Smash Brother Creator Claims He Won't Make Another Smash

Now that Super Smash Brothers it out for every console and being played around the world, it’s time for Nintendo and the team responsible for this cornerstone in the fighting genre to kick back and enjoy their much-earned accolades. And perhaps no man deserves this more than one Masahiro Sakurai, the director of the title and the mastermind for every game in the series, all the way back to Super Smash Brothers for the Nintendo 64.

Japanese are known for their crazy work ethic, but Mashiro took things to a whole new level. While not an actual coder, the amount of work he put into the game was staggering—single-handedly imputing hitboxes and balancing the invisible numerical qualities that make up the qualities of each fighter and their attacks. He designs every attack and animation himself, and combined with his job as a manager, he very often worked six days a week, for over twelve hours a day, and virtually now private life whatsoever… all while tending to an arm injury that meant he was sometimes only working with a single functional arm… giving a whole new meaning to the term “single-handedly”.

Well, that kind of work has to take its toll, and in an interview with Game Informer, Mashiro Sakurai revealed that this last Super Smash Brothers game, with 50 unique characters and countless stages, items, assist trophies and trailers, was probably the last one he had in him.

"I can't positively declare there won't be [another Smash Bros. game]… With both Melee and Brawl, I made those games with the thought that there wouldn't be any more sequels. Thus, I really can't deny the chance for another… However, as for myself, I don't think there will be."

He noted that the amount of effort that went into the development of this game went far beyond its sales price, and he wearily notes that future installments would have to one-up even this game if it hoped to sell, which would be too much for the overworked director.

"You could say that all the effort in the past to stretch out, keep pushing myself, and provide all these extra merits wound up tightening the noose around my neck in the future… That may seem like it contradicts my personal desire to keep giving gamers as much as I can, but I don't see an easy answer for it. And yet, despite that, I also have trouble picturing someone else taking my place and providing all this value-added content without me."

Obviously, heartbreaking news, but considering the amount of time and effort and love he’s put into these games, it’s a well-deserved rest… and a feather in his cap that would guarantee him a spot in any other project he might be interested in.

Best of luck in the future, Mr. Sakurai—we eagerly look forward to what you do with yourself from here on out!