Even though Nintendo's most recent Nintendo Direct broadcast just wrapped up on May 17, fans can look forward to yet another stream right before E3. Why should you care? Two words: Smash Bros.
According to the official Nintendo of America Twitter account, the next Nintendo Direct will spotlight the future of the beloved Super Smash Bros. franchise, as well as a 3D Mario game, Mario Kart, and a variety of Wii U titles.
Details are still scarce on what is being dubbed "Smash Bros 4" for now, though it has been made clear that Namco Bandai and Sora Ltd. will be helping develop the title. Eager Smash fans won't be able to discern just how much Namco's fighting game background will influence the Nintendo all-star brawler, but the company has a vast library of characters to draw from. Guest characters have been a common theme in the Super Smash Bros. series thus far, and who wouldn't want to see Pac-Man duke it out with Mario alongside favorites from Tekken and Soul Calibur?
The original Super Smash Bros. launched for the Nintendo 64 in 1999, with follow-ups Melee and Brawl hitting stores in 2001 and 2008 for the Gamecube and Wii, respectively. While the four player free-for-all nature of the game has made it a popular party title, the franchise has also cultivated a hardcore competitive community, as exhibited by annual events such as Apex that draw players from all over the globe.
We're not sure what kind of info Nintendo plans on letting loose during the next broadcast, but Smash fans should certainly stay tuned to the publisher's announcements over the next few weeks. Are you excited for the future of this popular fighting series and what it might have in store? More importantly, could the next Smash finally motivate the masses to buy a Wii U?