It's 2026, and the dust has settled on the Switch 2's initial launch window. Yet, one question still echoes in the minds of Nintendo fans worldwide: what's next for Super Smash Bros.? 🤔 With the legendary Super Smash Bros. Ultimate now celebrating its eighth birthday and its final DLC fighter released back in 2021, the arena feels suspiciously quiet. Every major Nintendo home console since the N64 has gotten its own Smash title—will the Switch 2 break this tradition, or is Nintendo cooking up something special behind the scenes? The future is a mystery, but looking at Nintendo's recent playbook, especially with Mario Kart, might give us some clues.
The 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe' Blueprint: A Proven Formula? 🏎️➡️🎮
Let's rewind for a second. Why is everyone talking about Mario Kart 8 Deluxe when discussing Smash Bros.? Simple: it was a colossal, record-shattering success. But here's the kicker—it wasn't a new game! It was a souped-up port of the Wii U's Mario Kart 8, bundled with all its DLC and then supercharged with the massive Booster Course Pass. Nintendo essentially doubled the content of an already fantastic game and unleashed it on the massively popular Switch. The result? It became the best-selling game on the console and one of the best-selling games of all time. 💥
So, the big question is: Could Nintendo pull off the same magic trick with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on the Switch 2?
The case FOR a 'Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Deluxe' is pretty compelling:
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The 'Ultimate' Legacy: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate lives up to its name. It's a love letter to gaming history with its "Everyone Is Here!" roster. A Deluxe port would guarantee zero cuts—every fighter, every stage, every song from the base game and Fighters Passes 1 & 2 would make the jump. Can you imagine starting a new console generation with that intact? 😲
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More Content, Please! Just like the Booster Course Pass, a Switch 2 port could be the perfect vehicle for Fighters Pass 3. Think about it: a new wave of 5-6 DLC fighters, stages, and music. This wouldn't just be a port; it would be the definitive edition, making the most complete fighting game roster even bigger.
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Technical Sweetness: The Switch 2's rumored power boost could allow for native 4K resolution, rock-solid 60fps gameplay, and drastically reduced loading times. Imagine playing on the Battlefield or Final Destination stages with buttery-smooth performance and stunning visual clarity. 🖼️
But Wait... Is the Situation Really the Same? ⚖️
Hold your hype trains, though! While the Mario Kart comparison is tempting, the situations aren't identical. This is where the argument gets interesting.
Key Differences That Might Hold Nintendo Back:
| Factor | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Potential Smash Ultimate Deluxe |
|---|---|---|
| Original Platform | Wii U (Low install base) | Nintendo Switch (Massive install base) |
| Main Benefit | Brought a great game to a huge new audience | Would be porting a game most fans already own |
| Novelty Factor | High for Switch owners | Potentially lower for Switch 2 owners |
Here's the core issue: Mario Kart 8 was trapped on the struggling Wii U. Porting it to the Switch was like introducing a masterpiece to the world for the first time. In contrast, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is already a Switch game, and tens of millions of players already own it. Would they be willing to buy it again on the Switch 2 for some visual upgrades and maybe a bit more DLC? The "must-have" factor isn't as clear-cut.
Furthermore, Ultimate set the bar so impossibly high with its roster that a brand-new sequel would have a monumental challenge. Do they start from scratch with a smaller roster? Do they try to top "Everyone Is Here!"? The development cycle for a completely new Smash game is notoriously long and arduous. A Deluxe port could be a strategic move to buy the development team precious time while still giving Switch 2 owners an incredible Smash experience at launch.
The Verdict: What's More Likely for Switch 2? 🔮
So, where does that leave us in 2026? The path forward for Smash on Switch 2 is shrouded in that classic Nintendo fog, but we can weigh the possibilities.
🎯 Scenario 1: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Deluxe (The Safer Bet)
This feels like a strong, business-savvy possibility. It's a lower-risk project with a guaranteed audience. Nintendo could market it as the ultimate way to play the ultimate crossover, enhanced for the new hardware and packed with a final round of new fighters. It satisfies the fan demand for more while bridging the gap to the next true sequel.
🎯 Scenario 2: A Brand New Super Smash Bros. Game (The Ambitious Dream)
This is what hardcore fans are truly dreaming of. A new engine, a new visual style, new mechanics, and a reimagined approach to the crossover. But ask yourself: would you be okay with a roster that's only half the size of Ultimate's? A new game means starting over, and that's a tough pill to swallow after the feast we just enjoyed.
🎯 Scenario 3: A Surprising Hybrid (The Wild Card)
What if Nintendo does both? Imagine a new Smash game built on Ultimate's foundation—keeping the vast majority of the roster and stages but introducing a new single-player story mode, overhauled online systems, and fresh gameplay mechanics. It's not quite a port, not quite a full reboot, but a bold evolution.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, Super Smash Bros. is one of Nintendo's crown jewels. They won't rush it. The ghost of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's success definitely haunts the discussion, proving that a masterful enhanced port can dominate a console's lifecycle. But the unique position of Ultimate—already a Switch titan—complicates the equation. 🤷♂️
Whether it's Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Deluxe or Super Smash Bros. (Insert Cool Subtitle Here), one thing is certain: when Nintendo finally drops that trailer, the internet will break. Until then, we'll keep our controllers charged and our speculation hype in check. The next battle is coming... we just don't know what form it will take! 💥🎮