7 Huge Ways Nintendo’s Switch 2 Era Could Transform Super Smash Bros

We are now well into the Nintendo Switch 2 era, and the platform’s momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Acclaimed titles like Donkey Kong Bananza, Pokémon Pokopia, and Splatoon Raiders have successfully revitalized Nintendo’s most dependable intellectual properties. The true magnitude of this generational shift may not be fully realized yet, but it will undoubtedly crystallize the moment the Switch 2 receives its inevitably anticipated Super Smash Bros. installment.

Beyond functioning as a premier fighting game franchise, the greatest attribute of Super Smash Bros. is its ability to act as a historical time capsule. Each successive iteration captures the zeitgeist of Nintendo’s leading properties, refining characters to reflect their most current iterations. The forthcoming Switch 2 entry already possesses an abundant foundation to draw from. Should Nintendo choose to adjust the character roster to mirror its latest software lineup, we could witness substantial overhauls for legacy combatants alongside long-overdue franchise debuts. Consider this compilation a hybrid wishlist for roster adjustments and early prognostications for the next generation of Super Smash Bros.

The Mechanic

Image: Nintendo

Historically, the Splatoon series has felt somewhat constrained regarding its crossover potential in Super Smash Bros., largely limited to standard Inklings. However, the newly released Splatoon Raiders may completely redefine those expectations. Community members across the Splatoon subreddit have begun expressing a strong desire to see the shooter’s protagonist, The Mechanic, join the brawl, and the rationale is compelling. The character’s extensive assortment of gadgets paves the way for a uniquely tactical fighter that bears little resemblance to a conventional Inkling. Iconic implements such as the Splatchet, Bombloons, or the Booyarang could be seamlessly adapted into specialized maneuvers. Allowing competitors to dynamically cycle through ink reservoirs to alter their tactical equipment would yield an exceptionally versatile combatant capable of injecting genuine unpredictability into matches.

Donkey Kong

Image: Nintendo

If any veteran combatant warrants a comprehensive reimagining in the upcoming Super Smash Bros. installment, it is undoubtedly Donkey Kong. As a foundational fixture since the inception of the series, both his visual aesthetic and repertoire of attacks have remained largely untouched. Naturally, this stagnation is poised to end. While adopting his updated cartoon-inspired redesign for the crossover is practically guaranteed, his offensive capabilities would benefit immensely from incorporating elements of Donkey Kong Bananza. It would be thrilling to see DK acquire the capability to fracture segments of stages to hurl at adversaries or ride as a makeshift surfboard. Furthermore, a Final Smash incorporating his Bananza transformations—punctuated by a guest appearance from Pauline—feels like an absolute certainty. Countless avenues exist to bridge his classic pummeling techniques with the high-octane destruction showcased in Bananza.

Samus Aran

Image: Nintendo

Samus Aran stands as close to an ideal Super Smash Bros. combatant as humanly possible. The vast array of abilities acquired throughout the Metroid franchise translate effortlessly into a fighting game architecture, cementing her status as a premier projectile specialist. Should developers pursue modifications in the upcoming entry, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond introduces enticing opportunities for refinement. Aside from furnishing her with fresh armor configurations (inclusion of the striking Vi-O-La Suit is long overdue), integrating Samus’ newly awakened psychic abilities would be a welcome addition. The Control Beam, in particular, offers ripe potential for adaptation, functioning as a maneuverable projectile akin to Ness’ PK Fire. That said, keeping Myles MacKenzie off the active roster would probably be best—for everyone involved.

Yoshi

Screenshot: Polygon via Nintendo

Yoshi has historically required minimal structural alterations in Super Smash Bros. due to the consistent nature of his core mechanics across standalone adventures. He consumes adversaries and encapsulates them within eggs—how much further can one expand upon that specific utility? Enter Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, a title brimming with imaginative concepts. This puzzle-platformer infuses Mario’s loyal companion with distinct shades of Kirby’s DNA, empowering Yoshi to interact with local fauna and appropriate their distinct abilities. This dynamic introduces vast potential for Super Smash Bros., as numerous skills derived from Yoshi and the Mysterious Book could drastically revitalize his standard maneuvers. Picture him projecting Peckadees like darts or dispersing Scatterpuff spores to inflict detrimental status ailments on opponents. The sheer volume of creative directions available generates immense anticipation for how Nintendo might modernize this classic dinosaur.

Tomodachis

Image: Nintendo via Polygon

Given the runaway commercial success of Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Nintendo will inevitably need to secure representation for its premier life simulation franchise within Super Smash Bros. The most practical pathway involves retiring the traditional Mii Fighters and substituting them with Tomodachis. Considering that the latter essentially function as heavily expanded iterations of standard Mii avatars, this trade-off feels entirely equitable. While their underlying move sets would require minimal adjustment, the capacity to import uniquely customized creations directly into Super Smash Bros. would profoundly amplify player self-expression across the competitive roster. Personally, securing a slot for my bespoke Garfield Tomodachi remains the ultimate objective—and serves as the primary catalyst for floating this concept.

Karate Joe

Image: nintendo via Polygon

During the pre-release information cycle for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, persistent leaks suggested that the Chorus Kids from Rhythm Heaven were slated as playable combatants. Although unexpected, the rumor carried a certain logical elegance. While that specific inclusion never materialized, the arrival of Rhythm Heaven Groove positions the musical franchise perfectly for a dedicated fighter in the next installment. Though the Chorus Kids remain an appealing choice, introducing Karate Joe represents the most viable pragmatic solution. His potential move set is largely self-explanatory, yet the true mechanical ingenuity would stem from amplifying his offensive output whenever strikes are synchronized precisely with the stage’s background audio track. Ideally, executing him as a two-dimensional sprite reminiscent of Mr. Game & Watch would flawlessly preserve the distinct artistic spirit of the Rhythm Heaven series.

Ditto

Image: Nintendo/Koei Tecmo

Although Super Smash Bros. boasts substantial Pokémon representation, the creature-collecting franchise paradoxically feels underrepresented. This discrepancy largely stems from historical fighters focusing almost exclusively on mainline role-playing entries while bypassing the rich legacy of spinoff titles. However, Pokémon Pokopia is far too significant to overlook. As one of the highest-rated entries in franchise history, it richly deserves recognition, which could be elegantly delivered by introducing Ditto as a playable combatant. Imagine the humanoid iteration of Ditto from Pokopia flailing opponents with flexible appendages, discharging Water Gun projectiles, or temporarily morphing into a Dragonite to execute an upward recovery move. Such inventive concepts would render it an inspired addition to the Super Smash Bros. roster. We have seen more than enough traditional powerhouses; it is time to embrace the eccentric.

 

Source: Polygon