MAtgS
Member
http://web.archive.org/web/20120229181006/http://andriasang.com/comw97/iwata_asks_smash_bros/
Now granted this was 2 years ago, Sakurai didn't have much time to plan it because he was still working on KI:U for another year. The plan may well have changed once development actually started. But even then it's completely foolish to dismiss the portable as "inferior" when the developers themselves don't share that sentiment.
I'm actually more hyped to see the 3DS version at E3 than the Wii U version. Wii U is more of the same, 3DS is something actually new.
Players who only get the Wii U version will only have the pre-set vanilla versions of the roster & will be completely screwed in online matches against those who have leveled characters from the 3DS version.Sakurai & Iwata said:Making a portable version had its appeal for him, as they'd be able to do a number of new things. At the same time, there would be limits, as they'd be handicapped in some areas when it comes to offering the usual enjoyment areas of Smash Bros.
Specifically, Sakurai feels that a portable system makes the game a more "individual" experience in that, compared to a console, it's easier to make players attached to the data that they've built up and collected. The fact that you're carrying the hardware with you makes for a more personal experience.
The difficulty here is that the current Smash Bros. games haven't relied on rewards, collecting money or raising your character's level. There's no element of gaining experience to make your character stronger, Iwata noted.
Adding the notion of experience would pose a dilmena, explained Sakurai, as there are some players who would get into such a game, while others would not like it. Iwata added that placing a focus on experience would also make the game lose its instant play quality.
What Sakurai hopes to do is have the 3DS version of Smash Bros. allow players to build up their character through battle and rewards, then take their custom character to the Wii U version to face off against everyone. He feels it could be nice if they can make the "personal" portable space and the stadium-like "public" console space mesh together.
Iwata summed it the basic idea nicely: players would spend time on the 3DS version, building up their character and collecting stuff, then show off their skills on the Wii U version.
Now granted this was 2 years ago, Sakurai didn't have much time to plan it because he was still working on KI:U for another year. The plan may well have changed once development actually started. But even then it's completely foolish to dismiss the portable as "inferior" when the developers themselves don't share that sentiment.
I'm actually more hyped to see the 3DS version at E3 than the Wii U version. Wii U is more of the same, 3DS is something actually new.