Will Super Smash Bros. Ultimate be on the Nintendo Switch 2?

Nintendo Switch 2 Direct revealed a lot of interesting updates about the long-awaited console, its new games and hardware upgrades, but it left the Super Smash Bros. esports community with a few questions.

While Melee God Juan ‘Hungrybox’ DeBiedma had predicted a few years ago that Nintendo would announce a deluxe version of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Switch 2, the Direct was void of any news on the franchise. However, that doesn’t mean nothing is known about the future of the platform fighter.

Ahead of the Direct, President Shuntaro Furukawa announced that the Nintendo Switch 2 would have backwards compatibility with many Switch games. Ultimate was listed among the games that will be playable on the Switch 2.

However, Ultimate didn’t get a deluxe edition as Hungrybox and others in the esports community had hoped. While some existing games will be given a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition with upgrade packs for the new console, Ultimate was not mentioned. It will be the base version the FGC has been playing on the original Switch.

The Smash esports community will likely switch to the Nintendo Switch 2 to practice and compete online, since the new console will hopefully have some internet upgrades along with its latest hardware and features.

The current system’s terrible online connection creates game-breaking lag during matches since it’s a game where players need to see and react to very split-second movements. This led top Ultimate pro Hurt to get suspended for using a Switch delay mod that improved its internet performance.

While a new Super Smash Bros. game to follow Ultimate has not been confirmed, creator Masahiro Sakurai has strongly hinted at leading the production of a new title in the series for years. At one point, he said: “I can’t say with certainty that this would be the end of Smash.”

But a new Super Smash Bros. may not be coming as soon as the FGC hopes.

One of the most exciting reveals during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct was Kirby Air Riders, the long-awaited sequel to Kirby Air Ride for the Game Cube. This game was made by Sora Ltd, which Sakurai leads — this means the team behind a potential new Smash were busy working on Kirby Air Riders.

Traditionally, Sora Ltd. has only worked on one game at a time, which means there has likely been no work on a Smash game so far. However, if the team had started now, it could end up taking them up to four years to create a Smash sequel based on previous timelines.

At this point, the next Super Smash Bros. may not be here until 2029 or 2030. Meanwhile, the esports community hopes that Hungrybox’s prediction of a deluxe version of Ultimate will come true. An upgraded Ultimate with balanced movesets (especially aimed at Steve) and new DLC fighters could keep the community occupied as a new Smash is underway.