Nintendo Blocks Smash Bros. Ultimate Mods, Hinting at Future Plans
▼ Summary
– Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s final roster has 86 characters, concluding with Sora from Kingdom Hearts.
– Fans have created mods to add unlicensed characters, showcased by the channel Beefy Smash Doods.
– Nintendo has recently begun globally blocking the Beefy Smash Doods’ videos featuring these character mods.
– The channel speculates this action could be related to an upcoming Nintendo Direct and a potential new game announcement.
– There is precedent for Nintendo suppressing mods before new releases, as seen with “Project M” before Super Smash Bros. 4.
The recent global blocking of popular mod showcase videos by Nintendo has ignited intense speculation within the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate community. This action, targeting the well-known channel Beefy Smash Doods, feels particularly notable given the game’s modding scene has thrived for years. The timing suggests a strategic move by the company, potentially linked to future announcements for the beloved fighting franchise.
For many fans, the desire to see new faces join the battle continues long after the final DLC character, Sora, completed the monumental 86-fighter roster. Modders have creatively filled this void, developing and sharing custom characters that would otherwise never appear in the official game. Channels like Beefy Smash Doods have been essential in showcasing these fan creations, producing entertaining videos that celebrate this inventive side of the community. Their recent statement on social media expressed concern, noting, “We were worried that this moment might come,” as they found their mod-focused content blocked worldwide.
The sudden enforcement of these blocks leads to a compelling question: why now? One theory points directly to Nintendo’s annual schedule. The company frequently holds its major Nintendo Direct presentations in the early months of the year. The Beefy Smash Doods themselves speculated online, asking if the video blocks could “mean there is something spicy coming soon,” hinting at a potential connection to an unannounced Direct. While purely conjecture, this idea isn’t without historical precedent.
Nintendo has a documented history of clamping down on mod-related content ahead of major new releases. A clear example occurred in the lead-up to Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. At that time, the popular mod “Project M” for Super Smash Bros. Brawl was a staple in the competitive scene, even being streamed on platforms like Twitch. Prior to the new game’s launch, Nintendo intervened, pressuring Twitch to disallow Project M streams and contacting tournament organizers to halt its broadcast. This past action provides a framework for understanding the current situation, suggesting Nintendo may be clearing the digital stage for something new.
Considering the timeline, the possibility of a new project feels increasingly plausible. It has been nearly eight years since Super Smash Bros. Ultimate launched on the Switch, and over five years since its final DLC update. Series director Masahiro Sakurai recently wrapped development on Kirby Air Riders for the rumored Switch successor, explicitly stating that title would receive no post-launch DLC as it was a complete package. This has led many to wonder what Sakurai’s next endeavor will be.
The community is now abuzz with two primary predictions. Many speculate that Sakurai’s next project could be a brand-new installment in the Super Smash Bros. series, potentially announced in a forthcoming Nintendo Direct. Alternatively, a “Deluxe” edition of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, enhanced for Nintendo’s next-generation console, also seems a strong likelihood. Whether it’s a full sequel or a definitive port, Nintendo’s recent actions to limit mod visibility have successfully fueled anticipation, leaving fans to watch closely for any official news.
(Source: Event Hubs)
