Super Smash Bros. 6 Needs Key Changes for Esports Growth

Players are calling for specific changes in Super Smash Bros. 6 to help the franchise's esports scene grow. The demands come ahead of a Nintendo Direct scheduled for September 9th, where a new Smash title is rumored to be confirmed.

Despite the active online player base, the current competitive scene for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is described as growing stale. The community argues that for a sequel to revitalize competitive play, it must address several core issues where Ultimate falls short.

Better rollback netcode

A primary complaint centers on the game's online infrastructure. Players report that the Nintendo Switch's rollback netcode lags behind other fighting games, causing input lag and stuttering during online matches unless both competitors have optimal, wired connections. One player on Reddit called the netcode "devastating," accusing Nintendo of greed and carelessness for implementing it in a flagship title.

Nintendo has shown little interest in improving this, reportedly targeting a fan-made mod called Delay Mod that attempted to fix the netcode. The community warns that without a significant netcode upgrade in Super Smash Bros. 6, the competitive player base will continue to shrink, as good online play is considered essential for practice and tournament accessibility.

More interesting stages

The competitive stage selection in Ultimate is criticized for being overly safe and homogeneous. While stage hazards are unpopular, players feel the game overcorrected, resulting in stages that are largely similar Battlefield variants with different backgrounds. This contrasts with older titles like Melee, which featured more dynamic and interactive stages that encouraged varied strategies.

A Reddit user noted that Ultimate's new stages have little to say, with many gimmicks rendered cosmetic. The lack of stage variety is seen as reducing strategic depth and entertainment value compared to previous iterations in the series.

Smaller, more balanced roster

There is a vocal desire for a more curated character roster. While Ultimate's "everyone is here" approach was initially celebrated, many now see the nearly 90-character lineup as bloated and chaotic for competition. The presence of numerous echo fighters and similar character archetypes, like multiple sword-wielders, is cited as unnecessary clutter.

Advocates suggest Sakurai should analyze play data and cut less-used characters, arguing that a smaller roster would build deeper mastery and a more serious competitive environment akin to Melee. Balance is another major concern, with overpowered characters like Steve mentioned as needing reworks or removal. Players acknowledge perfect balance is impossible but want movesets refined to eliminate characters with no weaknesses.

Nintendo needs to care

The most significant barrier identified is Nintendo's historical antipathy toward the Smash Bros. Competitive scene. The report details decades of actions perceived as hostile, including removing Smash from Evo, shutting down the Smash World Tour, sending cease-and-desist letters to local tournaments, and never offering prize pool support.

This lack of institutional support has forced top players and streamers like Juan "Hungrybox" DeBiedma and Ludwig Ahgren to fund and organize events themselves. The community fears that without a fundamental shift in Nintendo's attitude, meaningful competitive improvements in Super Smash Bros. 6 are unlikely, potentially dooming the esports scene to continued stagnation.