Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate, released for Nintendo Switch on December 7, 2018, remains the definitive entry in Nintendo’s crossover fighter series.
Directed by Masahiro Sakurai and produced by Sora Ltd. with support from Bandai Namco, Ultimate assembled what Nintendo described as the largest roster in the franchise, concluding its DLC cycle with a final roster of 89 fighters.
The game has been supported through Nintendo Direct presentations and is available digitally on the Nintendo eShop.
As the conversation around a future Smash title continues in fan and industry circles, observers frequently debate whether new hardware or a new mainline entry would require refreshed character designs and movesets.
Some commentators have argued that an entirely new Super Smash Bros. release would likely need a distinct visual identity to differentiate it from Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate; others note that Nintendo used Nintendo Directs to introduce meaningful updates and roster additions during Ultimate’s lifecycle.
Below are fighters frequently discussed as candidates for visual updates, presented as community and industry observations rather than confirmed plans.
- Fox and Falco: Longstanding Star Fox protagonists have appeared in Smash since the series’ early days.
Commentators point out that changes in character models across franchise remakes can make their Smash appearances feel out of step with newer art directions, prompting discussion about proportion and animation revisions if Nintendo chose to refresh their looks.
- Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong: Donkey Kong is one of Nintendo’s most iconic characters, with a history spanning arcade and platform titles.
Fans and developers alike have experimented with varying levels of expressiveness and scale in modern DK appearances, and some have suggested that updated facial animation or a revised moveset could better reflect contemporary entries in the franchise.
- Bowser: Bowser’s portrayal in Smash has historically emphasized a heavier, more imposing playstyle.
Observers note that Bowser’s visual presentation across Mario titles has evolved, and any future Smash iteration could revisit how his personality and voice are conveyed in combat animations.
- Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf: Nintendo has offered multiple canonical designs for these characters across The Legend of Zelda series.
Community discussion often centers on which era’s designs — for example, more recent Tears of the Kingdom aesthetics versus legacy Ocarina of Time styling — might best translate to a fresh Smash installment.
- King Dedede and Shulk: Both characters have seen visual shifts across their source series.
Fans have suggested alternate costumes or updated models to align with newer franchise entries while retaining each character’s recognizable silhouette.
Nintendo has not announced a successor to Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate or detailed plans for a new mainline Smash title as of the latest official communications.
Any concrete design choices would most likely be revealed through Nintendo’s established channels — notably Nintendo Direct — and made available on platforms such as the Nintendo eShop when announced.
Until Nintendo provides official information, discussion about redesigns remains speculative commentary grounded in the company’s historical approach to character presentation and franchise updates.
Ultimate, released for Nintendo Switch on December 7, 2018, remains the definitive entry in Nintendo’s crossover fighter series.
Directed by Masahiro Sakurai and produced by Sora Ltd. with support from Bandai Namco, Ultimate assembled what Nintendo described as the largest roster in the franchise, concluding its DLC cycle with a final roster of 89 fighters.
The game has been supported through Nintendo Direct presentations and is available digitally on the Nintendo eShop.
As the conversation around a future Smash title continues in fan and industry circles, observers frequently debate whether new hardware or a new mainline entry would require refreshed character designs and movesets.
Some commentators have argued that an entirely new Super Smash Bros. release would likely need a distinct visual identity to differentiate it from Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate; others note that Nintendo used Nintendo Directs to introduce meaningful updates and roster additions during Ultimate’s lifecycle.
Below are fighters frequently discussed as candidates for visual updates, presented as community and industry observations rather than confirmed plans.
- Fox and Falco: Longstanding Star Fox protagonists have appeared in Smash since the series’ early days.
Commentators point out that changes in character models across franchise remakes can make their Smash appearances feel out of step with newer art directions, prompting discussion about proportion and animation revisions if Nintendo chose to refresh their looks.
- Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong: Donkey Kong is one of Nintendo’s most iconic characters, with a history spanning arcade and platform titles.
Fans and developers alike have experimented with varying levels of expressiveness and scale in modern DK appearances, and some have suggested that updated facial animation or a revised moveset could better reflect contemporary entries in the franchise.
- Bowser: Bowser’s portrayal in Smash has historically emphasized a heavier, more imposing playstyle.
Observers note that Bowser’s visual presentation across Mario titles has evolved, and any future Smash iteration could revisit how his personality and voice are conveyed in combat animations.
- Link, Zelda, and Ganondorf: Nintendo has offered multiple canonical designs for these characters across The Legend of Zelda series.
Community discussion often centers on which era’s designs — for example, more recent Tears of the Kingdom aesthetics versus legacy Ocarina of Time styling — might best translate to a fresh Smash installment.
- King Dedede and Shulk: Both characters have seen visual shifts across their source series.
Fans have suggested alternate costumes or updated models to align with newer franchise entries while retaining each character’s recognizable silhouette.
Nintendo has not announced a successor to Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate or detailed plans for a new mainline Smash title as of the latest official communications.
Any concrete design choices would most likely be revealed through Nintendo’s established channels — notably Nintendo Direct — and made available on platforms such as the Nintendo eShop when announced.
Until Nintendo provides official information, discussion about redesigns remains speculative commentary grounded in the company’s historical approach to character presentation and franchise updates.
