Skip to content

Sakurai Says Character Selection For Super Smash Bros. Is Stressful ‘Almost To The Brink Of Death’

super_smash_bros_wii_u

Super Smash Bros. series director Masahiro Sakurai has revealed that it takes a lot of time and effort to build a character roster for each Super Smash Bros. game. Speaking with Polygon, the director said it’s extremely stressful designing the game’s roster, because there are numerous factors that need to be considered. According to Sakurai, selecting which characters make the cut isn’t all about preference. The designers have to think about the game’s balance, animation, graphics and sound when deciding who to keep and who to add to the Super Smash Bros. roster.

“The amount of stress I feel, it’s almost to the brink of death,” Sakurai said of designing Smash Bros.’s character roster. “Because it’s not just a matter of me personally thinking this character or that character is going to be in the game; it’s that we also have the game balance, animation, graphics and sound to think about in order to make that character fully fleshed out in that universe. I have to think about all of that when I go through this decision-making process.

“Whether it’s a minor character or a character that is one of the most highly skilled and most played, if that character is removed from the game, the people who live for that character in Smash Bros. are going to have their feelings hurt.

“I think we have to really consider that, so I take a very serious, hard look at that and have empathy for the players who look for these type of characters when we’re making these decisions.”

The next Super Smash Bros. games are being developed for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, and they are scheduled to launch in 2014.

164 thoughts on “Sakurai Says Character Selection For Super Smash Bros. Is Stressful ‘Almost To The Brink Of Death’”

                1. the wii fit trainer is going to suffocate you with her net breast job because of what you said.

                  the cool aid guy will be taping while saying OHH YEEAH!!!!! OH YEEAAAH!!!!!!

                    1. the darkness is eternal and its coming. what i have created never dies!!!!!! hhhmmmm yes, i finally got my stripper poles back!!!!!! ahhhhaahhahahahaahhahahhhhh yeah, would you like to be a stripper here in the darkness, i could use the sanity boost and then use it to kill you after you did your job…..

      1. Another great example on why people are against gay marriage! You should think about all the people getting hurt because of you, just dangling your penis out in the open. Now people will think every gay person is like you :O

    1. Mary replied I didn’t even know that some people able to get paid $4253 in 1 month on the internet did you read this page ======wep6.com=====

  1. Wow, he must really love his job to subject himself to this. I still want Dark Samus though, please do it Sakurai.

    1. Never played Metroid that’s why I wanted retro to make it but, dark Seamus as a costume or new character, what’s the difference

    1. That’s only in the 3DS version though. They could still put him in the Wii U version, especially since Wind Waker HD is coming.

        1. no t necessarily. He said the same amount of characters. They could easily replace toon link with the young link in link between worlds

      1. I think Sakurai said that Both platforms(Wii U & 3DS) would have the same characters but will have different stages, which I think is the best choice.

      2. Sakurai said both Wii U and 3DS will have te SAME size roster with the SAME characters. The only difference is in the levels(maps, stages, etc), the story mode, and the customization that the 3DS has that the Wii U one doesn’t have. 💋

        1. Which one will have a story mode?
          Because I’m not buying the game there is some effort put into the story.

    2. I think one link is fine though. They can just give the link they use some more weapons and get a new zelda character in

      1. It’s nice to have a young link or a toon link though, they’re more faster and agile than regular link so they’re pretty fun to play as.

    3. Ummmm sooo? The blue falcon is in every captain falcon level and he’s a character (blue falcon is captain falcons machine if you did not know that). They can keep Toon Link.

    4. I think he could still get in. I mean, it’s Smash Bros. Plus, that’s the spirit tracks Link, you play as the one from Wind Waker. Two different Links.

    5. Spirit Tracks takes place in the future, and therefore that Link is not the same one as in Windwaker/Phantom Hourglass. They just look the same mostly.

  2. As long as Wolf O’Donnell stays in the Roster. They should at least keep the Starfox villain in it. Specially since each game character has their villain in it. Mario with Bowser, Link with Ganondorf, Kirby with King DeDeDe, and Fox with Wolf. Samus should also have a villain playable character in as well so we can have a full roster with all the bad guys from the “core” smash bros characters

    1. this just shows how much he cares. we as fans need to show how much we care. I hope for Young Link, not that I don’t like toon link I’d like to see Majora’s Mask young link. also StarFox DESERVES a 4 person roster so they should add Krystal for a female, possible unique moveset (Staff wielder) and it will bring strong support from her fanbase

    2. What about Ness and Lucas and what about Capt. Falcon and what about Olimar and the Pokemon characters? They ALL don’t have their corresponding villains as playable characters. Aren’t they considered “core” characters??? 💋

  3. Lol I love Nintendo, but character selection is so “Important” that one of the New Characters is the friggin Fit Trainer? Its fun no biggy I find it refreshing to be able to have wacky fun like this… but I think he’s being over dramatic, because SSBU proves you can put anyone in and it would still work out somehow lol.

    1. I don’t think he’s being over dramatic. It’s hard to please everyone. Too much stress can be a danger to anyone’s health. I don’t think the fans are worth dying over the way they been acting lately. Fans only see the reward of video games–fun. They don’t realize the hard work devolpers put into games like this.

