Kirby Air Riders, Sakurai, and the Road to Smash Bros. 6

Kirby fans waited years for a modern follow-up to Kirby Air Ride, the GameCube cult classic that blended cutesy aesthetics with deceptively deep racing. Now that Kirby Air Riders has finally arrived, the internet immediately pivoted to one collective joke: Nintendo must already be drafting the email asking Masahiro Sakurai to come back for Super Smash Bros. 6.

Behind that joke, however, are real questions about Sakurai’s workload, the future of Smash, and how Nintendo might balance fan expectations with the creative limits of its most visible designer. Using the release of Kirby Air Riders as a jumping-off point, this article explores why the meme exists, what we actually know, and how plausible a new Smash Bros. really is in the near future.

From Kirby’s Racetrack to the Smash Arena: Why Fans Connect Them

The connection between Kirby Air Riders and Super Smash Bros. isn’t random. It exists because both series are deeply tied to one person: Masahiro Sakurai. He created Kirby for HAL Laboratory, directed the original Kirby’s Dream Land, and later went on to design and direct the Super Smash Bros. franchise for Nintendo. As a result, any major project with his name attached is instantly seen as part of a shared creative universe.

Fans see the launch of Kirby Air Riders as:

• A passion project realized – a chance for Sakurai to revisit his Kirby roots.
• A break from Smash fatigue – a way to step away from the massive demands of Smash Ultimate.
• A possible negotiation chip – the rumor that he’d only take on a new Smash after getting to make Kirby Air Riders resonated with players.

So when the new Kirby racer finally lands, it feels like the first half of a deal has been fulfilled. Cue the meme: “Alright, we let you make Air Riders. You know what comes next.”

The Rumor: Air Riders First, Smash Later

Even before Kirby Air Riders became reality, online rumors suggested Sakurai had negotiated with Nintendo to secure a new Kirby racing game before committing to another Smash Bros. entry. Coverage from Nintendo-focused outlets treated this as an interesting but unconfirmed story: a rumor reportedly sourced from the KiwiTalkz podcast and social media chatter.

According to these reports, the alleged arrangement was roughly framed as:

• Nintendo wanted Sakurai to direct a new Smash Bros.
• Sakurai, reportedly exhausted after Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, was reluctant to return immediately.
• He supposedly countered with a condition: let him create a new Kirby Air Ride–style project first, then he’d consider another Smash.

Importantly, the rumor has never been officially confirmed. Outlets like My Nintendo News explicitly cautioned that the story should be taken with a grain of salt, emphasizing that it came from an unverified X (Twitter) account known for posting Nintendo-related rumors rather than firm, sourced reporting.

That uncertainty hasn’t stopped fans from building a playful narrative: Nintendo has now honored Sakurai’s wish, so it must be time to collect on the Smash sequel.

Why Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Changed Expectations

To understand why the idea of Super Smash Bros. 6 is both thrilling and daunting, you have to look at what Smash Ultimate became. Released on Nintendo Switch in 2018, it was pitched as the definitive version of the series. Every fighter from past games returned, and the roster expanded to include a sweeping array of guest characters from across gaming.

Nintendo’s own earnings reports show just how successful it was. As of March 2023, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate had sold over 15 million units worldwide, making it one of the best-selling Switch titles and the best-selling fighting game ever by many counts.¹ That level of success brings two consequences:

• Sky-high fan expectations – Many players now see Ultimate as the baseline, not the peak.
• Enormous development overhead – Licensing music, characters, and stages from multiple companies is a logistical feat.

Sakurai himself has spoken publicly about the intensity of that process. In his ongoing video series on game design, published through his official YouTube channel, he has described the long hours, intricate coordination, and mounting pressure to satisfy both Nintendo and third-party partners. Although those videos are focused on design theory, they underline something obvious: Smash Ultimate was a once-in-a-generation effort.

This is why fans both want a new Smash and worry about it. How do you follow up a game marketed as “everyone is here” without exhausting the people making it?

Sakurai’s Burnout and the Human Cost Behind the Meme

Part of the humor in the “Okay, now make Smash 6” joke is that it’s so exaggerated. Fans know Sakurai has spent decades pouring himself into Smash and Kirby projects, and he has been candid about overwork. In interviews compiled by major outlets such as Nintendo’s own corporate communications and discussions highlighted in Japanese game magazines, he has acknowledged health concerns and the difficulty of maintaining a sustainable schedule.

That tension is central to the current conversation:

• Players adore Sakurai’s work and trust his vision.
• They also recognize that constantly demanding “one more game” is not realistic or fair.
• So the request becomes a meme, not a serious entitlement—at least for most fans.

