Super Smash Bros. on 3DS and Wii U will not feature any transforming characters, such as Zelda and Sheik because of the hardware limitations for the 3DS, it has been revealed.

In previous versions of the game, players could change between Zelda and Sheik as well as Samus and Zero Suit Samus mid-game. In the latest version, the characters will be present separately.

Smash Bros. director Masahiro Sakurai explained to Famitsu (with thanks to Siliconera) that this would not be possible on the 3DS version of the game: “It’s basically due to the 3DS’ limitations, It was impossible to have both characters exist (as the same character) on 3DS.

“However, reaching that limit can sometimes lead in good directions. Transforming characters had the drawback of ambiguous tactics and such, and I believe that they have become more fresh now.”

The hardware constraints of the 3DS was explained as the reason why long-time Smash Bros. characters Ice Climbers would not be appearing in the newest game, and the console would not handle both Popo and Nana on-screen at the same time.

The CPU limitations are also the cause of the 3DS’s Circle Pad Pro not being compatible with the game. This is not a problem with the upcoming newer 3DS and 3DS XL models, which allows a dual-analogue control scheme.

It has previously said that the Wii U and 3DS versions will have the same roster, so do not expect characters to be able to transform on the Wii U version, either.

Super Smash Bros. is available to buy on the 3rd October on 3DS in America and Europe, with the Wii U version expected sometime in Q4 this year.

What are your thoughts on this change?