Masahiro Sakurai, the brilliant mind behind the Super Smash Bros. series, has recently shared his honest thoughts on the future of the acclaimed franchise, leaving fans hanging on his every word. With the monumental success of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, it’s no wonder that expectations are sky-high, but Sakurai seems to be grappling with the enormity of what’s been achieved and the daunting task of what could possibly come next.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the gaming scene. Since its release on the Nintendo Switch, it has sold over 30 million units worldwide, making it one of the best-selling games on the platform.
The game brought together an extensive roster of characters and stages, which put it on the map of some of the best fighting games ever made. It’s certainly a tough act to follow, and Sakurai is well aware of this.
In a series of videos on his YouTube channel, Sakurai shared some insights into the complexities of video game development, including stories from his own experiences and reflections on the success of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
The 53-year-old game designer expressed his pride in the happiness the game has brought to players but quickly acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead. “Smash Bros. has grown to be monstrous in size,” he noted, adding, “I’d say it’s difficult to imagine an increase of this magnitude happening again.”
Sakurai’s words have ignited a flurry of speculation and discussion among Nintendo fans. What does the future hold for Super Smash Bros.? Is a sequel in the works, or has the series reached its zenith? Sakurai himself seems uncertain, stating, “I can’t say for certain there won’t be another, but I do think it would be difficult to push it any further than we have.”
The Super Smash Bros. franchise has sold over 73 million units to date, with Ultimate being the best-selling entry. If this isn’t proof of the series’ enduring popularity within the gaming community, then we don’t know what is.
Unfortunately, now that Sakurai is taking an extended break, and considering the immense pressure to surpass the success of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the path forward remains murky and uncertain.
Regardless of what happens, Sakurai’s legacy is secure, and the joy his games have brought to players around the world will endure forever, and isn’t that what every game developer truly desires at heart?
