Nintendo is reportedly interested in starting pre-production on a new Super Smash Bros. game, but the title's development would depend directly on Masahiro Sakurai, the franchise's creator. According to recent rumors, the company is respecting Sakurai's time, as he is currently working on Kirby Air Riders, his latest personal project.
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Although there is no official confirmation, it is speculated that the release of the next Smash may only happen after the completion of the new Kirby game, which would have received the green light from Nintendo as it was a long-standing desire of the developer.
Masahiro Sakurai would be focused on a personal project with Kirby
Reece Reilly revealed the information and accurately anticipated details about other Nintendo games. He claims that Sakurai treats Kirby Air Riders as a "passion project" and that he requested a break after helming various versions of Super Smash Bros. for consecutive years since 2012.
Nintendo, recognizing Sakurai's creative and commercial impact, reportedly decided to wait until Kirby Air Riders was completed before resuming more advanced talks about a new title in the fighting franchise.
Nintendo doesn't want a new Super Smash Bros. without Sakurai's involvement
According to rumors, the Japanese company isn't considering developing a new Super Smash Bros. without Sakurai's active involvement. Even with the Nintendo Switch 2's launch approaching, the priority would be to maintain the franchise's creative identity, which would justify the decision to postpone the start of production.
It's not yet known whether Bandai Namco, which collaborated on previous titles in the series, will be involved again. Reilly says he has no information about third-party studios or ongoing agreements.
Information is treated as rumor, without official confirmation.
Despite the leaker's positive track record, the information should be treated with caution. There's no statement from Nintendo or Sakurai about Kirby Air Riders or the future of Super Smash Bros.
Reilly acknowledges that the shared content may be subject to doubt, but claims that his source is reliable and that Nintendo does not intend to move forward with the next title in the franchise without Sakurai's leadership.
