Tag: Masahiro Sakurai - Page 5
News Nintendo Confirms Details for the Super Smash Bros. Direct
It's the 'Final Video Presentation', featuring Cloud and more
We know it's been coming, but we doubt that makes it any less exciting. Nintendo has now confirmed details for the Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct - branded as the Final Video Presentation - which should bring huge hype for fans of the Wii U and 3DS entries. For starters it's all going...
News 1993 Kirby's Adventure Interview Reveals Cut Content, Alternative Names And Why Kirby Is Pink
"Normally a character like Kirby would have been yellow"
Kirby is now a firmly-established member in Nintendo's vast catalogue of intellectual properties, but back in 1993 he was very much a newcomer looking to prove himself - as this fascinating interview from the period attests. Freshly translated by Shumplations.com, the feature originally...
News Masahiro Sakurai Tackles Criticisms of Bonus Features in Games
"If it bothers you so much, then don’t use that feature"
Masahiro Sakurai shares regular articles in Famitsu magazine - on some occasions he discusses Smash Bros. features and updates or his personal plans, but occasionally he's happy to simply give his views on a topic that's clearly on his mind. This week he considers criticisms some level at...
News Masahiro Sakurai Celebrates His 45th Birthday
And doesn't look a day over 25
We want to know more about Masahiro Sakurai's diet and grooming habits, as he continues to defy the passing of time - the rigours of developing Super Smash Bros. have been tough on the game designer, yet he retains an admirably youthful look. Masahiro Sakurai turned 45 on 3rd August - at the time of publication it's...
News Super Smash Bros. Creator Pays Tribute To His Former Superior And Friend, Satoru Iwata
"My mind went white and even now the reality hasn’t sunk in"
Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai has used his column in Weekly Famitsu to pay tribute to his former superior at HAL Laboratory, Satoru Iwata. Iwata passed away recently after a long battle with cancer, and Sakurai says that after hearing the sad news his "mind went white and...
"Several more characters" due before development stops
It may seem like ancient history now in internet land, but Masahiro Sakurai defied early leaks to deliver a rather entertaining Super Smash Bros. video presentation prior to E3. A whole lot of DLC content was released right away, too, including three characters, new stages and a batch of Mii...
"Every now and then someone will vent their misplaced anger towards me"
With a roster as massive as that seen in Super Smash Bros., making sure each fighter is balanced can be a tricky business - hence the issues with Diddy Kong, which have recently been patched. However, there are some Smash fans who feel that creator Masahiro Sakurai has...
"It’s all about making players happy"
It wasn't so long ago that Masahiro Sakurai was musing on his future with Super Smash Bros. and prompting fans to worry, sounding rather worn down and contemplating stepping away from the franchise. It seems that the last few months and a switch up in development - to focusing on DLC - has lightened...
News Masahiro Sakurai Praises the Achievements of Steam, Isn't Content With Other Download Services
Not quite Smash ready
In his most recent column in Famitsu Weekly, Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai shared his views on digital services in gaming; his comments suggest that he feels console stores - by extension including the eShop platforms - could learn a lot from PC gaming. Sakurai-san said the following. It's become mandatory that...
News Masahiro Sakurai Discusses his Thoughts on Virtual Reality
"It is very enjoyable"
As you may or may not be aware, Masahiro Sakurai - the director of the Super Smash Bros. series - writes a regular column in the popular video game magazine, Famitsu. Over the past few months, Sakurai-san's articles have been all about Smash in the wake of the highly acclaimed game's launch. In the most recent issue, however,...
News Sakurai Considered Having All Fighters Unlocked In Super Smash Bros. For Wii U
Nothing of value comes easily
Masahiro Sakurai has published a new "Smash Bros. Diaries" entry in the latest issue of Game Informer, and one question in particular struck a chord with Smash fans: had he ever considered allowing the fighter unlocks in the 3DS version to transfer over to the Wii U version? Although Sakurai's answer started with a...
