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Posted by on Jul 4, 2012 | 2 comments

Super Smash Bros. Wii U Won’t Have a Gigantic Roster, says Nintendo

Super Smash Bros. Wii U Won’t Have a Gigantic Roster, says Nintendo

Super Smash Bros. Brawl was gargantuan. Well okay, not in terms of scope, but in terms of playable characters and the available fan service? Yes. Every single imaginable character from some of Nintendo’s most fabled (and some not-so fabled) franchises made at least an appearance in the gravity-defying party-hardy fighting game. 35 characters — count ‘em, 35 characters — were available to play in the constantly growing roster.

Now, lead director Masahiro Sakurai says that there’s going to be some changes made, and it starts with the number of playable characters. The game’s being helmed by Namco Bandai, and Nintendo looks to shake up the formula with the Wii U iteration of the franchise.

“It isn’t a matter of ‘if the next game has 50 characters, that’ll be enough,’” said Sakurai in an interview with Nintendo Power (via Nintendo Everything). “There is a certain charm to games that have huge casts of playable characters, but they tend to have issues with game balance and it becomes very difficult to fine-tune each character and have them all feel distinctive… In terms of quantity, we’ve probably already reached the limit of what’s feasible. I think a change of direction may be what’s needed.”

As long as series staples are included, we’re thinking there won’t be a whole lot of backlash. Focusing on less characters to develop more unique movesets and design is all well and good, but fans may also want more of the hundreds of easter eggs that Brawl brought to the table. Hopefully Sakurai and Namco Bandai can strike a balance with what is kept and what’s being changed.

Via G4TV.

All About Tabitha W. ...

Best known for her dumb ass antics on Twitter, Tabs likes to play a lot of games, especially if it involves copious amounts of assassins, swords, and hot cyborgs. She also likes a lot of coffee, and requires a weekly cupcake sacrifice. Don't forget the bacon.

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2 Comments

  1. TheTony July 4, 2012

    A new DLC character is approaching! Let’s see if we’ll be able to boost the standard cast w/ downloadable add-ins?

    Also, what’s your definition of “scope,” just out of curiosity? I thought there was plenty going on, with Subspace Emissary and all the unlockabkes and challenge modes and trophies and stickers and custom level options and snapshots and replays and…anyway, just wanted to know.

    Thanks!

  2. Joe Fourhman July 6, 2012

    If the new Smash shows up with 15-20 fighters, that will suck. Sort of wish he would have hinted at the actual on-disk number, but I’m expecting 30+ again.

    Since Namco is at the helm, I’m figuring on Pac-Man and a few other home brands showing up as well.

    We’re still years away from this one (clearly it’s not inside the Wii U launch window), so I’m not worried yet.