    2. Wii Fit TRAINER is a bigger selection than you think. Sakurai didn’t “randomly” pick her. He “chose” her specifically for probably a variety of reasons. She boosts the roster in terms of number of female charcters to pick from, she is also another “himanlike” character, She has a unique moveset, she appears different from everyone else(unique coloring to her skin is appealing), no one guessed she’d be in it, having her as a playable character will most likely boost sales for Wii Fit U(a major franchise for Nintendo believe it or not). I doubt he said “You know what would be funny?- Wii Fit TRAINER.. that’d be funny…💋

  4. I understand. Too bad fans are too stupid and bratty and think Sora Ltd. can do everything and do what they want, and if they don’t get what they want, they don’t buy the game. Morons. :/

      1. What he said. Mario, Luigi, Ness, DK, Link, Jigglypuff, Kirby, Samus, Pikachu, Captain Falcon, Fox, and Yoshi have been in every SSB game, and will be for as long as the franchise lives.

    1. IKR! Jiggly is my favorite!!!!..well 3rd favorite actually. Behind Sheik and Diddy Kong. Samus would be in my top 3 if she was FASTER! Looks like she will be in SSBU though. 💋

      1. Jigglypuff, Lucario, Peach, Falco, and Toon Link are my faves. I have a feeling Villager will soon become my number 1 as my fave game is Animal Crossing.

  5. Mega man not in marvel 3 did hurt me. Im sure his main characters will be back like meta knight and de de de.

      1. Metaknight doesn’t need to be nerfed. All the other characters just have to BE STRONGER! Plus, Sakurai has The team behidn Tekken to balance all the characters out sooo… I’m sure Metaknight won’t be a problem. 💋

  6. Well, you are a hard worker and I respected everything that you do. I don’t care what you do for the roster, as long as a certain forgotten samurai involved (and this TIME, he’s more than just a sticker).

      1. Let me rephrase this, NO non-playable roles this time. Besides, there are no better retro reps to use other than him and Mac (though it’s rather debatable). This alone would pressure Kamiya to start working on the reboot since the character itself needs to gain more popularity first and for him to know which design to use, Gravy Boy!

  7. Hudson. I see what you mean… Glenn`s report is impressive, on friday I bought themselves a BMW M3 from having made $6811 this munth and more than ten thousand last month. no-doubt about it, this really is the nicest work I’ve had. I started this 5 months ago and immediately began to earn at least $87 per/hr. I follow this website,wwwBOW6.COM

  8. He is basically saying,”We don’t know if we should take out Sonic because a lot of people are going to be butthurt”.

    1. Sonic sells too much for Nintendo to leave him out with the Wii U needing everything it can get. He literally got stuck in the last game late from fan demand alone and we see how that turned out.

      I’m thinking Jiggs might finally get cut(please sit this one out for Mewtwo), Lucas might not return, Ike might get replaced with another FE rep(sigh). Ice Climbers and R.O.B might be in trouble. Maybe just 2-3 of the above characters will get cut.

  9. I just want little mac in, ridley, Demise, or king k rool either one would work for me but if there not in the game its nota big deal

  10. Anyone else feel Ninten should be in the game? He was the first protagonist of the Mother/Earthbound franchise.
    The reps would then be complete if he makes the cut.
    But of course they would need to build up a different moveset to seperate and make him unique as opposed to Ness and Lucas.

  11. Aww boohoo. Yes, go cry and complain with your millions of dollars along with a job that countless people would kill to have. I appreciate that you care, Sakurai but lots of people have stressful jobs. What is with this public display of negativity in your career? Don’t you think your fans will feel guilt when you tell them that designing this game is killing you? Selfish!

    1. Oh yeah, how very selfish of him.*sarcasm* Especially when he have to deal with some fans who finding the smallest thing to complain about. Since there are some people out there who like to try, give it a go.

    1. Snake is expendable jsut as much as Pichu was…

      Bring in Mewtwo again, give Captain Falcon, Samus, Ness and Donkey Kong their Enemies…

      Black Shadow, Sylux/Space Pirate, Porky and King K Rool…

    2. 1. Link is part of the Original 12, he can’t be removed
      2. Ike is very similar to Marth, who has been in 2 games and not 1 like Roy and Ike so far, so don’t hold your breath
      3. Snake is a third party character who was only in one game, nothing we can really say here
      4. Lucario pretty much replaced Mewtwo, so I figure that this is a trend and will be continued with Zoroark. That’s what I hope at least.

  12. yeah look at all the fucking smash nerds, it would be stressful just to make this game. can you do this, maybe this, DO THIS, WHEN IS THIS GAME COMING OUT, hurry up, whats taking so long!!!!! why isnt there a demo yet. STFU!!!!!! geeze its just a game you fuck tards, stop stooping lower and lower by the time your done your going to be worse than the sonic the hedgehog fanboys. people who do smash bros to be super competitive are losers, its supposed to be all about fun with people. i know someone in the mlg for street fighter and he says the smash bros people there are the laughing stock of the fighting community and are all pathetic whiney greasy nerds. yeah hahah i believe it. who even knew there was an mlg for smash bros, its supposed to be about fun and laughing together not that.