News Masahiro Sakurai Once Again Highlights The Possibility He'll Step Away From Game Development
"I doubt I'll be able to go on making games if it continues like this"
Throughout the course of development for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS series creator Masahiro Sakurai highlighted the demands of producing the titles. With ever-increasing modes and a growing roster, Sakurai-san often used his Famitsu Weekly article to emphasize...
News Masahiro Sakurai Admits That Super Smash Bros. for Wii U May Be His Last in the Series
Expects the franchise to continue
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U is one of the biggest releases of the year, while the 3DS version has also proven to be a critical and commercial success following its October release. Masahiro Sakurai, the driving-force of the series that oversees the projects down to the finest details, has often spoken of the great...
News Sakurai Explains Why Ridley Is Not A Playable Fighter In Super Smash Bros.
Wanted to provide an accurate portrayal of the space pirate
The recent reveal of Ridley in the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U 50-fact extravaganza had Smash fans fooled for a brief moment thinking the well-known archenemy of Samus Aran was a playable character. As we now know though, this is not the case. In a re
News Sounds Like Super Smash Bros. Director Masahiro Sakurai Sure Could Use A Break
Somebody give this man a medal
Fans of Super Smash Bros. will already know just how much effort series head Masahiro Sakurai puts into developing Nintendo’s all-star franchise, but that hasn't stopped the passionate game maker from talking about how he balances his private life with the full-force development cycle of the Smash series. In his...
News Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Announcement Revealing its "True Potential" is on the Way
Development isn't finished yet
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U isn't far away, due in late November / early December depending on your region. Logically development should be drawing to a close, as a result, though Masahiro Sakurai — in his most recent Weekly Famitsu column — has said "I'm not done yet...". There's still work to be done. Of course,...
"We need to listen not just to the biggest fans"
This week sees the launch of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, the first portable iteration of the famous fighting game franchise. As you'll already know if you're a seasoned reader of Nintendo Life, we've delivered our critical verdict of the game and found it to be something of a smash hit, and in...
Review Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS (3DS)
The smash-hit 3DS owners have been waiting for?
Ever since being announced alongside its Wii U counterpart, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS has been scrutinised by fans around the world to an almost excessive degree. Being the first game in the popular crossover fighting series to be released on a handheld system, there were understandably some...
Developer Profile Masahiro Sakurai
About the man behind two of Nintendo’s most significant franchises
"I decide what goes in the game; nobody else." These were the words of Masahiro Sakurai during a 2008 interview with Official Nintendo Magazine about Super Smash. Bros. Brawl. It's a quote that stands out because it contrasts quite starkly with the modest way in which the man...
News Sakurai Explains Reasoning Behind Removal Of Ice Climbers From Super Smash Bros.
The 3DS couldn’t handle the pressure
Whilst the soon to be released Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS features one of the greatest character rosters in the history of videogames, veteran fans of the series will no doubt have noticed that a previously regular pair in the cast line-up are now missing from the latest entry. In this week's...
Feature The History of Super Smash Bros.
How Nintendo's crossover fighting series smashed its way to fame and glory
Despite its immense popularity — not to mention the frenzied hype and anticipation that comes during the lead-up to each new instalment — the origins of the Super Smash Bros. series are in fact remarkably humble. When its creator, Masahiro Sakurai, initially came up with...
News Sakurai Explains Why Chrom Didn't Make It Into Super Smash Bros. For Wii U And 3DS
"Compared with other characters, he lacks any unique characteristics"
The recent announcement that Captain Falcon, Lucina and Robin would be joining the cast of Super Smash Bros. on the Wii U and 3DS was both thrilling and somewhat disappointing; although the reveal trailer featured Fire Emblem favourite Chrom — leading
News New Online Multiplayer Modes Revealed for Super Smash Bros. on 3DS and Wii U
Prepare yourself for a smashing time over the net
The online modes for Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U were finally revealed to the world in Nintendo's recent Super Smash Bros. Direct presentation, and it seems that both inexperienced and competitive players have something to be happy about. The online portion of the game, which has been...
