NieR: Automata director, Yoko Taro, has revealed in a new interview that he wanted characters from the game in Smash Bros. While sitting down to discuss the Switch release of NieR: Automata, which launched on October 6, 2022, over five years since the game's initial release on other platforms, Taro discussed the legacy of the game over these past few years. Taro also went on to detail why the game was ported to the Switch, but ultimately, he also revealed that he wished the team had the game on Switch sooner, so characters could have been in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Even though being on a Nintendo platform may have given the game an edge for the likes of 2B or 9S to appear on the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate roster, it's worth noting that other characters that appeared on the final roster for that game were not all available on Nintendo platforms, to begin with. For example, the first DLC character for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was Joker from Persona 5, which did not release for Switch until October 2022. So, there may have been more to that business and licensing decision than the game just appearing on the console.
In an interview with Nintendolife, Taro was questioned about the success of NieR: Automata and his response was, "you might not believe this everyone, but the real reason why NieR: Automata was such a big hit is… complete chance!!" Yosuke Saito, the producer of NieR: Automata, was also interviewed, and he said he believed it was a combination of great characters, an interesting world, eccentric music, and a sublime action game feel that made the game successful. When asked what it was like to finally see NieR: Automata on Switch, Taro's reply was more focused on Smash Bros. than on the game itself. "I am hugely disappointed that we did not make it in time to get into Smash Bros…," said Taro.
While it remains unclear if 2B or 9S or even A3 would have had a spot in Smash Bros. if the game had been released on Switch sooner, the game remains popular nonetheless. There is even a NieR: Automata anime series in development that will release in January 2023. Its popularity also led to the original NieR game, getting a remaster back in 2021, called NieR Replicant.
Characters like 2B, 9S, and A3 would have likely been perfect fits for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. There is so much variety on that roster. Even with NieR: Automata characters being able to self-destruct and still exist, seeing one of the major characters from NieR: Automata doing battle with the likes of Sora, Cloud, and Sephiroth would have made most Square Enix fans happy. Though DLC support for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has come to an end, it seems like NieR: Automata is still on a lot of gamers' minds.
Nier Automata is available on Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
Source: Nintendolife