At the same time, the broader industry has become more vocal about crunch and overtime. Game developers, especially in Japan, have discussed workplace pressure and long hours in interviews and unionization efforts worldwide.² The joke about Nintendo immediately asking for Smash 6 taps into that broader conversation: fans are half-laughing, half-wincing at the idea of someone being pulled back into a massive project without a real break.

Why Kirby Air Riders Feels Like a Victory Lap

On the other side of the equation is Kirby Air Riders itself. For fans of Kirby Air Ride, the GameCube original, a new Kirby racing game feels like a very specific wish finally granted. The original blended simple controls with deep customization and a beloved City Trial mode that encouraged emergent chaos rather than strict racing.

In that context, Kirby Air Riders feels like:

• A creative reset – returning to an older, more whimsical concept after years of intense crossover work.
• Fan service of a different kind – not via guest characters, but by reviving a cult-favorite Nintendo idea.
• A testbed for Switch 2 hardware – if the game is indeed targeted at a more powerful system, it’s a chance to experiment with new visuals and online infrastructure.

The sense that Kirby Air Riders is a “reward” or “condition” for Sakurai is, again, based on rumor. But even if no such formal deal existed, it’s easy to see why players frame it that way. Giving a veteran designer room to indulge a long-dormant idea can be a way of acknowledging his contributions before asking for another marathon project.

What Would Super Smash Bros. 6 Even Look Like?

Assuming Nintendo does want another Smash Bros.—which seems likely, given the brand’s value—what form should it take? Fans and commentators have floated a few possibilities, each with different implications for Sakurai’s involvement and workload.

1. The “Ultimate 2” Approach

This path would try to keep most of Ultimate’s roster and add a few newcomers, running on a new platform such as a hypothetical Switch successor. It would emphasize:

• Continuity of content (characters, stages, music).
• Improved online play with better rollback netcode.
• Polish and balance instead of a complete reinvention.

The upside is obvious: fans get more Smash with minimal cuts. The downside is equally obvious: the licensing and technical challenges would remain huge, and it might be hard to market as a true “next step.”

2. A Soft Reboot

Another option would be to scale back the roster and treat Smash 6 as a fresh start. Nintendo could focus on first-party characters, modern icons, and a more streamlined design. That might mean:

• A smaller initial cast with potential DLC expansion.
• New mechanics that differentiate it clearly from Ultimate.
• More manageable development costs and negotiations.

Fans might complain about cuts, but a reboot would also give Nintendo and any director—Sakurai or otherwise—room to innovate without constantly being compared to the “everyone is here” tagline.

3. A Spin-Off or Different Genre

A third possibility is more radical: instead of a straight-line sequel, Nintendo could experiment with a Smash-branded spin-off, such as:

• A story-driven adventure game using Smash characters.
• A smaller-scale digital multiplayer title.
• A project focused heavily on esports features and spectating.

This would be riskier, but could also reduce direct roster expectations and let a new team explore what “Smash” means beyond the traditional platform-fighter template.

Does Smash Need Sakurai Forever?

A core question lurking beneath fan jokes is whether Smash Bros. can—or should—exist without Masahiro Sakurai at the helm. Historically, Nintendo has successfully handed off major series to new producers and directors: The Legend of Zelda, Mario, and Pokémon have all evolved as leadership changed.

There are several ways Nintendo could handle this transition:

• Mentorship model – Sakurai could serve as a consultant or supervisor while a younger director handles day-to-day decisions.
• Clean handoff – a new director leads Smash 6 with Sakurai fully stepping away, similar to how some long-running anime or film series change directors.
• Rotating teams – different internal or external studios contribute under Nintendo’s oversight, much like how other big franchises outsource spin-offs.

From Nintendo’s perspective, spreading responsibility could be a way to protect the brand while avoiding overreliance on one individual—especially given the public awareness of burnout in game development.² From the fan perspective, the challenge would be trusting a new vision for a series so closely identified with one creator.

How Nintendo’s Hardware Roadmap Factors In

Although Nintendo has not formally announced every detail of its next-generation hardware, the company has signaled that a follow-up to the Switch is in the works through executive comments and financial planning documents.³ Historically, Smash Bros. entries have often arrived to showcase new systems:

• Super Smash Bros. on Nintendo 64 showcased four-player local multiplayer.
• Melee became one of the GameCube’s key hardcore titles.
• Brawl emphasized cinematic cutscenes and online play on Wii.
• Smash for 3DS/Wii U launched across two platforms to broaden reach.
• Ultimate anchored the Switch’s competitive and party multiplayer identity.

