Slowly but surely, Nintendo seems to be falling in line with other developers, intent on releasing DLC for their future games. And by future games, I mean two of the hottest properties to date. Well, maybe.
Speaking with IGN, Smash Bros. designer and director Masahiro Sakurai said that there's currently no plans for DLC for the upcoming Smash Bros. title, but he hasn't ruled out the idea completely. Sakurai's currently waiting for the games to be complete for the Wii U and 3DS before any steps are taken. One thing they have decided on is that, much to the joy of most fighter fans, characters in the new Smash game won't be stumbling about. Sakurai told IGN that they had removed tripping from the new Smash title.
As for other Nintendo titles, DLC is still very much up for consideration, such as for the next Legend of Zelda. The only problem? Nintendo isn't quite sure how to incorporate it as of yet.
Is it even necessary? Save for a few titles on the horrendous Philips CD-i, just about every game in the franchise has been adored by the fans for well over 20 years, each notably without any sort of DLC, expansion, or otherwise. Same goes for the Smash franchise. So why now?
Speaking with Nintendo Life, Legend of Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma said, "We're certainly looking at different ways to add on content that would enhance the experience for the user - maybe more places to explore or just to enrich the experience beyond what is on the disc. But we also have to take into consideration that if we charge for this content then it needs to be worth it for the user. So it's certainly a balancing an act, but I can't say that it is something we're not considering."
Let's only hope they don't go the EA route, and start offering up pieces of heart or sack of rupees at $4.99 a pop.
A new game for both franchises was announced at this year's E3. A version of Super Smash Bros. is headed to both the Wii U and 3DS some time in 2014. A follow up to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past on the SNES is also due out around the same time, in the form of The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.