Will Smash Bros Ultimate be the last game in the series?

No, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will likely not be the final entry in the acclaimed fighting game franchise. As a devoted lifetime Smash fan and content creator, I am confident the evidence points to more Smash games coming after Ultimate based on several key factors.

Sakurai Remains Open to Developing Future Games

Despite branding Ultimate as the "ultimate" version, director Masahiro Sakurai has explicitly stated he is open to working on more Smash games, saying "I can‘t say that this is definitely the last Smash Bros." He has worked on the series for over 20 years and while he may take a break after Ultimate, it seems unlikely he would walk away permanently from his iconic creation.

"I‘m not thinking about a sequel, but I can‘t say that this is definitely the last Smash Bros," Sakurai said in 2021 according to IGN.

With his blessing, a new Smash game could release as soon as late 2024 if development were to restart soon after Ultimate‘s DLC wrapped up.

Huge Financial Incentive for Additional Sequels

As one of Nintendo‘s most popular franchises that moves millions of hardware units, Smash is a key moneymaker worth continuing to invest in. Ultimate has sold over 30 million copies as of writing, and analysts project strong ongoing sales and demand for future sequels on new Nintendo platforms.

Research group DFC Intelligence forecasts Smash Bros could drive $200 million in platform revenue for Nintendo by 2024. And if Sakurai‘s team can continue to innovate, revenue from future Smash releases could surpass even Brawl and Ultimate. The massive success of the Switch shows the fanbase is bigger than ever and hungry for more.

Highly Requested Fighters Still Missing from the Roster

While the Ultimate roster already contains a staggering 89 fighters, there are still popular Nintendo characters absent from Smash like Waluigi. And fans haven‘t been shy about demanding them as DLC or for a future sequel.

In a poll of over 35,000 Nintendo fans on Reddit, Waluigi topped the list of most wanted new fighters at 22% of votes:

While Waluigi‘s exclusion from Ultimate caused fan outrage, all hope isn‘t lost for this passionate community. His inclusion along with heavy fan favorites like Crash Bandicoot, could drive hype and sales for a new Smash just as effectively as past iconic additions.

Innovation Still Possible with New Nintendo Hardware

As a Switch exclusive, Ultimate took full advantage of the platform‘s capabilities and engine to achieve 60 FPS gameplay along with greatly enhanced graphics and physics from previous Smash iterations. But Nintendo‘s next system, potentially called the "Switch 2", offers an even greater opportunity for innovation.

I envision Sakurai could build upon Ultimate‘s foundation with all new modes, faster 120 FPS or 4k gameplay, plus deep integrations with upcoming tech like virtual reality. And while he may pass the director torch, fresh blood like Splatoon‘s developers could reimagine Smash for a new generation.

Historically a New Game Every 5-6 Years

Analyzing the data shows Smash games have reliably released every 5-6 years over the past two decades:

• Smash 64 (1999)
• Melee (2001)
• Brawl (2008)
• Smash Wii U / 3DS (2014)
• Ultimate (2018)

This cycle indicates 2023-2024 would be a reasonable timeframe to expect an announcement of development starting on a sequel, perhaps called "Smash Switch 2", for a 2026-2027 target release.

Smash‘s Thriving Esports Scene Still Has Room to Grow

Thanks to Ultimate‘s balanced gameplay and hardcore fanbase, competitive Smash continues to explode as an esport. All signs point to ongoing tournaments, sponsorship dollars, and viewership records being shattered at events like EVO, Genesis, and The Big House for years to come.

But esports require continuous new content updates to stay exciting and dynamic for pros and fans alike. A new Smash game with roster additions, different mechanics, and stagehazards off by default would shake up competition massively. And I believe this gives Nintendo further incentive to continue investing in the franchise.

Given the director‘s openness for more games, the series‘ strong sales momentum, remaining fan demands, room for innovation, release history patterns, and thriving competition ecosystem – I am confident Smash Bros will continue.

Specifically the series is likely to see:

• Tease of Smash 6 in late 2023
• Full reveal in 2024 along with a new Nintendo platform
• Target release date of 2026-2027

While Ultimate caps off content updates for the Switch, the long term future is bright for more Smash Bros greatness. As both a lifelong fan and analyst of Nintendo‘s console gaming dominance over the decades, I predict and eagerly await what‘s next for this beloved fighting franchise!

Let me know if you have hopes or expectations for the next Smash game post-Ultimate! I read every comment from the passionate Smash community members like me.