Rumors and speculation ran rampant leading up to a recent Nintendo Direct presentation, with many major gaming outlets reporting the potential announcement of the first new Super Smash Bros. game in nearly seven years. While met with skepticism by some, the possibility fueled considerable hope among fans, particularly given the timing.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the latest entry in the series, was released in 2018. Series director and lead designer Masahiro Sakurai had previously stated that a new title was "impossible" in 2021 and that Ultimate would be his final contribution. However, Sakurai also hinted at working on a new game in 2024, leading some fans to believe a new Smash Bros. game could be on the horizon.
Expectations were high as many fans tuned into the presentation, but the showcase was instead filled with ports and remakes. Even as the Direct progressed, a persistent belief lingered that Nintendo was holding back its biggest announcements for later in the show. The announcement of Metroid Dread, while exciting for some, did not alter this expectation for a major reveal. Subsequent announcements of smaller titles and ports felt increasingly deflating, especially following the recent buzz around Grand Theft Auto 6, which showcased significant technical achievements.
Towards the end of the showcase, the appearance of Kirby-related imagery led some to still hold out hope for a misdirection or a surprise announcement. However, the reveal of "Kirby and the World Beyond" confirmed that a new Super Smash Bros. game was not on the agenda.
The reaction in the YouTube chat and online communities was immediate and largely negative, with many criticizing the presentation as a disappointment. Frustration was frequently attributed to the absence of a Smash Bros. announcement. Some fans on platforms like Reddit acknowledged being misled by online speculation.
Sakurai's intense dedication to the Smash Bros. series has historically been linked to health concerns, with reports of him working through illness. He has since begun to ease his workload. While a new Super Smash Bros. game remains a possibility given the franchise's popularity, fans will have to wait for an official announcement, and perhaps reflect on the nature of online rumors.