      1. Yeah it gets pretty slow. Mainly just don’t care for the work. Not challenging in anyway and not in a field I have any interest being long term. Took the job because I couldn’t find anything else and I need work experience. Plus my boss is a dipshit.

  13. Some of series need more representatives.
    Yoshi Universe? Birdo and Baby Mario & Baby Luigi (like an Ice Climbers team)
    Donkey Kong Universe? Dixie Kong and King K Rool
    Metroid Universe? Ridley and Dark Samus
    Earthbound Universe? Paula and Poo
    Pikmin Universe? Keep Olimar, add Louie, and give them each unique Pikmin
    F-Zero Universe? I honestly don’t know, I’ve never played one of the games
    Wario Universe? Jimmy and Mona
    Kid Icarus Universe? Palutena and Medusa
    Some of these seem obvious

    1. Hades Should be added because he was the villain above all in the nintendo universe……Because he is a god

  14. I just hope they add a whole bunch of characters. Only a couple of them are ones I want specifically, but the point is to make it worth buying in the way of expanded rosters from Brawl to this one. Tis key

      1. do you know what i want????????????? for there to be no cod, remember when gta was the big thing and the industry wasnt all trying to be cod fps????????

  15. DO NOT CUT THE ICE CLIMBERS. They need another game. Srsly, when was the last time they made one. The Ice Climbers are my 3rd main, next to Olimar and Meta Knight. I dont think they’d cut Olimar, even if he’s not the main character in Pikmin 3. And cutting Meta Knight or altering him to be less broken would cause outrage, so he’s safe. Mr.Game&Watch is so so good. They shouldnt cut Toon Link, simply because of his popularity. In fact, the only one I would say they should cut is maybe R.O.B. (but he is a great fighter), and Lucas (thats painful for me to say, because Lucas is also one of my favorite players) They cant cut Jigglypuff because of her fame in Japan. I also feel like a lot of the requested main players should be added as (or kept as) trophies, or be available in extension packs.
    I think the gameplay also needs a little work. Double and triple jumps from the ground. As in the way it is in Mario Sunshine, where if you jump and then press A immediately after landing, you do a high-jump, however, not in conjunction with a double or recovery-air jump before during or after. and then a super-high jump after the double-ground jump. Every character should get wall-jumps (but not wall-sticks)

    1. Then you’re probably not gonna care about the game.
      At this point, it’s all but confirmed that Chrom will be in this game (FE:A stage seen) and Sakurai doesn’t want the roster to be to large so Ike will likely get the boot. After all, Awakening flat out saved the Fire Emblem franchise whereas the Tellius games didn’t sell well (both in Japan and the rest of the world). Plus, Ike is the least popular FE lord in Japan.

        1. Yeah, let’s take out the character who basically represents the Fire Emblem series, being the main character of the first game and whatnot, over a significantly less popular one. I like the way you think.

          1. I don’t give a fuck. I like Ike, I play very well with Ike. I want Ike and I don’t want marth. the end.

            1. I like Ike too, better than Marth in fact. And Path of Radiance is my favorite FE game.
              Just telling you to be realistic.

            2. Besides, Chrom will probably play just like Ike, except better is Sakurai is set on balancing the characters.

  16. Well, obviously, he is under alot of stress, but he damn well should be. being stressed means you care. So, I think this game will turn out alright :)

    I would like to see batman! ^.^

  17. Proud Nintendo Fanboy

    It’s understandable. I can only imagine how stressful it must be. Especially with so many fans requesting that this or that character be added. He probably feels like slapping everyone that makes a suggestion. ALL game producers etc. probably feels that way.

  18. I completely understand him. It must be hard to create a roster with around 10 newcomers (if it goes from 35 to 45), with so many to choose from and so many things to take into consideration. Every time I made a roster, it ended up different than the previous ones.

    1. You people sound just as dumb as the ones who say they hate the Generation 5 Pokémon games because 3 of the Pokémon are based on ice cream. You can deal with it. They aren’t forcing you to play as her. And anyone who has actually watched her trailer knows that she is a good fit.

  19. I hope he still has fun while making the game which is the best way to make the game fun. He shouldn’t be so stressed, especially considering his injury…

  20. I don’t believe a person should be stress making this game. If someone doesn’t like a character, then they do not have to play as them. It is just a video game. There are more important things in life to be concerned about than trying to please everyone at the same time. Do your best, but don’t get upset if someone doesn’t like your decision, because there will always be a few who don’t.

  21. Pingback: Sakurai Is Considering Mewtwo For Smash Bros Wii U & 3DS | My Nintendo News

  22. Pingback: Sakurai ci racconta dello stress che prova durante lo sviluppo dei personaggi per Smash Bros |

  23. Pingback: Sakurai Explains Differences Between Smash Bros Wii U And 3DS | My Nintendo News

  24. Pingback: GameStop President Says Don’t Count The Wii U Out | My Nintendo News

Leave a Reply

Discover more from My Nintendo News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading