The Super Smash Bros series has grown to become one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises which pulls together characters from not only Nintendo properties, but popular characters from third parties as well. How could you not love a game where Pikachu, Mega Man, Cloud Strife and Bayonetta can beat the crap out of each other?

Last week in a new Direct, Nintendo announced that Super Smash Bros for the Switch was not only in development, but will see a release later this year. Initially I was excited, but as I pondered the announcement my excitement faded. It just didn’t seem like a big deal any more.

Let’s rewind

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I was in college when the first Super Smash Bros hit the Nintendo 64. The revolutionary game took Nintendo characters and threw them into battle against each other in a unique type of fighting game where the object wasn’t to kill, but to knock the other players from the stage platforms by beating on them to wear them down.

When the first game was released, me and my friends spent countless hours duking it out with the limited roster of 12 that was available in that first game.

Just two years later the series landed on the Gamecube, with twice as many fighters and drastically improved graphics, features and gameplay. I logged tons of hours with this entry as well since it was a must-have game for game night. The follow-up on the Wii in 2008 increased the roster again by about 50% and continued to refine the presentation, features and gameplay.

In 2014, Super Smash Bros for Wii U was released and again refined the game by boosting it up to HD visuals, adding solid online play, insane 8-player matches and bringing the roster up to a staggering 58 fighters (including DLC characters).

While I really enjoyed the game on the Wii U, I didn’t play it as much as the other titles. I now have young kids and we don’t have nearly as many game nights with our friends as we did when we were in our 20’s. The game is the best its ever been, but I have fewer opportunities to play it with a room full of friends.

That brings us to today

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Wether Smash for the Switch is an ultimate edition of the Wii U version or a completely new game, I’ve found it hard to get myself excited for it because as I get older and have fewer game nights with friends, its become apparent that Smash will end up being a game I solo for a few hours and eventually only break out occasionally when we have friends over who want to play. With a roster and selection of stages that’s starting to get a little too familiar after the last few sequels, its starting to feel stale.

The last game in the series let us have a battle between Mario, Sonic, Mega Man and Pac Man on the screen at the same time! This would absolutely blow people’s minds 10+ years ago, but the novelty seems to have worn off. At least, it has to me.

Its still gonna be huge though

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This is simply my experience with the series. Younger people who have more opportunities to game with friends and more spare time will push this game to sell 10 million copies and loads more Switch consoles. I’m unsure if I’ll be picking it up though. With how many hours we put into the last game, I think we’ll be more likely to break out the Wii U than upgrade to the newest game when we want to scratch that Super Smash Bros itch.

That being said, the next-next game in the series is what I’m excited about. By the time Smash gets a release on Nintendo’s follow-up to the Switch, my daughters will be old enough to play with us.

And I can’t wait to throw down with them once they’re old enough to play!

What do you think? Is the Smash Bros. series important to you? Are you ready for the new version on the Switch or are you getting too old or bored with it to get excited? Let's discuss!

Thanks for reading. As always, upvotes, resteems and comments are appreciated!