Will There Be a Smash Bros 6? An In-Depth Look at the Future of the Franchise

As one of Nintendo‘s most beloved and successful franchises of all time, few gaming brands can match the cultural impact and devoted fandom surrounding Super Smash Bros. With total franchise sales exceeding 55 million copies worldwide and the series generating over $1.7 billion in revenue thus far, it‘s no surprise fans are hungry for more Smash Bros action. But with creator Masahiro Sakurai stepping away after 2018‘s Smash Ultimate, what does the future hold for a potential Smash Bros 6?

The Phenomenon of Smash Bros

Ever since the Nintendo 64 original in 1999, the Smash series has delivered some of the most engaging and content-rich multiplayer experiences in gaming history. The iconic crossover fighter lets players battle with an expanding cast of Nintendo and third party characters in games loaded with modes, collectibles, and fan service galore.

But beyond the stellar gameplay, what truly fuels Smash‘s success is its vibrant community and competitive scene. From EVO Championships showcasing elite Smash pros to casual dorm room battles amongst friends, Smash Bros has become a social phenomenon. As of 2022, there are an estimated 28 million active Smash players worldwide.

And the release of each new Smash game over the past two decades has had a monumental impact:

(*) Includes over 17 million copies of Ultimate sold to date.

This data shows the explosive growth and success Smash has achieved, especially in the modern era. As Nintendo‘s flagship fighting series, expectations are always high when a new entry is on the horizon.

What Developers Have Said About the Future

Smash Ultimate director Masahiro Sakurai has stated he currently has no plans to work on a new Smash game following Ultimate‘s development wrap and final DLC characters. But when asked straight out if Smash Ultimate would be his last Smash, Sakurai said "I‘m not in a position to say that now."

Likewise, current Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser commented "We have not announced any plans for a new Smash Bros. at this time." So while a new game is not in active production, the door remains open down the road.

Release History Suggests More Games Likely

Nintendo has a long history of continuing successful franchises for decades at a time, with recurring releases in series like Mario, Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and many more. And previous gaps between new Smash games have typically spanned 4-7 years.

It‘s now been over 4 years since Smash Ultimate launched, which has some fans speculating the next entry could arrive around 2024-2025. But it may take longer given the sheer amount of content in Ultimate, which boasted over 70 characters at launch.

Several prominent community figures have weighed in on the prospects of a new Smash game:

• "It‘s inevitable in my mind that we‘ll get a new Smash game announced in the next couple of years" – Hungrybox, professional Melee player and YouTuber.

• "I expect Smash 6 is being quietly worked on and will release in a few years" – Cinnpie, veteran Smash caster and personality.

While there are no guarantees, the community sentiment seems to lean towards another entry in the long running crossover fighting series. But what would a brand new Smash game look like after the massive Ultimate?

Leading Smash 6 Theories

Most speculation around the next Smash game falls into three leading theories:

Smash Ultimate Deluxe

An expanded "Game of the Year" or "Definitive Edition" release of Ultimate for newer/future platforms, bundled with all current DLC. Based on Nintendo‘s track record with games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, this would provide a "complete" edition of Ultimate while breathing sales life into an existing game.

Full Series Reboot

Starting totally fresh, this would mean a 100% new entry that ditches the existing roster and mechanics. Sakurai has hinted at interest in a Smash "reboot", but building Ultimate‘s massive content from scratch would be a daunting task. This path seems unlikely.

Traditional Numbered Sequel

The most standard option – Smash Bros 6 as a brand new title that carries over Ultimate‘s engine, roster, and functionality while adding some new characters, modes, and tweaks. This allows Nintendo to continue iterating without a full reset.

Live Service Model

Some propose Nintendo could also adopt a live service approach to Smash with ongoing updates and new content drops rather than discrete sequels. This model has worked well for multiplayer juggernauts like Fortnite and League of Legends. But it would require a shift from Nintendo‘s usual release pattern.

The "Smash Ultimate Deluxe" enhanced re-release feels like the safest bet if Nintendo does plan to revisit the franchise anytime soon. But only they know what the future may hold.

Who Fans Want to See Added to the Roster

Any new Smash game inevitably brings buzz around the next fighters that could join the playable roster. Here are some of the most demanded characters based on fan polls, petitions, and community chatter:

Waluigi

The notorious trickster and Luigi foil has been at the top of many request lists for years. His exclusion from Ultimate caused outrage among supporters. Waluigi‘s offbeat moveset potential makes him a popular choice.

Crash Bandicoot

A classic 3D platforming icon and former PlayStation mascot, Crash‘s wild personality and deep nostalgia factor have fans longing to see him Crash the Smash Bros party.

Master Chief

Microsoft‘s flagship FPS hero continues to be one of the most widely demanded third party characters. His arsenal and popular Halo pedigree could translate well into Smash.

Sora

The protagonist of Square Enix‘s Kingdom Hearts has been a recurring ballot vote entry. Disney ownership complications may be a hurdle, but Sora‘s magic abilities and fan energy make him an appealing option.

While more Smash DLC and Fighters Passes beyond Ultimate can‘t be ruled out either, these four characters exemplify the type of fan service choices people hope to see in a sequel. Nintendo would have the pick of the litter in terms of potential new roster additions.

Does Smash Bros 6 Make Good Business Sense for Nintendo?

Given Smash‘s continually growing sales and the GRID View Switch user base now exceeding 100 million systems, a new Smash game would likely perform incredibly well. Smash enjoys tremendous goodwill and would be a major release for any future Nintendo platform.

And the Smash series now has its own direct revenue stream via DLC character packs – something Sakurai‘s team has fully embraced with Ultimate. New Smash games mean opportunities for more add-on content sales after launch.

Provided Nintendo has the development bandwidth, delivering a polished new Smash toward the latter half of the Switch‘s lifespan seems like an excellent market play. It could even be a launch title driving adoption of the inevitable Switch successor down the road.

The Answer? Smash Fans Will Have to Wait and See

While Smash Bros Ultimate is wrapped for now, Nintendo would be hard pressed to abandon one of its most beloved and financially successful franchises. The company has kept long running series alive for decades, and Smash is arguably now in that upper echelon.

Yet with no concrete evidence or announcements to go on, projections of Smash Bros 6 remain purely speculative. The community clamors for more, but firm details won‘t come until Nintendo is prepared to reveal the next chapter. Given the prior release history, sometime around 2024-2025 seems a potential target.

For now, fans continue to hope for the future while enjoying over 100 stages and 80+ fighters in the content-packed Ultimate. But if one thing is certain, it‘s that the Super Smash Bros series has plenty of gas left in the tank. When Nintendo is ready to unleash a new entry, the gaming world will be waiting with hype and speculation 100 times over. Smash 6 might not be soon, but few would bet against its eventual arrival.