Given that pattern, it’s reasonable to assume Nintendo wants some form of Smash representation early in a Switch successor’s lifecycle. Whether that’s a deluxe version of Ultimate, a full sequel, or a smaller offshoot is unknown, but the hardware transition itself makes a Smash follow-up more likely than not.

Why Fans Turn to Jokes and Memes

With so much uncertainty—about rumors, Sakurai’s involvement, and Nintendo’s plans—fans do what online communities always do: turn their hopes and anxieties into jokes. The meme about Nintendo instantly calling Sakurai after Kirby Air Riders dropped functions as:

• A coping mechanism – acknowledging how much they want Smash 6 without sounding demanding.
• Affectionate teasing – celebrating Sakurai’s status as a beloved, slightly overworked uncle of the Nintendo family.
• Community bonding – a shared in-joke that spreads quickly across social media whenever Sakurai or Kirby trends.

It also helps keep Smash in the conversation during a lull in official news. Every major Kirby, Nintendo Direct, or Sakurai video triggers the same wave of posts: “So, Smash 6 when?” The running gag becomes a way to maintain hype even when there’s nothing concrete to point to.

Balancing Fan Desire with Health and Sustainability

Jokes aside, the future of Smash—like the future of any long-running series—will come down to balancing three things:

1. Commercial reality – Smash is a key brand and major revenue driver.
2. Creative vision – the series needs leadership that can evolve it without losing its identity.
3. Human limits – no franchise is worth burning out its creators.

Industry-wide, there has been a growing recognition that sustainable development practices are crucial, not just ethically but also for long-term business health. Overworked teams are more likely to ship buggy products, face PR crises, or see key talent leave. Major publishers, including Japanese companies, have gradually acknowledged this in public statements and some policy changes.² While progress is uneven, fan expectations are shifting too: the same community that jokes about Smash 6 also tends to support delays and breaks when framed as necessary for developer well-being.

For Nintendo, that’s both a challenge and an opportunity. It can position itself as a company that respects its creators enough to give them breathing room between massive projects, even for flagship series like Smash Bros. Acknowledging Sakurai’s contributions while also enabling new voices would fit into that narrative.

FAQs: Kirby Air Riders, Sakurai, and Smash Bros. 6

Is it officially confirmed that Sakurai demanded Kirby Air Riders before working on Smash 6?

No. The idea surfaced as an online rumor based on podcast discussions and social media posts. Neither Nintendo nor Masahiro Sakurai has publicly confirmed such a negotiation. It should be treated as informed speculation, not documented fact.

Has Nintendo announced Super Smash Bros. 6?

As of the latest available information, Nintendo has not formally announced a new mainline Smash Bros. game beyond Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Rumors and fan theories exist, but there is no official title, release window, or platform confirmation.

Could Nintendo make a new Smash Bros. without Sakurai?

Yes. From a practical standpoint, Nintendo owns the Super Smash Bros. IP and could assign it to another director or studio. The bigger question is whether fans would embrace a major entry not led by Sakurai, and how Nintendo would communicate that transition.

Why do people say Smash Ultimate is hard to follow?

Ultimate brought back every character from past games and added many third-party guests, plus extensive DLC. That created a “definitive” feel. Recreating that scale on new hardware would require renegotiating numerous licensing agreements and managing a huge development scope, making a direct follow-up challenging.

What role does the next Nintendo console play in all of this?

Historically, major Smash games have helped define each Nintendo system’s multiplayer identity. With a new console expected after the Switch, there is strong commercial incentive for Nintendo to have some form of Smash presence, whether that is a port, enhanced edition, or full sequel.

Where We Stand Now

Kirby Air Riders gives fans something they’ve wanted for years: a modern spin on a beloved Kirby racing concept, seemingly aligned with Sakurai’s preferences and history. Its release immediately reignited the playful narrative that Nintendo will now dash to his doorstep with a Smash 6 contract in hand.

In reality, the situation is more nuanced. Rumors about behind-the-scenes negotiations remain unconfirmed. The sheer scale of Smash Ultimate makes any follow-up a formidable project. And the industry’s growing awareness of burnout means fans are more conscious than ever of the toll such a game might take.

Still, the core truth behind the meme is simple: people love Smash Bros., they respect what Sakurai has built, and they’re excited—if somewhat anxious—about what comes next. Whether the future involves a full sequel, a softer reboot, or a new creative leader, Kirby Air Riders feels like a reminder that even the biggest franchises are built on individual passions. For now, the best thing fans can do is enjoy Kirby’s latest race and let the next Smash reveal, whenever it comes, arrive on a timetable that makes sense for the people making it.