News Super Smash Bros. Director Masahiro Sakurai Seems To Quite Like The PS4
Isn't it nice when everyone gets along?
Masahiro Sakurai may be famous for working on Nintendo hardware, but that doesn't mean he can't say nice things about the company's rivals. Speaking in his regular column in Japanese magazine Famitsu, the Smash Bros. director heaped praise on the Sony PlayStation 4, describing it as "good-looking" and capable...
News Masahiro Sakurai Outlines His Heavy Smash Bros. Workload
"It's faster and more accurate to do it myself"
It's been highlighted in the past that not only is Masahiro Sakurai keen to implement his own vision and high standards, but that he's a particularly hard working individual. In fact early this year he highlighted how an arm injury was impacting his work, but that he was nevertheless persevering. One...
News Sakurai Aiming To Please "The Silent Majority" With New Smash Bros.
Series director no longer considers Smash to be just a fighting game
As we all know, there's a new Smash Bros. title coming to the Wii U and 3DS next year. It looks amazing, has Mega Man in it, and is driving its creator to the point of
News Smash Bros. Director Pushing Himself "To The Brink" To Decide Character Roster
Masahiro Sakurai reveals the mental cost of making a legendary fighter
We already know the physical torment Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai has had to suffer during the development of the Wii U and 3DS titles, but he has now revealed to
News Masahiro Sakurai Confirms Smash Bros. Reveal For Next Week's Nintendo Direct
"For the first time, simultaneously worldwide!"
Masahiro Sakurai has taken to Twitter to confirm what we perhaps already knew — next week's E3-flavoured Nintendo Direct will contain footage of the new Super Smash Bros. title. The tweet — which has been translated by Kotaku — reads as follows: Notice: On the June 11th 11PM Nintendo Direct,...
News Sakurai: Online Play Will Be Improved in Upcoming Smash Bros.
"We've learned a lot about net play since Brawl was released"
Super Smash Bros. Brawl was one of the few Wii games to venture online. By delving into the Nintendo WFC players from all four corners of the world could brawl with each other in what was a decent experience in some battles, and a more turbulent one in others. Unfortunately, as with most...
News Masahiro Sakurai: Stories in Video Games Can be "Irksome"
"I just want the game to let me play"
With the rise of technology over the years video games have established themselves as one of the biggest storytelling mediums out there. Stories used to be as basic as climbing a tower to save a damsel in distress, but as time has worn on they've become full cinematic experiences - even if we are still rescuing...
News Rest Easy, New Characters Are Coming To Smash Bros. 3DS and Wii U
Masahiro Sakurai confirms new additions to roster
Super Smash Bros. supremo Masahiro Sakurai's recent comments regarding the 3DS and Wii U versions of the game have caused a little concern amongst fans. Speaking a few weeks ago about adding more cameos to the game, he said: "Introducing more non-Nintendo characters willy-nilly will lose the focus of...
News Sakurai Spills Some Beans On Super Smash Bros. 4
Control methods being explored, more cameos looking unlikely
Super Smash Bros. boss Masahiro Sakurai has spoken to IGN about the fourth installment in the series, revealing that he's keen to avoid unnecessary gimmicks and feels that adding more non-Nintendo characters might be detrimental to the game's focus. "The GameCube controller is not the...
News Masahiro Sakurai Steps Up as Keynote Speaker at CEDEC
Talking about video games, presumably
Masahiro Sakurai has gained a reputation as the go-to man for some of Nintendo's key franchises that don't necessarily have Mario in the title. As a young employee at Nintendo he created Kirby, and has also masterminded the three entries in the Super Smash Bros. series, while also taking on the upcoming Wii U...
