With Nintendo's Switch 2 having reinvigorated franchises such as Donkey Kong, Pokémon and Splatoon over the past year, speculation is growing about how a new instalment of Super Smash Bros. might reflect these changes. Polygon has compiled a wishlist of characters and redesigns it believes could feature, arguing that Smash Bros. has traditionally served as a "time capsule" reflecting the current state of Nintendo's biggest series.

The piece highlights several possible additions and reworks drawing on recent Nintendo releases, including a new fighter from Splatoon Raiders and overhauled movesets for existing characters inspired by games such as Donkey Kong Bananza and the upcoming Metroid Prime 4: Beyond.

– The Mechanic from Splatoon Raiders is suggested as a new fighter, using gadgets such as the Splatchet and Booyarang for varied attacks
– Donkey Kong could get a major overhaul, incorporating his new toon design and Bananza-style terrain-smashing abilities
– Samus Aran might gain new suit variants and psychic powers, such as a steerable Control Beam, inspired by Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
– Yoshi could be reworked using ideas from Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, potentially borrowing creature powers in a Kirby-like manner