Will Namco Bandai retain the game’s brutal edge.
Nintendo is loosening its grip on one of its most celebrated franchises. The publisher has revealed that the next instalment in its madcap Super Smash Bros. fighting series will be created in conjunction with Namco Bandai. According to the platform holder, long time director Masahiro Sakurai will return to collaborate with a Namco Bandai team boasting veterans of the popular SoulCalibur and Tekken fighting series.
While Nintendo has generally been reluctant to share its toys, there are a handful of precedents for this latest move. Back in 1996, Nintendo asked Square to develop the fantasy themed Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars for the SNES. Seven years later, it tapped SEGA studio Amusement Vision to produce sci-fi racing sequel F-Zero GX for the GameCube. Both were well received by critics.
The original Super Smash Bros. debuted on the N64 in 1999. The latest (as yet untitled) game will be the fourth instalment in the series. It is slated for release on the Wii U and 3DS on a date to be announced.
Note: The above image is from Super Smash Bros. Brawl