News Yuzo Koshiro Really Likes Kid Icarus: Uprising's Multiplayer
Killer beats
Legendary musician Yuzo Koshiro is best known for his soundtracks to The Revenge of Shinobi, Streets of Rage and Sonic the Hedgehog on Master System, but he's also a killer at Kid Icarus: Uprising. Uprising supremo Masahiro Sakurai spoke to Cubed3 and revealed
News Sakurai Won't Make a Kid Icarus: Uprising Sequel
Smashing hopes
We've only just asked if Kid Icarus could be Nintendo's next big franchise, but along comes Kid Icarus: Uprising director Masahiro Sakurai to say he won't create a sequel. IGN asked if Project Sora had created a "lasting universe" the team could return to in future projects, to which Sakurai replied: If by ‘lasting u
News Sakurai: Dual Analogue Control in Kid Icarus: Uprising Was "Technically Impossible"
Stylus aiming speed "is on a whole different level"
Kid Icarus: Uprising enjoyed an excellent critical reception from the majority of the gaming press, though even some of the most positive reviews raised the controls as an issue. We argued that they work well 'with practice' in our Kid Icarus: Uprising review, but it was nevertheless a common...
News Sakurai: Smash Bros. to 'Change Direction a Little' on Wii U and 3DS
Still a long wait ahead
Masahiro Sakurai has been busy with Kid Icarus: Uprising for a while now, but it seems that he's finally turning his attention to the next entry in the Super Smash Bros. franchise. The confirmation of a new title for both Wii U and 3DS was actually made at E3 2011, though we later learned that the announcement was premature...
News Kid Icarus: Uprising Development Landed on Wii, Briefly
Took in PC too
Masahiro Sakurai started work on Kid Icarus: Uprising so long ago there weren't even 3DS development kits, according to a new Iwata Asks. Sakurai told Nintendo president Satoru Iwata that his Project Sora team made do with the other hardware available, including Wii: At first we didn’t have the Nintendo 3DS development kit, so we...
News Kid Icarus: Uprising Gives New SpotPass Weapons Every Day
Getting stronger all the time
Masahiro Sakurai has revealed players will be able to grab new weapons for Kid Icarus: Uprising through SpotPass. Speaking at the on-going Nintendo Direct, Sakurai spoke about the system's StreetPass and SpotPass functions opening up new ways to share and create weapons. Players will be able to get new Power Gems to...
News Next Smash Bros. Development Starts with a Look Back
Sakurai in retrospective mode
The announcement of a new Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS drew cheers at E3, even if we knew it would be a few years until we got to play it. Creator Masahiro Sakurai has just wrapped up work on Kid Icarus: Uprising, but before his thoughts turn to the new fighter he's taking a look back at development of Super Smash...
News Sakurai: Next Smash Bros. "May Take a While"
Who knew?
Super Smash Bros. helmsman Masahiro Sakurai has told Nintendo Power (via Nintendo Everything) that the next instalments are a long way off yet. Satoru Iwata announced Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS at E3 last year, but with Kid Icarus: Uprising on Sakurai's plate it seems development on the fight
News Sakurai "In Talks" to Bring Original Kid Icarus to 3DS
Another 3D Classic on the way?
Masahiro Sakurai's long-awaited Kid Icarus: Uprising is coming to 3DS around Christmas this year, and impatient gamers are looking towards Pit's previous outings to plug the gap. Wii owners can already play Kid Icarus on Virtual Console, but will 3DS owners get a downloadable slice of Pit too? A recent IGN interview...
News There May Never Be Another Smash Bros. as Hardcore as Melee
So says Sakurai
Super Smash Bros. Melee holds a special place in the hearts of many Nintendo fans, but creator Masuhiro Sakurai regrets aiming the game so strongly towards hardcore gamers, saying it's a mistake he wouldn't repeat again. Claiming to have created Smash Bros. to counteract the industry-wide move towards making the fighting game genre...
