of Ultimate or a full reboot with new systems and a reworked roster, the franchise isn’t going anywhere.

And with Nintendo’s usual timing patterns, plus the importance of Smash Bros. as one of their biggest long-term titles, it’s already clear that the next entry isn’t a matter of if—it’s more about how and when it shows up.