Nintendo drafts in Namco Bandai to make Super Smash Bros. sequel

Nintendo has drafted in Namco Bandai to make the Super Smash Bros. sequel.

Yoshito Higuchi, the producer and director of the Tales series, Tetsuya Akatsuka, producer and director of Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs., the art director and sound director of the SoulCalibur series and the main development team staff from the Tekken series have all been enlisted to work alongside Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai, who will direct the project.

The Wii U and Nintendo 3DS game was announced last year - but it doesn't look like we'll see it for quite a while.

"It's my personal belief that the only time a creative product really resonates is in that first moment when it's actually in front of you," Sakurai said in a message to fans.

"With that said, I've realised that if we keep the new Super Smash Bros. title's development structure secret, it'll only create more and more speculation, and I won't be able to develop the game with any freedom. That's why I've decided to announce this news right now, even though it's still very early on.

"I would love to provide more information, but for now, I'm going to stay quiet until I have something solid to show you.

"The project has just gotten started. Bear in mind that not only are we developing two titles simultaneously, but we announced the project before we even started actual development, so I'm afraid we will likely have to keep you waiting for quite a while. Please be patient.

"Currently, the prototype prepared by Namco Bandai Games and Namco Bandai Studio's special team looks pretty good, and it's working great. In order to take advantage of the fact that there will be versions for two different systems, and to maximise and offer fun new gameplay elements, the entire team is going to work hard together. Thank you."

Namco Bandai's Masaya Kobayashi said all the top creators at the company had gathered to form a "never before seen dream team" for the project.

"We will fully utilise our experience and knowledge in action/fighting game development, technical capability, and organisational strength, and we hereby promise you that we will develop the best and most powerful Super Smash Bros. titles ever! Don't miss them!"