The Super Smash Bros. series, a Nintendo masterpiece, continues to thrive. With each installment, the roster expands, incorporating beloved characters from both Nintendo and third-party franchises. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate boasts the largest roster yet, offering a wealth of content. However, certain features are still missing or need improvement. Here are seven essential features that would elevate the next Super Smash Bros. game to new heights.
Rollback Netcode Implementation
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Challenger CupAlt: Competitive Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament gameplay.
The most crucial addition for the next Super Smash Bros. is rollback netcode. Ultimate’s online experience is notoriously inconsistent. While some matches run smoothly, others are plagued by lag, input delay, and buffering, making online play frustrating. Nintendo reportedly considered rollback netcode for Ultimate but ultimately opted against it. Hopefully, this decision will be reversed for the sequel, allowing fans to enjoy a consistently smooth online experience.
Enhanced Online Lobbies
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Doubles.Alt: Two players competing in a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate doubles match.
Beyond rollback netcode, robust online lobbies are essential. Ultimate’s current system, with its unreliable preferred ruleset feature, often forces players into matches with undesired settings. Dedicated lobbies for doubles and squad strike would also make these modes more accessible for online play. The inclusion of lobbies in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS makes their absence in Ultimate even more perplexing.
Revamped Training Mode
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Training Mode.Alt: A screenshot of the training mode in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
While Ultimate has the best training mode in the series, it still has room for improvement. Tutorials on essential competitive techniques like DI, SDI, and teching are sorely needed. These mechanics are often learned through trial and error, but dedicated training exercises within the game would be invaluable, especially for aspiring competitive players.
Expanded Stage Editor and Sharing
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Player Content.Alt: User-created content shared within Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
The stage editor in Ultimate is the most advanced yet, but further enhancements are welcome. More features, backgrounds, and mechanics would be appreciated, but a more streamlined sharing system is crucial. The current method makes it difficult to discover high-quality custom stages, burying creative efforts under a mountain of less impressive creations.
More Mii Fighter Customization
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Mii FightersAlt: Three customizable Mii Fighters in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Swordfighter, Brawler, and Gunner.
Mii Fighters, while divisive, offer players a unique customization option. Expanding beyond the existing Swordfighter, Brawler, and Gunner classes with new variants – perhaps a heavy Swordfighter, a feral Brawler, or a magic-wielding Gunner – would add further depth. Additional custom moves and costume options would also enhance the Mii Fighter experience.
Engaging Single-Player Story Mode
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Spirits.Alt: The spirit board in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, showcasing various game characters.
Melee and Brawl set a high bar for single-player content, a standard the next Smash game should strive to reach. While Ultimate’s Spirit Mode is enjoyable, it lacks depth. A dedicated story mode, leveraging the diverse roster and their respective worlds, would offer exciting character interactions and unlock the potential for unique narratives.
Increased Competitive Scene Support
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate RosterAlt: The extensive character roster of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Nintendo’s relationship with the competitive Smash community has been strained. The company’s reluctance to fully embrace the series’ competitive potential and its past actions have created friction. Compared to the support offered to other fighting game communities, Smash players face unique challenges. Nintendo has an opportunity to bridge this divide and support the passionate competitive scene.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a fantastic game, but incorporating these improvements would create an even more exceptional experience. These additions could potentially unite the dedicated Melee community with those who embrace newer entries, ushering in a new era for the Super Smash Bros. franchise on future platforms.
