Sakurai's Secret Meeting Sparks Smash Bros. 6 Rumors

The creator of Super Smash Bros. and Kirby, Masahiro Sakurai, has once again enraged the gaming community. Fans are going crazy over the guest list for a rumored private "game directors' dinner" hosted by a well-known developer during the Tokyo Game Show.  

A lot of famous people were there, like Kazutaka Kodaka from Danganronpa, Hideki Kamiya from Bayonetta and Okami, Toby Fox from Undertale, and Yoko Taro from NieR. People quickly started to wonder if Sakurai was secretly putting together talent or ideas for Super Smash Bros. 6.

It wasn't just a casual get-together of famous people in the industry. Many of these directors are working on secret projects, which makes fans think something bigger is in the works. Sources say that there were rumors at the event that Sakurai's next project is already in the works. Yes, it's likely another Smash Bros. game, this time for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. After all, every person who made something in that room has characters that fans love enough to be in Smash.

Could we soon see NieR or Undertale heroes fighting alongside Mario and Link? Some people were worried that Sakurai was too busy with Kirby Air Riders, but insiders say that's not true. According to reports, the GameCube remake of the cult classic finished development months ago. 

The polished footage shown in several Nintendo Directs made it look like the game was done and ready to run at super-fast speeds, maybe even 120 frames per second on the Switch 2. People thought the project would keep Sakurai from working on Smash Bros., but it was a warm-up. People know that Sakurai is very hard-working and efficient. His development cycles are known to be very quick, from the early days of Super Smash Bros.

Melee to Ultimate. A lot of people think the director has already started laying the groundwork for Super Smash Bros. 6, given how complete Kirby Air Riders looks. Fans think that the new game will be one of the launch titles for Nintendo's next console. This could make the Switch 2's release a huge system-seller. If that happens, Sakurai might be repeating history: the same formula that made the first Smash Bros. games instant classics.

So, what could Super Smash Bros. 6 do? The last game, Ultimate, was a huge crossover. "Everyone is Here" turned into the catchphrase that united decades' worth of gaming greats. Sakurai may be enhancing the experience and adding new characters. With improved online systems and more complex gameplay modes, the next game might prioritize quality over quantity. The return of Brawl's Subspace Emissary campaign is highly desired by fans. It was a cinematic adventure that mixed fighting with emotional storytelling.

It makes sense that this possible shift in focus would happen.

A lot of Smash players only use a small part of the massive roster. The game could offer something new by cutting down on the number of characters and focusing more on single-player depth and online connectivity.

Think of a new story-driven campaign that brings all the worlds back together, but with a modern twist—epic cutscenes, more interactive environments, and surprises that reward you for exploring. Could this be the best way for the Smash formula to change?

Both competitive and casual players want better online performance above all else. The next Smash Bros. game needs to finally have proper rollback netcode so matches can run smoothly worldwide. People close to Nintendo say that Sakurai's team wanted to put it in Ultimate, but couldn't because of hardware problems. There is no excuse now that the Switch 2 has a better architecture. If done right, this could turn Smash Bros. into a great online fighting game that people really want to play.

Fans are also hoping that the sequel will finally bring offline-exclusive modes like Squad Strike and Stage Morph to online play. These features made Ultimate different, but only in local multiplayer. Combining the two experiences without any problems would make the game more fun to play again and make the community even stronger. Smash Bros. has always been about getting people together, whether they are on a couch or across continents.

Expectations are high but reasonable when it comes to looks. Nintendo's hardware has always been pushed to its limits by Smash games, and the next one is expected to do the same. The Nintendo Switch 2 might not focus on raw realism. Still, it could let you play at a higher resolution, with smoother frame rates, and dynamic lighting that makes each arena feel more unique. Sakurai's focus on clear visuals will make sure that every punch, blast, and combo looks great, whether it's on a 4K battlefield or a smooth 120 FPS brawl.

But it's the art direction and style that make Smash what it is, not the number of polygons. Expect beautiful, colorful stages that honor decades of Nintendo and third-party history, all running better than ever. And yes, because Sakurai is a perfectionist, the next game will probably be one of the best-looking games on the system. Could this be the Smash game that looks as good as it plays?

When will we really see it? History can help us figure things out. Fans were shocked when Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was announced less than two years after the first Switch came out. They thought it was too soon for a sequel. It was first shown in a surprise Nintendo Direct in March 2018 and came out by December of that year, which is a very short time frame. Based on past events, Smash Bros. 6 could be announced in a Direct in 2026 and come out the next year, probably in the spring of 2027.

That timing would be perfect for Nintendo's big events. The year 2026 is shaping up to be "The Year of Mario." There will be a new 3D Mario game and the long-awaited sequel to the Mario movie. Add to that some early hints of a new Legend of Zelda game, and Nintendo could have one of its best lineups ever, with Sakurai's next masterpiece at the top.

Lastly, fans are also hoping for new move sets for old characters. Some fighters haven't changed much over the years. A lot of people think it's time for moves based on recent games, like Mario using Cappy from Odyssey or Samus using moves from Metroid Dread or Metroid Prime 4 Beyond.

Newcomers from franchises like  "Xenoblade Chronicles X" or "Astral Chain" could also add to the roster in new ways. Each change or addition could change how players fight, making the game more interesting without adding too many characters.Even long-time veterans like Link and Captain Falcon could use small changes to their moves that keep their iconic moves while making their playstyles more modern.

The key will be to find a balance between creating new things without losing the old ones. Smash Bros. isn't just a fighting game; it's a tribute to the history of gaming itself.

There are so many hints, whispers, and options that Sakurai's significant return is almost here. If the rumors are true and Super Smash Bros. 6 is already in early development, it could be the best game in the series so far, with faster, smoother, deeper, and more connected gameplay than ever.

But the real question is: when Sakurai finally shows off his next great work, will it make everyone shout, "Everyone is here"?